Anambra State Nigeria Research Articles

Effect of socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents in Anambra State Nigeria

Aggressive behaviour is a serious malady to students, especially those in their adolescent stage. This study investigated the effect of Socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The design for the study is quasi-experimental, non-randomised pre-test and post-test, control group design. The population of the study was 323 senior secondary school adolescents with high aggressive behaviour in Anambra State. A sample size of 32 adolescents were purposively drawn from two schools with the highest number of adolescents with high aggressive behaviour and used for the study. Instrument for data collection was adopted from Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The internal consistency reliability coefficient for Nigeria sample is 0.80. The completed instruments were scored following the scoring instructions provided in the BPAQ manual. Mean scores were used to answer the research question, while the null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA). The norm of 70.25 provided in BPAQ guided the decision. The finding of the study revealed that socio-cognitive skills’ training was effective in reducing aggressive behaviour of secondary school adolescents. The findings further revealed that the difference in the effect of socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents was significant when compared with those in the control group. Based on the findings it was recommended that the practicing counsellors and therapists should adopt the use of the technique in managing aggressive behaviours of secondary school adolescents.
 Keywords: Aggressive Behaviour, Secondary School Adolescents, Socio-cognitive Skills,Training

The Characterization of Local Clay from Anambra State Nigeria for Its Potential Applications in the Production of Ceramic Whitewares

Local clay deposits from Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State were characterized for its potential applications in the production of ceramics whitewares. XRF analysis of the clay revealed that it has high silica and alumina contents with some flux oxides. XRD analysis also revealed that of all the minerals present in the clay, quartz has the highest constituent followed by kaolinite and rutile. FT-IR analysis revealed that the bands corresponds to 3500 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 indicating the presence hydroxyl groups (OH) and Si-O symmetry vibration stretch at 1206.207 cm-1 which confirmed the kaolinite structure of the clay. The SEM study showed a finely distributed uniform surface with isolated patches of granulated texture which explained the physical behaviour of the clay. The EDS spectrum of the formulated fired Ukpor clay indicated the presence of O, Al, K, Ca, K, Fe, and Si. The study revealed that an increase in the firing temperature and feldspar contents of the clay increases its bulk density, while the apparent density decreases with increase in temperature. Apparent porosity showed that there was a decrease from 25% to 3%, and the water absorption increases with increase in the silica content and decreases with temperature and feldspar increase. The shrinkage increases with the increase in temperature. The results concluded that the clay sample could be utilized as an industrial raw materials for the production of ceramic whitewares.

Prospects of Partial Substitution of Cement with Rice Husk Ash for Road Concrete Works

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) has been found as a potential partial replacement for cement in concrete. This study attempts to make an evidence based evaluation of the sustainability and benefits of RHA utilisation as partial replacement of cement in road concrete works within Anambra State of Nigeria. The ashes of the rice husks collected from different locations were characterised. Direct interviews were conducted among the rice mill personnel and experts in the construction companies. The values of SiO2 + Fe2O3 + Al2O3 for the four analysed RHA samples ranged from 78.9% to 80.3% as revealed by the X-ray fluorescence analysis. This confirms that they are pozzolanic. The highest observed 28th day compressive strength of concrete was 41.8 N/mm2 for the concrete containing 10% RHA. Beyond the 10% replacement level, the compressive strength dropped below the control values. The result of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis displayed the highest option preference of 40.3% for utilising RHA in road construction. These show that utilising RHA for road concrete works would be a sustainable option. 10% replacement of cement with RHA was recommended for optimum performance based on the compressive strengths of the tested RHA based concretes.

The Place of Effective Planning and Organizational Resource in Manufacturing Firms in Perspective

The research study takes a look at Effective Planning and Organizational resources on Productivity using manufacturing firms in Anambra state Nigeria as a case study. Two objectives were raised; to determine the significant difference between poor planning and organisational goals and to evaluate the significant difference between poor planning and attainment of target customers. The survey used spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to determine the various statistical relationships in the study. The results revealed that effective planning has a relationship with organizational productivity and that effective planning lead to employee’s performance in an organization. Therefore, the study concludes and recommends that managers time and attention is that of improving productivity in manufacturing firms which is very important for both survival and maintenance attaining goals of the firms, therefore the organizations should measure productivity on how well resources are combined and utilized to accomplish specific desirable results to be able to achieve its objectives on organizational need, articulate its strategies and carefully pursue them.

Workplace hazard exposure and practice of safety measures by workers in selected factories in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Workplace safety measures are intended to reduce injuries, accidents and hazards to employees. This study was to determine the workplace hazard exposure, practice of safety measures and use of private protective equipment by workers in selected factories in Nnewi, Anambra State Nigeria. Methods: Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and an observational checklist were data collection tools. Using a stratified sampling and proportionate random sampling techniques 816 staff from three strata participated in the study.Results: Out of the 634 completely filled questionnaires, 97.5% respondents were males and 65.8% were aged 26-40years. Majority (78.6%) had four or less years of experience and 23.5% earned between N21,000-N30,000 monthly. Most (96.8%) were trained to use protective equipment and 93.7% believed that their current job was hazardous. Out of the 182 respondents with high level of workplace hazard exposure, 64.3% were aged 26-30 years. Most respondents (92.6%) reported having at least one job-related injury within the past year while 49.7% felt that they may lose their job due to work-related injury. There was a statistically significant relationship between workplace hazard exposure and level of practice of safety measure (p< 0.005) and level of personal protective equipment use (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Age and length of service at the factory had significant influence on the level of hazard exposure, level of safety practice and level of personal protective equipment use. In-service trainings and incentives for consistent practice of safety measures and PPE use could lead to lower accidents.

Application of RUSLE integrated with GIS and remote sensing techniques to assess soil erosion in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract Soil erosion and mass movement processes spread across Anambra State in Nigeria, therefore making management and conservation techniques expensive and difficult in execution across the entire state. This study employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model with the integration of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to assess the risk of soil erosion and hotspots in the area. Remotely sensed data such as Landsat 8 imagery, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) imagery, Era-Interim coupled with world soil database were used as digital data sources for land use map, digital elevation model, rainfall and soil data, respectively, to generate the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) parameters. The results indicated vulnerability levels in low, medium and high cover areas of 4,143.62 (91%), 332.29 (7%) and 84.06 (2%) km2, respectively, with a total soil loss between 0 and 181.237 ton/ha/yr (metric ton per hectare per year). This study revealed that high rainfall erosivity, steep and long slopes, and low vegetation cover were the main factors promoting soil loss in the area. Thus, the amount of soil loss in Anambra State is expected to increase with climate change and anthropogenic activities.

Nutritional Health Problems of Boarding House Students in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State Nigeria

Nutritional Health Problems of Boarding House Students in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State Nigeria

Effect of Diagnostic Testing on Students’ Achievement in Secondary School Quantitative Economics

This study aimed at investigating the effect of diagnostic testing on students’ academic achievement in secondary school quantitative economics. In conducting the study, 3 research questions and 3 stated hypotheses were answered. The study is quasi-experimental employing 2x4 factorial pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 210 Senior Secondary 3 (SS3) economics students in the four co-educational schools purposely selected from Nnewi Education Zone of Anambra State in Nigeria. They were allocated to 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. Students’ responses to two instruments titled Diagnostic Quantitative Economics Skill Test (DQEST) and Test of Achievement in Quantitative Economics (TAQE) constituted relevant data for the study. Instruments for data analysis were t-test and ANCOVA. Results of the analysis indicate a significant effect of treatment on students’ achievement in favor of DQEST with feedback and remediation group only (F (3, 209) = 22.3114, p > 0.05). Gender made no significant difference on students’ achievement in TAQE. Thus, diagnostic tests are effective when used with feedback and remediation. The use of DQEST with feedback and remediation in teaching and learning of quantitative economics is therefore recommended.

Severity of Impact of Music Acoustics on Sustainability Performance of Buildings in Anambra State Nigeria

This study examined the severity of the impacts of loud music sounds on the sustainability performance of buildings across three main cities in Anambra State Nigeria. Being a survey research, questionnaires were distributed to the users and occupiers of different classes of buildings in the study area. The survey results were analysed using means score index and severity index percent. The study found that loud music sounds severely affect the sustainability performance of buildings socially, environmentally, economically and technically with average means scores and severity index percent ranging from 3.73 to 4.64 and 54.89% to 100% respectively. The study further found that there was no significant difference in the severity of the impacts of loud music sounds on the sustainability performance of the buildings between the three main cities in Anambra State except for social sustainability which was due to differences in the social status of the three cities. Based on this, the study calls for change in the design and construction of buildings that would incorporate the provisions of National Building Code as regards to sound control in buildings. It suggested a review and reactivation of existing zoning laws and policies in the State, and a need to borrow a leaf from Lagos State Government by enacting a law against noise pollution. It further suggested promotion of acoustic practices that would improve sustainability performance of the buildings and reduce the consequential effects of music sounds in buildings.

How Students Choose Careers: Understanding the Career Choices, Motivations and Problems of Agricultural Students in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study accessed agricultural undergraduate students’ reasons for choosing agriculture as a career, sources of their motivation, and problems encountered in their study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered on 100 respondents selected through simple random sampling process from two Faculties of Agriculture of two universities: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) both in the Anambra State of Nigeria. Some of the information provided by the respondents was verified through 4 in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distributions, and Tables were used in analyzing the data. The result show that the majority of the students of COOU (48%) and NAU (44%) study agriculture through a constriction (admission offer outside their original career choice) and that the students’ parents were their major source of motivation (64%). The result further reveals that financial constraints (48%), unfavorable government policy (24%), and poor teaching aids were the major problems of agricultural undergraduate students in the State. The study concludes that sustainable involvement of youths in agricultural development is a felt need which requires diversified motivation attention. The study recommends proactive measures such as intermittent rewards and scholarship awards to agricultural students, early stimulation of student’s interest in agriculture, formulation of suitable agricultural policy and provision of adequate teaching facilities and aids to agricultural students by the Universities Management and their Visitors, Nongovernmental Organizations in agriculture and Philanthropists.

Analysis Of The Social And Cultural Values Contraining Increased African Apple Production In Anambra State Of Nigeria

This study analysed the social and cultural values constraining increased African Star Apple (ASA, Chrysophilum albidum) production in Anambra State of Nigeria. Data were collected using interview schedule on 80 respondents selected from six major assembly markets in six town communities of two Agricultural zones of the State. Ten respondents (5 men and 5 women) who are natives of the communities hosting the markets were selected through Snow ball sampling method (SBSM) from each of the markets. The interview schedule was mainly on yes or no questions. From the respondents, 7 in-depth interviews were conducted for detailed information on ASA important issues such as the crop’s feast activities, children’s song while under the trees and beliefs. Data were achieved with descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distribution and Tables. The study showed that: ASA production and consumption in the study area are by 100% constrained with social and cultural norms such as none planting, none harvesting, public ownership and free fruits collection. The result also reveals that the studied communities differ in their ASA fruit selling and buying norms and in ASA feast in the past and that they do not easily change their norms except on certain conditions such as knowledge gain and sensitization. The study inter alia recommends that effort to increase or commercialize its production by entrepreneurs requires orientation or sensitization of the tradition custodians in the communities and adequate protection of the trees in farm fields or plantations.

Assessment of Acoustical Performance of Residential Buildings for Sustainable Liveability and Satisfaction in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria

This study assessed the acoustical performance of residential buildings in Awka, Anambra State to determine the level of satisfactions of the occupants. The study surveyed the residential buildings and distributed questionnaires to the users and occupiers of different classes of residential buildings. The results of the survey were analysed using Means Satisfaction Index (MSI) and Relative Performance Index (RPI) to assess the level of satisfaction of the occupants of the buildings and the acoustical performance of the buildings respectively based on 12 selected acoustic performance criteria. It further used Pearson Product Moment Correlation to establish the relationship between occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings. The study found that the overall acoustic performance of the buildings was grossly poor and unsatisfactory with average RPI of 0.35. It also found that the residents were very dissatisfied with the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live (average MSI =1.74). The study further found that there was significant positive relationship between the occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings with a Coefficient Correlation (r) of 0.875 and a computed t-test value of 5.708 which is greater than the critical t- value (2.228) tested at 5% significance level. The Coefficient of Determination (R2 = 0.7567) then suggested that about 75.69% level of satisfaction of the occupants of the residential buildings in Awka could be triggered by the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live. On this evidence, the study craves for the enforcement of the provisions of the National Building Code as regards to sound control in buildings. In addition, there is need for adoption of different strategies for improving acoustics performance of buildings such as absorption, mechanical decoupling, mechanical damping, blocking, covering, etc., so as to promote good acoustic practices that would improve sustainable performance of our buildings and decline the resulting consequences of sounds in our residential buildings.

The Study of Sexual Dimorphism in Lip Print Patterns Among Igbos in Anambra State of Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: To characterize the lip print pattern in a study population and to ascertain its potential for sex determination. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 undergraduate students (144 males and 156 females). Simple random sampling was used. Lip prints were obtained with lipstick and were classified according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The prevalence of lip print patterns was presented as frequencies and percentages, and the test of significance of gender difference was done with chi-square at the 95 percent confidence interval. Result: No two lip print patterns were found to be the same. There was a significant difference in the lip print patterns of females and males. In females, the pattern with the highest frequency was type II (40.4%). This was followed by type I (36.5%), type III (13.5%), type V (7.1%), and type IV (2.6%). In males, the pattern with the highest frequency was type IV (28.5%). This was followed by type III (26.4%), types I and V (each 16.0%), and type II (13.2%). When both sexes were considered together, type II was the most frequent pattern. Conclusion: Lip print is unique to individuals and it has potential for sex determination. The most prevalent patterns in females and males were type II and type IV, respectively.

Attitude and Practices of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMEs Owners towards Apprenticeship in Major Markets in Anambra State Nigeria

Attitude and Practices of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMEs Owners towards Apprenticeship in Major Markets in Anambra State Nigeria

The Effect of Institutional Factors in Marketing of Agricultural Products by Cooperative Farmers

This study was carried out to examine the effect of institutional factors in marketing of agricultural products by cooperative farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria. Four specific objective The study focused on four specific objectives which were to; examine the socio-economic characteristicsof the cooperative farmers and its effect on market participation; determine the quantum and value of agricultural produce that had been marketed; identify the extent to which agricultural market participation of the framer is influenced by institutional factors such as market information, organizational support, use of grades and standards, and legal environment; and make recommendations based on the findings. Three hypotheses were also tested. Descriptive survey design was used for the study where seven hundred and ten (710) was used as sample size. Findings revealed that market disposition of the member was not related to duration of membership which implied that cooperative experience do not have substantial influence on marketing decisions. Farmers affirmed institutional factors such as influence of tradition and cultural practices; legal environment relating to laws governing sale of agricultural products, land tenure system, organizational supports from the government, availability of market information; and use of grades and standards in agricultural marketing significantly influenced their marketing decisions. It was further revealed that institutional factors have no influence on market participation of the cooperative farmers. In conclusion institutional factors have significant influence on marketing decisions while socio-economic characteristics of members have no significant influence on market participation by the cooperative farmers. Based on the findings, it was further recommended that government should always create an enabling environment to encourage farmers to continue to participate in agricultural markets. They can do this by re-examining laws and regulation that appear to impact negatively on farm production and agricultural marketing. This may include abrogation of the land tenure Act that has over the years, hindered access to agricultural farmlands by individual farmers among others.

Emerging Issues in the Nigerian 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum: Implications for Cultural and Creative Arts Education

This qualitative research study sought to assess and evaluate the emerging issues in the teaching and learning of cultural and creative arts (CCA) in Anambra state of Nigeria. Data was gathered through oral consultations while the historical background of the cultural and creative arts in Nigeria is employed as the theoretical frame work upon which the study is based. The paper argues that for school curriculum reforms to meet the needs of the basic education system, the school-based practices should be made to respond to school curriculum reforms. The paper concludes by suggesting that progress can only be made in CCA education if there are serious reforms in pedagogical content at the level of pre-service teacher education as well as capacity building workshops for serving teachers.
 Keywords: 9-Year basic education curriculum, Cultural and creative arts education, Emerging issues, and Teachers reflections

" Entrepreneurs' Level of Education and Performance of Medium Enterprises in Automobile Industry Anambra State Nigeria"

" Entrepreneurs' Level of Education and Performance of Medium Enterprises in Automobile Industry Anambra State Nigeria"

Entrepreneur's Level of Management Skills and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in the Automobile Industry: Evidence from Anambra State Nigeria

Entrepreneur's Level of Management Skills and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in the Automobile Industry: Evidence from Anambra State Nigeria

An Investigation on the Forest and Savanna Vegetation Types in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Campus, in Anambra State of Nigeria

An investigation on the forest and savanna vegetation types in NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka campus, in Anambra state was carried out. This study was conducted on two communities (Science village forest vegetation type and Bank site savanna vegetation type) both located within the University Awka campus. The plot size of 5000 m-2 (50 m × 100 m) for the forest and 650 m-2 (25 m × 26 m) for savanna being their respective minimal areas were used. An analysis of the abundance of plant species above 1m in height in the forest vegetation type revealed that Elaeis Guineensis had the highest basal area (2268.59 M2ha-1) and the Gambeya Albida had the lowest basal area (0.72 M2ha-1). It also revealed that Elaeis Guineensis had the highest important value index (35.7778 %) and Gambeya Albida had the least significant important value index (0.7589 %). The results further revealed that there were 38 families identified in the community. An analysis of the abundance of plant species above 1 metre in height in the savanna vegetation type revealed that 15 families of plant species were identified in the community. It also revealed that Rothmannia Hispida(61.53M2ha-1), had the highest basal area while Napoleana Vogelii had the lowest basal area (1.03M2ha-1). It also showed that Terminalia Ivorensis (51.63%) had the highest important value index while Cnestis Ferruginia(1.03%) had the lowest important value index. A critical look at the abundance of undergrowth plant species in the forest vegetation type revealed that 12 families of plant species were identified in the community. It further showed that Setaria Longista had the higher significant relative density (31.38%) and Combretum Racemosum (0.42%), Cola hispid a(0.42%), Andropogangayanus(0.42%), Glyphaea Brevis(0.42%), and Holarrhaeno Flouribunda(0.42%) had the least relative density. The abundance of undergrowth plant species in the savanna vegetation type showed that 9 families of plant species were identified. The result also showed that the community had the plant species diversity value of 0.88. Since soil pH, N, P, K and organic carbon are the five main contributing factors for plant growth and diversity in the study area, natural resources managers must consider the budget and balance of these resources for protection and to ameliorate soil, vegetation degradation and nutrient limitation.

A Re-Appraisal of E-Governance as Emerging Concept in Public Institutions in Anambra State Nigeria

A Re-Appraisal of E-Governance as Emerging Concept in Public Institutions in Anambra State Nigeria