Ilorin West Local Government Area Research Articles

Enhancing Arabic Language Education in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Arabic historically served as Nigeria’s primary language for literacy, official documentation, and trade, notably within the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. This study evaluates the role of the Arabic language in sustaining local Arabic education and examines the quality of teachers, curriculum, teaching methods, materials, and the learning environment. Despite its academic significance, Arabic is often mistakenly viewed as solely religious, hindering its educational progress. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study gathered data through a questionnaire distributed among teachers and students across 10 purposively selected schools. The findings indicate that most respondents approve of the current curriculum and the integration of ICT, noting more effective modern methodologies in private schools. However, discrepancies exist between the learning environments of public and private schools. Findings reveal that 70% of respondents believe the current Arabic curriculum is suitable, while 80% agree that ICT integration has greatly contributed to effective teaching and learning. Also, 72% of respondents indicate that private schools employ modern and appropriate methodologies more effectively than public schools. The study also highlights that 70% of respondents find the teaching environments conducive, although there are significant differences between public and private institutions. The study concludes that private institutions are crucial in promoting Arabic education in Ilorin, though challenges like inadequate curricula and insufficient governmental support remain. Recommendations include curriculum re-evaluation, enhanced teaching resources, and better incentives to align Arabic education with national requirements, emphasizing its importance for Nigeria’s diverse developmental needs and advocating for strategic educational reforms.

Investigation of Electrical Resistivity and Conductivity of a Geological Material (Clay) in Some Parts of Ilorin West Local Government, Kwara State

The cost and availability of electrical components have been a major challenge to Nigerian scientists and engineers. Thus, this study aimed at investigating geological material (clay) to alleviate the challenge facing the field of science and engineering. The study determined the electrical resistivity and conductivity of a geological material from three different locations in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State: Egbejila, Oko-Erin and Baboko. The samples were sieved, molded into cylindrical form and dried. Thereafter, their electrical properties were determined using electrical method. The resistance of the samples was determined from the voltage-current (V-I) graph. Consequently, the resistivity was determined by using sample’s resistance, area and length. The conductivity was calculated from the reciprocal of resistivity. The electrical resistivity and conductivity of the samples from Egbejila, Oko-Erin and Baboko were 0.0850 Wm and 11.7647 (Wm)-1, 0.0924 Wm and 10.822 (Wm)-1, and 0.0251Wm and 39.841 (Wm)-1 respectively. The result obtained from the study showed that the geological material (clay) can be used as alternative material for industrial (based) resistor, the study further reduced the stress, cost, and non-availability of resistors’ importation and thereby our locally made geological material can be used as a substitute.

Parent-Teacher Association Intervention Strategies and Goal Achievement in Public Secondary Schools

Parent-Teacher Association has ensured and improved the quality and standard of education in Nigeria. This study examined parent-teacher association intervention strategies and goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey of correlational type. Two research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select two hundred and thirty-seven respondents from 39 public senior secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. The research instrument was titled Parent-Teacher Association Intervention Strategies Questionnaire (PTAISQ) and Goal Achievement Questionnaire (GAQ) was used to collect data for the study. Descriptive statistic of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation was used to analyze demographics and answer the research questions raised. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics were used to test the formulated research hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that; the level of parents-teachers’ intervention strategies were high based on the dimensions in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. The level of goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State was high. There was a significant relationship between parents-teacher intervention strategies and goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. It was recommended among others that the Kwara State government through Kwara Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) ensure that qualified and competent teachers are recruited so that effective and efficient teaching and learning processes will be improved.

Exploratory Study of Alternative Procedures for Embedded Assessment in Secondary School Geography in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

The need for school accountability accompanied by demands that teachers must take responsibility for improving students’ performance on standardized test made educators to search for new ways to teach. Assessment is a key process in education and an essential ingredient of accountability. This study explored the effect of embedded assessment on secondary school students’ performance in geography. A set of embedded assessment procedures was developed and used among SS1 students. The objective of this study was to find out whether embedded assessment will be effective in the teaching and learning of geography among SS1 students. The pretest, posttest quasi-experimental research design was used for the study. Two public senior secondary schools were randomly selected from a total of 27 public senior secondary schools in Ilorin-west local government area of Kwara state. Instrument used were practical exercises, tests and quizzes as well as projects assignment were developed and embedded into classroom instructions in geography for experimental group while the regular continuous assessment was used in the control group. Analysis of Covariance was used to test the hypotheses formulated. A significant difference was observed between the performance of geography students exposed to embedded assessment and those exposed to the traditional assessment method. This was because the mean performance of experimental group was 31.06 while the mean performance of control group was 20.33. The implication for this study is that embedded assessment brings about better understanding of the subject content and assessment is done as the instruction takes place.

Contribution of Urban Agriculture to the Livelihood of Urban Dwellers in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The study focused on the contribution of urban agriculture to the livelihood of 107 respondents in Kwara State of Nigeria. The study employed structured questionnaire to collect relevant data for the study while descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage were employed to analyses the objectives. Most respondents (82.9%), were one time or the other in a married state and they had formal education (80.4%) while many of the lot (58.9%) had superior education ranging from OND to Ph.D level. These farmers were either retired government workers or those trying to argument their family income or trying to be food sufficient. Most of the respondents (77.4%) had a farm size of less than or equal to 3 hectares showing that most the urban farmers were smallholders which might be as a result of stiff completion for land resource. Most of the respondents had a relatively large family size of 6 and above members. Most respondents used family labor (59.8%). Respondents in the study area also made use of the cooperatives and daily contributions for loanable funds, while few respondents utilized the formal sector. .Urban agriculture accounted for 84.4% of the Livelihood outcomes of the respondents. While non-farming activities contributed 17.6%.Most of the respondents (31.8%) participated in non-farming activities to generate extra income while their major constraints were shortage of land both in term of access and tenure (34.1%), limited access to resource and agricultural inputs (29.3%), and prohibitive urban policies and regulation (23.2%).

Distribution and Access to Public Pipe-Borne Water in Urban Areas of West Africa: A Case of Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Nigeria

Against the backdrop of the high rate of water scarcity in urban areas of developing countries and the achievement of SDG 6, this study evaluates the distribution and access to public pipe-borne water in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Nigeria. Coordinates of public water points in the area were obtained with the handheld Global Positioning System's device and mapped in the ArcGIS10.1 environment. To appraise residents’ satisfaction with the public water supply, one hundred and forty-six questionnaires were systematically administered to residents of the area. The obtained data were subjected to spatial and descriptive analysis. Nearest neighbour analysis was used to evaluate the distribution of water points in the area. There are 146 public pipe-borne water points in Ilorin West Local Government Area, distributed randomly (with NNR=1.2) without cognizance of the distribution of housing units. Consequently, residents are, among others, exposed to a reduction in productivity and loss of business opportunities. The study, among others, suggested the formulation and implementation of a house-to-point policy in the study area.

Primary School Playground and Pupils Physical Skill Acquisition

Primary school playground and pupils’ physical skill acquisition is a crucial issue that needs urgent attention because empirical studies have shown that primary school playground can go a long way in influencing pupils’ holistic development and pupils’ physical skill acquisition need to be fully involve in the educational setting. The instrument used was checklist titled primary school playground, material, qualities and activities (PSPMQA); another instrument used was rating scales named pupils physical skill acquisition (RSPA); T-test was used to determine the reliability and index obtained from the instrument were 0.75. The findings revealed that the Primary school playgrounds in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State have enough space for children to play, it is free from dangerous object, it is safe and secure and also it has grasses. Activities that are always done on playground includes running, hide and seek, passing of ball and kicking of ball. Available playground materials are swings, play sand and natural grass. The level of pupils’ physical acquisition is low (weighted mean= 1.57), Primary school playground qualities have significant influence on pupils’ physical skill acquisition (F (1,375) = .719, P < 0.05), Primary school playground activities have significant influence on pupils’ physical skill acquisition (F (1, 375) = 0.11, P < 0.05), There was no significant difference in pupils’ skill acquisition in Ilorin west Local Government Area, Kwara State based on gender (t = -2.698; df = 374; P > 0.05), The finding revealed that there was no significant difference in pupils’ skill acquisition in Ilorin west Local Government Area, Kwara State school type (t = -2.444; df = 374; P > 0.05). Teacher should allow the pupils to make use of playground to develop their holistic development. It was recommended that the ministries and other concerned agencies should set workshop, seminar and conference on the important of playground on physical skill acquisition on the development of the pupils’.

Effect of physical exercise on the motor skills acquisition among pupils with intellectual disability

Decrease in physical activities among pupils with intellectual disability has been noted to affect motor skill acquisition, thus the need to carry out a study on possible ways to improve motor skill acquisition is necessary, this is the purpose of this study; which is to examine the effect of physical exercise on motor skills acquisition among pupils with intellectual disability. Three research hypotheses were posed in this work. A 2x2 pre-post test control group quasi-experimental research design was used for this study. The population was all students with intellectual disability in Kwara State as a sample of 40 children from schools located in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state were selected through the use of simple random sampling technique. The instrument used for this study was a researcher’s designed rating scale. The rating scale had two section; section A contains the demographic information of the respondents such as gender, while section B contains 10 items which is a 3 likert scale, ranging from always, sometimes and never. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity by physical education teachers and experts in education. In order to determine the reliability of the instrument, the instrument was trial-test to 20 respondents who were not part of the sample size. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, and percentage for the demographic information, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used for the research hypotheses. It is revealed that; physical exercise had significant effect on motor skills acquisition among pupils with intellectual disability, there was no significant effect of physical exercise on motor skills acquisition among pupils with intellectual disability based on gender and there was no significant interaction effect of physical exercise and gender on motor skills acquisition among pupils with intellectual disability. Thus, it can be concluded based on the findings of the study that, physical activities enhance motor skills acquisition among intellectually disabled pupils. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others that Sensitization of teachers should be regularly done in order to inform them of the importance of physical activities on learners with intellectual disabilty.

Marketing of Fresh Imported Frozen Fish in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Women, (64.4%) dominated the marketing of imported frozen fish in study area and they were active economically. They were married(81.1%) with a relatively large family(6 or more members) that served as a source of labor; Most of the traders were Muslims(54.4%) while others were Christians showing that fish marketing is not affected by religious bigotry. Most of the marketers, (86.6%) had access to credit gotten from daily contribution collectors and trough cooperatives. Most respondents (74.4%) were in associations, where they paid membership dues and the Herfindahl index was 1.17%, which indicated high market concentration. Frozen fish marketing is profitable in the study area with a Marketing Margin of 47.36 %. Factors affecting profitability of fish marketing in the study area were Age, which is significant at 5% and it is negatively signed, Religion which is significant at 5% but also negatively signed, Household size, which is significant at 1% level and it is highly positively signed. Interest paid although against expectation is significant at 5% and positive; Other Business is positively significant at 1%. Amount paid as dues in the market and Fish type had negative signs

Impact of Agricultural Cooperative in Promoting Food Security in Kwara State, Nigeria

The state of food insecurity in this country is quite alarming despite the various steps taken by the federal government to prevent it. It is one of the major reasons why we are still finding it hard to project this country as one of the leading economies in Africa. This research paper aims at explaining the impact of agricultural cooperative societies in promoting food security in Kwara State, Nigeria. It acquires its results from the data collated from farmers in the vicinity who are members of the cooperative societies and those who are not. The research study was carried out in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. Data for this study was derived from a survey of 100 farmers in the local government area. Food insecurity, a major problem of the 21st century, is being battled in almost every part of the world. Nigeria as a country is not left out in the action of this primary factor of economic setback. Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are taking various measures to put a stop to this challenge. This paper is looking into the significance and impacts of the agricultural cooperative societies—both governmental and non-governmental ones—on the enhancement and promotion of food security. It identifies and praises the effectiveness of the societies on the challenges faced by farmers even though cumbered with some setbacks. The result indicates that the majority of the farmers (60% of the respondents) belong to one of the agricultural cooperatives which has in turn boosted their productivity. Also, the result indicated that men are more engaged in farming of one crop or the other in the area under study more than women i.e., 83% male participants compared to women with 17% participants. The study therefore recommended that the government should assist the agricultural cooperatives at all levels in order to improve their productivity and this will in turn reduce the problem of food security in the country.

Problem of students in learning Biology practical in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State

The study investigated the problems of students in learning Biology practical in senior secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA, Kwara State. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey was adopted for this study. The population comprised SS1 to SS3 Biology students in Ilorin-West LGA, Kwara State. Questionnaires were involved in the collection of data from one hundred and eighty (180) Biology students and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive mean, t-test and analysis of variance ANOVA. The findings revealed that problems of students in learning Biology practical in Ilorin West LGA was significant. There was no significant difference in students' opinion towards the problem of learning Biology practical in senior secondary schools based on gender and class size. There was no significance difference in the problems of learning Biology practical in senior secondary school based on school type. In conclusion, it was recommended that Government and private school owners should ensure the provision of well-structured infrastructural facilities that would improve learning process and adequate laboratory equipment should be provided for senior secondary school students to ease the learning difficulty experienced in learning Biology practical. Schools should also endeavor to avail more and replace the obsolete equipment with more technologically modern equipment.

Indices determining effective teaching of physical education in secondary school teachers in Ilorin West Local Government Area

Many factors cause students' physical education learning outcomes to be not so encouraging, ranging from learning infrastructure, teacher competence, learning environment, learning curriculum. The purpose of this study was to investigate the index of determining the effective teaching of physical education in secondary schools in West Ilorin Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type is used in this research. The population for this study consisted of sixty-five (65) physical education teachers in both public and private secondary schools. Four five (45) public secondary schools and twenty (20) private secondary schools were deliberately selected for this study. The questionnaire was well structured and designed by the researcher as the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was validated and the reliability of the instrument was confirmed through the split-half method. This instrument was given to 20 respondents from the East Ilorin Regional Government, Kwara State. All items on even numbers are scored separately, as well as scores on odd items. Both scores were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, which yielded 0.62r. Sixty-five (65) questionnaire forms were taken and analyzed using PPMC and Multiple Linear Regression at an alpha level of 0.05. Based on the research findings, it is concluded that the Index (teaching materials, teaching strategies and school factors) determines the effectiveness of teaching physical education in junior high schools in the Ilorin Local Government Area of ​​Kwara State, Nigeria. The researcher recommends that this type of research should be conducted in other Local Government Areas in Kwara State to investigate the index that determines effective physical education teaching.

Effects of covid-19 pandemic on mental well-being of the people of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

1. Financial constraints is one of the significant effects of covid-19 pandemic on mental well-being of the people of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria with the scale shown (X2 = 131.621, df=9 P-value(0.0431)< 0.05), since the P-Value is less than 0.05 level of significance 2. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the significant effects of covid-19 pandemic on mental well-being of the people of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria with the scale of revealed (X2 = 322.673, df=9, P-value(0.020)< 0.05), since the Pvalue is less than 0.05 level of significance 3. Anxiety is also one of the significant effects of covid-19 pandemic on mental welling being of the people of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria with the scale of revealed (X2 = 152.812, df=9, P-value(0.322)> 0.05), since the Pvalue is less than 0.05 level of significance.

Determinants of profitability in catfish farming in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This study analysed the profitability of catfish farming in Ilorin west Local Government Area of Kwara State. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 120 catfish farmers using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Gross margin analysis and linear regression. Result shows that more than half (54.17%) of the catfish farmers were males while majority (63.34%) of the farmers were within the age group 31- 50 years. The mean age and household size of farmers in the study area were 38 years and 5 persons respectively. Most of the catfish farmers (45.83%) utilized concrete pond type while average fish pond size was 205 square metres. Major source of finance for farmers is from their personal savings. The gross margin analysis shows that gross margin for the catfish farmers was ₦22,013,583.1 while the average gross margin was ₦183,446.52 perproduction cycle indicating that catfish farming is profitable. The result of the linear regression reveals that pond maintenance, transportation and feed cost are negative and have significant effects on income generated from catfish business while pond size and education is positive and significant at 5%. Since catfish business is a profitable venture, the study recommends that the Nigerian government should use this as a means to empower unemployed youths and rural households to reduce poverty level as well as dependence on fish importation in the country.&#x0D; Keywords: Catfish farmers, Profitability, Production, Gross margin, Personal saving.

Teaching strategy preferences in upper basic schools in Ilorin west local government area, Kwara state, Nigeria

Introduction: Several studies have been carried out on various teaching strategy broadly categorised as teacher-centred, student-centred and student-teacher centred. This study was premised on investigating preferences for these strategies among basic school teachers. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate teacher's teaching strategy preferences in classroom situations in teaching and learning in Upper Basic Classroom situations. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design of survey type. Teachers in Ilorin West Local Government area of Kwara State constituted the study population while the target population was all Upper Basic school teachers sampled randomly. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire tagged "Teachers' Teaching Strategy Preferences Questionnaire" (TTSPQ) which was face and content validated by measurement and evaluation experts. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha with a reliability index of 0.78. The validated instrument was administered electronically via Google Forms. Data were analysed using percentages, t-test and ANOVA statistics. Results: Results showed that teacher-student centred strategy using discussion, demonstration, question &amp; answer, field trip, and reciprocal methods were preferred while there was a significant difference in teaching strategy preferences based on teaching the subject with Mathematics teachers most contributors to the significance. Recommendations/Classroom Implications: It was recommended that schools constantly organise training and workshops to better expose all teachers to deploying student-teacher-centred teaching and learning methods.

Assessment of Intra Urban Taxi Services in Ilorin West Local Government Area

Assessment of Intra Urban Taxi Services in Ilorin West Local Government Area

Evaluation of the Public Pipe-borne Water supply in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This paper assesses the residents’ access to public pipe-borne water in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The authors analyzed spatial distribution and functionality of public pipe-borne water. They also examined intra-urban variation in the distribution of public pipe-borne water in the study area. The study used primary data which were obtained through random sampling techniques of 400 households, using structured questionnaire in the twelve political administrative wards of the examined area. Physical enumeration was also adopted to identify the functional and non-functional public pipe-borne water points. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency table and percentages with chi-square were used to describe residents’ demand and accessibility of public pipe-borne water. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine intra-urban variations in the functionality of public pipe-borne water. The results revealed that distribution of public pipe-borne water cut across different localities in the twelve political administrative wards that Ilorin West Local Government consisted of. Although the highest proportion (60.24%) of public pipe-borne water points were observed to be functioning, a significant proportion (39.26%) were not functioning. The highest proportion (95.5%) of the respondents were of the opinion that public pipe-borne water is not regularly available. The findings from Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences (F=2.702, P=0.004) in the functioning of public pipe-borne water infrastructural elements existing in the examined area. The study concludes by suggesting the need for the government to ensure regular public water supply to meet the residents’ daily needs for water consumption and domestic use, which continue to increase every day.

Influence of motivation on teachers’ effectiveness in Ilorin West local government, Kwara State

Motivation is the vital tool that can enhance effectiveness and aid good performance. Individual job performance and behaviour depend greatly on motivational factors. A number of studies have been done in the area of motivation for teachers and its benefits towards better performance for the students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of motivation on teachers’ effectiveness in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State. Adopted research design for this study was the descriptive survey method. The respondents comprises of 150 teachers which were simple randomly selected from 10 schools in Ilorin West. The instrument that was used for collecting data for this study was adopted from Ayuba (2017) titled Motivation and Teachers’ Effectiveness Questionnaire (MTEQ). Frequency count, percentage and mean score were used to answer research questions while Pearson Product Moment Coefficient (PPMC) and t-test were employed to test the research hypothesis. Findings revealed that teachers’ effectiveness is low and there was no significant influence of motivation on teachers’ effectiveness.

Salmonella enterica isolated from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016 showed resistance to critical antimicrobials

Salmonellosis is a major public health hazard globally. This study was designed to determine the antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella serovars isolated from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016 using a cross sectional approach. A total of 58 Salmonella isolates were serotyped, 13 different serovars were identified and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disc diffusion method. All the isolates (100.0%) exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. All of the isolates exhibited 100% resistance to ampicillin, 65.5% of the isolates showed resistance to cefotaxime while 63.8% of the isolates were resistant to either of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Low level of resistance was observed for neomycin (22.4%) compare to other antimicrobials. S. enterica ser. 4, 12, 27: z: - exhibited resistance to all antimicrobial agents. Considering the types of samples that were positive for Salmonella across different local government areas, frequencies of resistance were statistically significant only to gentamicin (P=0.016) in Ilorin west local government area, only nalidixic acid (P =0.014) in Irepodun local government area, only compound sulfonamide (P=0.002) in Asa local government area and streptomycin (P=0.025) in Ilorin-South local government area. The results indicated the relatively high resistance to the antimicrobial agents tested and the multi-drug-resistance among the Salmonella serovars. These observations pose therapeutic concerns on poultry farms in the study area and may serve as potential sources of multi- drug-resistant Salmonella transmission to the humans.

Quality assessment of sandcrete blocks produced in Adeta, Kwara State, Nigeria

The durability of a building is determined to a great extent by the quality of materials used in its construction. Sandcrete block is a major building material in Nigeria. This research assessed the quality of blocks produced in Adeta, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Eight block factories were selected from the study area and the quality of their blocks were measured for their water absorption ratios and compressive strengths and compared with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) specifications. Six samples each of size 450mm x 225mm x 225mm per factory were tested. Experimental findings revealed that the absorption rate of the sandcrete blocks were higher than the 12% specification. The compressive strengths of the blocks which ranges from 0.19N/mm2 to 0.40N/mm2 fall below the minimum specification of 2.5N/mm2. Inadequate mix ratio is a factor that resulted in the poor quality sandcrete blocks produced in the area.