Deregulation, Globalisation and Current Issues in the Electronic Media in Nigeria

As a country with arguably the most vibrant media in Africa, Nigeria has caught the fire of the global media phenomenon. The Nigerian electronic media industry, in particular, continues to show greater participation in the global village agenda. This trend started with the passage of Decree 38 of 1992 that liberalized the electronic media industry in Nigeria, and empowered private ownership; however, no time has the globalisation effect been more felt than in the 15-year old (1999 – 2014) democratic administration in the country. This paper relies on primary and secondary materials from existing literatures and reports, to show how this globalization trend has galvanized the electronic media in Nigeria with numerous benefits and challenges, particularly in terms of production, content and reception. Keywords: Nigeria, Globalisation, Deregulation, Electronic, Media

Application of ICT to Agriculture as a Panacea to Unemployment in Nigeria

This study looked at the relevance of agriculture in the Nigeria society and the need for employment and application of information and communication technology into agricultural sector as a solution to unemployment problems in Nigeria. As information and communication technology is a booming sector of the economy which presently engaged the younger generations of Nigerians, it can as well be used to improve the economic development of Nigeria and Nigerians. Data was gathered through qualitative method with focus group and individual in-depth interview as tools. Participants were selected randomly from a group of students, farmers and traders in Ogun and Lagos States of Nigeria. Findings revealed that although government support was essential in improving the agricultural sector in Nigeria, it was also important for citadels of learning and the private sectors to join hands in creating the much needed awareness amongst the youths on the significance of the agricultures and application of ICT as a veritable but untapped employment opportunity. The study also revealed that there is need to include agricultural studies into present day school curricular as well as create massive awareness through the mass media, especially Nollywood industry to portray the agricultural sector in a good light in order to ensure economic growth and uptake by the younger generations

Challenges of Participatory Approach to Watershed Management in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study highlights the status of existing watersheds management in four rural communities of Enugu State. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (Rapid Rural Appraisal, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interview schedules) were used in an interactive manner to collect data for this study from four rural communities in the state. The study revealed that many problems such as fuel wood exploitation, farming activities, animal grazing/hunting, and road/house construction, among others were factors threatening the sustainability of watersheds in Enugu State. The study also showed that many of the communities had rules and regulations guiding the use of watersheds but could not apply the principle of participatory management approach to ensure sustainability of the watersheds. However, the rules and regulations merely emphasized environmental sanitation of the watershed surroundings without ensuring the overall sustainability of the watersheds. The paper concludes with the need for public and private extension services to educate key actors in rural communities on the sustainability of using participatory watershed management approach

Challenges of Participatory Approach to Watershed Management in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study highlights the status of existing watersheds management in four rural communities of Enugu State. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (Rapid Rural Appraisal, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interview schedules) were used in an interactive manner to collect data for this study from four rural communities in the state. The study revealed that many problems such as fuel wood exploitation, farming activities, animal grazing/hunting, and road/house construction, among others were factors threatening the sustainability of watersheds in Enugu State. The study also showed that many of the communities had rules and regulations guiding the use of watersheds but could not apply the principle of participatory management approach to ensure sustainability of the watersheds. However, the rules and regulations merely emphasized environmental sanitation of the watershed surroundings without ensuring the overall sustainability of the watersheds. The paper concludes with the need for public and private extension services to educate key actors in rural communities on the sustainability of using participatory watershed management approach

IMECE2008-67935 DYE DOPED CLAD MODIFIED EVANESCENT OPTICAL FIBER (CMEOF) SENSOR ARRAY FOR THE DETECTION OF AQUEOUS-AMMONIA

ABSTRACT We are currently developing pH sensitive dye doped clad modified evanescent optical fiber (CMEOF) sensor array for the detection of aqueous-ammonia. The quasi-distribution of CMEOF ammonia sensors allows efficient measurement of aqueous-ammonia at several locations using a single fiber optic line. CMEOF sensors are fabricated by immobilized pH sensitive dyes in sol-gel and applying the dye doped sol-gel as a thin film around a bare core optical fiber. The CMEOF sensors are then sealed from water using a gas permeable membrane, PDMS-vinyl. The dyes in each CMEOF sensor are tailored to operate at slightly different wavelengths by appropriate choice of dyes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) and linear system of equations (LSE) are used to interrogate each CMEOF sensor and determine the concentration of aqueous-ammonia at each sensor location

Adoption of Rice Technologies Introduced by the United States Agency for International Development in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria

The study determined the levels of adoption of improved rice technologies introduced by USAID MARKETS project phase one in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria. The population of the study included all project participant rice farmers of USAID MARKETS project in both Anambra and Ebonyi States. A total sample of 80 respondents (40 project farmers from each state) were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used for data collection, while percentage and mean statistics were used to analyze data. The results of the study revealed that mean ages of the project farmers (PFs) was 46.56years while 86% of the PFs were literate and the mean rice farming experience was 22 years. The mean total rice farm land owned by PFs was 2.99 hectares mainly on rented basis, while majority got information on rice production and processing from the project. The project farmers highly adopted the following innovations; use of FARO 44 seed variety, carrying out a seed germination test before planting, carrying out appropriate land preparation using either manual or machinery (tractor), seed broadcasting on wet field and upland rice, use of herbicide and storage of paddy produce (packing bagged rice grains in cool dry, fumigated and aerated conditions)

A world free of malaria: It is time for Africa to actively champion and take leadership of elimination and eradication strategies

The global burden of malaria seems unabated. Africa carries the greatest burden accounting for over 95% of the annual cases of malaria. For the vision of a world free of malaria by Global Technical Strategy to be achieved, Africa must take up the stakeholder’s role. It is therefore imperative that Africa rises up to the challenge of malaria and champion the fight against it. The fight against malaria may just be a futile or mere academic venture if Africans are not directly and fully involved. This work reviews the roles playable by Africans in order to curb the malaria in Africa and the world at large

Adoption of Rice Technologies Introduced by the United States Agency for International Development in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria

The study determined the levels of adoption of improved rice technologies introduced by USAID MARKETS project phase one in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria. The population of the study included all project participant rice farmers of USAID MARKETS project in both Anambra and Ebonyi States. A total sample of 80 respondents (40 project farmers from each state) were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used for data collection, while percentage and mean statistics were used to analyze data. The results of the study revealed that mean ages of the project farmers (PFs) was 46.56years while 86% of the PFs were literate and the mean rice farming experience was 22 years. The mean total rice farm land owned by PFs was 2.99 hectares mainly on rented basis, while majority got information on rice production and processing from the project. The project farmers highly adopted the following innovations; use of FARO 44 seed variety, carrying out a seed germination test before planting, carrying out appropriate land preparation using either manual or machinery (tractor), seed broadcasting on wet field and upland rice, use of herbicide and storage of paddy produce (packing bagged rice grains in cool dry, fumigated and aerated conditions)

Exploitation of Bush Mango (Irvingia wombolu and Irvingia gabonensis) Among Rural Household in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was undertaken to assess the exploitation of Bush Mango Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu (ogbono) among rural households in Enugu State, Nigeria. Interview schedule was used to collect data from 91 respondents and data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 42 years, majority (56%) were male and about 54% married. The mean household size and monthly income of respondents was 6 persons and N15, 970 respectively. About 12% had no formal education.. Majority (87.9%) of the respondents had no access to extension services and credit facilities (74.7%). The major system (89%) of exploiting Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu is from the wild. Other exploitation systems were: around homestead (85.7%), agroforestry (83.5%), and Irvingia plantations (39.6%). The major benefits of Irvingia products include: condiment/soup thickener (M= 2.80), source of income (M= 2.77), fruit as food (M= 2.63), firewood (M= 2.40), among others. The constraints to exploitation of Irvingia were identified and factorized into production constraints, economic constraints and technological/institutional constraints. Farmers should be educated by extension on how to limit these constraining factors and the need to domesticate Irvingia and appropriate technologies should be transferred to the farmers as this will go a long way to increase productivity