Abeokuta South Research Articles

Fluoride contamination in groundwater sources in Southwestern Nigeria: Assessment using multivariate statistical approach and human health risk

The present study investigated the ionic and fluoride concentrations in tap water and its associated health risk to local dwellers of Ogun State (Abeokuta south), Nigeria. 63 samples were collected from twenty-one different locations. Results obtained revealed the mean concentration of fluoride (F–) as 1.23 mg/L. Other water quality parameters such as total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), F–, Fe2+, and SO42– surpassed the WHO guidance for drinking water. Strong positive correlation was observed between F– and TDS; F– and pH; TDS and EC; TDS and Mg2+; TDS and SO42–; TDS and HCO3–; EC and HCO3–; EC and SO42–; Na+ and Cl–; SO42– and Cl–. In addition, Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) model was employed to spatially distribute the concentration of the analyzed elements within the study region. The chronic daily dose (CDD) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also used to evaluate the health risk associated with F–, considering dermal and ingestion as pathways. The results revealed that the associated HQ for infants between the age range of 6–12months within about 91% of the study region surpassed the accepted HQ limit. However, the HQ for age categories 11–16years; >65years; 18–21years; 21years; 16–18years within 95.2%, 90.5%, 80.95% and 100% of the study location were less than 1. Conclusively, the HQ values obtained in this study should serve as a baseline information for water management authorities, policymakers and the society at large towards addressing these pollution issues.

An Investigation of Coat Colour Distribution of West African Dwarf Goats

This study was carried out to determine coat colour distribution of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Three thousand, three hundred and ten (3310) WAD goats were randomly sampled consisting of 2511 (75.86%) does and 799 (24.14%) bucks. Animals were prevalently maintained on semi-intensive management. Various coat colours identified were black with highest frequency of 941 (28.42%), brown 436 (13.17%), badgerface 346 (10.45%), grey 254 (7.67%), buckskin 222 (6.70%), lateral belly 154 (4.65%), white and black 149 (4.50%), white and brown 134 (4.05%), white and black marking 105 (3.17%), black and white marking 92 (2.78%), spotted white 88 (2.66%), spotted black 80 (2.42%), blackmash 63 (1.90%), tan 61 (1.84%), white 57 (1.72%), bezoar 49 (1.48%), spotted brown 40 (1.21%), lateral stripes 33 (1.00%), with swiss marking having the lowest frequency of 6 (0.18%). The gene frequency was estimated using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation which resulted as 0.70 and 0.30 for eumelanin and Phaeomelanin respectively. Chi-square (χ2) analysis was further carried out, which revealed that the difference between observed frequency and expected frequency was significant (P < 0.05) implying that the segregation in the area of study was not supported by Mendelian ratio of 3:1. High level of variation was observed in coat colour among goats in the areas studied with black coat colour being the predominant. Hence, conscious selection could be embarked upon to investigate the influence of coat colour on adaptation, thermoregulation, growth and productivity.

Three-factor Predictors of Marital Adjustment among Couples in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria

The importance of couples understanding their personality characteristic is germane to marital bliss and adjustment. This study examined self-esteem, emotional intelligence and coping skills as predictors of marital adjustment among couples in Abeokuta metropolis. This study adopted a non-experimental ex-post facto research. It is also correlative in nature. The target population for the study comprised all the married persons in Anglican Communion Churches in Abeokuta South and North Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria. Using simple, random sampling technique a total of fifteen married persons were selected from each of the churches, making a total of three hundred and thirty, married persons (330) from Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas, Ogun State. The study used four instruments Coping Style Questionnaire (CSQ), Self-Esteem Scale Questionnaire (SESQ), Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (EIQ), and Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (MAQ) to generate data for the study. Frequency counts and percentage were used for presenting the data obtained from the questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression analysis were used for testing the null hypotheses. The result shows that there is no significant relationship between coping style and marital adjustment, that there is no significant relationship between self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and marital adjustment. The study recommended among others that couples should endeavor to accentuate attitude of co-operative understanding, valuing partnership, demonstrating trust, general good will towards one another and positive values in their marriage while family counselors should organize workshops, seminars and conferences whereby couples would be sensitized on causes of marital adjustment and resolution strategies for resolving marital mal-adjustment.

Gone to Stamford Bridge? Influence of Foreign Football and Its Digital Coverage on Youths in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of foreign football and its digital coverage among youths in Abeokuta. It examines the values portrayed by internet/satellite technology, the extent to which these values affect Nigerian youths, and the extent to which Nigerian youths’ exposure to foreign football through the internet/satellite technology affects their commitment to Nigerian football.The study employed qualitative method of Focus Group Discussion (FGD), using discussion guide to source data from youth in Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas.Among others, the study discovered that major values promoted by internet technology such as technical companionship, global citizenship and technological determinism enhances western values and interests, and have undermined to a very large extent the citizenship values of Nigerian youths. Nigerian youths have practically abandoned their citizenship values such as love and loyalty to the country, patriotism and commitment to national ideas, and have embraced the values promoted by the internet with their passion for foreign football.The main findings recognises Nigerian youths interest in European football was motivated by good organization, adequate and quality facilities and good football on the field of play; hence Nigerian youths abandoned Nigerian football due to poor management, inadequate and poor facilities and insecurity at match venues, among other factors.Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Nigerian football should be overhauled. There is need for proper funding to fix facilities like quality stadia, provision of security at match venues and ensure proper administration of the games. Youth football should be revived in Nigeria and grassroots football should be re-introduced at primary and secondary school levels to discover raw talents. Adequate arrangement should be made for marketing and sponsorship programmes, including live coverage of football events on the Nigeria television network.

Prevention practices influencing frequency of occurrence of vaso-occlusive crisis among sickle cell patients in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

BackgroundAfrica is the most affected continent with 200,000 new born affected by sickle cell anemia annually with of 5% of under five deaths. Nigeria has the largest sickle cell gene pool in the world with about 2% of all babies born to Nigerian parents. This study therefore sets out to assess the prevention practices influencing the frequency of occurrence of vaso-occlusive crisis among patients in Ogun State.MethodsThis study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government Area Ogun State. A consecutive non randomized sampling of all the sickle cell patients that attend the selected facilities was recruited into the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaires which were interviewer administered. A total of 415 patients were recruited into the study. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 20.0.ResultTwo- third [64.8%] of study participants have crisis twice or more in a month. The frequency of crisis was statistically significantly associated with the age of the child [p = 0.006], use of anti-malaria prophylaxis [p = 0.006], analgesics [p = 0.0001], taking of plenty fluid [p = 0.001] and soothing herbs [p = 0.0001]. Lifestyle factors such as giving balance diet [p = 0.217], restriction from strenuous activities [p = 0.08], and attending Clinic appointments regularly [p = 0.126] were not statistically associated with reduction in the frequency of crisis. Logistic regression analysis shows that predictors of frequent crisis were individuals who were using prophylaxis antimalarial drugs [OR = 0.12, CI = 0.05–0.33] and analgesics [OR = 0.15, C.I = 0.06–0.34].ConclusionThe study reveals that majority of the participants have high frequency of crisis in a month. Drug prophylaxis rather than lifestyle factors may be more important in the prevention of vaso-occlusive crisis among sickle cell patients.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT WOOD SPECIES IN MAJOR SAWMILLS IN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This study involved the economic analysis of different wood species in major sawmills in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Two stage design sampling techniques were employed for this study. Descriptive statistics and Cost and Returns were used in the data analysis. Result showed that 62.5% engaged in the business were males, 81.7% were in age group between 31-50years, 48.3% had no formal education, and 88.3% entered into the business through apprenticeship and are mostly full-time. The result also revealed that 95.83% of the saw millers or plank sellers obtain their timber from the private forest and they mostly buy per species i.e. per tree. Moreover, among the timber species that were common in the saw mills include, Albizia coriaria (ayinre) has the highest percentage frequency of 66.7%, Anogeissus leiocarpus (orin dudu) has 44.2%, Cleistopholis sp. (okedo) 32.5% and Musanga cecropioides (aga) 1.7% with the least percentage frequency. Average girth sizes of timber species in sawmill, ranged from 3.00cm- 5.60cm and the average number of plank ranged from 6-29. The business could be seen as profitable, as the cost analysis revealed the average profit for each sawmill per month in Abeokuta North, Odeda and Abeokuta South Local Governments’ Areas to have these profits (₦982,893.75, ₦790,083.524 and ₦790,083.524) respectively. It was recommended that government policy should be reviewed against illegal felling and over-exploitation of timber by imposing/enacting stiffer penalty or law to illegal feller. Government policy should also encourage individual plantation establishment to ensure continuity of forest products for posterity.

Estimation of thermal inertia of Abeokuta Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria

Thermal inertia (I) is an important parameter in the Earth’s thermal study. There is no doubt that correct and up-to-date knowledge of thermal inertia particularly as it is affected by the land use/cover will provide good and useful information to agriculturists and environmental scientists. In this work, thermal inertia of Abeokuta City of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, was determined. Map of the study area was gridded using 2-min resolution which gave 5 × 5 sampling points from where core samples were collected. Bulk density (ρs), thermal conductivity (λs), and heat capacity (Cs) of the samples were determined. The pattern of variation of the city view of I (in the order of ×103 Jm−2 s−1/2 K−1) showed that the main urban built-up part of the study area, Abeokuta South, had the highest Imean, 0.76160 with standard deviation of 0.032547 and standard error of 0.01455541. The trend also varied along each sampling latitudinal line. It ranges between 0.509 and 0.756 on latitude 7° 14′, 0.557 and 0.768 on latitude 7° 12′, 0.642 and 0.782 on latitude 7° 10′, 0.7 and 0.794 on latitude 7° 08′, and between 0.642 and 0.728 on latitude 7° 06′. Hence, we have estimated thermal inertia of Abeokuta using the thermophysical properties of the study area. Thermal inertia tends to gradually decrease with distance from the city center (Abeokuta South). This result is promising in possible future consideration of urban ground heat energy conversion to other forms of energy.

Gone to Stamford Bridge? Influence of Foreign Football and its Digital Coverage on Youths in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of foreign football and its digital coverage among youth in Abeokuta. It examines the values portrayed by internet/satellite technology, the extent to which these values affect Nigerian youths, and the extent to which Nigerian youths’ exposure to foreign football through the internet/satellite technology affects their commitment to Nigerian football. The study employed qualitative method of Focus Group Discussion (FGD), using discussion guide to source data from youth in Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas. Among others, the study discovered that the major values promoted by the internet technology such technical companionship, global citizenship and technological determinism promote western values and interests, and have undermined to a very large extent the citizenship values of Nigerian youths. Nigerian youths have practically abandoned their citizenship values such as love and loyalty to the country, patriotism and commitment to national ideas, and have embraced the values promoted by the internet with their passion for foreign football. Furthermore, it was discovered that Nigerian youth’s interest in European football was motivated by good organization, adequate and quality facilities and good football on the field of play. In other words, Nigerian youths abandoned Nigerian football due to poor management, inadequate and poor facilities and insecurity at match venues, among many other factors. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Nigerian football should be overhauled. There should be proper funding to fix the facilities like quality stadia, provision of security at match venues and ensure proper administration of the game in the country. Youth football should be revived in Nigeria. Grassroots football should be re-introduced at primary and secondary school levels to discover raw talents for future greatness. Adequate arrangement should be made for marketing and sponsorship programmes. This will ensure that all league matches are relayed on television to cultivate the interest of the youths and all Nigerians.

A survey of the perception of the quality of and preference of healthcare services amongst residents of Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The choice of healthcare facilities by individuals is determined in part by their taste, satisfaction with services, and the perceived quality of care provided. The aim of the study was to explore the healthcare preferences of residents of Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) and their perception of quality of services received, and to determine the factors influencing their choice of healthcare facilities. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess perception of clients regarding quality of healthcare received and their choice of healthcare service delivery. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysis was done using SPSS version 17. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. The mean age of respondents was 45.7 ± 11.7 years. Government-owned general hospitals were preferred for common health problems such as body pain and fever. Overall, about 73% of the respondents preferred government-owned facilities. Determinants of the preference of the government facilities were reduced cost (P< 0.001) and effectiveness of care (P= 0.024), whereas private facilities were preferred more significantly because of short waiting time and good attitude of staff (P = < 0.001). Almost 78% of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of care received. Government-owned general hospitals were the preferred source of health services and the quality of healthcare services received was generally perceived to be high.

Sero-prevalence of swine toxoplasmosis in Ogun State, Nigeria

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii which is the only known species that affects both human and animals. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pigs in Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine prevalence and concentration of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs from randomly selected three local governments in Ogun State, Nigeria. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to determine the sero-prevalence. The antibody levels were measured as optical density (OD) to determine the seropositivity of individual animals in the studied population. An overall sero-prevalence of 24.2% was observed in the study. Of the total animal studied, 33.3% and 19.0% of the female and male were positive respectively ( p =0.6). While 23.5%, 8.3% and 11.1% of the piglets, weaners and adults were positive respectively ( p =0.3). Of the pigs sampled from Odeda; 37% were positive while 24% and 39% of the pigs from Obafemi Owode and Abeokuta South local Government areas were positive respectively. The mean concentrations of the titres of the Toxoplasma antibody varied across the age, gender and locations although the differences were not statistically significant ( p values of 0.35, 0.60 and 0.22 respectively). This study shows that the zoonotic parasite, T. gondiii is present in Ogun State, thus necessitating the need for public awareness on the disease and serve as a template for institution of necessary control measures. Keywords: ELISA, optical density, pig, sero-prevalence, Toxoplasma gondii , toxoplasmosis

Social Media and Learning Styles as Correlates of Senior Secondary Students’ Chemistry Achievement in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;Students spend most of the time they should have spent on reading on social media, meanwhile social media should be a tool for students to enhance their learning styles and improve their achievement in chemistry. Literatures revealed that both learning styles and social media affect the academic performance of students either positively or negatively, however little or no attempt has been made to investigate the effect of both on the academic achievement of students in chemistry. This study thus investigated the effect of learning styles and social media on the achievement of senior secondary school chemistry students in Abeokuta south local government of Ogun State, Nigeria. It is ex post facto research design. The population of study is all the public secondary schools students in Abeokuta South local government area of Ogun State. Random sampling was used to select five schools while forty SSIII chemistry students each were purposely selected from the schools to give a total of 200. The students responded to three research instruments which were Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) (reliability = 0.79), and Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS) (reliability = 0.85). Five research questions were answered and data was analysed with descriptive statistics including graphical presentations. Use of Facebook (57%) was prevalent among the students. Participative learning style (mean = 15.88, mode = 17) was found to be the style commonly used by chemistry students. Both male and female students (t&lt;sub&gt; (198)&lt;/sub&gt; =1.65, p&amp;gt; 0.05) were found to be equal on the use of social media. Students usually shared more personal features than sharing ideas or knowledge. There was no significant relationship between the use of social media and students’ achievement in chemistry. Science students, especially chemistry students are enjoined to devote some of the time they spent on social media for academic development rather than on social affairs mainly.&lt;/p&gt;

Malacological survey and geospatial distribution of &lt;i&gt;Indoplanor bisexutus&lt;/i&gt; (Deshayes, 1934) and &lt;i&gt;Lymnaea natalensis&lt;/i&gt; (Krauss 1848) snail vectors of trematode parasites, in Abeokuta, south-western, Nigeria

Vector snails of trematode parasites are important because of their role in the transmission of parasitic diseases. However, information on the diversity and distribution of snail hosts in Abeokuta area of Ogun State is scanty. Snails were collected from 31 water bodies including streams, rivers and dams on a monthly basis for six months. The snails were identified using shell morphology and examined for cercariae shedding. Collection sites were geo-referenced. Environmental data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), rainfall and Land cover corresponding to these locations were derived from Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to create spatial maps and predictive model map for snail species distribution. A total of 87 vector snails were collected; Lymnaea natalensis 65 (74.71%) and Indoplanor bisexutus 22 (25.29%).Nine out of 22I. exutus collected shed microcercouscercariae. Infected I. exutus, intermediate snail host of Schistosoma nasale, a cattle schistosome was found in two sites. The logistic regression analysis using remotely-sensed environmental data showed that NDVI was the significant variable influencing I. exutus distribution (B = -8.460, Sig = 0.043). Geospatial distribution maps were created to show the distribution of each snail species and potential transmission sites. This study mapped the distribution of snail hosts, identified possible transmission sites and demonstrates the presence of snail hosts of certain parasites in Abeokuta area (Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas), the distribution of these snail hosts should be monitored to prevent transmission of these pathogens to humans.Keywords: geospatial, vector snails, trematode, distribution, malacological

Parental Influence on Sickle Cell Crisis among Patients Attending Secondary Facilities in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State

Parental Influence on Sickle Cell Crisis among Patients Attending Secondary Facilities in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State

Structure, Conduct and Performance of Tomato Retailers in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Nigeria

Structure, Conduct and Performance of Tomato Retailers in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Nigeria

INDIGENOUS USES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENTS OF PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS AND AFTER- CHILD BIRTH PROBLEMS IN ABEOKUTA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

A survey of plants used for the treatment of menstrual disorders and after-child birth problems was conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government. Hundred (100) questionnaires were administered using multi stage sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical information such as, plants and plant parts used, methods of extraction used and mode of administration of the herbal preparations of these plants were requested. Also, phytochemical contents of the most frequently mentioned plants were determined. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that a total of fifty-six (56) plants belonging to 37 families were mentioned. The most frequently mentioned families are Euphorbiaceae, Leguminoceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae and Combretaceae. Sesamum indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa, Clausena anisata, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Alafia barteri, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Daniella oliveri, Lannea egregia and Alstonia boonei were the most frequently mentioned plants used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and after-childbirth problems. Leaves (34%), fruits (7%), flowers (3%), tubers (2%), stem-barks (28%), seeds (11%) , roots and barks (2%) and roots (13%) were the plants reported being used for the remedy of these disorders. Decoction (54%), squeezing (9%), grinding/squeezing (14%), paste (4%), exudation (4%), cooking (4%), soaking/ decoction/infusion (4%), and heating to ashes (4%) were the methods of extracting the bioactive principles of the plants using water (79%) as major solvent. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the quantities of  tannins recorded in the leaves of Sesamun indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa, Clausena anisata, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Alafia barteri. Similar observations were found in the quantities of saponnins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol. Highest values of tannins (0.32mg/g), saponnins (1.07mg/g), alkaloids (5.16mg/g), flavonoids (3.12mg/g) and phenol (0.09 mg/g) were determined in the leaves of  Clausena anisata, Sesanum indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa and Alafia barteri. Across the roots of these plants, similar amount of tannins and saponnins were quantified. This observation varied significantly when compared with alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol quantified in the roots of plants. Highest tannins (1.67mg/g) and saponnins (3.33 mg/g) were recorded in the roots of Dioclea sarmentosa, alkaloids (4.33 mg/g) and flavonoid (6.33 mg/g) in Anogeissus leiocarpus while phenol (1.33 mg/g) was recorded in roots of Sesanum indicum.  Key words: Menstrual Disorders, Childbirth Problems, phytochemical contents, Traditional practitioners, Indigenous plants

Public Perception of Potable Water Supply in Abeokuta South west, Nigeria

The perception of residents towards the supply of potable water to Abeokuta was assessed with the aid of questionnaire. Well-structured interviewer administered questionnaire were distributed across the city through the stratified random sampling method using the network distribution map obtained from the Ogun State Water Corporation as guide. Sixty - eight per cent of the respondents attested that the quality of the water supplied was unsatisfactory while 36% agreed that they had contacted water related diseases as a result of the consumption of drinking water obtained from public taps. Sixty - five per cent of the respondents use less than 120 litres of water daily, while 77% attested that the water supplied did not meet their daily demand. Only 39% of the respondents who relied on water from alternative sources subjected the water to treatment before usage. It was advised that issues of inadequate water supply and coverage area be addressed speedily and residents should subject water obtained from alternative sources to treatment. The Corporation was also advised to pay attention to the state of infrastructure across the distribution network. ©JASEM

Lymphatic filariasis baseline survey in two sentinel sites of Ogun state, Nigeria

IntroductionIn preparation for Mass Drug Administration by National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme, a baseline epidemiological investigation on lymphatic filariasis (LF) was conducted in two sentinel sites of Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Ado-Odo Ota and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas (LGAs) to determine LF prevalence, microfilarial density and the abundance of Wucheraria bancrofti in the mosquito vectors.MethodsMicroscopic examination of thick blood smears of 299 and 288 participants from Ado-Odo Ota and Abeokuta South LGAs was conducted. Visual observations of clinical manifestations of chronic infection and questionnaire administration were also conducted. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected using the pyrethrum spray technique and CDC light traps and mosquitoes were dissected for filarial larvae.ResultsMicrofilaria prevalences were 4.0% and 2.4% in Ado-odo Ota and Abeokuta South LGAs. The microflarial density (mfd) was 30.6mf/ml and 23.9 mf/ml in the same areas. No clinical manifestations of the infection were found at both sites. Knowledge of LF by inhabitants was very low in the two areas. Anopheles gambiae s.l and Culex species mosquitoes were collected but none was found positive for stage L3 infective larvae.ConclusionMass awareness campaigns on the goal of mass drug administration, cause of LF, mode of transmission, the relationship between infection and clinical signs/symptoms is advocated so as to increase acceptance and support of the control programme by the community.

Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Educated Elites Participation in the Political Process of Ogun State , Nigeria ( 2003 - 2011 )

Active participation by citizens has been regarded as a major requirement for democracy in any society. When people active participate especially through voting during elections in the selection of their leaders, it provides legitimacy for the government that is form after. Several studies, especially those carried out in western countries, have advocated that the more socioeconomic factors such as higher education, marital status, and higher income, positive affect the willingness of citizens to vote and to stand for election into public office. However, the record of voters turn out has been showing declining turn out by registered voters in Nigeria’s general elections. This study therefore examined the influence of socio-economic factors on the participation of educated elites in the political process in Ogun State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study, which was executed over a nine month period from September 2011 to May 2012. Stratified random sampling was used to locate the respondents who were selected from eight local governments (Ado-Odo Ota, Abeokuta South, Ikenne, Ijebu Ode, Ijebu North, Odeda, Sagamu and Yewa South) out of the twenty in the state. A total of 1720 respondents filled and returned the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected. While secondary data included relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, newspaper and materials downloaded from the internet. Socio-economic factors did not higher level of political participation in Ogun State, as extraneous factors such as high level of insecurity, electoral violence, influence of political godfathers discouraged participation by the educated elites. The government needs to create the enabling environment for participation of the educated elites in the political process through adequate security before, during and after general elections.

Consumers’ Acceptability and Creative Use of Local Fabrics as Graduation Gown for Primary School Pupils

Consumers’ Acceptability and Creative Use of Local Fabrics as Graduation Gown for Primary School Pupils Amubode Adetoun Adedotun, Adebowale Kehinde Kabirat, Awosika Bridget Itunu Abstract The study was conducted to assess the acceptability of local fabrics (resist dye and traditional woven fabrics) as graduation gown for primary school pupils and their teachers among the Heads of schools in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty nine respondents were selected from both private and public heads of schools in the area using Simple Random Sampling Technique. Questionnaires were designed on four point Likert Scale to obtain relevant information from the respondents. Result showed favorable response of Likert Mean Score 3.30 which indicates greater acceptability of the fabrics used in the construction of academic gown for primary school pupils and teachers. Majority of the respondents have favorable acceptance of the local fabrics as graduation gown for primary school pupils and their teachers emphasizing that its utilization will go a long way in creating employment for youth and promote cultural heritage. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/rah.v4n2a9

COMPARING THE OPTIMAL ALLOCATION IN STRATIFIED AND POST-STRATIFIED SAMPLING USING MULTI-ITEMS

Usually in sample surveys more than one population characteristics are estimated (multi-item). These characteristics may be of conflicting nature. Optimal allocation using a stratified random sample solves the statistical problem that may be found with proportional allocation, by ensuring that enough respondents are studied in each segment to provide the highest level of accuracy for the overall results. The study compared optimum allocation in stratified and post stratified sampling using multi-items and determined the variations of the components of the multi-items in the proposed model. The idea of optimum allocation based on the multi-items was approached using a linear programming problem that minimizes the covariance of the stratified variable subject to a fixed cost. The covariance matrix was defined based on the four socio-economic characteristics of 400 heads of household in Abeokuta South and Ijebu North Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. The characteristics were occupation, income, household size and educational level. The data from the survey was transformed for each of the four characteristics. The estimates used in the computation were calculated using statistical analysis software Splus. From the analysis, it was seen that for both Abeokuta and Ijebu data sets, the variance based on the four characteristics as multivariate is less than that of the variables when considered as a univariate. From the results, it was seen that there was no difference in the percentage of the total variance accounted for by the different components from the merged sample when compared with the individual sample.