Assessment of food insecurity among rural households in Abia State

Background and objective: Food insecurity and hunger are forerunners to nutritional, health, human and economic development problems. The study was carried out to assess food insecurity and its effects on rural dwellers in Oloko and Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia state. Methods: A random sampling technique was employed in selecting 400 households in Oboro and Oloko villages, in Ikwuano Local Government Area. A validated questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. The study was a cross-sectional study. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures Results: The study showed that a good number (75.5%) of the households were aware of food insecurity. Some (16.2%) households indicated they had experienced food scarcity, which was mostly as a result of (75.0%) crop failure which led to reduction in frequency of food consumption in 67.0% of the respondents. A good number (7.2%) worried that they did not have enough to eat, while 7.2% worried that they may have enough but not the kinds they want. Majority (71.0%) of the households sometimes worried that they do not eat a balanced diet. A total of 9.8% of the households reduced meals for family members. Adults (15.0%) skip meals because food wasn’t enough to go round (8.5%) while (1.2%) were in order to allow children have enough. Conclusion: This study has revealed that a good number (16.2%) of rural households have experienced food insecurity, which made them reduce the frequency of food consumption (67.0%), reduce meals for family members, and skip meals. Using the food security scale developed by USDA, it has been found that majority of the studied households are food insecure without hunger

Towards the institutionalization of divorce mediation in Nigeria: a case study of Enugu State

Nigerian divorce laws and the divorce litigation process pose severe psychological, social-cultural, economic, and legal problems for families going through divorce in Nigeria. This thesis argues that divorce mediation may be able to ameliorate the harsh effects of these laws and process. This thesis seeks to achieve the following objectives: (1) To determine if the divorce mediation process can achieve the goals of a good divorce process, (2) To determine if the divorce mediation process can provide solutions to the myriad of unique problems which face families going through divorce in Nigeria, and (3) To determine the possibility of incorporating divorce mediation into the family dispute resolution system in Nigeria through an institutionalized divorce mediation program at the government-funded citizens' mediation centres. These objectives are achieved through an in-depth review of the customary and statutory laws regulating marriage and divorce in Nigeria as well as a review of the divorce litigation process in Nigeria. This thesis employs both desk and empirical research methods. It examines legislation, policy documents and academic treatises on divorce and divorce mediation. It also utilizes semistructured interviews to examine the Citizens' Rights and Mediation Centre, Enugu State, to determine its viability as a vehicle for the institutionalization of divorce mediation in Nigeria. The thesis finds that indeed divorce mediation achieves the aims of good divorce law. It further finds that while the divorce mediation process is not a panacea, its features lend themselves easily to the resolution of the myriad of problems which face families going through divorce in Nigeria. It also finds that divorce mediation can be incorporated into the Nigerian family dispute resolution system through an institutionalized divorce mediation program at the state-funded citizens' mediation centres present in several states in the country. It concludes that incorporating divorce mediation into the family dispute resolution system in Nigeria will ameliorate some of the harsh effects of the current divorce system. It offers short and long term proposals for the institutionalization of divorce mediation in Nigeria

Farm animal genomics and informatics: an update

Farm animal genomics is of interest to a wide audience of researchers because of the utility derived from understanding how genomics and proteomics function in various organisms. Applications such as xenotransplantation, increased livestock productivity, bioengineering new materials, products and even fabrics are several reasons for thriving farm animal genome activity. Currently mined in rapidly growing data warehouses, completed genomes of chicken, fish and cows are available but are largely stored in decentralized data repositories. In this paper, we provide an informatics primer on farm animal bioinformatics and genome project resources which drive attention to the most recent advances in the field. We hope to provide individuals in biotechnology and in the farming industry with information on resources and updates concerning farm animal genome projects

Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Interaktif Berbasis Powerpoint Pada Mata Pelajaran IPAS Pada Siswa Kelas IV di SDN 1 Simbune Desa Simbune Kecamatan Tirawuta Kabupaten Koloka Timur

Based on the results of interviews conducted by researchers with teachers in grade IV of SD Negeri Simbune, the variables of sources or learning media used by teachers in the learning process of science and technology cause students to be less interested in the subject matter taught. Environmental factors that can interfere with students' concentration in receiving learning materials. So that the response from students is less active and less enthusiastic in following the learning process with traditional methods. The objectives of this researcher are: 1) To develop interactive PowerPoint media that can be used in science learning, and 2) To describe the process of developing interactive PowerPoint media for science and science subjects in grade IV students at SDN 1 Simbune, Simbune Village, Tirawuta District, East Kolaka Regency. The results and conclusions in this research and development are: 1) The validity of PowerPoint-based interactive learning resources in the science science subject taught in grade IV of SD Negeri 1 Simbune with an average validity of 92.71%., and 2) Interactive learning media using PowerPoint for teaching science science to grade IV students of SD Simbune proved to be very practical, with students completing 89.79%

Getting to Yes: How to Generate Consensus for Targeted Universalism

Originally developed by professor and critical race scholar John A. Powell, targeted universalism is an approach to change management that simultaneously aims for a universal goal while also addressing disparities in opportunities among sub-groups.This issue brief describes how FSG used a set of specific methods to clarify the essential elements of targeted universalism with the community stakeholders of a collective impact initiative focused on education outcomes in Staten Island

EFFECT OF RECIPROCAL PEER TUTORING ON READING ACHIEVEMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN AWKA SOUTH METROPOLIS

Observations and experiences by researchers in Nigeria have shown that pupils lack reading and comprehension skills and as a result, perform poorly in reading comprehension. There is, therefore, the need for instructional approach that make children strategic readers. This study investigated the effect of reciprocal peer tutoring on reading achievement of primary school pupils in Awka Metropolis in Awka South Local Government Area. Three research questions guided the study.  Two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design specifically the pre-test, post-test design. The population comprised 3,419 primary five pupils in Awka metropolis and 65 pupils selected from schools that use Macmillan English who participated in the study formed the sample. Reading Achievement Test (RAT) was used as an instrument for data collection. The reliability coefficient for RAT using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 was 0.89. Pupils in the experimental group were taught reading using reciprocal peer tutoring while those in the control group were taught reading using conventional method which is lecture method. Data collected were analysed using mean scores for research questions and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) for testing the hypotheses. Major findings revealed that pupils taught reading with Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT) performed significantly better than those taught with conventional method. There was no significant difference in the performance of male and female pupils taught reading with RPT. Based on the findings, it was recommended that RPT should be adopted by teachers for teaching English comprehension in the primary schools. Workshop and conferences on the use of reciprocal peer tutoring in teaching and learning of reading should be organized for teachers by school authorities and educational administrators at least annually

Flora Nwapa’s Efuru and toxic masculinity in Igbo Nigerian society

This work focuses on the concept of toxic masculinity in Igbo society, in relation to the two major male characters in Flora Nwapa’s 1966 novel, Efuru, set in Igbo Nigerian society. The methodology applied in the study is the qualitative content analysis, using the theoretical tool of toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is viewed here in much the same way as it was viewed in the earlier years of its coinage (1980s). It describes the behaviour of “troubled” or “troubling” men who are labeled as “toxic” and needing therapy because of violence, or lack of engagement in family life, and employment (Harrington, 2020). This analysis reveals how the underachieving, non-committal and harmful behaviours of Adizua and Gilbert, the two leading male characters in Efuru, are indicative of toxic masculinity. Nwapa’s Efuru therefore seems, at the time of its writing, a foreshadowing of the issue of toxic masculinity which has now become topical in the present day society of Nigeria. This paper reveals the urgent need for all stakeholders to devise sustainable means of breaking the incidence of toxic masculinity in real society. Literature reveals the paucity of works in the discussion of Nwapa’s Efuru and indeed other African literary works from the angle of toxic masculinity. These factors collectively underscore the significance of this study

Engaging The Traditional Rulers In Curbing Violence And Insecurity At The Grassroots Level In Enugu State, Nigeria

The ubiquitous phenomena of unrest, conflicts, violence, and poverty in Nigeria have brought forth questions regarding the role of traditional rulers in spearheading communities that enjoy, greatly, freedom from fear and freedom from want. It is upon this backdrop that this pilot research is anchored, on engaging the traditional rulers, who are the closest authorities to these areas, in curbing violence and insecurity at the grassroots level. This paper aimed to ascertain the role of traditional rulers in curbing insecurity at the grassroots level is also aimed to identify the nature of violence and insecurity peculiar with grassroots communities in Enugu State and further aimed to improve the capacity of traditional rulers for sustainable peace and security at the grassroots level. The descriptive research design was used. Stratification sampling technique was respectively used to select the respondents. The target population for this study was 30 traditional rulers. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Ten traditional rulers were randomly selected from the three geo-political zones of the state. The number of the questionnaires was 30 which was administered and returned during a focus group discussion. All the 30 questionnaires were submitted. Simple percentages, tables, graphs and charts were adopted for data analysis. As a result of the findings from the questionnaire, a workshop on capacity building for traditional rulers on conflict management was conducted. The study findings indicate that traditional rulers play minimal role in addressing conflicts, violence and insecurities at the grassroots level. It revealed that there are common violence, conflicts and insecurities existing at the grassroots level in the three geo political zones of Enugu State. It also revealed that the majority of the traditional rulers lack the capacity and knowledge of peace building and conflict management. Recommendations are made along these line

Linking Pathological Oscillations With Altered Temporal Processing in Parkinsons Disease: Neurophysiological Mechanisms and Implications for Neuromodulation.

Emerging evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease (PD) results from disrupted oscillatory activity in cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical (CBGTC) and cerebellar networks which can be partially corrected by applying deep brain stimulation (DBS). The inherent dynamic nature of such oscillatory activity might implicate that is represents temporal aspects of motor control. While the timing of muscle activities in CBGTC networks constitute the temporal dimensions of distinct motor acts, these very networks are also involved in somatosensory processing. In this respect, a temporal aspect of somatosensory processing in motor control concerns matching predicted (feedforward) and actual (feedback) sensory consequences of movement which implies a distinct contribution to demarcating the temporal order of events. Emerging evidence shows that such somatosensory processing is altered in movement disorders. This raises the question how disrupted oscillatory activity is related to impaired temporal processing and how/whether DBS can functionally restore this. In this perspective article, the neural underpinnings of temporal processing will be reviewed and translated to the specific alternated oscillatory neural activity specifically found in Parkinson's disease. These findings will be integrated in a neurophysiological framework linking somatosensory and motor processing. Finally, future implications for neuromodulation will be discussed with potential implications for strategy across a range of movement disorders

Uber for tractors? Opportunities and challenges of digital tools for tractor hire in India and Nigeria

Agricultural mechanization can contribute to agricultural transformation. However, there is a need to find institutional solutions allowing smallholder farmers, who play a key role in agricultural development, to access tractors even though they cannot afford their own. Hire markets hold promise for this, but tractor owners are often reluctant to provide services to smallholder farmers because of high transaction costs. To address this problem, start-ups and tractor manufacturers have developed ICT applications that aim to help smallholder farmers access tractors. This model has been coined Uber for tractors, suggesting strong similarities with the Uber service for ride hailing. Although receiving much advance praise, these models have not been rigorously analyzed. Studying Hello Tractor (Nigeria) and EM3 Agri-Services (India), this paper assesses how such models address the challenges of agricultural markets, which are characterized by spatial dispersion, the concentration of demand around peak seasons, and high transaction costs, among other problems. This paper explores the extent to which such models can help to improve tractor utilization and access to services by smallholder farmers. The paper acknowledges the potential of ICT- based tractor hire but finds that many of the thornier challenges of agricultural markets – which urban ride-hailing markets do not face – have yet to be addressed. The paper also finds that analog solutions such as booking agents and phone calls still trump digital ones and highlights the need for a supportive environment such as building (ICT) literacy. Last, the paper suggests that the advantages of ICT-based solutions over more traditional ways of organizing service markets are more mixed than commonly assumed. In brief, while the Uberization of mechanization has appeal, such models are not the silver bullet they are often portrayed to be. More research is needed on how to make such ICT-based efforts work, and it is important not to neglect alternative solutions