AFRICAN EDUCATION INDICES

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS OF PRINCIPALS IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PORT HARCOURT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

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This study examined emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness of principals in public senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study adopts a cross sectional survey research design. The study was guided with three research questions and three hypotheses. 775 was the population of the study made up of 87 principals and 688 teachers in all public senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. 264 was the sample size of the study and this was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire which was selfstructured titled; “Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Effectiveness of Principals Questionnaire (MILEPQ)”. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to test for instrument reliability as coefficient recorded 0.90. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the Spearman Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance with the support of Statistical Package for Social Science version 2021 (SPSS). The results of this research indicated that emotional intelligence has a positive effect on principals’ leadership performance. It is recommended that principals should be able to align their self-image which gives them sense of purpose so that they can be more decisive when they set a course of actions as leaders, they should be able to control impulsive feelings, take initiative and adapt to changing circumstances as effective leaders. Effective leadership requires a wide range of skills which emotional intelligence is one skill that may assist principals as they strive to effectively meet the needs of teachers and students.

INTERNATIONAL CYBER TERRORISM: A GLOBAL APOCALYPTIC ‘TIME-BOMB’

2024-06-15T22:34:14+00:00

Given the devastation of the two World Wars, the reluctance of world powers to fashion the part of peace against that which ignited those wars, another World War could be imminent, and such could be cyber-base or cyber-ignited.Given that man did not institute violence, but as a subsistent agent, humanity was replete with interpersonal rivalry; and as a social actor man has been enmeshed in the gauge of tensions, conflations, confrontations and wars—each platform advances over the other in intensity and complexity, in scope and devastation. Apparently and even though the intensity of ideological (including religious) rivalry has never waned, the strategies deployed havebecome scintillating, provocative, sharper, more precise and exact—with further devolution and progress in internet/cyber technology, which though has introduced better modes in communication and transportation; effectiveness and efficiency. Nevertheless, this technology hasbecome handy for malevolence. Thus, adopting some phenomenological and analytical tool to review existing theoretical amid evident factual material, this work espouses need for cybertechnology and discovers that its abuse (criminality and terrorism) is fast outweighing its relevance in the necessity for posterity of humanity. It thus concludes that, given its trajectory and unless reversed, a third world war would be largely cyberwarfare and annihilating.It however recommends restraint and caution on the part of international actors both on adversarial missions and the development/deployment of cyber-intelligence.

MINISTRATIVE STRATEGIES OF PRINCIPALS’ IN ENSURING QUALITY ASSURANCE IN GOVERNMENT OWNED SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

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This study investigated administrative strategies of principals’ in ensuring quality assurance in government owned schools in Rivers State. A descriptive survey design was adopted in the study, and the population of the study consisted of 302 principals in government owned schools in Rivers State. 92% of the population was applied in selecting 278 respondents from the total population while simple random sampling technique. The reliability of the instrument was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and gave a reliability index of 0.85, 0.83, and 0.81, which indicated that the instrument was reliable. Out of the 278 copies of the questionnaire administered, 234 copies were retrieved by the researcher with the help of two trained research assistants at a date and time agreed upon with the respondents, which represented 84% retrieval rate. The research questions raised were answered using mean and standard deviation statistics. The study found thatprofessional learning communities enhances quality assurance in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State.conclusively, the study highlighted the need for educational stakeholders in Rivers State to address these challenges to enhance the quality of education in government-owned schools. Among others the paper recommends among others that Principals should encourage the establishment of well-structured and consistently implemented Professional learning communities within government-owned schools in Rivers State. This includes providing training and resources for educators and school leaders to effectively participate in and lead Professional learning communities.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT FOR PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA: ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PERSPECTIVE

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Demands for more equitable and privileged treatment by the oil producing minorities of the Niger Delta region as well as struggle by them to redress power imbalances in the country which make them internally colonized people have created conflict and instability in the region. Despite government efforts through the NDDC, the land use Act 1978 (amended 1993), the petroleum Act 1969 (amended) 1991, land Titled vesting Decree 1993, National Inland water ways Authority Decree 1997 etc. and other initiatives engaged over the intractable problem of resource control in the Niger Delta have fail to harmonize existing isolated solutions into workable method for replication. This study therefore, designed a workable template that reflects the harmonization of isolated solution of institutionalized framework (NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta) activities in physical/human capital development, legally enforced redistribution plan and the declaration of indigenous right for resource control into a conflict management model that will neutralized conflict and ensures regional development. To achieve the aforementioned, the researchers have outlined four objective for the study which translates to four null hypotheses. The respondents constituted the sample for the study and were selected using stratified random sampling technique from each of the six states; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta and Rivers States which make up the Niger Delta region. In each State, a substratum was created based on seven social indexes which included: political class, civil servant, organized private sector (Entrepreneur. captains of industries). Non-governmental organizations, Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers and Youths (Students and Unemployed). Each of the sub-stratum was represented by 50 respondents selected through simple random sampling technique, meaning that three hundred and fifty (350) respondents were selected from each of the six states; hence. Two Thousand one Hundred (2100) respondents constituted overall sample for the study. The instrument adopted for the study, was a Four Point Likert Scale questionnaire called (Conflict Management for peace and sustainable development in Niger Delta (CMPASDIND) Questionnaire. Data collected with the use of the instrument were subjected to inferential statistical analysis which included Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and Regression Analysis. Findings reveals that all the three (3) independent variables taken together [activities of institutional framework (NDDC, PTDF and Ministry of Niger Delta) for special development, legally enforced revenue sharing formulae and declaration of indigenous right for resource control] were significant in influencing the variance in the extent of peace for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION STRATEGIES OF PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

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This study examined the perception of palliative care services by social workers of the selected Hospitals in Benin Metropolis. It investigated the experience of social workers as it relates to palliative care service. The socio-ecology theory was adopted to explain the issue under investigation. A combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques was utilized to collect data from the respondents in the field and 400 copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents, while ten (10) social care workers were orally interviewed and also, 4 family members whose loved ones were terminally ill were also interviewed and 2 terminally ill were also engaged in an in-depth interview. In gathering information from the field and their responses were utilized in explaining the information gathered. The findings showed that majority of the participants (67.3%) agreed that palliative care service can help patients suffering terminal diseases though, about 30% agreed that terminally ill patients benefit from palliative care service in the hospital. Yet, 68% of the participants agreed that patients admitted more than three times in 12 months with same symptoms needs palliative care. This study among others recommended that patients with life-limiting illnesses and their family require a better quality of life that can be achieved through provision of good palliative care that is available and accessible through several initiatives like national health insurance scheme (NHIS)in most government hospitals.

THAT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY AS ANTITHETICAL TO FREEDOM, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE

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In contemporary world, there has been gender sensitivists’ agitation for women “equality with men”—despite their obvious or obscure physical dissimilarities or uniqueness and natural/social-condition. Gender sensitivism and the consequent affirmative action may count as valid demands under the democratic tradition which thrives on freedom and equality. In fact, certain segments of state policy do reflect the requirements providing for not just compulsory inclusion, but a ceding/reservation of some percentage of positions to women. Historically, the essence of democracy is the opportunity for popular participation in governance and this thought is replete with three major dogmas/idols: one, the ideal of freedom and equality; two, the principle of majority rule); and three, the idea of representative governance. These three vaunted features are the pillars/idols of democracy—a political system predicated on the conviction/theory that society is socially contracted and based on liberalism. Accordingly, neither the basis of the quest/agitation for gender equality nor whether gender equality is possible, necessary or reasonable is of serious concern to this work. Rather, this work is concerned with the principle of affirmative action policy as it relates to the attempt to prioritize the place of women in public participation, as a gender-based governmental drive. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is to argue that humanity is one nature; that it is void and inconsistent any policy requiring discrimination based on gender as affirmative action seeks for women; that such policy is therefore antithetical to the ideals of democracy, freedom and equality of opportunity. It concludes, however, that if discrimination is immoral, then affirmative action on gender superiority equally is immoral. The suggestion is that the only ideal principle for social relations/participation should be ability and suitability.

A REFOCUS OF CULTURAL CURRICULUM FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE IN NIGERIA SUB- SAHARA AFRICA: AN IMPERATIVE ANALYSIS

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In the midst of protracted challenges of insecurity, encapsulated in kidnapping, banditry, human sacrifice, human organ harvesting, land grabbing, intolerance, with massive loss of lives and properties bedeviling the Nigerian society, it is ultimately important to delve into educational parameters for plausible rationales to cushion these challenges, hence the paper, A Refocus of Cultural curriculum for good governance and sustainable peace in Nigeria Sub-Sahara Africa: an imperative analysis. Cultural Curriculum is the integration of culture- based instructions in pedagogy, for intercultural understanding, tolerance, respect for cultural diversity and cultural diffusion, giving rise to Peace and Sustainable development. The paper discusses importance of cultural Curriculum to include brotherliness, tolerance, and togetherness.The paper further explains good governance to mean the process where Government institutions manage national resources through their different agencies in such a way that the masses benefit, and such benefits sustained. Sustained benefits therefore offshoots peace and development in Nigeria SubSahara Africa. Conclusively the paper opined that peace and National development can be derived through the integration of Cultural Curriculum and recommendations made among others include introduction of Peace and tolerance education in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary curriculum, revitalization of peace and tolerance crusades by the National Orientation Agency ( N O A), and their likes, theTelevision and Radios stations, establishment of Peace and tolerance crusaders in all States of the Federation and grassroot campaign on cultural tolerance, togetherness,, love, peace and development, integrity and accountability among public office holders, to forestall peace in Nigeria Sub-Sahara Africa.

LOCUS OF CONTROL AS CORRELATE OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DEFICITS IN MATHEMATICS IN NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

2024-06-15T22:34:15+00:00

This study investigated locus of control as correlate of academic performance of students with learning deficits in mathematics in North Central, Nigeria. Correlation research design was adopted. This is a type of survey research design that attempts to analyze the mutual interaction/association or interdependence/relationship between two or more variables. The target population for this studyconsisted of 235,271 SS 2 students from 2,114 public senior secondary schools in North Central, Nigeria. The states in North Central Nigeria are Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States, plus the Federal Capital Territory. The sample size of 1590 students were selected to participate in this study using the Krejic and Morgan (1970) standard table for determining samples from a given population. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used for the study. Stage one; Purposive sampling technique to select three (3) states, which are Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau from the already existing six (6) states and the Federal Capital Territory in North Central Nigeria. Stage two; Simple random sampling technique was used to select two (2) Local Government Areas (LGA’s) from each Senatorial zone in the sampled states. In all, 53 schools out of 2,114 schools were selected for the study. In order to eliminate bias, simple random sampling technique (balloting without replacement) was used to select 30 SS 2 students from each of the sampled schools. An instrument (Rotter’s LOCS) was adopted by the researcher and was used to elicit information for the study. The researcher will administer the instrument to the students and the “wait-and-take” technique was used to retrieve the questionnaires from the respondents for the purpose of data analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts, mean and standard deviation) was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents and to answer the research questions, while Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was also used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between internal locus of control and anegative relationship between external locus of control and the students’ mathematics performance in senior secondary schools in north central Nigeria. The study concluded that, locus of control is vital in the academic development of students.

THE CORE AND RECENT TRENDS IN GLOBAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: CORRUPT/INEPT BUREAUCRACY AS THE BANE OF NIGERIA EXPERIENCE

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Public administration and its bureaucracy involves the formulation/application of relevant policies/rules, methods and principles to ensure the day-today governing/running of modern state. Hence the state does not persist without such a functional system of civil dealings. The principles and methods of administration could be altered and improved upon from time to time, place to place—depending on prevailing needs, programmes and policies in a particular epoch. With the world increasingly becoming integrated (via globalization), issues and trends in public administration have also become increasingly global in nature. Hence there is the need to articulate those basic principles and issues form the core amid the current/recent ones that seem to reshape contemporary global public administration. The goal is to be enabled to evaluate the performance of Nigeria’s public administration and the place of its bureaucracy. Thus this work adopted both the expository and critical analytic theories to examine the issues. In the end, the work discovers that while improved digital/data management and diversity (amongst others) characterize contemporary global public administration; and that the Nigerian experience is lagging in dismal performance. The work concluded that the Nigerian fiasco is a result of a plethora of corruption and other factors connected to inept bureaucracy amid poor policy formulation/implementation. Consequently, the study proffered potentially useful suggestions for the revamping the Nigerian public administration/bureaucracy to advance at par with global best practices for national development.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN PROMOTING AND PRESERVING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

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This study examined the role of social media in promoting and preserving indigenous languages in secondary schools in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study involved 450 respondents, comprising of 420 secondary school students and 30 teachers from Benue, Niger, and Kogi states. Proportionate and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select schools and participants. Data were collected through interviews and a validated questionnaire, "Exploration of Social Media for the Advancement of Indigenous Languages in Secondary Schools (ESMAILSS)." Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.The findings indicate a positive acceptance of indigenous languages in classroom settings, their use as a medium of instruction, and engagement in conversations by both students and teachers. Social media platforms are perceived as effective contributors to language preservation, presenting an opportunity for leveraging them to enhance preservation efforts. Factors influencing the decline of indigenous language usage include students' preference for other languages, insufficient teaching resources, and the influence of Western cultures. Recommendations include integrating social media into the language curriculum, providing teacher training programs, involving local communities, supporting language learning apps, organizing cultural events, and collaborating with social media companies. Implementation of these recommendations can contribute to the advancement and preservation of indigenous

REVIEW OF CURRICULUM CONTENT IN NIGERIA FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2024-06-15T22:34:15+00:00

Quality education is a programme that provides learners with the strength and capabilities required to become economically, socially and morally productive as well as justifiable income and contributes to a peaceful and democratic society. Education and governance are mostly mentioned in most literature because it is believed that quality education enhances good governance. This paper argued that education in Nigeria does not guarantee Good Governance hence, the bad leadership. Quality education should be one that promotes societal norms and values which are positive predictor of good governance. It was therefore concluded that our indigenous education be made part of our school curriculum since the society have lost its norms and value system which account for bad governance. It further noted that curriculum content should enhance the customs, moral and collective wellbeing of the people which will set the pace for good governance. It was recommended amongst others that indigenous curriculum content should be made part of the school curriculum which will promote quality education, Good Governance and National Development.

DEREK CHAUVIN VS THE STATE IN THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD: THE PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE MINNESOTA TRIALS FOR POLICING AND RACE RELATIONS

2024-06-15T22:34:15+00:00

In modern society, policing (or police institution) has become an integral part of Criminal Justice (CJ) anywhere, including especially, the USA; CJ usually begins with police. However, the Constitution of the US delegates the powers to establish police force to the states; later the law on which police prosecution, defense and a jury become existent embodies certain legal concepts which are inseparable from its jurisdiction and which also govern its decisions. Floyd’s actions at Cup Foods and his fatal encounter with police officer Chauvin between 2020 and 2021 form the background to this article. By a theoretical review of those events, the US statutes on police/policing, the law of the case vis-à-vis the prosecuting and defense statements/witnesses, the article examines those circumstances (Chauvin’s trial and sentencing) and unveils the abounding philosophical-legal issues of responsibility, justice, violence, equality and race relations. It concludes that, while Chauvin’s trial and sentencing indicate apparent justice, it offers no practical route out of the groveling social inequality and systemic racial injustice in the USA. It therefore suggests that better practical assurances of equality and fairness thrive in more justice in other abounding instances of the Chauvin syndrome.

ENHANCING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN POSTCOLONIAL NIGERIA

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This paper explores the pivotal role of public investment in higher education as a catalyst for development in post-independence Nigeria. By examining the historical context and socio-economic challenges faced by the nation after gaining independence, this paper highlights the importance of investing in education as a means to drive sustainable development. Drawing upon various scholarly sources, it underscores how targeted funding towards higher education institutions can foster innovation, human capital development and societal advancement. Furthermore, it discusses the potential obstacles and policy implications associated with increasing public investment in the education sector, while also proposing strategies for effective implementation and monitoring. This paper argues that prioritizing education through public investment is essential for Nigeria’s journey towards inclusive growth, economic prosperity and social progress in the post-independence era. It therefore recommends among others that government should allocate a higher proportion of the national budget to higher education institutions to improve infrastructure, faculty development, research facilities and student support services.

AFRICA’S EDUCATION AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, 2030: WHERE’S THE CRITICAL NEXUS?

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Among others, such as human capital, finance and policy harmonisation, the core argument in this paper is that the critical nexus of the SDGs (2030) is premised on the implementation communication processes. The experiences of implementing the MDGsframework (2000 to 2015) provide enormous relevance to that effect. However, from the literature, thiselement, implementation property of implementation communication in capacity building and its infrastructural development have failed to be integrated; perhaps, leading to its mixed outcomes at 2015.Furthermore, the observation, as far as the SDGs are concerned is that the ongoing communication is more of advocacy or sensitization devoid of implementation communication and its properties. It is this gap that the paper seeks to fill up to enable better localisation for SDGs maximum achievements come 2030.

SPORTS TRAINING, INJURIES AND REHABILITATION OF ATHLETES: PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

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During participation in competitive sports athletes may unfortunately come across injury, andInjury is an undesirable phenomenon, but often un-avoidable consequence for athletes. Incidence of injury has been a problem as more people are involved in sports. The growing awareness associated with injuries in sports has aroused the demand for the knowledge of emergency aid. The importance of physical reconditioning to the athletes cannot be underestimated. To this end, the paper discuses among other things, the concept of physical reconditioning, consequences of inactive, the cardinal principles of sports conditioning programmes and some rules of reconditioning the athletes, vis-à- vis the importance of participation in exercise and some training performances that could develop the endurance fitness of the athletes. Some factors that may predispose athletes to injuries were highlighted. Often the nature of the injury will determine the type of treatment to be provided for the athlete; hence some rehabilitation procedure fitness of athletes. Some factors that may predispose athletes to injuries were highlighted. Often the nature of the injury will determine the type of treatment to be provided for the athlete; hence some rehabilitation procedures were mentioned. The psychological perspective reveals what injured athletes go through as a result of injury sustained during sports participation, and they include; fear of defeat, stress, anxiety, and tension among others. Recommendations were proffered togovernments, schools, teachers, coaches and students as well as sports enthusiasts on the importance of exercises in reduction of injuries during sports participation.

NATIONAL INTEREST AND FOREIGN POLICY: WHY NIGERIA SHOULD INVADE CAMEROON

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Every modern state has its unique history; Nigeria’s state offers an interesting one. One of the far-reaching consequences of the First World War was that Germany lost most its African colonial territories/interests to France and Britain. For instance, by 1915, the Cameroon was administratively divided into two by the French and British—the larger half going to the French while Britain had the mandate over the south-western part (from Lake Chad down to Duala) included (as a province) the colonial Nigerian territory.Earlier, before the intrusion of European colonizers, traditional communities ruled over themselves, and later were organized into varying form of monarchies. Thus the colonial boundaries in these configurations were not established according to the various indigenous groupings. Grouping nations together in some case and dividing them in others was a common feature as long as it was consisted with the security and economic interest of the colonial powers; emergent postcolonial states also thrive still on economic and political interests and they could further those interest—evenif might lead to further re-delineation of national boundaries to reflect pre-colonial societal ties in culture and political organization. Accordingly, this article adopts a theoretical methodology to articulate a case for Nigeria against the (southern) Cameroon on the ground that it was initially mingled with Nigerian culture before the eventual European partitioning. The arguments for this are that it is in Nigeria’s overall national interest to do so; it is politically expedient; it is fair to other strategic interests—on the national, regional and world stage. The work discovers that it was the ICJ which judgement (2002) formally ceded Bakassi Peninsula (southern Cameroon) to Cameroon. Hence it recommends that Nigeria should(surprisingly) invade the entire Cameroonian state such that the ensuing negotiation/diplomacy would guarantee the occupation of the Peninsula; and that achieving this should form the kernel of her African sub-regional foreign policy.

REFOCUSSING MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT AMONGST YOUTHS IN RIVERS STATE

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This study investigated refocusing mechanical technology education programmes for sustainable peace and development amongst youths in Rivers State, specifically, this study investigatedrefocussing practical activities in mechanical technology education programmes for sustainable peace and development amongst youths in Rivers State, and refocussing human resource competence in mechanical technology education programmes for sustainable peace development amongst youths in Rivers State.Two research questions and hypotheses were answered and tested at .05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design guided the study. The population of the study comprised 63mechanical education lecturers and 90 final year students in the three tertiary institutions in Rivers State that offer mechanical technology education, namely. Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku in affiliation with University of Nigeria Nsukka. The population was manageable, therefore, no sampling technique was used for the study. Self-made survey questionnaire served as the instrument for the study. The instrument was face validated by two experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient which yielded a coefficient of .74. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while z-test statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses. The study found among others that practical skills like machine tool maintenance, welding and fabrication, machine tool operations, auto body repair, material selection skills are areas that need refocusing. It was recommended among others that the government and tertiary institutions management through TETFUND should make provision for practical skill training and retraining of all mechanical technology education lecturers for practical skill development torefocusing practical activities of the programmestowards skill acquisition of mechanical education students for sustainable peace and development amongst youths in Rivers State

EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING AND MODELLING COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES ON STUDENTS’ STUDY HABIT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EBONYI STATE

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The paper highlights the effects of cognitive restructuring and modelling counselling techniques on students’ study habit in secondary schools in Ebonyi State. The research design used for this study is pre-test/post-test quasiexperimental design because of the need by the study to establish effect of two independent variables on one dependent variable. The study was carried out in Ebonyi State. It comprises the secondary school students two (s s 2) from the three educational zones. The population is made up of all the (s s 2) students with the total number of 4380 students in Ebonyi State. The sample size of the population is 219 students which is 5% of the population and the purposive sampling technique was equally used to reach the target sample. The sample distribution was 79 students for group A (cognitive restructuring), 79 students for group B (modeling counseling technique), 61 students for group C (control group).The instrument used was students study habit index (SSHI). The instrument was validated by three experts from Ebonyi State University Abakaliki. To ascertain the reliability the trial testing was carried using 30 students which is outside the research area. Crombach alpha was adopted to analyze the data. The result yielded .868 coefficient value which shows a high internal consistency of the instrument. The researcher adopted on-the spot method of administration and collection of the instrument to ensure 100% return of the completed questionnaire. The procedure used by the researcher in establishing the effect of cognitive restructuring and modelling counselling on the students engaged in the treatment groups includes pre-treatment stage, treatment stage, post-treatment stage, control group and control of extraneous variables. The data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation and the hypotheses was tested with analysis of co-variance at 0.05 level of significance (ANCOVA). Findings of the study revealed that: Students developed better study habit when engaged in Cognitive Restructuring Techniques, Male students had better study habit mean gain when engaged in Cognitive Restructuring Techniques than female students, Students developed better study habit when engaged in Modelling Counselling Techniques than the Control Group, Female students had better study habit mean gain when engaged in Modelling Counselling Techniques than male students, The study therefore recommends among other things that gender should be seen as a serious factor in the choice and use of either cognitive restructuring or modelling counselling technique in handling students’ study habit problems for academic progress. Modelling counselling techniques should be emphasized on every counselling encounter.

PRINCIPALS’ SAFETY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

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The study investigated principals’ safety management practices for effective administration of public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three objectives, three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 302 Principals and 6557 teachers totaling 6859 in 302 public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. The sample for this study was 686 respondents: comprising of 604 teachers’ and 82 Principals. The respondents were stratified into principals and teachers of selected schools. The 686 respondents selected represented 10° o of the total population of teachers’ and principals (6859) of public senior secondary schools of Rivers State. The instrument that was used for data collection was a self-constructed questionnaire titled ‘Principals’ Safety Management Practices for Effective Administration of Public Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria Questionnaire’ (PSMPEAQ). The reliability of the instrument was established using the Cronbach's alpha internal consistency method. The average reliability index obtained for sections A, B, and C, answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from this study showed that to a high extent principals’ use of risk assessment and mitigation as a management practice enhance effective administration of public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. It concluded that safety practices emerge as essential components, fostering a culture of awareness and preparedness among both staff and students, thereby creating a secure atmosphere for teaching and learning. The study recommends among others that state government should carry out professional development programs for principals in Rivers State, Nigeria to strengthen their capacity in conducting comprehensive risk assessments and effective risk mitigation strategies.

SELF RELIANCE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE EDUCATION LEARNERS IN EKET SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF AKWA IBOM STATE

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This work was designed to find out the relationship between self reliance, sustainable development and good Governance among Early childhood care Education (ECCE) learners in Eket senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. Specifically the study examined the relationship between the inculcation of moral values, developing of cooperation/team spirit and good governance among ECCE Learners. Two hypotheses were formed to guide the study. A correlational design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consists of 4826 ECCE Learners from the 68 public primary schools in the senatorial district. The sample size drawn using simple random sampling Techniques was 500 learners from 20 ECCE Centers in public primary school in the study Area. The instruments used for data collection were; a Questionnaire and observation schedule [checklist]. The instruments with a reliability index of 0. 845 and .841 respectively were validated by three expect from ECCE and test and measurement departments. Data collection were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient.(PPMC). The results are that: The inculcation of right moral values, Develop a sense of cooperation/team spirit have a significant relationship with good Governance among ECCE Learners in Eket senatorial district. It was therefore recommended among others that, ECCE Learners should be discouraged against unacceptable moral value always.

REVIEW OF BUSINESS DOCUMENTS USED BY SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE RATE OF TURNOVER IN ASABA, DELTA STATE

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The purpose of this study is to review business documents used by small scale enterprise for sustainable rate of turnover in Asaba, Delta State. Two research questions were raised to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted as a plan of action in the conduct of the study. The study was carried out in Asaba, Delta State with a population of 1,072 registered business enterprises in Asaba. Convenient sampling technique was used to sample a total of 107 enterprises, representing 10% of the population of registered business enterprise in Asaba. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by two experts. The reliability of the instrument yielded a coefficient of 0.86 when analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Order correlation. Validated copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents through the help of two experienced research assistants. Out of the 107 instruments distributed, only 82 were retrieved indicating 85% retrieval rate. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that business plan records, transactional documents with clients, financial documents to manage the business, functional e-mail records, business license records, business reports for conveying information are business documents used by small scale enterprise for sustaining rate of turnover. It was recommended among others that small scale businesses should ensure to keep all relevant documents for future purpose, as this will sustain the rate of turnover.

ASSESSMENT OF LANGUAGE TEACHERS’ INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY, EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CONTENT KNOWLEDGE ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ESSAY WRITING IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

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This study assessed English language teachers’ instructional quality, evaluation procedure and content knowledge on students’ performance in English language essay writing in Imo State, Nigeria. This is a correlation study, guided with two research questions and three hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study population was 10,441 senior secondary school 2 students (male and female) and 213 English language teachers (male and female) in 76 government-owned schools in Owerri Education Zone 1the study area. Cluster and proportionate to size sampling techniques were used to sample 400 students and 100 English language teachers for the study. Three researcher-made instruments: two 4-point rating scales, one for students and the other one for teachers; and a 50 objective test items with four options for students with Crombach reliability coefficient r= 0.90; 0.81 and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient r = 0.86 respectively were used to generate data for this study. Data were analysed using Pearson 2-tailed t-test statistics to answer the research questions and t-test ANOVA (Analysis of Variates) for the hypotheses. Findings revealed significant positive relationship among teachers’ instructional quality, evaluation procedure and content knowledge on students’ achievement in English language essay writing. It was therefore recommended, among others, for English language teachers to improve on their instructional quality, evaluation procedure and content knowledge.

THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON THE OVERALL HEALTH OF WOMEN AND FETUSES DURING PREGNANCY

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

This paper examines the effects of exercise on the overall health of women and fetuses during pregnancy. The overall health of women and fetuses encompasses their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Exercise is a physical activity done for the purpose of getting physically fit, while physical fitness is a state of bodily function that is characterized by the ability to tolerate exercise stress. Certain mild exercise is prescribed for pregnant women on regular basis, depending on the pregnancy stage. Regular exercise done by pregnant women possessnumerous benefits on their overall health, as well asfetuses, and there are also some risk factors associated with exercise on pregnant women and thefetuses, if not administered by exercise experts. Given the importance of exercise intensity and duration to the specific benefits and dangers to the mother and fetus, it is important to recognize that what may be good for mothers could be detrimental to the fetus. However, experts are of the opinion that care should be taken to prescribe exercise that can be beneficial to both mother and fetus. Exercise were recommended for pregnant woman and also the general guidelinesfor exercise programmes were prescribed and recommendations were made from the study.

LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AND GOAL ACHIEVEMENTS

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

University education is where high level personnel or individuals are nurtured, trained and developed for socio-economic and political growth of a nation. The leadership of any University plays a priceless role in achieving its academic goals, especially in the area of dissemination and acquisition of universal knowledge, values; functional, technical and scientific skills essential to global growth and development. The paper therefore examined leadership practices in university education for goal achievements. The paper examined the concept of leadership, styles of leadership and leadership theories. It went further to discuss the importance of leadership in university education for goal achievement, leadership practices in Nigeria universities and ways of improving leadership practices in university education and goal achievement. Based on the content of the paper, the writer recommends among others that the university management should create leadership teams and allot responsibilities officially by giving longstanding institutional form through team structures and other bodies. Also, the government through the university commission should improve recruitment and selection processes so as to encourage representation and to engage high quality candidates with suitable skills.

PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE STRATEGIES ON TEACHERS’ PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

The study investigated perceived influence of quality assurance strategies on teachers’ productivity in public junior secondary schools in Rivers State. Three specific objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. This study adopted descriptive survey research. The population of the study was 8367 teachers from 309 public junior secondary schools in Rivers State. Multistage sampling technique was used to determine a sample of 224 teachers. The data collecting instrument for this study is a self-structured questionnaires titled “Perceived Influence of Quality Assurance Strategies on Teachers’ Productivity Questionnaire” which was face and content validated by three experts in Measurement and Evaluation and Department of Educational Management respectively in Rivers State University and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha statistics which yielded reliability indexes of 0.94, 0.87 and 0.86. Mean and standard deviation were used in answering the research questions while the null hypotheses were tested using z-test at 0.05 level of significance with a critical value of ±1.96. Findings revealed thatperformance appraisal, performance supervision and performance monitoring influence teachers’ productivity in public junior secondary schools in Rivers State. Based on the findings, the study recommended that school managers should regularly carry out performance appraisal to ensure teachers update their knowledge in a way that will enable them deliver the curriculum effectively, there should be regular supervision ofpublic junior secondary schools’ teachers in order to improve their pedagogical skills for effective instructional delivery in schools and school managers should be unrelenting in monitoring teachers’ curricular activities in the schools in order to boost their productivity.

ASSESSMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS REQUIRED OF ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN DELTA STATE FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF SMALL SCALE BUSINESS

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

The study assessed financial management skills required of accounting students in Tertiary Institutions in Delta state for effective operation of small scale business. Four research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of 73 Lecturers in tertiary institutions in Delta State offering accounting . There was no sample because the population is manageable. The data were collected using self-structured questionnaire developed by the researcher on a 4-point rating scale of Highly Required (HR) 4 points, Required (R) 3 points, Slightly Required (SR) 2 points and Not Required (NR) 1 point to elicit responses from respondents. The instruments were face validated by two experts; a lecturer from measurement and evaluation department Delta State University Abraka and another from Dannis Osadebay University Asaba. The reliability of the instrument was obtained using test-retest method. The instrument was administered to ten (10) lecturers, five (5) accounting lecturers from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, and five (5) from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State. The data collected was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. The instrument yielded a coefficient of 0.78 which shows that the instrument was reliable. 73 copies of the validated questionnaires were administered and only 72 were retrieved which was used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that financial analysis skills, budgeting and forecasting skills, financial reporting skills and financial modeling skills are required of accounting students in tertiary institutions in Delta State for effective operations of small scale business. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Universities and Polytechnics accounting lecturers should endeavour to inculcate on accounting students the necessary skills they require for effective operation as an entrepreneur or employee of small scale businesses.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANT PROPAGULES AND MULCHING MATERIALS ON PERFORMANCE OF WATERLEAF (TALINUMTRIANGULARE) IN DELTA STATE

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

Experiment was conducted at Agbor Delta State, to investigate the effect of different propagules and mulching materials on the performance of waterleaf in Delta State. The mulching materials used were Annona muricataLin, Tridaxprocumbensand elusinindica. The propagules used for propagation were the stump, main shoot and lateral shoot. The experimental design was 3 x 3 factorial layout and was replicated 3 times. The variable measured were number of sprout, length of sprouts, number of branches, length of branches, number of leaves and flowers. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the significant means obtained were separated using Duncan multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that the plants propagated with main shoot was significantly different from others in number of sprout, branch leaves and flowers waterleaf. The leaves of Annona muricataLin exhibited superiority over other mulching materials in all the perimeters measured except in length of sprout and branches. Therefore, Annona muricataLin is recommended for mulching material and main shoot as cutting for propagation of waterleaf.

IMPACT OF GAMES ON PUPILS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN READING COMPREHENSION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN DELTA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

The study was designed to find out the impact of games on pupils’ academic achievement in reading comprehension in primary schools in Delta North Senatorial District. The study descriptive research design. Impact of Games on Pupils’ Academic Achievement in Reading Comprehension” (IGPAARC) instrument was validated for the study. Two research questions were raised to give direction to the study. The population of the study comprised all the two thousand, seven hundred and seventy-two (2772) primary two pupils in all the primary schools in Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State. [State Universal Basic Education Board, 2021/2022 (SUBEB)]. The total sample was 216 primary two pupils were randomly selected from the selected primary schools in the study area. The reliability of the instrument was determined using K-R20 (Kudar Richardson). Co-efficient of internal consistency was used to find out the internal consistent of the 16 items used for the objectivity of the study. The statistical tools used for computing and analyzing the response scores were frequency count and mean rating scales. Based on the research questions that guided the study, the results revealed that pupils taught using games teaching methods obtained a high mean achievement score in reading comprehension and gender has a high influence on the mean achievement scores of pupils exposed to games in reading comprehension.

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF VIDEO-BASED AND TEXTBASED MOBILE LEARNING APPROACHES ON THE PEFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATES IN ADEYEMI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, ONDO, NIGERIA

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

This paper compares the effectiveness of video-based and text-based mobile learning among undergraduates. The study adopted quasi-experimental research design. The sample consisted of 500 undergraduate students of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, Nigeria, who are in 200 level, drawn across the five Schools in the University through random sampling. The study employed Undergraduate Performance Test (UPT) as research instrument. Three hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analyzed using t-test statistical analysis. The study revealed that undergraduates taught using video-based mobile learning approach performed significantly better (t = 43.94; p<0.05) in comparison with text-based mobile learning approach. Also, there was no significant difference between the performance of female and male undergraduates taught using video-based mobile learning and text-based mobile learning approaches with (t=.124; p>0.05), (t=1.560; p>0.05) respectively. In view of these findings, it was recommended, among others, that learning in the mobile age be improved among undergraduates by providing teachers with necessary training and resources.

PREDICTIVE PERFORMANCE OF AVERAGING-G (AV-G) PRIOR IN BAYESIAN MODEL AVERAGING

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

Bayesian model averaging provides a good theoretical foundation for addressing model uncertainty. However, it faces challenges in the specification of priors. This study investigates the statistics ability of the av-g prior and benchmark prior in the light of different model priors as a palliative in such a situation. Thus, this paper considered growth data set with 41 independent variables and 72 observations. Using the benchmark prior and av-g prior in combination with model priors such as uniform model prior, binomial model prior and beta-binomial model prior, the results reveal that in most of the effective regressors, the av-g prior gives more posterior inclusion probabilities than the benchmark prior. Further investigation reveals that the predictive performance of benchmark prior and av-g prior competes favourably. This study shows that av-g prior is a credible non informative prior that can be applied in BMA when no substantial prior information is available.

SECURITY CHALLENGES: DANGER TO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA – A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

2024-06-15T22:34:17+00:00

Security is desirable in all nations of the world, because it plays important roles in ensuring peace and development of a nation.The focus of this paper is to historicize the horrendous security challenges in Nigeria and the serious danger they pose to her peace and development.The paper contends that the maintenance of optimum security is one of the pivotal policies of the government of a country, whether developed or developing. Good security measures put in place by any government will enable it protect the lives and property of the citizens, as well as the territorial boundaries, sovereignty and integrity of its country.These will help the country to grow and develop economically, politically, socially and culturally. The paper notes however that in many developing countries of the world, especially in Nigeria, there has been an upsurge of security challenges in recent times. These range from acts of terrorism, banditry, notorious activities of herdsmen, armed militias or militancy, armed robbery, kidnapping, ethnic and religious conflicts, incessant activities of protesters and agitators, which are all serious threats to the security, peace, fragile unity and development of Nigeria. The spate of security challenges in the country currently is so alarming that the citizens live in perpetual fear, suspicion and the government is on edge due to want of adequate policies to curb this menace.