Effect of Prior Knowledge of Instructional Objectives on Students\' Achievement in Selected Difficult Concepts in Nigerian Senior Secondary School Physics.

The study examined the effect of prior knowledge of instructional objectives on students' achievement in selected difficult concepts in senior secondary school physics. A total of 100 senior secondary two (SS II) physics students were involved in the study. A non-randomized pretest-posttest control group design was used. From the findings, it was determined that students' prior knowledge of instructional objectives facilitates achievement on difficult concepts in physics. Generally, prior knowledge of behavioural objectives was found to be more effective in enhancing students' achievement on difficult concepts than prior knowledge of general objectives. Also, the results showed that male students achieved higher than female students given the same condition of exposure to prior knowledge of instructional objectives of physics difficult concept. Among others, it was recommended that physics teachers should introduce their lesson objectives in behavioural terms before the learning tasks begin at the instance of teaching the concept of electricity in senior secondary school physics. African Research Review Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 241-26

Knowledge and perception towards human trafficking in agrarian communities of Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper examines the knowledge and perception towards human trafficking in agrarian communities of Niger Delta, Nigeria. This is predicated on the fact that there is high incidence of human trafficking in Nigeria. A large sample size technique n > 30 was used to select at least 38 rural dwellers from each of the states. Data were collected through questionnaire which was subjected to face validation and has a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), was used for data analysis with frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that majority of respondents were males (58.78%), married (51.32%), between 30 and 40 years of age (47.39%), Christians (77.2%) had no formal education (55.7%) domiciled in the communities (52.2%) having between 5 and 8 persons as dependants (49.1%) and had inherited land tenure practice (74.6%). Rural dwellers have negative perception about human trafficking but their knowledge on human trafficking is low. Significant determinants were income (t = 2.64), knowledge (t =4.33) perceived risk (t =-2.88) Education level (t =-3.13) and number of dependants (t =1.93). The policy implications are to introduce measures to counter human trafficking and related awareness campaigns should mainly be targeted to those areas where migration rates are high or on the rise. Life Science Journal. 2011;8(2):821-827] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com

Nigeria’s Relations with Her Neighbors and the Fight against Terrorism: An Analysis of the Multinational Joint Task Force

This chapter examines Nigeria’s relationship with her immediate neighboring countries in the fight against terrorism. It probed the challenges of national security following the internationalization of Boko Haram terrorist threats, particularly around the Lake Chad basin, and the responses of countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. These countries, like Nigeria, share borders around the Lake Chad and are the core contributors to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Nigeria is an English-speaking country (former British colony), while these other neighbors are historically French colonial territories. Hence, their political, cultural, military, and economic affinities are with France. The varying backgrounds have accounted for the challenges in the subregion including the Boko Haram insurgency and the efforts at military cooperation in tackling it. Consequently, these questions are examined: what factors led to the formation of MNJTF and what role has it played in the counterterrorism strategies of the country? In what ways has the nature of Nigeria’s relations with these countries impacted on the operation of the body? What are the roles of external powers such as France with her domineering influence on these countries in the war against terrorism and how has it promoted Nigeria’s national security interest? The chapter relies on documented materials to interrogate the questions and proffer necessary policy recommendations premised on the findings

The Impact of Climate Change on Composition of Agricultural Output in Nigeria

Abstract This study examined the impact of climate change on the composition of agricultural output in Nigeria for the period 1981 to 2011. Using an Ordinary Least square (OLS) estimation technique, the study observed that with exception to fishery production, climate change had a significant and positive impact on the composition of agricultural output in Nigeria. This finding is in contrast to a priori expectation and also in contrast to the findings obtained by previous studies. Thus, the study recommends the need for further study on this issue to verify the claims of this and also by using other indicators of climate change

Predictive influence of personality traits on retirement anxiety among universities staff in Osun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Retirement anxiety may occur in retirement-eligible staff, and their reaction may depend on their personality traits. This study examined the predictive influence of five-factor personality traits on retirement anxiety among non-academic staff in some selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized a multistage sampling technique. Two self-administered instruments, Redeemer's University Retirement Anxiety Scale and Mini-International Personality Item Pool were completed by 463 non-academic staff in five selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (hierarchical regression, two-sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA) were used to analyze data. RESULTS: The study found a high prevalence rate of retirement anxiety (85.1%) among university staff in Nigeria. In all, 13%, 16%, and 12.5% of the participants showed high levels of retirement anxiety dimensions (personal obligation, financial planning, and social detachment), respectively. Sociodemographic and personality traits jointly accounted for statistically significant (16%, 29%, and 22%) changes in personal obligation (R2 =0.16, P <.01), financial planning (R2 =0.29, P <.01), and social detachment (R2 =.22, P <.01), respectively. Personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) and socio-demographic variables (age, educational level, job tenure, and job status) jointly contributed to the prediction of retirement anxiety dimensions (obligation concerns, financial planning, and social detachment). CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted the need for psychosocial interventions targeting the at-risk population was highlighted