Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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Stakeholders’ Initiatives as a Communication Strategy in Combating Farmers-Herders Conflicts in Selected Communities in Benue State, Nigeria
No full textThis study examined stakeholders’ initiatives as communication strategies for managing farmers-herders’ conflict in selected communities across the three (3) senatorial districts in Benue State, Nigeria. The research was inspired by persistent clashes between farmers and herders, which continued to threaten social cohesion, agricultural production, food security, and community development, despite repeated peace-building interventions. Two key theoretical frameworks, the Integrated Communication Model and Peace Journalism, offered insights into how communication strategies can be effectively designed and implemented. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents for this study, leveraging Cochran’s formula for an unknown and large population. Key findings revealed that farmers-herders’ conflicts in Benue State are primarily driven by competition over scarce farmland and grazing routes, with more than half of respondents identifying these as leading causes of the persistent clashes. Beyond these immediate causes, the study also found that deeper structural factors, such as population pressure, climate change, environmental degradation, and the weakening of traditional institutions, significantly exacerbated the situation and recurring cycles of violence. Responses to the conflict have often focused on law enforcement and policy measures, while neglecting the critical role of communication and stakeholders’ collaboration in building sustainable peace. Anchored on Stakeholders’ Theory and Participatory Communication Theory, the study adopted a mixed-methods research design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 180 respondents through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews across Guma, Logo, and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, and the explanation-building model was adopted to carefully analyse data obtained from participants in the focus group discussions. The explanation-building model was used, with thematic analysis applied to qualitative responses. Findings revealed that stakeholder-driven initiatives, such as stakeholder engagement, community dialogue meetings, traditional mediation, and local radio programmes, among others, serve as vital communication strategies for fostering mutual understanding, building trust, and promoting peaceful co-existence among conflicting communities. The results show that where communication was participatory and continuous, violent incidents were significantly reduced. However, the study also identified challenges, including mistrust, inadequate funding, political interference, the exclusion of women and youths, the proliferation of small arms, and limited institutional coordination, all of which have hindered the effective implementation of communication strategies for managing the farmers-herders’ conflict in Benue State. The study concludes that the farmers-herders’ conflict in communities in Benue State is as much a communication problem as it is a resource management issue of scarce land and water. Sustainable peace depends largely on institutionalising participatory communication frameworks that enable all stakeholders to engage openly, share perspectives, and co-create solutions. The study recommended the need to institutionalise the strategic role of traditional and community leaders. Government at all levels should enact laws that focus on reforms and implementable policies that consolidate efforts at peaceful co-existence, establish sustainable stakeholder and community dialogue platforms, integrate local mediators to consolidate peace-building initiatives, and deliberately include marginalised groups, particularly women and youths, in conflict resolution and management processes
Principal Component Analysis-Multilinear Perceptron-based model for Distributed Denial of Service Attack Mitigation
Get PDFThe increasing occurrence of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks has caused significant disruptions in global network services, overwhelming targets by flooding them with requests from various sources. This ease of execution and gaining entry to distributed systems for rent has led to increasing financial losses. This paper addresses the growing challenge of IoT devices-targeted Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks within 4G networks. In this study, a PCA-MLP (Principal Component Analysis-Multi-Layer Perceptron) intrusion detection model combined with a packet-filtering firewall for enhanced prevention is presented. The firewall, utilizing IPtables, selectively permits traffic from trusted sources, successfully blocking nearly 70% of DDoS threats. The PCA-MLP model proposed in this study demonstrated high performance, accurately identifying different types of DDoS attacks with an overall accuracy of 95.35%
Physical and Mechanical Behaviours of Tympanotonus Fuscatus Reinforced Polyethylene
Get PDFThis paper investigated the physical and mechanical characteristics of the periwinkle shell (Tympanotonus fuscatus) particle to determine its effectiveness as reinforcement in polyethylene matrix composite for potential engineering applications with a reduction in fossil-based constituents with its attendant environmental impact. The composites were constituted from periwinkle particle fractions from 5 to 40 wt. %, with five different particle sizes: 106, 150, 177, 250, and 420 μm. Test specimens were investigated via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), tensile, impact, and flexural, density, and water absorption evaluations. Results showed that densities of samples at all particle sizes increased with filler content but reduced with enlargement of the particle size of the filler owing to the increase in void sizes between the filler and the matrix. However, the developed composites still feature within the density range of low-density, to linear low-density of polymer composite. The water absorptivity decreased as the filler content increased due to the crystalline nature of the filler. Specifically, composites' peak impact energy, and flexural strength, of 21.54 J for 150 μm sample at 40 wt. % filler content and 11.96 MPa for 106 µm sample at 5 wt. % filler content was recorded respectively. FTIR spectrum shows the presence of additional C=C and C-O-C groups. Also, SEM micrographs indicated strong interfacial bonding between the filler and the matrix, and good filler dispersion in the matrix, which accounted for relative improvement in mechanical properties. Hence, the developed periwinkle particulate-reinforced low-density polyethylene composite can be used for decorative purposes or in car interior design where high strength is not a critical requirement
Experimental Study on the Impact of Soil Type Variations on Compressive Strength and Settlement Characteristics of Spread Footing Foundations
Get PDFThis research investigates the influence of soil type variations on the compressive strength and settlement behavior of spread footing foundations. Soil properties such as moisture content, dry density, void ratio, cohesion, and internal friction angle play a crucial role in determining how foundations respond to applied loads. Variations in these properties can lead to uneven settlements and structural instability, posing significant challenges in construction. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these interactions to enhance foundation design and prevent structural failures. We applied machine learning techniques for data analysis and visualized patterns using Power BI, enabling a detailed exploration of the relationships between soil characteristics, compressive strength, and settlement behavior. The results showed that soil cohesion and internal friction angle had the most significant impact on compressive strength, while moisture content and void ratio were key contributors to settlement behavior. The optimized model achieved high accuracy of 82% in classifying settlement levels, reinforcing the dataset's reliability. This research highlights the importance of thorough soil testing and data-driven modeling in foundation design. We recommend integrating predictive models into geotechnical practice to support safer, more resilient structures, especially in areas with diverse soil profiles. The findings provide a valuable tool for engineers to make informed decisions, reducing the risk of foundation failure and enhancing the long-term stability of infrastructure
Development of an Automated Aquarium Monitoring System with an IoT Interface using Google Sheets
Get PDFThis paper presents the development of an automated aquarium monitoring system with an IOT interface using google sheets; the system autonomously monitors key water quality parameters temperature, pH, and turbidity while automating fish feeding and water replacement functions. An ESP32 microcontroller serves as the system’s core, control unit which is programmed using C++ to transmit environmental data to a cloud-based Google Sheet. A servo motor dispenses feed precisely every 12 hours, while two DC pumps are triggered automatically when turbidity exceeds 50 NTU, ensuring proactive water quality management. The designed system is powered by a 30W solar panel and a charge controller coupled with a 12V lead-acid battery, allowing continuous operation in off-grid locations. The system performance test was conducted over a period of five days and was validated by comparing the sensor outputs with results of the manual measurements obtained by using laboratory-grade instruments. The results demonstrated high accuracy, with average deviations of only 1.95% for temperature, 2.09% for pH, and 1.96% for turbidity when compared with the result obtained from the manual measurement. Also the automated feeding and water replacement mechanisms operated with 100% reliability by being able dispense the feed from the hoper at every 12 hours interval and changing the water once the turbidity is equals or above 50 NTU. Hence the proposed system successfully enhanced automation, real-time cloud integration, and renewable power supply for improved fish aquarium management, thereby offering a compelling alternative to labour-intensive and manually operated systems while laying the groundwork for intelligent, data-driven fish farming practices
Effects of Treated Greywater on Mineral Contents and Proximate Compositions of Pepper Fruits
Get PDFThis study investigates the effects of treated greywater on the mineral and proximate compositions of pepper grown in Akure, Nigeria. Greywater was treated using a filtration system including sand and gravels with common reed, to remove contaminants and reduce potential health risks. The treated greywater was then used to irrigate pepper plants. Minerals and proximate analysis were conducted on the fresh pepper fruits. For 2016, 2017 and 2018 dry seasons, samples from treated greywater irrigation plots showed nitrogen (N) values of 0.37, 0.37, and 0.37 mg/kg, phosphorus values of 0.10, 0.19, and 0.11 mg/kg, and potassium values of 129.00, 130.00, and 128.00 mg/kg, respectively. Samples from plots watered with treated greywater also had 2.30, 2.26, and 2.28% protein, 1.36, 1.41, and 1.38% fat, and 2.00, 3.15, and 3.06% carbohydrates in the dry seasons of 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively, based on the proximate analysis of hot pepper. These also indicate that irrigation with treated greywater can significantly enhance food supplements needed for human growth and does not affect the quality of pepper for human consumption. Notably, no significant accumulation of heavy metals was detected in the fruits. Continued monitoring and optimized treatment processes are recommended to ensure long-term safety
Effect of Security Measures on Business Performance of Tourism Entrepreneurs in National Museum Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of security measures on the performance of tourism businesses operating in the vicinity of the National Museum Lagos, Nigeria. The objective is to assess how four distinct security dimensions—policy and regulatory frameworks, physical security measures, operational security practices, and technological security measures—influence tourism business performance. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 150 tourism entrepreneurs, selected using stratified random sampling from a known population of 250 businesses. To test the study hypotheses, multiple regression analysis, an inferential statistical method, was employed to evaluate the relationship between the independent variables and business performance outcomes. The results indicate that policy and regulatory measures had a positive and statistically significant effect on performance (B = 0.221, p = 0.018), emphasizing the critical role of clear, enforceable legal frameworks in supporting tourism entrepreneurship. However, physical security measures had a significant negative impact (B = -0.404, p < 0.001), suggesting inefficiencies or misallocations in security resource deployment. Both operational security practices (B = 0.100, p = 0.484) and technological security measures (B = -0.328, p = 0.786) showed no statistically significant influence, implying underutilization or misalignment with operational needs. The findings suggest a need for balance between regulatory enforcement and visitor-friendly security implementations. The study concludes that while legal and regulatory measures can drive business performance, overdependence on physical security without corresponding efficiency may hinder outcomes. Implications of the research are relevant for policy-makers, tourism entrepreneurs, and security professionals, guiding them toward cost-effective and performance-enhancing security strategies. The study contributes to existing literature by offering context-specific empirical evidence and theoretical grounding through the Theory of Planned Behavior, filling a notable gap in security-performance research within Nigeria’s heritage tourism sector
The Role of Digital Marketing in Enhancing the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
Get PDFDigital marketing has emerged as a transformative force for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in developing economies where traditional marketing channels are limited or ineffective. This study examines the relationship between digital marketing and SMEs’ growth in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, involving surveys with 150 SME owners and interviews with 10 stakeholders. Regression analysis and thematic evaluation were used to explore the extent of digital marketing adoption, its impact on business growth, and challenges to implementation. Findings show that while digital marketing improves customer engagement and brand awareness, adoption is limited by infrastructure deficits, low digital literacy, and affordability concerns. Policy recommendations are provided to enhance digital adoption and build SME competitiveness
“How Worldly Should We Get to Win the World?”: Autoethnographic Reflections on Sacred and Mundane Entanglements in Nigerian Gospel Music Discourse
Get PDFThis article explores the intersection of religion and popular culture by examining how the connections between the sacred and secular are portrayed in public discourse surrounding Nigerian gospel music. Studies exploring gospel music in Nigeria have examined its growth, style, classifications, and significance in facilitating spirituality in everyday life. As a form of Christian popular culture, gospel music influences and is influenced by secular art forms. This interaction has generated several criticisms from both within and outside the Christian fold. Despite the longstanding tensions relating to the entanglement between gospel music and secular popular expressions, how these controversies are encountered, framed, and discussed in public discourse has not received scholarly investigation. Based on years of observation and sacred public conversations, including sermons and social media comments, this study aims to answer the following question: How are the concepts of spirituality and ‘worldliness’ framed in the public discourse on gospel music practices in Nigeria? What are the possible explanations for the interaction between the sacred and the secular in Nigerian gospel music? What do these public discourses mean for understanding how the ‘boundaries’ of Christianity and its artistic forms, including gospel music, are stretched, collapsed, constructed, reconstructed, mediated, and negotiated through the structures of popular culture in Nigeria? The study reveals that symbolic entanglements, fandom and celebrity culture, as well as labour and religious economy, frame the discourse regarding the perpetual interactions between gospel music and secular entertainment. It concludes that the public controversies regarding the extent to which religious actors, including preachers and gospel musicians in Nigeria and Africa, will go (including mobilising secular popular culture) to win the world are limitless.
 
A Melting Pot of Literature and Orature: An Intertextual Analysis of Bosede Afolayan's Once Upon an Elephant
Get PDFAfrican writers are products of double heritages, of both the Western education they are exposed to and the immediate cultural environments from where they have appropriated materials for their literary enterprises. There is however the tendency to down play the influence of African oral tradition on African Literature by concentrating on the influence of foreign writings on African literary texts. Recent scholarly works have examined the relationship between works of African writers to establish intertextual relationships among their written texts but paid little attention to the African oral resources as a distinct text on its own right. The study aimed to fill the observed gap by examining the influence of orature on literary texts, specifically, on Bosede Afolayan's play, Once Upon an Elephant. The study employed both primary and secondary sources of data collection, which involved a close reading and in-depth analysis of the selected primary text and some secondary texts, adopting Intertextual theory as a tool of analysis. Intertextual theory is basically about similarities and differences between presumably related texts. The study made strong case for more intertextual practices among African writers with the recommendation that both creative writers and critics can enrich their works by looking inward, especially their immediate African cultural environment as veritable fount to source materials for their creative enterprises