South-western Zone Of Nigeria Research Articles

Contributory Pension Scheme and Welfare of Retirees: A case of Tertiary Institutions of Education in Southwestern Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) on the welfare of retirees of tertiary institutions of education in the Southwestern zone of Nigeria. Using the Taro Yamane formula and a multi-level sampling technique, a sample size of 125 retirees was obtained from three tertiary institutions of education in the Southwestern part of Nigeria as follows: Osun State College of Education, Ilesa (41), Lagos State University of Education, Lagos (36) and Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (48). The main instrument of data collection was a set of questionnaire which was administered to the retirees to collect relevant data. The instrument was validated and its reliability coefficient calculated to be 0.82 using the Cronbach Alpha formula. The data collected was analysed using the Chi-square and the one-sample t-test statistics. The results showed that the contributory pension scheme did not have significant effect on the welfare of the retirees (t = .207, p < 0.05). Useful recommendations were made based on this finding.

Tax Audit and Investigation: A Panacea to Increase Revenue Generation in Nigeria

The research work examines the effect of tax audit and investigation on revenue generation in Nigeria. The essence of the study is to determine the effect of tax audit and investigation, which is a viable instrument of relevant tax authority on revenue generation in Nigeria using the tools of tax audit and investigation as measuring indicators. Primary data were sourced through the administration of a structured questionnaire on 162 samples drawn from the total population of Federal Inland Revenue staff in the South-western zone of Nigeria, using Taro Yamane sample size calculator. Descriptive and inferential methods of data analysis were employed to measure the effect of tax audit and investigation’s indictors (desk/office audit, field audit, and audit investigation) on revenue generation. Findings revealed that about 38% variation in revenue generation in Nigeria is due to change in tax audit and investigation’s indicators/variables of DOA, FA, and ANINV, which implies that applications of these variables of tax audit and investigation will improve tax revenue generation in Nigeria as shown from the contributory regression coefficients of 0.576, 0.407, and 0.151 respectively. The study therefore recommends that effective and efficient tax audit and investigation habit should be encouraged by the relevant tax authorities as this will help in curbing taxpayers rendering false returns, reduce tax evasion and eventually improve tax revenue generation in Nigeria. Keywords : Tax Audit, Tax investigation, Field Audit, Office/Desk Audit, Revenue Generation, DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-18-05 Publication date: September 30 th 2022

Coping strategies of Nigerian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assessed the coping strategies of Nigerian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among medical and dental students attending three of the largest Colleges of Medicine in the Southwestern zone of Nigeria. Our study involved students across the pre-clinical and clinical levels of the three Colleges of Medicine. We selected the respondents through a purposive sampling technique and disseminated questionnaires applied using an online survey platform (Google forms https://forms.gle/19yfEzehJKwsme759). A total of 1010 participants out of 2404 eligible students completed the questionnaires accurately, giving a response rate of 42%. The Brief-COPE questionnaire assessed the participants' coping strategies (approach and avoidant) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a bivariate analysis using the chi-square test and multiple regression analysis (p< 0.05) to determine the predictors of avoidant coping strategies. Respondents mean age was 21.8±2.9 years, results were presented as Odds Ratios(OR) at 95% confidence intervals(CI). About 95% of respondents employed an approach coping strategy, while the minority(5%) adopted an avoidant coping strategy. Females were three times more likely to employ an avoidant coping strategy (OR=3.32 (95% CI 1.67-6.21) compared to male students. This study reveals that the majority of the respondents employed an approach coping strategy towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Females were more likely to employ an avoidant coping strategy. We recommend gender-specific programs to help medical students cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. No External Funding.

Grazing behaviour and forage selection pattern of heifers in the range

The grazing behaviour of eight yearling white Fulani heifers was studied in two season of year in the south western zone of Nigeria. Time spent on different activities such as drinking, walking, grazing, resting and ruminating were determined using direct eye observation technique. The types of forage selected in both seasons were identified. Visual observations revealed that behaviour was influenced by seasons. The heifers spent 2, 8, 15, 14 and 62% of their time drinking, ruminating, resting, walking and grazing respectively as overall percentage for the two seasons. The forage selection pattern revealed that forbs were mostly selected in the late dry season and grasses in the early rain season. The forages selected in the late dry season were Panicum maximum, Cynodon dactylon, Ipomea aquatical, Leucaena leucocephela, Centrosema mole and Althernanthera dentata. In the early rain season forages selected include Setaria bartata, Echinochloa stagirina, Pennisetum purpureum and Panicum maximum regrowth. It is therefore concluded that the study provides a quick insight into behavioural and forage selection pattern of heifers. Therefore the study can be used to assess grazing animal nutrition condition.

Plant density due to intra-row spacing on growth, weed control, and yield of Golden melon

ABSTRACT Appropriate density of Golden melon (Cucumis melo L.) in the field is arrived at by correct spacing between, and within rows, a factor that can impact on weed incidence and crop yield. A field experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in the tropical rainforest/savannah transition zone of southwestern Nigeria, to assess the effects of intra-row spacing on growth and yield of golden melon and determine the weed control ability. Treatments were plant densities of: 50,000, 25,000, 16,667, 12,500, or 10,000 plants∙ha−1 produced by establishing plants at 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 cm intra-row with a constant inter-row spacing of 100 cm. Data were collected on number of leaves, vine length, number of branches, days to flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, total fruit yield, weed density, weed fresh weight, and weed dry matter content. More leaves, branches, and longer vines were obtained from plants grown at 10,000, 12,500, and 16,667 plants∙ha−1. Number of fruits per plant increased as plant density increased. Planting at 25,000 and 50,000 plants∙ha−1 produced smaller fruits compared to planting at 10,000 and 16,667 plants∙ha−1. Planting at 10,000 and 16,667 plants∙ha−1 produced more fruits per plant and had larger fruits compared to other plant densities. Planting golden melon at a population density of 25,000 or 50,000 plants∙ha−1 was efficient in controlling, and reducing, weed interference. Planting at a population of 25,000 plants∙ha−1 provides efficient weed control; a population of 16,666 plants∙ha−1 provides increased growth and yield of golden melon. Planting Golden melon at a population of 16,666 plants∙ha−1 (100 cm inter-row, 60 cm intra-row spacing) appears to be best to improve yield. Knowledge of the best plant density obtained through intra-row spacing can impact efficiency and cost of production of Golden melon.

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Health Information Technology Acceptance Framework for diabetes management

This study examined the level of acceptance of Health Information Technology (HIT) as tools for diabetes care and management, in six selected tertiary hospitals in southwestern zone of Nigeria. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study was conducted amongst selected healthcare stakeholders namely Nurses, Doctors, Laboratory Scientists, Pharmacists, ICT unit Professionals, Medical Record Officers, and Type-2 diabetes out-patients available in the designated hospitals. Adapting Technology Acceptance and Chronic Care Models, the level of HIT acceptance by the respondents in the study area was measured in terms of Perceived Ease-of-Use, Perceived Usefulness, and the Perceived Unintended Consequences relating to HIT, while also considering the roles of the government, community and healthcare organizations. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents were examined, each for both Staff and Patients, and the factor variables studied on a 5-point Likert rating scale of measurement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). The results revealed strong perception of Staff and Patients about HIT implementation and acceptance and showed that in some cases, the perception of Staff and patients about HIT acceptance are the same, while different in some. The study concluded that for acceptability of HIT, hospitals have to embark on ‘continuous’ training for the HIT users, so that users would familiarize themselves with the system, and it will be fully incorporated into their workflow. Based on the findings, a conceptual Health Information Technology Acceptance Framework for Chronic diseases' management, especially for diabetes mellitus was developed.

Opportunity Cost of Education on Non-Farm Employment in Rural Nigeria

Purpose: Returns on education was found to be worker, scale and allocative effects with positive higher payoff to agricultural productivity but its effects on non-farm employment among agricultural households who obtain income through non-farm activities to complement proceeds of agricultural activities are not yet known. Therefore, this study critically investigates the real cost effect of education on involvement in non-farm employment among rural households in South-western Nigeria. Research Method: The study drew a sample of 411 rural farm households through a multi-stage sampling technique from three states in southwest Nigeria and the data obtained were analyzed using the Mincerian equation, logistic model, inverse of Herfindahl index, calculation of expected annual rural income earning and rates of return to schooling. Findings: Results indicate that mean age and education of the rural household heads were 49.9 years and 8.8 years respectively while the household incomes were diversified up to 2.82 level and the non-farm sources contributed an average of 67% of the total income. Education is found to have considerable returns of N4706.30 (US$31.95) to gross household income and an additional year of schooling from other members of the households returns of N12519.90 (US$85) to the households’ income. Education of the household heads increases the probability of farm households participating in rural non-farm employment but the probability of participation reduces with increased level of education of the household heads. Tertiary education has the highest opportunity costs of schooling (N352200.04) per annum and the lowest rate of return to schooling (0.57%) from rural non-farm employment. Research Limitations: The study revealed the real cost of rural farm households’ educational level on the type of non-farm employment and income generated through it. The study presents information on south-western zone of Nigeria. Originality/Value: The practical value of this research is that decline rates of return to higher education reveal the rural non-farm employment being not the prime incentive for rural farm households’ members in obtaining higher education in rural southwest Nigeria. Therefore, implications are drawn for an integrated approach to higher education which may yield agricultural and non-agricultural transformation in rural Nigeria.

Information literacy of students as a correlate of their use of electronic resources in university libraries in Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship existing between undergraduate students’ information literacy skills and their use of electronic resources (ERs) located in university libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The descriptive design was adopted for the research questions, while the correlational design was adopted for the hypothesis. The purposive sampling technique was also adopted in selecting 12 university libraries which the preliminary study had revealed that they have Internet access and also subscribe to ERs in the south-west geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Questionnaire and oral interview were used for data collection. The population size consists of all the 36,116 library-registered undergraduate students in the 12 universities, while the sample size is 1,806 (5 per cent of the population) and the 12 librarians heading the ERs sections of the libraries. Findings – The findings revealed that ERs are not adequately utilized, undergraduate students do not possess adequate information literacy skills necessary for optimal utilization of the libraries’ ERs and strong positive correlation between level of undergraduate students’ information literacy skill and their use of ERs provided in the library. Practical implications – This paper provides practical insights into the impact of possessing inadequate information literacy skills on the use of ERs. Originality/value – This paper is the first to relate undergraduate students’ information literacy skills and their use of libraries’ ERs in south-western zone of Nigeria.

Recruitment and abuse of trafficked children in south-west Nigeria

This article examines the recruitment and transportation of internally trafficked children from Benue State in the north-central geo-political zone of Nigeria to Oyo State in the south-western zone of Nigeria. The study is essentially qualitative: with the aid of the snowball sampling technique, in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with drivers, employers and trafficking agents in two recipient communities in Ibadan. The findings show that human rights abuses manifest at the recruitment, transportation and destination phases. The human rights abuses include the recruitment of underage children for domestic work outside their immediate family environments; transportation under inhumane conditions; restriction of movement at traffickers' ‘warehouses’; non-disclosure of amount payable for the services of domestic servants by agents/traffickers; exclusion of domestic servants in wage negotiations; and violence by employers. In view of these, there is a need for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to strengthen its internal trafficking campaign.

Determinants of ICT Utilization Among Agricultural Students of Tertiary Institutions in South Western Nigeria

This study aimed to identify the factors that determine the utilization of ICT among agricultural students at tertiary institutions in the South Western Zone of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 respondents from the tertiary institutions. Students were mostly male with a mean age of 23.4 years and enrolled in undergraduate programs. Respondents had a high knowledge of ICT utilization despite poor electricity supply, insufficient financial resources, and inadequate ICT infrastructures. A significant relationship existed between constraints, perception of ICT benefits, and utilization of ICT. ANOVA showed a significant difference in the students’ level of ICT utilization (F = 26.791; p < .05). Schools should seek private-sector collaboration to alternatively fund ICT amenities on campuses.

Growth and Yield Performance of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) as influenced by Row-Spacing and Period of Weed interference in South-West Nigeria

Weed problem appears to be the most deleterious factor causing between 25 and 60% reduction in potential yield of cowpea. Field trials were therefore conducted to study the effect of inter-row spacing and period of weed interference on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (07° 15'; 03° 25' E) in South Western Nigeria during the early and late wet seasons of 2009. The experiment consisted of eight main plots of weed interference which included initial weed removal for 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after sowing (WAS) and subsequently weed –infested until harvest as well as initial weed infestation for corresponding periods and thereafter kept weed free until harvest. There were also sub-plot treatments of three inter-row spacing of 60, 75, and 90 cm. All treatments in different combinations were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. In both trials, the use of inter-row spacing of 60 cm resulted in significant reduction in weed growth as evident in lower weed dry matter production and subsequent higher cowpea pod and grain yields than those of 75 and 90 cm inter-row spacing. Initial weed infestation of up to 3 WAS did not have any adverse effect on crop growth and cowpea grain yields provided the weeds were subsequently removed. On the other hand, cowpea grain yield loss was not significantly averted by keeping the crop weed free for only 3 WAS without subsequent weed removal. In this study, initial weed-infestation for 6 WAS and beyond significantly depressed various crop growth parameter and cowpea grain yield compared with the crop kept weed free throughout its life cycle. In order to obtain optimum yields similar to that of the weed free cowpea field, it was required to keep the crop weed free for 6 WAS and beyond. However, frequent weeding beyond 9 weeks after sowing did not improve cowpea yield significantly and as a matter of fact it may even result in reduction of cowpea grain yield due to mechanical damage of hoe weeding. The practical implication of this finding is that early weeding starting from 3 WAS is very crucial for cowpea production while the critical period of weed removal for optimum yield in cowpea is between 3 and 9 WAS in the forest-savannah transitional zone of south Western Nigeria.

Moonlighting Among University Lecturers and Their Performance in the South-Western Nigeria

The study examined the performance (in terms of teaching, project supervision and paper publications) and moonlighting among university lecturers in south-western Nigeria. Subject for the study were three hundred and forty-seven lecturers drawn from four public and two private universities in the south-western zone of Nigeria. The stratified random sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents from the rank of assistant lecturers upward. The questionnaire method was used to collect relevant data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, correlation analysis, t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The hypothesis tested showed that there is significant difference between the performance of the university teachers who moonlighting and those who do not in south-western Nigeria (t=3.51; p<0.05). The findings revealed that there is inverse relationships between the number of lecture hours and number of universities lecturers teach in (r=-0.137, -0.447; p<0.05). It also showed that there is significant difference in performance in terms of project supervision (F=7.687, 8.175; p<0.05), and number of paper publications (F=2.678, 4.581; p<0.05). The human resource management implication is that it is essential to design, implement and monitor, with the full participation of lecturers, effective, efficient and mutually reinforcing working condition sensitive policies and programmes, including development policies and programmes that will foster the empowerment and advancement of lecturers within the institution they are and at the same time train more hands for the universities to have enough lecturers to go round to prevent lecturers’ moonlighting.

Effects of milking frequency on milk yield, dry matter intake and efficiency of feed utilization in WAD goats

Effects of milking frequency on milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI) and effeciency of feed utilization for milk production was investigated in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats at Abeokuta in the humid zone of South Western Nigeria. Seventeen WAD goats were fed a ration comprising (on dry matter basis) 50% grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and 50% concentrate (17% crude protein) at 5% body weight. The study involved hand milking once (at 6.00 am), twice (at 6.00am and 6.00pm) and thrice (at 6.00 am, 2.00 pm and 10.00 pm) daily for 21 and 35 days covering two periods, from June- October 2004 (Trial I) and April-July 2005 (Trial II) in a randomised complete block design. Kids were separated from their dams at day 14 and artificially reared. Compared to twice (2x) daily milking (322.2 mL/day), the milk yield for once (1x) daily milking (181.5 mL/day) was significantly (p<0.001) lowered by 43.7%. Milk yield for thrice (3x) daily milking (334.8 mL/day) was however, higher by 3.8% compared to 2x. Twice and thrice daily milking were not significantly different (p>0.05). As lactation progressed, day of lactation significantly (p<0.001) affected milk yield and declined by 2.5 mL for each additional day of lactation. Dry matter intake (DMI) significantly (p<0.05) increased with milking frequency. The DMI was 6.7% higher in trial I compared to trial II. Day of lactation had significant effect (p<0.001) on DMI increasing by 3.73 g for each additional day of lactation. The DMI for 2x and 3x daily milkings were however not different (p>0.05). Milking frequency had significant effect (p<0.001) on efficiency of feed utilization for milk production. The findings of this study indicate that milk yield and DMI increase with milking frequency. Therefore, it is concluded that twice daily milking of WAD goats optimises milk yield.

Prevalence, Utilization and Conservation Strategies for Non-Timber Forest Products in South western Zone of Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) plant species in Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, Southwestern Nigeria. Data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaires administered to households in forest communities. To complement information from the household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs) were also carried out in each of the sampled communities. In-depth interview (IDI) of forestry staff was further used to supplement the information collected. A simple random sampling technique was employed for the study. In Omo Forest Reserve (OFR), a total of seventy five species distributed in forty three families were recorded, while fifty six species in thirty one families were documented in Shasha Forest Reserve (SFR). Local end-uses of NTFPs include food and food supplements, snacks/sweeteners, wrapping leaves, soup and spices, beverages, dental care supplies, washing tools, roofing/construction materials, medicine and traditional rites items. While access to these resources is important to guarantee the socio-economic well being of the forest dwellers and communities, their sustainable management has not been taken seriously by policy makers thereby contributing to reduction of biodiversity and gradual but irretrievable loss of indigenous knowledge on the uses of most species. To ensure the sustainable utilization of NTFPs in these and similar tropical forest environments therefore, a number of conservation approaches are proposed.

Evaluation of West African dwarf goat for some qualitative traits in Southwestern Nigeria

Two hundred West African Dwarf (WAD) goats aged 1 to 6 years were examined during a ten months period, from October 2003 to July 2004 in randomly selected locations within Southwestern zone of Nigeria. Qualitative traits namely coat colour, polled trait, presence or absence of teat, wattle and beard were examined and described in all the experimental animals. Black colour observed in 54% of the animals predominated while brown and mixed colours accounted for 16 and 30% of all the animals respectively. All goats studied irrespective of sex were horned. The goats had a pair of teat each except eight goats with supernumerary teats. Possession of beard was common in all bucks observed, but 8.5% of the females had beard. About 36.5% of all the WAD goats examined possessed wattle. The phenotypic frequency of wattle and beard in WAD population was 0.37 and 0.21 respectively. Key words: West African dwarf (WAD) goat, qualitative traits, management, frequencies.

Environmental sensitivity mapping of the coastal areas in the south-western zone of Nigeria: anthropogenic influences on fauna

Environmental sensitivity mapping of the coastal areas in south-western Nigeria in both wet and dry seasons was carried out in the years 2007 and 2008. Four out of the nine states that comprise the zone were sampled: Delta, Asaba, Cross River and Ondo. Towns were randomly selected for intensive ecological and socio-economic sampling: Koko village, Warri, Sapeple West, Awinkoko/Ugberoko and Igbokoda, Igbekebo, and Ekiti-pupa. Both direct and indirect sampling observations were used for an ecological study based on deductive and inductive modelling, while 300 structured questionnaires were administered to respondents in the areas. A simple, descriptive sampling method (percentage) was used to draw inferences. The results indicate that the coastal areas are well represented by a diversity of plant and animal communities. The flora consists of phytoplankton and macrophytes, while the fauna consists of zooplankton, macro-benthos, vertebrates and invertebrates. Coastal birds that utilise the coastlines for residence or as migratory routes include six families: Laridae (20 species), Stercorariidae (four species), Scolopacidae (two species), Haemtopodidae (one species), Procellariidae (one species) and Hydrobatidae (one species). The coastal area is dominated by a diversity of finfish and shellfish including about 199 species belonging to 78 families in brackish and marine environments. Fish account for up to 80% of the animal protein consumed by the local people. Endangered species, now locally extinct in the coastal zone, are hunted primarily for medicinal value, with every part of the animal being useful in medicinal preparation, and also for food. The author recommends that industry located in coastal regions be required to treat waste materials to a specified standard before they are discharged into the sea. Also, legislation needs to be strengthened for environmental information gathering, technical capabilities and capacity building for coastal zone management. There is a need for government funding to increase public awareness and participation in coastal zone management and to implement policies that protect the coastal zone.

Soil Fertility Status under Different Tree Cropping System in a Southwestern Zone of Nigeria

Tree cropping has been known to bring about changes in edaphic component among other components of the ecosystem through their interactions with the soil and soil faunas. Premised on this, this study assessed the effects of sole cropping of teak and intercropping of cocoa and kola on the soil fertility status. The study was carried out using stratified-randomed sampling technique for the study plots in all the sampling sites. Three sampling sites consisting of four (4)-4oo m2 sampling plots each were established in which vegetation and some soil parameters were assessed. Results analysis showed that the synergistic interaction of leaves decomposition of cocoa and kola improved the organic matter content of the soil under the cocoa/kola site. Considerable improvement in soil fertility was enjoyed in the cocoa/kola site due to the large girth sizes and basal area of trees present in the cocoa/kola site while soil under the sole cropping of teak was impoverished. The degradation effects was due to the high rate of nutrient uptake of the teak, organic matter content was high in the forest site (9.12%) and cocoa/kola site (7.34) while the least was in the teak site (3.04%). A very strong correlation existed between organic matter content and some vegetation parameters.

Radiation Dose Survey of Refuse Dumpsites in Abeokuta in Ogun State in the Southwestern Zone of Nigeria

Radiation Dose Survey of Refuse Dumpsites in Abeokuta in Ogun State in the Southwestern Zone of Nigeria

Morphometric characterization of the Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys Waterhouse 1840) in the forest zone of South Western Nigeria

Morphometric characterization of the Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys Waterhouse 1840) in the forest zone of South Western Nigeria