ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MOTHER TONGUE-BASED MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION FOR ENHANCING EARLY LITERACY DEVELOPMENT AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN ANAMBRA STATE

This study evaluated the assessment of the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in promoting early literacy of primary school pupils in Anambra State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study.  The study adopted a descriptive survey study design. The population consists of 30,000 public primary school teachers and 76,612 private primary school teachers.  The sample size comprised of 367 teachers, 260 private school teachers and 107 public school teachers in the 17 schools in six local government areas which was selected through a multi-stage sampling process. Questionnaire items constructed by the researcher titled Assessment of the Implementation of Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education in Promoting Early Literacy Development of Primary School Pupils was used (AIMTBMEPELD). The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach\u27s alpha which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.71, 0.94, and 0.62 with an overall coefficient of 0.75 which shows that the instrument was reliable. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The language of the child’s immediate environment was used in instructional and assessment delivery in public primary school classrooms, but was not used in private school classrooms in primary schools in Anambra State.  Findings showed that there were significant differences in the sectors: public schools use mother tongue (Igbo) to teach and provide learning materials, but the opposite is the case in private schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Ministry of education in Anambra state must enforce the application of the mother tongue (Igbo) as the first three-year primary education medium of instruction both in the public and non-public schools in order to enforce equality in the acquisition of literacy Findings also revealed that the instructional materials (textbooks and workbooks) developed with the language of the child’s immediate environment were used in teaching in public primary school classrooms, but were not used in teaching in private primary schools in Anambra State. It was further revealed that teachers in public primary schools were trained in the use of mother tongue for instructional delivery while those in private primary schools in Anambra state were not trained

EXAMINING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE ARMED CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

The persistent armed conflicts and widespread violence across Nigeria, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, farmer–herder confrontations, separatist agitations, and security force abuses, have generated patterns of atrocities that increasingly resemble crimes against humanity under international law. Despite the gravity and scale of these violations, accountability mechanisms for both individual perpetrators and complicit corporate actors remain weak, fragmented, or entirely absent. This paper critically examines the legal characterisation of atrocities committed in Nigeria, assessing whether they meet the thresholds of crimes against humanity as defined in customary international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It analyses key acts such as murder, enforced disappearance, torture, sexual violence, persecution, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian populations, highlighting their commission by state actors, non-state armed groups, and private security contractors operating on behalf of corporate entities. It assesses Nigeria’s domestic legal system, including constitutional provisions, the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, military rules of engagement, and criminal statutes, identifying significant gaps in the attribution, investigation, and prosecution of mass atrocity crimes. Particular attention is given to the evolving discourse on corporate complicity, especially the role of extractive industries, security companies, and multinational corporations whose operations intersect with violent conflict zones. Through doctrinal analysis, case studies, and review of international accountability models, the paper argues that Nigeria’s accountability deficit is driven by structural impunity, weak investigative architecture, political interference, and absence of explicit legal provisions criminalising crimes against humanity. It proposes a multi-layered approach involving legislative reform, effective investigative bodies, enhanced corporate due diligence obligations, and potential international intervention where domestic remedies fail

Development and Implementation of Evaluation Rubric on Electronics Practical Skills in TVET Programme for Industrial Relevance

The study determined the needed techniques on the development and implementation of evaluation rubrics on electronics practical skills in TVET programme for industrial relevance- construction and testing of single stage transistor amplifier circuit. The study answered three research questions and two hypotheses. Descriptive survey was adopted to carry out the research in Imo State. The population of study was 45 respondents, comprising of 26 Electronics Education Lecturers and 19 Electronics Engineering Technology Lecturers from high institutions in the State. There was no sampling due to smallness of the population, an intact population was used. A 23 – item questionnaire titled, ‘Development and Implementation of Evaluation Rubrics on the, ‘Construction and Testing of a Single Stage Transistor Amplifier Circuit’(DIER-AMP) was used for data collection; which was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was 0.81 established using Cronbach Alpha. The questionnaire items were generated from the review of the related literature.  Out of 45 questionnaires administered, 44 of them were returned. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions and null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using Z-test. Mean of 3.50 or above was considered for the agreed items. Result of study revealed 5 agreed considerations, 8-items were the agreed process skills evaluation rubric; 8- items were the agreed product-skills evaluation rubric. Consequently, it was recommended that, electronic components, materials, tools and instruments should be provided in the workshop for learning practical skills and 50% of assessment in exam questions for each level in electronics should be based on practical. Collaboration should exist with experts from electronics industries in the teaching and evaluation of students to meet the expected standard among others

INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE FOOD CHOICES AND EATING HABITS OF UNDERGRADUATES OF TECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA

This study investigated the influence of social media on food choices and eating habits of undergraduates of Technology and Vocational Education (TVE), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Specifically, it examined the influence social media platforms have on students, the role of social media in shaping dietary preferences, and the extent to which advertising and influencers influence students’ eating habits. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and administered through Google Forms questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated and the reliability co-efficient of 0.89 was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that social media significantly influences food choices by encouraging dietary experimentation, stimulating cravings through advertising, and promoting fast-food consumption. Influencers further shape students’ dietary decisions through recommendations and visual content. The study concludes that social media has profound effect on TVE undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka eating habits both positively and negatively. The study recommended increased nutrition education, responsible advertising practices, and awareness campaigns that promote healthy eating among undergraduates

Automotive V-Belt as Autoclave Door Gasket Improvise in a Financially Constrained Healthcare Facility

This study seeks to document our experience with the use of an automotive V-belt as an autoclave door seal improvise in a financially constrained healthcare facility with respect to the experiment and outcome. The investigation was conducted using a 150-liter vertical steam autoclave in the Central Sterilization and Supply unit of a healthcare facility in Ebonyi state Nigeria. The standard lid seal was replaced with a locally sourced multi-ply automotive/industrial V-belt of the same circumference. The improvised seal was used over a number of sterilization cycles under standard conditions (121oC, ~15psi steam). The result indicated initial effective sterilization. However, after repeated cycles, the improvised seal exhibited material fatigue, loss of elasticity, and diminished compression.  This outcome suggests that while a V- belt may serve as a temporary stop-gap in emergencies, it is not a substitute to standard autoclave gasket

SIMULATION AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AN ENHANCED NOISE CANCELLATION IN ECG SIGNAL DENOISING VIA NORMALIZED LEAST MEANS SQUARE (NLMS) ALGORITHM

The clinical utility of ECG signal can be compromised by the presence of unwanted components and interference in the ECG signals which do not only obscures critical cardiac information but also introduces inaccuracies in the analysis, leading to misdiagnoses and suboptimal patient care. However, noise in ECG signals arises from multiple sources, including muscular activities, baseline wanders, power line interference and electrode artifacts. This work propose a robust enhanced filtering techniques using the Normalized Least Means Square (NLMS) Algorithm designed to successfully cancel noise out of ECG signal while preserving the key diagnostic features. Extensive simulations were conducted using standard PhysioNet ECG Database and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) Arrhythmia Database, the MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm Database, and the MIT-BIH QT Database to validate performance across diverse noise condition. In the most challenging scenario, where the input Signals-to-Noise (SNR) reached as low as -5 dB, the filter achieved a SNR output quantifying approximately 88.96dB. The filter across different noise type, ECG datasets, and signals-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels suggest that the enhanced filtering approach has potential for broader applicability in various clinical contexts and can be integrated into a diverse array of monitoring system

THE INFLUENCE OF FACEBOOK ADVERTISING ON CUSTOMERS’ PATRONAGE INTENTION OF RETAIL BUSINESSES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

This study examined the influence of Facebook advertising on customers’ patronage intention of retail businesses in South-East Nigeria, focusing on four core constructs: product information, social interaction, entertainment, and perceived usefulness. The main objective was to determine how these advertising dimensions shape customers’ intention to patronize retail offerings promoted via Facebook. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with the population comprising Facebook users who follow or engage with retail business pages in the region. Out of 325 questionnaires, 208 were correctly completed and returned, yielding a response rate of 64.07%. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, normality tests, reliability and validity checks, and multiple regression using SPSS. Findings revealed that all four variables significantly and positively influenced patronage intention: product information (β = 0.236, p < 0.001), social interaction (β = 0.185, p = 0.001), entertainment (β = 0.222, p < 0.001), and perceived usefulness (β = 0.241, p < 0.001). Together, they explained 55.1% of the variance (R² = 0.551). The study recommends that retail businesses in South-East Nigeria design integrated, audience-tailored Facebook advertising strategies that emphasize product information, promote user interactivity, incorporate entertainment, and highlight functional value to enhance customers’ engagement, trust, intent and patronage.&nbsp

STAFF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES APPLIED BY SCHOOL’ HEADS FOR ENHANCING TEACHERS JOB COMMITMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN VOINJAMA CITY, LOFA COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

This study examined staff personnel administrative practices applied by school’ heads for enhancing teachers job commitment in primary schools in Voinjama City, Lofa County, Republic of Liberia. Two research questions guided the study while two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 65 head-teachers and 841 teachers from all the 65 government primary schools in Voinjama City, Lofa County, Liberia. The sample consisted of 65 headteachers and 300 teachers using purposive sampling technique. A validated structured questionnaire titled “Staff Personnel Administrative Practices of Head-teachers (SPAPH) was employed. Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and reliability coefficient of 0.84 and 0.78 respectively was established. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. The hypotheses were tested using t-test at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed that both head-teachers and teachers were of the view that head-teachers applied staff professional development practices and motivational practices in. enhancing teachers’ job commitment. It was also revealed that there was no significant difference in the perceptions of head-teachers and teachers in the head-teachers’ application of staff professional development practices. It was recommended amongst others that head-teachers should as a matter of sustainability continue enhancing teachers by furnishing staff offices so as to make them more conducive for work. This is to create a healthy environment for teachers to stay in the school for lesson preparation, marking of pupils’ exercises and other important school works, through this the educational objectives will be achieved. &nbsp

IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON INNOVATION AMONG OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT GRADUATES OF POLYTECHNICS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of entrepreneurship education on innovation among Office Technology and Management (OTM) graduates of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina state Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A survey design was adopted with a population of 147 OTM graduates from 2020/2021 to 2022/2023 sessions. Census sampling was used to maintain the population of the research. Data was collected using a 19-item questionnaire, "Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Promoting Innovation (IEEPI)," validated by three experts from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. A pilot test with 10 OTM graduates from Kano State Polytechnic yielded a Cronbach alpha of 0.85. The researcher and one trained assistant administered the questionnaire. Findings showed no statistically significant impact on social innovation [F(1, 132) = 0.245, p = .621 > 0.05, R² = .002, B = .033, t= 0.494]. However, entrepreneurship education significantly impacted marketing innovation [F(1, 132) = 17.928, p = .000 < 0.05, R² = .120, B = .375, t = 4.234]. The study concluded that entrepreneurship education significantly promotes marketing innovation among OTM graduates, while the relationship between entrepreneurship education and social innovation remains inconclusive. It recommended integrating experiential projects, real-world marketing challenges, industry collaborations, and community partnerships into the curriculum to bridge perception gaps and enhance graduates’ innovative marketing strategies &nbsp

Impediments to Acquisition of Building Drawing Skills by Undergraduate Technology Education Students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University

The study determined facility, teacher\u27s and student\u27s impediments to the acquisition of building drawing skills by undergraduate technology education students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Three research questions guided the study. The population of the study was 52 students. Census sampling technique was used for the study due to relatively small size of the population. The instrument used for data collection was 15 item structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha coefficient which gave 0.81. The researchers administered fifty-two copies of the questionnaire and retrieved the same number of copies after two weeks. Descriptive mean was used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed among others that inadequate building drawing textbooks, lack of student-teacher interaction during building drawing lectures, and class sessions tend to be boring owing to non-use real building drawing plans while teaching. It was concluded that technology education learning facility should be kept in good order, teachers provided with all the teaching resources with incentives and students should spent quality time in learning the course. The study recommends among others that teachers should develop a means of arousing and sustaining students\u27 interest in learning building drawing skills while the students should embrace self-motivation in their efforts to comprehend and assimilate what they learnt