A HISTORY OF LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT AMONG THE JUKUN PEOPLE OF THE LOWER BENUE VALLEY OF NIGERIA, C.1850-2000

Leisure and entertainment are social phenomena found in every society. However, historians had seldom shown much interest in conducting a systematic research on how Africans have historically created, occupied and consumed their leisure time. The conviction that leisure and entertainment are important fields of historical study led to this thesis. By isolating the Jukun society, through a multi-disciplinary methodology, the thesis discusses how the phenomena contributed to their social, cultural and economic development from the pre-colonial period (c.1850) to the beginning of the 21st century (2000). The thesis shows that, the Jukun had leisure time and entertainment activities in the pre-colonial period which had positive impact on their social and cultural development. However, with the advent of colonialism (1900) and Christianity (1906), modern leisure activities were introduced into the Jukun society which brought changes into their social and cultural practices. The modern leisure activities contributed to their peaceful coexistence, serving as avenues for discussion on their social, political and economic development. In the post-colonial period (1960-2000) however, the thesis explored the role of modern leisure and entertainment which impacted on the Jukun social, political and economic lives. The thesis suggest that, for maximum benefits to be derived socially, culturally and economically in the 21st century, the governments at various levels, the organized private sector and the Jukun people must provide adequate support to improve leisure and entertainment activities in the Jukun society. The thesis also suggest that, a massive revival of traditional entertainment activities be embarked on.NONENON

Women’s Participation and Representation in Nigerian Politics: Observations from the 2015 General Elections

The paper investigates the conceptual and material bases of women’s exclusion from the formal arena in politics. It discusses the structural barriers within formal institutions, strategies to promote women’s political participation and representation adopted around the world, and identifies internal and external conditions that have both facilitated and hindered women’s political empowerment in Nigeria. Despite their numbers, politics remain an area in public life solely dominated by men. Faced with structural and financial barriers, the paper argues that there is a deeper need to change attitudes and relationships at many levels, including making women’s as well as men’s interests integral to the design of programmes in all political, spheres. Keywords: Women in politics. Political parties. Elections. Sustainable development. Political participation. Political representation. DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/53-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

“I failed because I was Playing Videogames”: An Examination of Undergraduate Males Videogame Addiction and Academic Performance

Many factors affect the academic performance of undergraduate students. Playing videogames among male student’s vis-àvis their academic performance was assessed in this study. This study employed two hundred and fifty male undergraduate students (250) aged between 15 and 23 (M =17.44, SD=1.37), selected from a Nigerian private University. Academic performance was assessed using Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) collapsed into three groups (viz: 1= 1.25 to 3.49, 2 = 3.50 to 4.49 and 3 = 4.50 to 5.00). Pathological playing of videogames was assessed using the Problem Video Game Playing questionnaire (PVP). A statistical significant difference at the p < .05 level was observed F (2, 250) = 5.15, p = .01. The small effect size of 0.04 was obtained using the partial eta squared. A Post-hoc comparison using Tukey HSD test indicated that group 1 differed significantly in their mean scores from group 2 and 3. Further analysis with Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient showed r = -.262, n = 250, p <.000 and r = .261, n = 250, p <.000 for CGPA and self-reported grades respectively. It was concluded that videogame addiction has a significant effect on the academic performance of male undergraduate students

An Appraisal of Solid Waste Generation and Management in Jalingo City, Nigeria.

Solid waste has become one of the greatest menaces in the world over, but the situation in the developing countries such as Nigeria has become pathetic. This paper looked at the relationship between the level of waste generation and management in Jalingo city, Nigeria. The result of the analysis indicated that there is tremendous growth in the population of the city due to its changing role from a town 1980 to the capital city of Taraba State in 1996. The National Population Commission of Nigeria put the population of the town as 62,252 in 1991 and had risen to 1969,509. The volume of waste generated rose from 2,017.35 tonnes monthly in 2000 to about 2,519.01 tonnes monthly in 2008. The management of the waste has been fluctuating over the same period due to political factor, inadequate manpower, and obsolete equipment, socio-economic and cultural factors. The level of waste collection reached its peak in 2006 (1,296.17 tonnes) and at its lowest ebb in 2005 (953.75 tonnes). The analysis of the waste generated indicated that the mean monthly collection is 2,254.98 tonnes and the mean monthly collection is 1,150.94 tonnes. The regression analysis shows that the F calculated is 1.796 while the F-table is 3.890. The P-value is 0.183 which indicated that there is no relationship between the level of waste generation and management in the city. The implication is that the city is fast becoming garbage city as heap of waste is found round the city. There should be adequate provision of waste management strategies that will include private sector participation in the management. Keywords: Solid Waste, Management, Municipal, Environment, Waste Generation

Assessment of Tools and Equipment Utilization for Effective Electric Power Distribution in Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The main purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of tools and equipment for effective electric power distribution by Yola Electricity Distribution Company in Adamawa State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 69 consisting of 46 technicians and 23 supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company. Due to the manageable size of the population, there was no sampling; hence, the whole population was used for the study. A structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled “Utilization of Tools and Equipment for Effective Distribution of Electricity Questionnaire (UTEEDEQ)” was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts and a reliability of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the study revealed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company utilizes the following tools for effective distribution of electric power distribution: Ladder, Hand Gloves, Safety Belt, Ammeter, Ohmmeter, Voltmeter, Spanners, Screwdrivers, among others; Yola Electricity Distribution Company utilizes the following equipment for effective distribution of electric power distribution: Supply Voltage Detector, Distribution Transformer, Power Transformer, Battery Rectifier, Supply Voltage, Circuit Breaker, Spring Charger, Trip Circuit, Low Pressure Gas Indicator among other. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: YEDC should provide more equipment for effective distribution of electric power especially utility vehicles and other equipment necessary for effective electric power distributions

Horizontes digitales complejos en el futuro de la educación 4.0: luces desde las recomendaciones de UNESCO

The complexity of constant change has a global impact on all sectors and especially in the field of education. This article aims to analyze the possible digital horizons that can be glimpsed in the future of education 4.0 based on UNESCO recommendations. In particular, the recommendations of open educational resources (OER) as a strategic support for digital transformation, to present valuable contributions of the articles that make up this monograph. The method followed was literature review and propositional analysis. The findings show contributions for education 4.0 linked to UNESCO recommendations: (a) reasoning for complexity, (b) access with open platforms, (c) digital support, (d) new creations and (d) solidarity. Ten articles that contribute to the knowledge of education 4.0, open educational resources, open science and digital transformation practices are also presented. The digital horizons outline processes for: (a) reconstructing the formative spaces of people; (b) education as part of a new inclusive ecosystem of training; (c) open digital technology as a vehicle for new ideas and links; and (d) co-constructing new formative processes. The contributions are intended to be of value to the academic, scientific, and social community, interested in proposing new possibilities for a quality, open, inclusive and supportive education.La complejidad del cambio constante tiene un impacto global en todos los sectores y especialmente en el ámbito de la educación. Este artículo pretende analizar los posibles horizontes digitales que se vislumbran en el futuro de la educación 4.0 a partir de las recomendaciones de la UNESCO. En particular, las recomendaciones de los recursos educativos abiertos (REA) como soporte estratégico para la transformación digital, para presentar las valiosas aportaciones de los artículos que componen este monográfico. El método seguido fue la revisión bibliográfica y el análisis propositivo. Los resultados muestran aportes para la educación 4.0 vinculados a las recomendaciones de la UNESCO: (a) razonamiento para la complejidad, (b) acceso con plataformas abiertas, (c) soporte digital, (d) nuevas creaciones y (d) solidaridad. También se presentan diez artículos que contribuyen con el conocimiento de la educación 4.0, los recursos educativos abiertos, la ciencia abierta y las prácticas de transformación digital. Los horizontes digitales esbozan procesos para: (a) reconstruir los espacios formativos de las personas; (b) la educación como parte de un nuevo ecosistema inclusivo de formación; (c) la tecnología digital abierta como vehículo de nuevas ideas y vínculos; y (d) co-construir nuevos procesos formativos. Las contribuciones pretenden ser de valor para la comunidad académica, científica y social, interesada en proponer nuevas posibilidades para una educación de calidad, abierta, inclusiva y solidaria.A complexidade da mudança constante tem um impacto global em todos os sectores e especialmente no campo da educação. Este artigo visa analisar os possíveis horizontes digitais que podem ser vislumbrados no futuro da educação 4.0, com base nas recomendações da UNESCO. Em particular, as recomendações de recursos educativos abertos (RGE) como apoio estratégico para a transformação digital, para apresentar contribuições valiosas dos artigos que compõem esta monografia. O método seguido foi a revisão bibliográfica e a análise proposicional. Os resultados mostram contribuições para a educação 4.0 ligadas às recomendações da UNESCO: (a) raciocínio da complexidade, (b) acesso com plataformas abertas, (c) apoio digital, (d) novas criações e (d) solidariedade. São também apresentados dez artigos que contribuem para o conhecimento da educação 4.0, recursos educativos abertos, ciência aberta e práticas de transformação digital. Os horizontes digitais esboçam processos para: (a) reconstrução dos espaços formativos das pessoas; (b) educação como parte de um novo ecossistema inclusivo de formação; (c) tecnologia digital aberta como veículo para novas ideias e ligações; e (d) co-construção de novos processos formativos. As contribuições destinam-se a ser de valor para a comunidade académica, científica e social, interessada em propor novas possibilidades para uma educação de qualidade, aberta, inclusiva e de apoio

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF PHOSPHORUS ON PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS

This research was conducted to investigate the utilization of rock phosphate as an alternative phosphorus source in broiler diet. Rock phosphate is known to contain high amount of calcium and phosphorus, but its utilization has been limited due to its fluorine contents. A total of 250 Sayed broiler chicks were purchased at day old and brooded. After brooding, 210 very active and health chicks were allotted at random to 3 dietary treatments, each with 5 replicate pens such that 14 birds were assigned to each replicate and a total of 70 birds made up a treatment. The result showed that there were no significant (P &gt;0.05) variations among all the parameters determined. Different sources of phosphorus did not show any significant difference (P&gt;0.05) on performance of broiler at both starter (28 days of age) and finisher (56 days of age) among the dietary treatment groups for all parameters evaluated. Also, there were no significant (P &gt;0.05) variations among all the blood parameters determined. Mean values of calcium obtained from blood serum of broiler finisher chickens in this study ranged between 2.38 mmol/l and 2.44 mmol/l (4.76 – 4.88 mEq/l or 9.52 – 9.76 mg/dl

THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: ROLE OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION, 1999-2018

This work evaluates the political process and governance in Nigeria between1999-2018 with emphasis on the role of the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The political process comprises the totality of the ways and means of acquiring and exercising governmental authority in a political system. It is the systematic series of actions and guidelines involving relevant institutions that impact on the quest for the exercise of political power in governmental or public affairs of a country or state through periodic elections. The broad objective of the thesis centered on the evaluation of how the role of the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission could enhance good governance in Nigeria. It employed the survey method of research design in which the data required for the study were generated through the instruments of questionnaire, and in-depth interviews. Quota and stratified sampling techniques were mostly used in the selection of respondents. Four hundred and thirty copies of questionnaire were administered and 360 were returned. The data were analyzed using linear regression analysis, as well as inferential statistics, tables, frequencies, percentages and graphs to crystallize and present the results. The findings among other things indicate that both the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission have not satisfactorily performed their constitutionally assigned roles of enhancing the political process and good governance in Nigeria between 1999-2018; that the National Assembly has not been able to represent the collective interest of the masses; that the inability of the National Assembly to enforce the provisions of the 1999 constitution as they relate to cross-carpeting of politicians elected into the National Assembly or any other elective office in Nigeria is because such an amendment and interpretation will adversely affect the National Assembly members who are currently benefiting from the dispensation; and that although the introduction of technology in the management of elections will help advance the political process in Nigeria, however, due to poor voter education, the huge amount spent for this project would be a colossal national loss except urgent steps are taken by INEC to embark on appropriate voter education to enable the electorates and masses know how the technological equipment are used to facilitate free and fair elections subsequently in Nigeria with a view to advancing democracy in the country

REBRANDING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: ROLE OF INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Nigeria continued to dominate both national and international political discourse as a model of democracy for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa immediately after the successful conduct and the outcome of the 2015 general elections that saw for the first time peaceful conduct of elections and transition from one civilian administration to the other and which brought the opposition party to power without violence or bloodshed. However, following the conclusion and outcome of the 2019 general elections, Nigeria has become a surprise to political scholars and commentators who find it difficult to unravel how she failed to consolidate the gains of the 2015 general elections so as to emerge stronger as a democratic nation. This study adopts the governance approach, and explores the need to rebrand the processes of conducting elections in Nigeria in order to achieve enhanced democratic governance and also for a healthy synergy between the electorates, the political class, political parties and the institutions of government for inclusive nation building.It adopts both the qualitative and quantitative methods of research in its study between 1999 and 2019. It takes a critical look at what has become characterized as Nigeria’s ‘brand of politics’- which is essentially corrupt, violent, and manipulative of the wishes of the people as well as lacking in legitimacy. The work argues that except the electoral process is rebranded or transformed in line with acceptable international best practices of democratic culture where the will of the people is seen to prevail, political apathy may persist and this may hinder democratic development in the country