Rivers State Research Articles

The Nexus between entrenched poverty and educational performance of students in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State

Entrenched poverty and educational performance are deeply intertwined creating a cycle that could be difficult to break. This work focusses on the nexus between entrenched poverty and educational performance of students in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Specifically, the work sought to examine how parents’ levels of income and education influences students’ academic performance in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Primary data was sourced through the use of questionnaire and a sample size of 840 respondents was arrived at. Simple percentages and Chi squared was used to analyse the data and the results show that both parents’ levels of income and education influenced educational performances of the students in the Local Government. It was recommended among others that government should increase funding for Education by allocating more budget to the education sector to improve infrastructure, provide learning materials, and ensure schools are well-equipped. Also prioritize funding for schools in impoverished areas to reduce disparities in educational resources.

Global Competency of Pupils for Competitiveness in Public Primary School in Rivers State

This paper addresses the issues of global competency amongst public primary school pupils in Rivers State. Education is said to be the bedrock of development, therefore the quality of education given to children at the childhood stage cannot be overemphasized. The education given to the child should make the child globally visible by possessing the requisite competency skills. These global competence skills include the critical thinking, self-awareness, identification of issues, use of varying languages, ability to analyses, synthesize and take action. The paper further highlighted the role caregivers should play in the instilling of these skills in children, However, the challenges of instilling these values and the implications it holds for the teacher were discussed and the way forward suggested.

Physiochemical and Microbial Quality of Melon and Bush Mango Seeds and Milled Products in Local Markets ln Rivers State,Nigeria.

Risk of food borne infection contamination of food, in Africa is increased due to environmental, agronomic and socio-economic factors. This study assesses the microbial quality of melon and bush mango displayed in the local markets, aiming to provide valuable insights into the safety and quality of these widely consumed food products. Standard procedure for microbiological and proximate analysis were employed. The heterotrophic bacteria count ranged from 8.5 x 10⁵ cfu/g to 1.35 x10⁶ cfu/g. The total staphylococcus count ranged from 1.2 x 10³ cfu/g to 4.35 x 10³ cfu/g. The coliform count ranged from 2.8 x 10⁴ to 7 x 10⁵, Total Samonella count ranged from 4 x 10² cfu/g to 1.5 x 10³ cfu/g and Fungi count 6.5 x 10² cfu/g to 2.5 x 10³ cfu/g. Morphological and Biochemical characterization of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from both melon and bush mango identified nine genera, including Staphylococcus (14.6%) Bacillus (20%), Corynebacterium (5.6%) Enterobacter (4.4%), Micrococcus ( 3.3%) Pseudomonas (12.2%), Escherichia coli (13.3%), Salmonella (11.1%) and Proteus (11.1%). Fungal species like Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus flavus, Candida spp., Mucor spp., Saccharomyces sp., and Aspergillus niger were isolated from both seed and milled seeds samples of melon and bush mango. The frequency of occurrence revealed variations among bacterial isolates in melon and bush mango seeds. The most frequent fungal species included Candida spp. (9.4%) Aspergillus niger (20%) Mucor (9.4%), Fusarium (11.4%), Aspergillus flavus (9.4%), Penicillium (13.2%), Rhizopus spp (3.7%) and Saccharomyces (15%). Proximate and heavy metal analysis indicated variations in the composition of Carbohydrate (7.11%), Lipid (15.03%), Ash (1.89%), Moisture (7.31%), Protein (23.86%), Crude Fiber (12.66%), Lead (0.213 mg/kg), Copper (2.11mg/kg), calcium (0.49mg/kg) and Cadmium (0.0169mg/kg) in melon and bush mango, Carbohydrate (15.03%), Lipid (58.24%), Ash (1.74%), Moisture (10.48%), Protein (11.95%), Crude Fiber (2.64%), Lead (1.7903mg/kg), Copper (2.11mg/kg), calcium (0.148mg/kg) and Cadmium (0.000385mg/kg). The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in such ranges suggests potential differences in hygiene practices during cultivation, processing, and storage. Therefore; Implement stringent quality control measures during the production, processing, and storage of both melon and bush mango seed.

Service Innovation And Marketing Performance Of Eatery Firms In Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The study delved into the correlation between service innovation and marketing performance within eateries in Port Harcourt. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 121 eateries registered with the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry as of May 2023. With a sample size of 90 respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) Table, 80 completed questionnaires were used for analysis after achieving an 89% response rate. Utilizing SPSS Version 2.2.0, Spearman Rank Order Correlation was employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicated a noteworthy relationship between service innovation dimensions and various marketing performance measures among eateries in Port Harcourt. The study concluded that the relationship between service innovation and marketing performance is noteworthy, suggesting that eateries in Port Harcourt integrate new service concepts and delivery methods to enhance customer retention and repeat purchases. Furthermore, the study recommends providing effective training to employees for managing new customer relationships.

Geophysical investigation of subsoil corrosivity within university of Cross River State, Calabar, Calabar Southern Nigeria

Geophysical investigation of subsoil corrosivity within university of Cross River State, Calabar, Calabar Southern Nigeria

Assessment of health risk exposure of pupils to classroom dust in some primary schools In Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Assessment of health risk exposure of pupils to classroom dust in some primary schools In Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Sexual Spousal Abuse And Emotional Homeostatic Disequilibrium (EHD) Among Married Secondary School Teachers In Rivers State Of Nigeria

This study considered the phenomenon of emotional homeostatic disequilibrium that adversely affects individuals, with a view to unveiling factors that instigate it. It was carried out in the area of counselling psychology. The purpose is to determine whether or not sexual spousal abuse is related to EHD among married secondary school teachers in Rivers State of Nigeria. The reason for selecting this topic is because the EHD problem has caused so much damage in the society, which demands investigation. Expost facto correlation design was adopted, while two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. Results of the study indicated a significant relationship between sexual spousal abuse and EHD, and a moderating influence of cultural values/beliefs in that relationship among the subjects. Specifically, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological and emotional toll of sexual spousal abuse and informs more effective support and intervention strategies.

A critical view on the rising spate of Pentecostal churches in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

A critical view on the rising spate of Pentecostal churches in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Utilisation of Open Databases in Accessing Agricultural Information among Agricultural Professionals in Rivers State, Nigeria

Utilisation of Open Databases in Accessing Agricultural Information among Agricultural Professionals in Rivers State, Nigeria

Financial Technology Innovation and Business Growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study empirically examined the relationship between financial technology (FinTech - proxied by Internet Banking and Mobile Payment) innovation and business growth (proxied by productivity and operational efficiency) of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Port Harcourt. The study was underpinned by the theory of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT). The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and the population was the 1016 registered SMEs in Port Harcourt with a sample size of 287. Spearman’s Rank Correlation and Partial Correlation were used to test the five hypotheses that guided the study. The findings showed a positive and significant relationship exists between financial technology innovation and business growth. Based on these findings, the research concluded that financial technology innovation is a business solution and a formidable management strategy that SMEs can deploy to improve their business growth. It recommends therefore that SMEs who want to improve their business growth should invest more in FinTech innovations such as Internet banking and mobile payment, as these digital solutions have a significant impact in improving productivity and operational efficiency (business growth).

Child Labour in Rivers State: Implications for Students’ Educational Development

The study examined the incidence of child labour in Rivers State and the implications for students’ educational development. Three objectives with corresponding three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 318 public senior secondary schools and 7,000 teachers in Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools board. The study adopted simple random sampling technique and made use of 30 public senior secondary schools and 300 teachers drawn from the three senatorial zones in Rivers State. The instrument used for the data collection was captioned “Child Labour in Rivers State and Implications for Students’ Educational Development Questionnaire (CLRSISEDQ)”. The reliability of the instrument was validated by two measurement and evaluation lecturers in the department of educational foundations in Rivers State University, while mean score was used to analyze the research questions and tables were used to organise the data. The result of the findings revealed that to a high extent various forms of child labour exist among students in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. Also, to a high extent many factors are responsible for child labour among the students and finally to a high extent child labour impact negatively on the students and consequently, the educational development of the state. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that government should mandate the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute culprits of child labour and parents should give birth to the number of children they can properly cater for.

Population Dynamics and Integrated Pest Management of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Maize in Rivers State, Nigeria

Population dynamics and integrated pest management investigations of the fall armyworm (FAW) on maize conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research farm, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria, made notable findings for the effective management of this notorious pest. This study involved 3 maize varieties namely Bende White (a local white variety), Oka (a local yellow maize) and Oba Super 98 (an improved white variety); two cropping patterns i.e. sole maize, and maize-yam intercrop; pheromonal trapping and pesticide (Kartodim 315EC). Pesticide applications were at 3 different phases (2WAP, 4WAP, and zero application as control, respectively). The pheromonal trap catches aided tracking of the pest’s population dynamics over the study duration showing the arrival times, build-up, peaks and falls. There was no significant difference in FAW populations between sole and intercrop plots; although 3 population peaks were found in maize-yam intercrop (at day 5, 7 and 17) against 2 peaks (day 4 and 15) in the sole maize. Oka variety showed significantly higher mean maize ear damages from FAW attacks (6.36 ± 2.45), compared to Bende (5.71 ± 2.87) and Oba 98 (4.77 ± 2.64) (p < 0.05), implying that Oba 98 may be the best maize variety for cultivation in this locality.

Economics Assessment of Garri Processing in Rivers state, Nigeria

Economics Assessment of Garri Processing in Rivers state, Nigeria

Predicting heavy metal transport in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite: implications for residence utilizing borehole water in Cross River State, Nigeria

Groundwater is considered the most important natural resource to mankind. Groundwater constitutes an important part of the hydrological cycle and is more prone to pollution. Dumpsite located in close proximity to groundwater resources is highly susceptible to leachates pollution. Predicting the susceptibility of groundwater pollution is crucial to address industry-standard codes for groundwater flow, contaminant transport, local to regional-scale water quality, and source water protection issues. Therefore, predicting heavy metal transport in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite in Cross River State, Nigeria, was examined. Soil samples were purposively collected with a soil Auger, along a straight line at (5 m, 25 m and 50 m) in the dumpsite. Water samples were purposively collected from five (5) boreholes close to Lemna dumpsite. The study utilized pumping test method to obtain data for the analysis of heavy metal transport in groundwater. Data analysis of the laboratory results of soil and borehole water quality focuses on arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and mercury. Paired sample t test was used to analyse the soil and borehole water quality. Visual Modflow was also used to analyse the solute transport of heavy metals in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite. The paired sample t test of the analysis of heavy metals in soil exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to National Environmental Standard Regulation and Enforcement Agency limits. The paired sample t test of the analysis of heavy metals in borehole water exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to World Health Organization limits. The significant level indicates contamination of the soil and borehole water. The findings revealed a spatial spread of 259.2000 m2/day, with the contaminant travelling up to 94,608 m2/year. The extent of heavy metals concentration exhibited a maximum of 0.991 mg/l to a minimum of (− 6.72 × 10–18 mg/l), with concentrations decreasing as the plume extend. The study recommends the need for remediation and stringent monitoring to mitigate heavy metal contamination of boreholes near Lemna dumpsite.

Global Supply Chain Management and The Performance of Multi-National Companies in Rivers State of Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between global supply chain management and the performance of multi-national companies in rivers state of Nigeria. This study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study consisted of 10 multinational companies operating in Rivers State as retrieved from Nigerian business directory search engine. The study adopted a census study, 3 respondents were selected from each firm multiplied by 10 firms give us a total of 30 respondents. Structured questionnaire instrument title” Global supply chain management and performance questionnaire was developed on five point likert scale. The result of the Cronbach's Alpha reliability test indicates .800 which is above .70 which implies that the items are reliable. Pearson product moment correlation was used to test the hypotheses using SPSS (statistical package social sciences). The study revealed that there is a significance relationship between global sourcing and profitability of multi-national companies in Rivers State of Nigeria. There is a significance relationship between outsourcing and operational7process efficiency of multi-national companies in Rivers State of Nigeria. There is a significance relationship between global production and distribution and customer satisfaction of multi-national companies in Rivers State of Nigeria. In conclusion, global supply chain management is a critical aspect of business operations for multi-national companies in Rivers State of Nigeria. By investing in infrastructure, building strong relationships with local partners, implementing effective communication and coordination processes, and utilizing technology, MNCs can improve the performance of their supply chains and gain a competitive advantage in the region. The study recommended that MNCs should consider investing in the development of infrastructure in Rivers State, including transportation and logistics systems, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their supply chains.

Correlates of Social Phobia among Undergraduate Students in Universities in Rivers State

Correlates of Social Phobia among Undergraduate Students in Universities in Rivers State

Station Rotation Model and Biology Students’ Academic Performance and Retention in Secondary Schools in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria

Station Rotation Model and Biology Students’ Academic Performance and Retention in Secondary Schools in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria

Urogenital schistosomiasis transmission among school-age children in Cross River State, Nigeria: implications for control

Urogenital schistosomiasis transmission among school-age children in Cross River State, Nigeria: implications for control

Exploring historical changes in mountain river hydrodynamics induced by human impact

During the 20th-century many mountain rivers in Europe were subjected to intensive human impacts which substantially modified their channel morphology. How these changes affected river hydrodynamics and response to floods remains uncertain. In this work, we perform hydraulic modelling using data from archival aerial photos to explore relations between hydraulic parameters of floods and human-induced channel incision occurring on the Czarny Dunajec River (Polish Carpathians) between 1964 and 2012. Data on vertical position of the channel used for two-dimensional modelling of flood flows were extracted (as Digital Elevation Models DEMs) from archival aerial photos from 1964 and 1983 and ALS (Airborne Laser Skanning)-derived DEM from 2012. Water depth, flow velocity, bed shear stress, and sediment critical diameter were modelled for four flood scenarios (2-year, 5-year, 20-year, and 50-year floods) as well as the extent of flooded area and additionally the grain size of channel sediment was calculated. The values of water depth, flow velocity, bed shear stress and sediment critical diameter increased significantly between 1964 and 1983, especially for 20-year and 50-year floods. Only the flow velocity within the floodplain zone did not increase for the two largest flood scenarios due to the expansion of riparian forest in the second half of the twentieth century. The increase in flow rate was accompanied by a progressive reduction of the extent of flooded area, especially between 1964 and 1983, as well as by increase in mean grain size of channel sediment. Between 1983 and 2012 changes in hydraulic parameters were less pronounced, and coarser and well packed channel sediment dominated on the river bed. Our work demonstrates that reconstruction of past river hydrodynamics, rather than river state at time horizons, can give essential insights into functioning of the river channel and floodplain during the intensification of human impacts after 1950s.

Neutrophil phagocytic activity in SCA subjects

Abstract Objectives Subjects with SCA are highly susceptible to life-threatening infections. The exact mechanism of immunodeficiency in this condition remains uncertain as different researchers have varying findings in their respective immunological studies. This study is aimed to comparatively determine the phagocytic competence of neutrophils of sickle cell subjects and immunological response in blood transfusion. Methods This study was carried out on 100 subjects in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria, comprising 41 SCA subjects and 59 subjects that were used as controls after confirming their Hb electrophoresis as “AA” in the laboratory. These subjects were within the ages of 2-25 years. The blood samples were analyzed for neutrophils, and some blood count parameters using standard methods and P &amp;lt; .05 were used to determine the level of confidence. Results Neutrophil function activity of SCA subjects was observed to be reduced significantly (P &amp;lt; .05) compared with the control subjects. The total white cell, packed cell volume, and relative differential counts were elevated significantly (P &amp;lt; .05) when compared with the control subjects except for lymphocytes, which was significantly reduced in SCA patients. Neutrophil function activity was significantly lower in the symptomatic subjects. Those transfused with blood revealed significantly higher total white cell and eosinophil counts, whereas their lymphocyte and monocyte counts significantly reduced. Conclusion This work has shown that SCA subjects have impaired neutrophil function activity as well as depressed immune cells as reflected in the blood count.