Fountain University Journals
Not a member yet
443 research outputs found
Sort by
Antioxidant Parameters, Lipid Profiles and Performance Studies of Broiler Birds Fed Graded Level Taurine-Supplemented Diets
Get PDFThe research was targeted towards monitoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of non-enzymic antioxidants, lipid profiles and performance activities of broiler birds fed taurine-supplemented diets. One hundred and eighty 1-day-old unsexed arbor acre strain broiler birds were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments, six replicates per treatment and six birds per replicate. Treatments 1 to 5 contained 0%, 0.002%, 0.004%, 0.006% and 0.008% taurine supplements respectively as add-over. Treatment 1 served as the control diet. The birds were grouped and brooded for a week and the experiment lasted for six weeks. The birds were sacrificed and the liver, kidneys and serum were collected. The activities of catalase and myeloperoxidase, concentrations of reduced glutathione and nitric oxide as well as the serum lipid profiles were monitored. Liver catalase activities was highest for birds placed on 0.006 and 0.008% taurine-supplemented diets as compared with those on 0% taurine-supplemented diet. The trend was similar for the kidney reduced glutathione concentration. Liver nitric oxide concentrations and kidney myeloperoxidase activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) for birds placed on 0.004%, 0.006% and 0.008% taurine-supplemented diets as compared to birds placed on the control diets. High density lipoprotein was highest for birds on a 0.008% diet and lowest for birds on the control diet. The best feed conversion ratio was obtained for birds placed on 0.008% taurine-supplemented diet. Taurine-supplemented diets at between 0.002 and 0.008% favoured birds’ antioxidant defense mechanisms, had no deleterious effect on lipid profile, and equally improved the performance characteristics of broiler birds.
Keywords: Taurine, catalase, high density lipoprotein, carcass measures, feed conversion rati
Personality Variables as Determinants of Cataloguing Performance of Librarians in Nigerian Universities
Get PDFThis study investigated the personality variables of age, gender, experience, and subject background as determinants the cataloguing performance of librarians in Nigerian universities. A descriptive survey method was adopted in the study with the use of Cataloguers’ Personality Variables Questionnaire (CPVQ) and Cataloguers’ Practical Cataloguing Test (CPCT) designed by the researcher to collect data from 304 librarians in eighteen (18) university libraries from the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria. Descriptive statistic method was used to analyse data, answer research questions and test the hypotheses. The study revealed that each of the personal variables significantly influenced the cataloguing performance of librarians. The study, therefore, recommended, among other things, that library authorities should deploy librarians to the cataloguing section of the library based on the appropriate personal variables that are most suitable for achieving cataloguing efficiency among cataloguing librarians
Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soils around a Scrap Metal Recycling Company in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFContamination of soils by heavy metals has severely increased over the last few decades due to industrial wastes and human activities. Contaminated soils can constitute sources of health hazard to humans globally. However, there is paucity of information on the level of heavy metal concentration in the study area. This study therefore made a pioneering effort in investigating the concentration of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) in soils around a scrap metal recycling company in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Thirty soil samples and solid wastes were collected from four sides of the scrap metal recycling company. The samples were air-dried, digested using standard method and analyzed for the selected heavy metals using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Results of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) analysis revealed that for heavy metals, the concentrations in the soils were below the background levels and permissible limits recommended for soils in some countries. The value of the mean concentration of the analyzed heavy metals in the soils around the scrap metal recycling company ranged from 0.0040 – 0.0140 mg/kg for Cd, 0.061 – 0.108 mg/kg for Fe, 0.037 – 0.047 mg/kg for Cu, 0.003 – 0.0064 mg/kg for Pb and 0.019 – 0.121 mg/kg for Zn. The results from the study indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals around the scrap metal recycling company did not appear to be of serious concern. The concentrations of all the heavy metals were below the background level proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) residential soil standards.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Contamination, Scrap metals, Recycling factory, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS
Impact of Strategic Planning on Organi-sational Performance in First Bank Nigeria Plc, Osun State
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of strategic planning on firm performance in the banking industry using First Bank as case study. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of organisation objective on employee turnover, ascertain the effect of long range plan on business survival and analyse the effect of strategic implementation on employee turnover. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Fifty-six questionnaires were administered to the top management in which fifty-six were collected. The data was then presented using frequency tables. The data was analysed using regression analysis. The findings were that there were statistically significant effects of organisation objective on employee turnover, significant effect of long range plan on business survival and significant effect of strategic implementation on employee turnover in First Bank Nigeria Plc, Osun State. The findings recommended that companies should look into the aspects of organisation objective, long range plan and strategic implementation practice put in-place in the organisation as it helps to improve employee performance and turnover.
 
Emergence of Arabic New Loan Words among Yoruba Speakers in Southwestern Nigeria: A Critical Analysis
Get PDFLanguage is a social phenomenon that is used as a means of communication among the indigenous inhabitants of a particular community. It is also a significant factor and powerful tool in transmitting information, ideas, and resolutions irrespective of location, time and purpose. In this literary and linguistic analytical study, the researcher engages in analytical method in examining the rise and frequency in the use of Arabic language as a means of self–expression among Yoruba speakers in the South-Western part of Nigeria in order to suit their needs in some identified circle, clique and profession. The analysis of those words is presented and justified in the way they are used in this context. References are made to address the previous process of some loan words from Arabic to English and Yoruba languages. The findings show the emergence of new loan words from Arabic to the Yoruba language in the region and, even, English language, especially in social media contents. It is observed that if this continues, after some years, the Arabic words will become household words among Yoruba speakers or be codified as part of Yoruba and English languages. Unborn generations will, therefore, consider them as original Yoruba and/or English words instead of their Arabic origin. It is hereby recommended that the teachers of Arabic language should be observant of this rapid trend and keep eyes on this emergence for posterity reason to retain the Arabic origin of those new loan words
Educational Qualifications, Partisanship and Vote-Buying in the 2014 and 2015 Governorship Elections in Ekiti and Oyo States
Get PDFThough vote buying as an electoral practice obtains in both developed and developing democracies, comparative empirical research has shown that this phenomenon is most visible in transiting democracies and political parties operating in these contexts devote huge resources to fund the unethical practice. While many scholarly works have been produced on this subject, few studies have engaged the question of causality/ association among voters’ educational qualifications, partisan status and acceptance of inducement at elections. Thus, this study fills the scholarly gap by investigating the relationship among educational qualification, partisan status and acceptance of vote inducement among voters in Ekiti and Oyo states, Southwest, Nigeria. A total of 983 registered voters were sampled through a multi-stage sampling technique. The participants were selected randomly from the official voter registration list. The result reveals a widespread of voter inducement in the 2014 Ekiti and 2015 Oyo states governorship elections. We find a strong association between voters’ partisan status and acceptance of inducement. We also find a significant association between educational attainment and acceptance of inducement among the selected sample. Voting at the two elections was not considered a civic duty as voters were only motivated by pecuniary advantage they could draw from the election season.KeywordsEducational attainment, electoral culture, Nigeria, partisanship, voter inducemen
ECOWAS Protocol Implementation on Free Movement of Persons and Trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic: An Overview
Get PDFThe ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and trade is inevitable within the African sub-region since no nation is an island; there is necessity for these sovereign nations within the West African sub-continent to interact together in terms of trade, security, and good governance which requires the free movement of persons across the borderline. However, reverse is the case as the implementation of the protocol was not properly implemented by the leaders of the two (2) countries. Consequently, this study examined the extent at which Nigeria and Benin Republic have not complied with the implementation of the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and trade and investigated the level of challenges that hindered the effective implementation of the ECOWAS protocol along Nigeria and Benin Republic on the borderline. The study adopted the qualitative and quantitative methodology for analysis of data collected in respect of the stated objective and the study discovered the following: only the first phase of the ECOWAS protocol was well implemented but others experienced failure in the process of implementation of the protocol, such as trade, and illicit movement. The study recommends that ECOWAS needs to lobby member states to comply with the implementation of the treaty signed on protocols.
Keywords
ECOWAS protocol, free movement persons, free movement of trade, migration and socio-economic development
 
Impact of Performance Appraisal Strategy on Employee Productivity: Evidence from Selected Nigerian Banks
No full textMany organisations experience low productivity despite their acclaimed effective performance appraisal system. In Nigeria, many organisations, especially banks are experiencing low productivity and performance due to ineffective appraisal system. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the impact of performance appraisal strategy on employee performance with specific reference to selected Nigerian banks. Five banks were selected through purposive method. Judgmental sampling technique was also used to select Head of Operation, Accountant, Auditor, and Branch Manager from 5 branches of the selected banks in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred respondents served as sample size for the study. The data collection instrument for the study was structured questionnaire to elicit information. Simple percentage and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) were adopted for data analysis. Findings show that the overall assessment of performance appraisal in Nigerian banks has a significant impact on employee performance and also reveals that most Nigerian banks make use of the ranking method to assess their staff. Consequently, the study recommends that bank authorities should not appraise the performance of employees based on the deposit target, but on their accomplished duties and responsibilities
Assessment of Factors Affecting Grassroots’ Political Participation in Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Osun State in Focus
No full textThis article provided insights into the factors affecting grassroot political participation in Nigeria, with a focus on Osun State. The study adopted survey research design and utilized primary data obtained through the administration of questionnaires and conduct of in-depth interview. A proportional fraction of 382 respondents comprising executive members of political parties, traditional chiefs, community development associations, civil society organizations and semi-formal organizations were selected for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive analysis with the aid of SPSS. The study revealed that limited government accommodation and responsiveness, lack of access to information about government programmes, lack of trust in political office holders, and low awareness level of the people concerning their roles in governance are major factors responsible for low grassroot participation in the governance of the State. These factors, as revealed, have led to the reduction of the legitimacy and peoples’ trust in the government of the State. Thus, more fora such as town hall meetings must be provided by the government and there should be a law for mandatory public hearing and consultation in the State
An Evaluation of the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Utilization at Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria
Get PDFOnline Public Access Catalogue gained traction in the developed world decades ago, while its adoption has gradually peaked in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. Just four years ago, the facility was installed at Fountain University Nigeria. Literature over time has shown that the availability of OPAC does not necessarily translate to use, hence this paper seeks to evaluate the level of usage of OPAC by students of Fountain University to contribute to ongoing discussions on better appreciation, effective implementation as well as the productive application of OPAC in libraries. The study adopted quantitative methods using a survey. Total sampling was employed using the entire nine hundred and eighty-two students as the sample size to give equal representation to all the departments and courses in the university, most importantly those that have few students. A questionnaire consisting of a set of close and open questions was designed as a research instrument to elicit data from the respondents. Five hundred and ninety (590) respondents returned the questionnaire which was further collated for further interpretation and analysis based on descriptive statistics, such as frequency counts and percentages. The findings show a general awareness of the existence of OPAC devoid of deep appreciation of its essence and operations among other challenges. There is therefore a pressing need to widen the scope of user education and orientation classes to include all the intricacies.
Keywords
Fountain University Library, OPAC utilization, user interface, student-clients