ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEE’S JOB SATISFACTION IN OGUN-OSHUN RIVER BASIN(OORBDA), OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study determined the effect organizational commitment on employee's job satisfaction in Ogun-Oshun River Basin, Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire on one hundred and ten (110) respondents using simple random sampling techniques. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as Chi-square and Person Product Moment Correlation. Results revealed the mean age of respondents in the study area was 42 years and majority (63.6%) were males. Also, Majority (92.7%) of the respondents perceived that organizational commitment is high in the study area. Reasons adduced for this was punctuality at work (=4.40) and co-operation with colleagues to facilitate completion of tasks within the organization (=4.39). More so, major satisfaction indicators were advancement for promotion ( = 4.20) and right to enjoy leave (=4.01). The results also show that significant relationship existed between income(r= 0.035, p< 0.05), sex (χ2= 55.12, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2= 241.40, p<0.05), organizational commitment (r= 0.417, P < 0.05), constraints faced (r=0.528, p< 0.05) by respondents and their job satisfaction. The study concluded that employees enjoy cooperation from the organisation and factors that will enhance employee’s commitment in attainment of organisational sustainability is highly recommended.   &nbsp

Factors Affecting Academic Performance among Federal University of Agriculture Students’ in Ogun State Nigeria

The study assesses affecting factors academic performance in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.A simple random technique was used to select the respondents from each college. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from 120 respondents. The results show that more than half 57.5% of the students were male while less than half (42.5) were female. It was also observed that less than half (42.5%) of the respondents falls between the age range of 20-24years, while 20.7% falls between the range of 25-29years. Also, 77.5% of the students stay off the campus and 54.2% reside within the school premises.It was observed that majority (85.0%) of the respondents have access to internet device and 55.8% access the internet through their mobile phone while 36.7% uses computer. Furthermore, majority (85.8%) of the students have social site account in which 44.2% were  Facebook user, 7.5% of the students used Yahoo messenger, 2go, Twitter and 27.2% uses all these account. Also, it was also observed that about 50.0% spends 4-6hours of their day browsing. Almost 60.0% perceive attendance as actionthat enhances good academic performance. The results also show factors such as environment 53.3%, romantic or sex relationship 65.8%, social network sites33.3%had major effects on students’ academic performance.Significant relationship was found between social factors(r = -0.329, p = 0.000) and academic performance. The study concluded that student waste their precious time attending social events and social network sites. It was recommended that students should cultivate the habit of study always instead of spreading their precious tome attending social sites and events. Keywords: Social factors, academic performance and student

INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEE’S BEHAVIOUR IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

his study assessed the influence of human resource management practices on agricultural employees’ behavior. Data were collected from 75 randomly selected agricultural employees using a well-structured questionnaire. Data gathered were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The mean age of the employees’ was 43.2 years. In-service training (=3.44), management reward employees who are committed to their job (=3.41) and wide participation and activity is highly rewarded (=3.41) were the major human resource management practices that influenced employees behaviors. Also, major employees’ behavior include creation of conducive environment for better job performance (=3.13) and praise, recognition and appreciation of effective performance/special effort (=3.05). Factors affecting employees’ behavior were inadequate training (=2.93) and inadequate grants/funds to attend training programmes (=2.81).  Significant relationships existed between gender (χ2 = 37.20, p<0.005), educational qualification (χ2 = 59.09, p<0.005), income (r=0.12, p<0.005), human resource management practices (r = 0.57, p<0.005) and employees’ behavior. Management should encourage employees who are committed to their job through awards and recognition of work done.   &nbsp

PERCEIVED EFFECT OF COACHING AND MENTORING ON EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the effect of coaching and monitoring on employees’ job performance among academic staff in University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in obtaining data from ninety academic employees of Faculty of Agriculture University of Ibadan for the study. The data was analysed using Chi square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The mean age of the respondents was 51years while 66.3% were between ages 51-70 years, 52.3% were female and 50.2% were married. The average year of experience of the respondents was 18.1 years while majority (79.1%) of the respondents has obtained their PhD degree. On challenges facing coaching and mentoring, respondents identified mentee unwillingness to be mentored (x̅=2.84), and non conducive environment for coaching and mentoring (x̅=2.67) as the major constraints, while the least constraint was time and workload pressure (x̅=2.03). Many (62.1%) of the respondents have high job performance level. There was significant relationship between respondents’ marital status and job performance (P≤0.05). The study concluded that coaching and mentoring influence employees’ job performance positively among academic staff in academic institutions and recommended that provision of good work-environment for coaching and mentoring of academic staff should be provided by university management.   &nbsp

Fisherfolks’ Perception of the Agricultural Radio Programme Filin Mainoma in Kainji Area of Niger State

The study examined fisherfolks’ perception of the agricultural radio programme FILIN MAINOMA in Kainji Area of Niger State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 252 respondents from the study area. Primary data were collected using structured interview guide. Data collected wereanalysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and Chi-Square analysis (c2).  Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 25.50 years while majority (96.60%) was male. Also 63.10% had no formal education while 22.70% had primary school education. Also, Majority (99.20%) of the respondents was aware of and listened to the radio programme FILIN MAINOMA. All (100.00%) of the respondents had access to radio. Majority (98.80%) of the respondents opined that the message was interesting, 67.10% spent one hour listening to the radio programme in the morning every day. In addition, 38.90% of the respondents viewed fishing information on the radio programme as relevant, while 26.90% indicated that the format of presentation of the programme aroused their interest. Chi-Square analysis revealed that sex (c2 = 78.70, (p<0.05), df = 1), educational status (c2 = 2.41, df = 4), had significant association with the respondents perception of the programme. Also, correlation analysis results revealed a significant and positive relationship between the household size (r = 0.21, p<0.05), and year of membership association (r = 0.24, p<0.05), and respondents’ perception of the radio programme. The study concluded that FILIN MAINOMA had impact on fisherfolks cash per unit effort. The study recommended that the programme should be strengthened and sustained while other similar programmes can be initiated in other radio stations in the area

EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION STYLES ON EMPLOYEES JOB PERFORMANCE IN OGUN-OSUN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (OORBDA), OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Organizations cannot exist without effective communication because the changing in social and economic atmosphere bring changes in the work settings of any organization. The study determined impact of organizational communication on job performance in Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) Ogun State, Nigeria. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was use to select 114 respondents which represented 35% of the total population.  The study  showed that majority (53.3%) of employees were male , 60.9% of the employees fall within the age categories of 20-40 years, majority (77.2%) were married, more than half  (58.7%) had higher degrees. Also, the mean age of the respondents was 38.5 years. The findings also revealed that the most preferred communication channel was Face to face (x̅=3.46), Memo ((x̅=3.42) and Letter (x̅=3.30, while the least preferred communication channels were, Facebook (x̅=2.42), WhatsApp (x̅=2.27 and Intranet (x̅=2.0). Furthermore, the study revealed that majority of the respondents (75.2%) indicated that leaders at OORBDA deployed the use of Assertive/dominant communication styles while very few (8.3%) indicated that aggressive communication style in the organization. The inferential statistics show that significant relationship was existed between marital status (χ2=12.795, p<0.00), education (χ2=11.762, p<0.00) and employee’s job performance. Study’s analysis showed that organization communication styles do not have significant effect on job performance. The study concluded that the employees who are better educated perform well on their job also, majority of leader at OORBDA deployed the use of assertive/dominant communication style in the organization. Management of the organization should ensure motivation incentives such as access to training and promotion as at when due to deserving employees are ensured to boost employees’ job performance.

EFFECTS OF THE SPECIAL RICE PROJECT ON QUALITY OF INPUTS USED FOR RICE PRODUCTION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was carried out in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State. Through a two stage random sampling technique, 70 participants in Special Rice Project (SRP) were selected from 6 circles in Patigi Local Government Area (LGA) and another 32 participants were similarly selected from 3 extension circles in Edu LGA, making a total of 102 respondents. Data collected by means of interview schedule were subjected to descriptive, t-test and Pearson Correlation Statistics. The result of the study indicated that 86.7%, 91.3%, 90.3% of the participating farmers in SRP rated seed, her- bicide and fertilizer respectively, provided by SRP, to be of very good quality while 19.6%, 49% and 58.8% of them rated seed, herbicide and fertilizer used before they joined SRP to be of very good quality. Furthermore, the highest proportion of participants 90 (88.3%) produced 3 - 4 tonnes of paddy rice per hectare as opposed to 19 .6% of them who were able to produce 3-4 tonnes before SRP was implemented. Participants also recorded an average annual income of N338,700.00 (US$2,419.29) / annum, that is, US$6.63/day, as against N129,410.00 (US$9,24.4)/annum earned by them before SRP was implemented. Thus, participants earned about US$6.63/day, which is higher than poverty income level of US$2/day. The result of the t-test analysis indicated that a significant difference exists between the rice yield of participants before and after the introduction of SRP (t=4.537, p≤0.05). Also Pearson Correlation analysis shows positive, linear and significant relationship between quality of farm inputs used and yield of rice (r = 0.562, p≤ 0.05). Based on the evidence from the study, Special Rice Project has the potential to serve as a good channel of accessing quality farm inputs, increase farm yield and income of farmers and contribute to Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty level by 2015. It is, therefore, recommended that the activities of SRP are expanded to reach all categories of farmers in the country

SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE IN INTEGRATED AND NON - INTEGRATED FISH FARMING IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined socio economic factors influencing farmer’s knowledge of Integrated and Non – integrated fish farming in Ogun Sate, Nigeria. Multistage simple  random sampling techniques was used to select 133 non - integrated fish farmers (NIFF) and 216 integrated fish farmers (IFF) making a total of n = 349. Data were analysed using chi-square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results showed that 92.5% of NIFF were males compared with 90.7% IFF. Also, 96.8% of IFF and 79.7% of NIFF were married. The mean ages of sampled farmers were 44 years (NIFF) and 46 years (IFF) while the mean fish farming experiences were 4 years (NIFF) and 5 years (IFF). Also, 41.2%of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge. knowledge of fish farming had significant association with respondents sex (χ2 = 9.44, df = 2, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 23.2, df = 4, p < 0.05), occupation (χ2 = 25.5, df = 8, p < 0.05), mode of involvement (χ2 = 17.1, df = 2, p < 0.05), interaction with friend and relatives (χ2= 14.0, df = 2, p < 0.05), radio/television (χ2 = 21.7, df = 2, p < 0.05) and internet usage (χ2 = 6.40, df = 2, p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed significant relationship between farmers knowledge and age (r = 0.20, p < 0.05), fish farming experience (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), level of cosmopoliteness (r = 0.16, p < 0.05), livestock population capacity (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), fish production capacity (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), area of land cultivated (r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and production constraints (r = -0.00, p < 0.05).Â

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicit durable immune responses in infant rhesus macaques

The inclusion of infants in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine roll-out is important to prevent severe complications of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infections and to limit transmission and could possibly be implemented via the global pediatric vaccine schedule. However, age-dependent differences in immune function require careful evaluation of novel vaccines in the pediatric population. Toward this goal, we assessed the safety and immunogenicity of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Two groups of 8 infant rhesus macaques (RMs) were immunized intramuscularly at weeks 0 and 4 with stabilized prefusion SARS-CoV-2 S-2P spike (S) protein encoded by mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) or the purified S protein mixed with 3M-052, a synthetic TLR7/8 agonist in a squalene emulsion (Protein+3M-052-SE). Neither vaccine induced adverse effects. Both vaccines elicited high magnitude IgG binding to RBD, N terminus domain, S1, and S2, ACE2 blocking activity, and high neutralizing antibody titers, all peaking at week 6. S-specific memory B cells were detected by week 4 and S-specific T cell responses were dominated by the production of IL-17, IFN-γ, or TNF-α. Antibody and cellular responses were stable through week 22. The immune responses for the mRNA-LNP vaccine were of a similar magnitude to those elicited by the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine in adults. The S-2P mRNA-LNP and Protein-3M-052-SE vaccines were well-tolerated and highly immunogenic in infant RMs, providing proof-of concept for a pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with the potential for durable immunity that might decrease the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and mitigate the ongoing health and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19