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14. The Social Behaviour and Perceived Impact of Headphone Use across Selected Tertiary Institutions in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
No full textBackground: Noise is regarded as sound generated as a byproduct of artificial or natural activities introduced directly or indirectly into the environment, usually at levels above 80 dB. Daily exposure to noise in many occupations may impair hearing, reduce efficiency, or both. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the headphone usage habits among adolescents in selected tertiary institutions in Ilorin and to examine adolescents\u27 perceptions regarding the impact of headphone use on their hearing health. Methodology: Data were collected from respondents across three universities in Kwara State using a descriptive survey research approach through a structured questionnaire to gather data from the students. The sample was drawn randomly in three key zones of the institutions – the Administration building area, the university bus park and the University library. Background sound levels in these areas were also recorded. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics using SPSS 20, and the results were presented in frequencies and percentages to highlight trends across the study variables. Result: The findings reveal that most respondents (43.5%) prefer listening to music at medium volumes, with fun and relaxation (74.5%) being the primary motivations for headphone use. However, a significant portion experiences adverse effects such as ear soreness, ringing in the ears, and distraction (62.0%). Despite these issues, many respondents lack concern about potential hearing loss, highlighting a gap in awareness about the risks of excessive sound exposure. Additionally, the study finds that respondents often use headphones as part of their daily routine, with 43% occasionally removing their headphones to engage in social interactions. Conclusion and recommendations: Several factors influence adolescents in these universities. Their behaviour, perceived health implications, and experiences differ based on the duration and volume of exposure and background noise levels. The study recommended developing guidelines to promote mindful headphone use in shared spaces, considering the growing incidence among young persons. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals should play active roles in raising awareness about safe listening habits
Health Risk Implications of Heavy Metals Contamination on Drinking Water in Densely Populated Markets of Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Full text linkBackground: Access to safe drinking water is vital for public health; issues like water quality aberrations and pollution continue to affect urban dwellers, calling for an evaluation of health risks and pollution levels in water resources. Objectives: The study aimed at presenting an aggregate assessment of the pollution index and health risk of physical, chemical, and heavy metal constituents in drinking water resources across the markets of Abeokuta metropolis. Methodology: Three densely populated markets, including Kuto, Lafenwa, and Osiele, were selected for monitoring over three months during the wet season. Five hand-dug wells were sampled from each market and evaluated for groundwater quality parameters including pH, Temperature, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn). The data obtained were subjected to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Correlation matrix and linear regression). Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Health Risk Assessment (HRA) were estimated in the water samples. Results: Significantly, high levels of TDS and EC were observed in drinking water from Lafenwa, while high Pb, Ni, and Cd were observed in the water samples from Kuto, Lafenwa, and Osiele. The HPI revealed higher metal contamination at Lafenwa, but the value was generally below the critical index. The HRA showed high Pb, Cd, and Ni hazard quotients in adults, children, and infants, indicating non-carcinogenic adverse health effects. In contrast, cancer risk assessment showed elevated cancer risk. Conclusion: The drinking water from hand-dug wells at Kuto, Lafenwa, and Osiele markets of Abeokuta is contaminated and poses significant threats to human health upon consumption. Recommendations: The study advises the local health authorities to implement a regular monitoring programme for groundwater quality within the Abeokuta metropolis, especially in densely populated areas, to ensure safety and compliance with health standards. They can also launch educational campaigns to raise residents\u27 awareness of the potential health risks associated with contaminated drinking water. Information on the importance of water quality testing can empower communities to proactively manage their health risks and advocate for improvements in water safety
Industrial Dioxin as an Endocrine Disruptor: Combined Effects with Hyperglycemia on Male Reproductive Health
Full text linkBackground: Industrial pollutants like dioxins, known endocrine disruptors, pose significant risks to reproductive health, particularly when combined with metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of dioxin exposure and hyperglycemia on testicular function in male Wistar rats. Objectives: To assess the independent and synergistic effects of hyperglycemia and dioxin (TCDD) exposure on testicular function, spermatogenesis, and oxidative balance. Methodology: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetes only (STZ-induced), dioxin only, and diabetes combined with dioxin. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, serum testosterone, sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers (MDA and SOD), and testicular histology were assessed. Histological sections were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: Diabetic and diabetic+dioxin groups exhibited elevated blood glucose, though differences were not statistically significant. Body weight increased significantly in the diabetic group but decreased markedly with dioxin exposure. Testosterone levels rose in diabetes alone but were significantly suppressed by dioxin, especially in the combined exposure group. Sperm motility, count, and viability were significantly reduced in diabetic and diabetic+dioxin groups, while dioxin alone paradoxically increased motility and viability. MDA levels were lowest, and SOD activity was severely reduced in dioxin-exposed groups, indicating heightened oxidative stress. Histological analyses revealed pronounced degeneration, germinal epithelium thinning, and extensive interstitial fibrosis in the diabetic+dioxin group, confirming synergistic testicular toxicity. Conclusion/Recommendations: Combined exposure to hyperglycemia and dioxin has a synergistic, deleterious effect on male reproductive health, exacerbating oxidative stress, impairing spermatogenesis, and promoting fibrotic remodeling. These findings underscore the heightened reproductive risks posed by concurrent metabolic and environmental insults.
 
A Multi-Modal Discourse Analysis of Bank Public Service Advertisements on Instagram
Full text linkThe shift in advertisement has gone from Traditional media tools such as newspapers, magazines, letters to modern media tools via television, radio with online/digitalization such as social media which is gradually dominating advertising spaces. Important players in the digital or online platforms include Google, Facebook, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp. It is from the foregoing that this study attempts an investigation of bank advertisements on one of the social media platforms (Instagram) using the multi-modal discourse analysis approach. In this study, five pictorial adverts were selected from GTBank, Union bank and FCMB official pages on Instagram through a purposeful sampling technique. In the analysis of data, Kress and van Leeuwen\u27s Visual Grammar based on Halliday\u27s Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) was adopted. This grammatical model focuses on the exploration of representational, interactional and compositional meanings adding evidence to the assumption that meaning arises from the use of multiple semiotic resources to investigate linguistic and visual forms of public service advertisement. The study reveals that visual and linguistic elements construct representation and create visual discourse. Finding also shows that banks use Public Service Adverts to create strategic advertisements of their brands based on the shared values of the target viewers to make them feel important and involved. The study concludes that the multi-modal elements in these adverts help greatly in the understanding of how banks construct and negotiate identity, power and ideology for effective marketing of their brands. This plays significant role in influencing consumer behaviour, shaping cultural norms and driving the economic growth of the country
Aspects of Ethics In Kitāb Al-Wā‘Iz: A Textual Study
Full text linkThis paper is a textual study of Kitāb Al-wā‘iz which covers a translation (tarjamah) of the entire book and an exegetical study (sharh) of some parts of it that touch ethics and morality. The problem of immorality is rampant among Nigerian Muslims while the book which is, according to the compiler, a source of moral instruction for the people of this land, exists in Arabic language, whereas the lingua-franca of the target audience is English language. The aim of the study was therefore to translate the book, analyze some aspects of it that bother on morality and ethics and exegetically apply them to some contemporary behavioural problems. The objective is to make its lessons reach a larger audience. Using the Qur’an and Sunnah as the major tools to analyze this material, the researcher used both the historical and analytical method in this research which is qualitative and exegetic in nature. After a brief biography of Al-Ilory, a translation of Kitāb Al-wā‘iz and an exegetical analysis of the aimed areas of the book was done in the paper. On the whole, it was found that Kitāb Al-wā‘iz can be regarded as a potential builder of an ideal personality and a model for an ideal society
Da‘Wah Activities: A Century of Imamship in Igbemo-Ekiti from Imām Sanusi Bada to Abdullah Junaid: 1880-2004
Full text linkThis article is on Da‘wah activities: a century of Imamship in Igbemo-Ekiti from Imām Sanusi Bada to Abdullah Junaid: 1880-2024. It examines the transformative power of Da‘wah activities in shaping Islamic identity, promoting community cohesion, and fostering social change. This study sheds light on the achievements, challenges, and lessons learnt from a century of Islamic leadership and outreach in the town, its immediate environment, as well as entire Yoruba land. From the first Imām to the fourth Imām, the work is historical in nature. Hence, the method used is purely descriptive analysis. Data were gathered through oral interviews and written documents. The theoretical framework for the work based on several keys that are relevant to the study of Islamic missionary work and the evolution of religious leadership within a specific community over time. Social movement theory was used to analyze the roles of Imāms while Religious Leadership theory focused on the role of religious leaders within a community, and how they influence the beliefs, behaviors, and practices of their followers. Critical discourse analysis was applied to study the language and rhetoric used by the Imām in their preaching and Da‘wah activities. These theoretical perspectives helped to contextualize the historical and socio-political factors that shaped the development of Islamic missionary work in the town. It also shed light on the enduring legacy of these influential religious leaders. Findings show that Igbemo-Ekiti had long history of Islam and Islamic scholarship from inception till date. The outcome of this work suggests that the current crop of the scholars and clerics in the town should not deviate from path of their forerunners’
Economic Viability of Arabic Skit Making in South West, Nigeria
Full text linkFrom the time immemorial, Arabic language has become a commercial tool that is navigating towards the means of livelihood of particular set of people through their commercial engagements both at the local and international level of merchandise activities. At the international level, the position of Arabic Language at the United Nations (UN) and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as well as African Union (AU) can never be neglected regarding its economic roles playing in the committee of oil producing nations, and other diplomatic engagements. Nevertheless, the experts in Arabic language have also defined many means in commercializing their proficiency beyond teaching of Arabic language in their madāris (Islamic Schools) and other classes of study. With the advent of social media, many handlers of various channels of social media contents have explored the medium in exhibiting their talents and content creations in skit making in standard Arabic Language that at the end earned them huge amount of income, which at the same time deciphered to economic growth and benefit in our society. This research paper is an attempt to identify some of the so-called Arabic Skit makers in Southwestern part of Nigeria and critically appraise the contents of their skits. Descriptive and Analytical method would be strictly adhered to in given a detailed analysis of the Skit contents. Findings show that this is modern adventure is greatly having positive impacts on many Arabists as it has taken them out of poverty-stricken situations that usually combat the Arabic language experts in Southwestern part of Nigeria. The study concludes that Arabic skit making is the way to go in this modern era of globalization and therefore should be sustained
The Concept of Truth in Yoruba Indigenous Religion in Relation to Peace Building
Full text linkIn African traditional societies, harmonious relationship is anchored on truth and this is the basis of every form of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. However, when the culture of truth is compromised, peaceful coexistence becomes unachievable and life becomes meaningless. It is in this perspective that this paper examines the role of Yoruba indigenous religion and its cultural understanding of truth in relation to peace building and conflict resolution. The study highlights how the Yoruba traditional approach to truth integrates spiritual, moral, and pragmatic dimensions, fostering a sense of accountability and reconciliation among conflicting parties. Central to this approach are indigenous institutions like the Ọba (king), Babaláwo (diviners), and council of elders, who serve as mediators through rituals, divination, and dialogue. These institutions help to ensure that resolution processes align with cosmic and societal order. The Yoruba belief in the interconnectedness of individuals with the spiritual and natural worlds enhances the emphasis on restorative justice over punitive measures, making it a valuable tool in modern peace building efforts. The study employs a phenomenological and critical approach in underscoring the need for conflict resolution in African societies. This paper further explores how Yoruba cultural values of truth-telling, empathy, and tolerance can address contemporary conflicts by fostering mutual understanding and healing. It argues that incorporating these indigenous methodologies into global conflict resolution paradigms provides a culturally sensitive and holistic approach to achieving sustainable peace
دلالات "ما" الاستفهامية في شعر عيسى ألبي أبوبكر: دراسة نحوية The Concepts of the Interrogative "maa" in the Poetry of Isa Alabi Abubakar: A syntactic study
No full textيسعى البحث إلى فهم الدلالات المتنوعة لاستخدام "ما" الاستفهامية في شعر الشاعر عيسى ألبي أبو بكر، والتي وردت في أكثر من 23 موضعا في شعره، تكمن المشكلة في التباين بين المعاني النحوية والدلالية للأداة "ما" وتعدد استعمالاتها حسب السياق، هدفت الدراسة إلى توضيح الوظائف النحوية والدلالية لـــ "ما" الاستفهامية في سياق شعر عيسى ألبي أبو بكر، مع استعراض الأبعاد السياقية التي تؤثر على هذه الدلالات، تعزز هذه الدراسة فهم الشعر العربي الحديث خلال تحليل عنصر نحوي أساسي، وتسهم في فهم أعمق للغة الشعرية لعيسى ألبي أبو بكر، والتي تبرز قدراته الدلالية على المنهج الاستقرائي والتحليلي لدراسة الدلالية النحوية والسياقية لكلمة "ما" الاستفهامية، وتظهر النتيجة أن "ما" الاستفهامية تتنوع دلالاتها في شعر عيسى ألبي أبو بكر بين السؤال الحقيقي، التعجب، النفي، التوبيخ، الإنكار، والتحفيز، بناء على السياق النحوي والدلالي، وقد بين الشاعر مهارة لغوية مميزة في استخدامه لهذه الأداة لتعزيز معاني أشعاره وإيصال رسائله الثقافية والاجتماعية.
هذا مما يلمسه هذا البحث.
The research seeks to understand the various connotations of the use of the interrogative "ma" in the poetry of the poet Isa Alabi Abubakr, which appeared in more than 23 places in his poetry. The problem lies in the discrepancy between the grammatical and semantic meanings of the tool "ma" and its multiple uses according to the context. The study aims to clarify the grammatical and semantic functions of the interrogative "ma" in the context of Issa Albi Abu Bakr\u27s poetry, while reviewing the contextual dimensions that affect these connotations. This study enhances the understanding of modern Arabic poetry through the analysis of a basic grammatical elements, and contributes to a deeper understanding of Isa Alabi Abubakr\u27s poetic language, which highlights his semantic capabilities in the inductive and analytical approach to studying the grammatical and contextual semantics of the interrogative word "ma". Finding shows that the interrogative "ma" has various connotations in Isa Alabi Abubakr\u27s poetry between the real question, exclamation, negation, rebuke, denial, and motivation, based on the grammatical and semantic context. Findings also reveals that the poet demonstrated distinctive linguistic skills in his use of this tool to enhance the meanings of his poems and convey his cultural and social messages
Highlights on Arabic Sūfī Writing in Ilorin, Nigeria
No full textSufism is considered as the inner dimension of Islam which is based on the norms of self-purification, abstinence from evil deeds and discovery of truth, through spiritual training and self-reliance. It has manifested itself in different people from the earliest period of human civilization. However, writing is one of the methodologies used to pass information to people, in prose and poetry; indeed Ilorin scholars are not left out of their contributions to mysticism which became a well-developed genre like other literary themes in Ilorin. This research work intended to examine Arabic Sūfī writing and the Ilorin leading writers as part of their contributions to the spread of Islam which had been their early cultural norm. This research work revolved around library consultations and field work; the library consultations were to collect data, while the fieldwork was to gather relevant information from relevant people. In a nutshell, collected data together with interview were used for the study. Going by the discussion, the research highlighted the history of Sūfī writing in Ilorin and survey of some selected Sūfī writers, among the previous and current generations with samples of their works. It is therefore suggested the Sufi writers or families of the deceased ones among them, should try to publish all works not only for wider circulation