Public Policy and Enhancement of Access in Private Universities in Nigeria

The licensing of private universities in Nigeria in 1999 was a milestone in the development of higher education in Nigeria. Prior to that, public policy gave the federal and state governments the monopoly to establish and run higher education institutions. During this period also, enrollment into the existing public universities was very low accounting for not more than an average of 15% of the total number of those who applied for admission into the universities each academic session. Consequently, one of the major reasons for the liberalization of ownership of higher education institutions and the eventual licensing of private universities in 1999, was to expand access into the universities. However, evidence does not seem to suggest that this important policy goal has been achieved. For example, during the first decade (1999-2009), the enrollment data from 30 private universities which had enrolled students (by 2007), suggests that public policy failed to effectively use private universities to expand access as private universities contributed only 3.4% of total enrollment into the universities, and this rose to 5% in 2009 with 41 private universities. However, in the first half of the second decade (2010-2013) the enrollment contribution of 50 private universities increased reasonably as they accounted for 10.4% of total enrollment. But even with this increased contribution, existing public policy enablers have failed to serve as catalyst for rapid enhancement of access in private universities. Based on this therefore, new critical policy enablers for expanding access are identified and recommended. Key Words: Public policy, public policy enablers, higher education access, private universities in Nigeria

The Implementation of Distance Learning Programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): A Case Study

With a student population of over 180,000 (as at 2013), the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is no doubt a leading higher education institution in Nigeria. NOUN’s student enrolment figure is by far higher than enrolment figures in well over 20 private universities put together in Nigeria. It is among the first four leading institutions that have significantly enhanced access into higher education institutions in Nigeria. The implementation of a distance learning programme in a territorially large country like Nigeria is a big challenge. NOUN has taken bold steps in the implementation of its distance learning programme since its establishment. For example, it has many study centres all over the country towards expanding access. However, the quality of learning and graduates produced by the distance learning institutions in Nigeria has remained a controversial issue among stakeholders in the education sector. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which NOUN has effectively implemented its Distance learning programme. A descriptive survey design was employed to execute the study. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 140 respondents out of a population of 2,500 students. Structured questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The findings among others revealed that instructional process used in NOUN was effective; the educational resources were not adequate and satisfactory and the quality of assessment and feedback mechanism used in NOUN was high. However, the various schools significantly differed with respect to the quality of assessment and feedback mechanism used in NOUN. It was therefore recommended among others, that NOUN should enhance its ICT capability in its instructional process and that quality and equity should be the guiding principles behind all learning assessment. Keywords: Open universities, Distance learning, educational programme implementation, Instructional process, Learning assessment, 

Knowledge Sharing: Key To Bridging Quality Library And Information Science Services Delivery In Rural Areas

Knowledge sharing and its delivery is one of the major aspect of human existence in academic especially in library and information science service delivery. Therefore, the role librarians have in sharing knowledge are enormous given the task ahead of them. This paper focuses on knowledge sharing as key to bridging quality library and information science services delivery in rural areas. The paper discussed the concept of knowledge sharing, rural communities, impact of knowledge sharing by library and information science to rural communities, its constraints and the way forward. After which recommendations and conclusion were made

Properties of Raphia Palm Interspersed Fibre Filled High Density Polyethylene

Blends of nonbiodegradable and biodegradable polymers can promote a reduction in the volume of plastic waste when they undergo partial degradation. In this study, properties of raphia palm interspersed fibre (RPIF) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) have been investigated at different levels of filler loadings, 0 to 60 wt.%. Maleic anhydride-graft polyethylene was used as a compatibilizer. Raphia palm interspersed fibre was prepared by grinding and sieved to a particle size of 150 µm. HDPE blends were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break of the blends decreased with increase in RPI loadings and addition of MA-g-PE was found to improve these properties. However, the Young’s modulus increased with increase in the amount of RPI into HDPE and compatibilization further increased the Young’s modulus. The water absorption indices and weight loss for RPI/HDPE composites were found to increase with RPI loadings but were decreased on addition of MA-g-PE

Awareness and Perception of Climate Change among Farmers in Nigeria: Implications for Food Security

Nigeria is characterized by high level of hunger, malnutrition and poverty, making food security a serious concern in the country. This is being worsened by threats of climate change which adversely affect agriculture; the predominantly livelihood activity in the country. The study examined the implications for food security of farmers’ awareness and perception of climate change in Nigeria using evidence from farmers in Ebonyi State. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select 360 respondents for the study, while data were collected using structured questionnaire. Analysis of data involved the use of frequencies, percentages, means and rating scale, while the results were presented using charts, tables and graphs. The mean extent of knowledge of the farmers of climate change phenomenon is 2.74. About 16.1% of the respondents indicated knowledge to a great extent, 36.4% to a reasonable extent, 26.4% to a little extent, and 21.1% to no extent. Climate change is largely understood by 93.6% of the farmers as fluctuations in average weather conditions. The farmers are being impacted by climate change through increased weather uncertainties (3.71), reduced cropping season (3.60), decreased soil fertility and farm yield (3.48), early cessation of rains (3.33), delayed onset of rains (3.20) and increased temperature (2.89). Their sources of information on climate change are radio (66%), friends and relatives (56.2%), family (33.4%), personal observations (40%), social media (23%), extension agents (21.6%), internet (19%), cooperatives (12.1%) and religious bodies (10%). The study recommends the strengthening of agricultural extension system to engage in increased and continuous sensitization and education of farmers on climate change through radio, social media, internet, cooperative societies and religious organizations

FSR19 and FSR25 confirmed as two new faint and metal-rich globular clusters in the galactic bulge

We combined the near-IR photometry from the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea extended Survey (VVVX) with Gaia EDR3 catalog to study some properties of FSR19 and FSR25. These are confirmed to be low luminosity metal-rich bulge globular clusters (Obasi et al. 2020). The proper motions (PM) remain unchanged and the Color magnitude diagrams (CMD) are consistent with what we previously reported and the red giant branches are narrower than the field

Syntheses, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Screening of N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide and its Cu(I), Ni(II), Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) Complexes

N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide (NBS2ABT) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminobenzothiazole and 2-nitrobenzenesulphonylchloride under reflux. Five metal complexes of Cu(I), Ni(II), Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) of the ligands were synthesized. The compounds were characterized using magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, infra red, 1H and 13C nmr spectroscopies. The antimicrobial tests of the ligands and its metal complexes were carried out on both multi-resistant bacterial strains isolated under clinical conditions and cultured species using agar-well diffusion method. The multi-resistant bacterial strains used were E. coli, Proteus species, P. aeroginosa and S. aureus which were isolated from dogs. The culture species were P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), E. coli (ATCC 25922), S. aureus (ATCC 25923), and the fungi, C. krusei (ATCC 6258) and C. albicans (ATCC 90028). The tests were both in vitro and in vivo. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were compared with those of Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as antibacterial agents and Fluconazole as an antifungal drug. All the compounds showed varying activities against the cultured typed bacteria and fungi used. The Lethal Concentration (LC50) ranged from 5.00±0.86-618.90±30.8 ppm. These are within the permissible concentrations. Key words: N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide, Metal complexes, Antimicrobial, Ligan

Social media marketing and consumption of nutrition and dietary information among youths in Abia state, Nigeria

Malnutrition has persisted due to lack of nutritional information. Social media (SM) provides a platform to narrow communication/information gap world over. The overall objective of this study is to examine the effect of the use of social media platforms and consumption of nutritional and dietary information among youths. The central idea is that SM platforms can leverage to improve nutritional and dietary outcomes. Therefore, specifically, the study seeks to ascertain the information need of youths from the use SM platforms; various SM platforms and effect of SM platforms on consumption of nutritional information. The study was conducted in Abia state, using a sample distribution of 240 respondents. Statistically, descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted. Results revealed that youths mostly seek most information about fashion and news report. The major factors that motivate youths to seek information from social media in the study area were learning and personal development. The regression analysis revealed that Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram were the most widely used medium and could be vital in enhancing nutritional and dietary information.  The logistic regression analysis revealed that sex, marital status and awareness of nutrition and dietary information on social media, though significant, had negative signs indicating a negative influence, while location and recommendation by experts were significant and positive variable influencing the use of social media for the consumption of nutritional and dietary information. The major militating factor in the study area are lack of awareness of nutritional information and poor economic power to buy internet data bundle. The study recommends that since the influence of SM is positive, firms can tap its youthfulness to improve knowledge and exposure. Therefore, experts can leverage on it, but must find a strong appeal that mesh into youths existing lifestyle to relate nutritional and dietary information to promote consumer familiarization, knowledge and change behaviour for a positive outcome.

X-ray crystallographic and structural studies of (benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide, and its antimicrobial properties

N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide (ES2ABT) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminobenzothiazole and ethanesulphonylchloride in acetone at 130 °C. The resulting crude precipitates were recrystallized in absolute ethanol. ES2ABT was characterized using X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, infra red, proton and 13C NMR spectroscopies. The antimicrobial tests of the compound were carried out on both multi-resistant bacterial strains isolated under clinical conditions and cultured species using agar-well diffusion method. The multi-resistant bacterial strains used were Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus which were isolated from dogs. The culture species were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia Coli (ATCC 25922) Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the fungi, Candida krusei (ATCC 6258) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). The tests were both in vitro and in vivo. Thus the Inhibition Zone Diameter (IZD), the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and the Lethal and Effective Concentrations (LC50 and EC50) were determined. The antimicrobial activity of the compound was compared with those of Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as antibacterial agents and Fluconazole as an antifungal drug. The compound showed varying activity against the cultured typed bacteria and fungi used. However, ES2ABT was less active than the antibacterial standard drugs used but not Fluconazole which did not show any activity against Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). The Lethal Concentration (LC50) is 338.80 ± 28.6 ppm. This is within the permissible concentrations. Key words: N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide, antimicrobial, in vivo, in vitr