Factors Influencing Innovative Behaviour of Teachers in Secondary Schools in the North East of Nigeria

Innovative behaviour (IB) refers to the process of developing, generating, applying or promoting new ideas by employees to increase job performance. Today, the rapid social and technological changes in our environment highlight the significance of IB of employees and especially for teachers. Thus, this paper aimed to develop a conceptual framework of factors influencing innovative behaviour of teachers in secondary schools. The research was explored through critical related literature analysis. Findings were presented in form of descriptive analysis, which shows that workplace happiness (WP), organisational climate (OC), affective commitment (AF) and transformational leadership (TFL) play a direct role in affecting innovative behaviour. The paper concludes that WP, OC, AF and TL have a positive impact in creating the essential conditions to encourage teachers to show IB in schools

Hypertension in pregnancy among rural women in Katsina State, Nigeria

Hypertension in pregnancy (HIP) is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or both. It could be described as chronic, gestational, preeclampsia or eclampsia depending on the gestational period, tendency for postpartum resolution, presence of proteinuria or convulsion. Hypertension in pregnancy affects about 5-22% of pregnancies especially in developing countries. Though preeclampsia and eclampsia seems to create more concern than others, evidence abound that any form of hypertension in pregnancy places women at increased risk of adverse outcomes.Keywords: Hypertension, Pregnancy, Women, Eclampsia, Nigeri

Stakeholder Perception of the Impacts of Communication for Development Techniques in NGO-Supported Organizational Capacity Building: A Case of Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board

Utilization of communication for development (C4D) techniques in organizational capacity-building support provided by foreign aid-assisted developmental programs run by non-governmental organization (NGOs) has been shown to improve primary health care (PHC) services in both urban and rural communities, especially the latter. This study investigated stakeholder perceived benefits of organizational capacity-building support provided by NGOs toward the improvement of PHC services in Yobe State. Adopting a case study approach with key informant interview (KII), the responses of four key management staff of Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board (YSPHCMB) were captured and analyzed using the organizational capacity assessment tool model and critical discourse analysis. The key findings revealed that two critical C4D techniques namely, advocacy and behavior-change communication have impacted significantly toward the strengthening of both YSPHCMB and improvement of PHC services in rural areas of the state more than it did in urban centers; organizational capacity-building support provided by NGOs have significantly strengthened the capacity of YSPHCMB effectively more than both the State and Federal Governments (the primary funders of PHC services) did; and perceived sustainability crisis (PSC) in the event of the expiration of the tenure of some NGOs and developmental programs has been identified as a critical challenge that may affect the tremendous successes achieved by the programs/NGOs negatively should they close as anticipated. To avert the occurrence of PSC in the aftermaths of the closure of an NGO, both the State and Federal Governments should ensure enough and timely release of PHC counterpart funding. Keywords: C4D, communication for development, Nigerian primary health care services, NGO, OCAT, organizational capacity assessment tool, PHC, DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-3-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

The Legal Conundrum in the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Nigeria

International law or treaty binds a state where such state signed, ratified acceded or domesticated same. In a monist State, ratification alone suffices for the international law or treaty to become binding whereas, in a dualist State, domestication as a condition must have complied. It is because of the peculiarities within various nations' legal systems (Monist or Dualist system). In 1989, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), an international human rights instrument came into force. Since its domestication as the Child Rights Act (CRA 2003) in Nigeria by the National Assembly, only about 24 States have enacted the law for onward enforcement. Nigeria is a nation which became independent in the year 1960 comprising now of 36 states and Abuja as its Federal Capital Territory all under the Federal Government. Since its domestication as the Child Rights Act (CRA 2003) in Nigeria by the National Assembly, many States have enacted the law for onward enforcement. However, few states are yet to comply and raise a question as to whether the said CRC has a binding force in all the States of the Federation. This study aims to examine the extent of how the UNCRC and CRA are being enforced in Nigeria. This study's research methodology is purely doctrinal, where library materials such as books, articles from journals, and online articles have been carefully selected and analyzed for this research. This paper recommends establishing a global agency or organ that should be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring full compliance and enforcement of international laws or treaties

Stakeholder Perception of the Impacts of Communication for Development in NGO-Supported Organizational Capacity Building: A Case of Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board

Utilization of communication for development (C4D) in organizational capacity-building support provided by foreign aid-assisted developmental programs run by non-governmental organization (NGOs) has been shown to improve primary health care (PHC) services in both urban and rural communities, especially the latter. This study investigated stakeholder perceived benefits of organizational capacity-building support provided by NGOs toward the improvement of PHC services in Yobe State. Adopting a case study approach with key informant interview (KII), the responses of four key management staff of Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board (YSPHCMB) were captured and analyzed using the organizational capacity assessment tool model and critical discourse analysis. The key findings revealed that two critical C4D techniques namely, advocacy and behavior-change communication have impacted significantly toward the strengthening of both YSPHCMB and improvement of PHC services in rural areas of the state more than it did in urban centers; organizational capacity-building support provided by NGOs have significantly strengthened the capacity of YSPHCMB effectively more than both the State and Federal Governments (the primary funders of PHC services) did; and perceived sustainability crisis (PSC) in the event of the expiration of the tenure of some NGOs and developmental programs has been identified as a critical challenge that may affect the tremendous successes achieved by the programs/NGOs negatively should they close as anticipated. To avert the occurrence of PSC in the aftermaths of the closure of an NGO, both the State and Federal Governments should ensure enough and timely release of PHC counterpart funding. Keywords: C4D, communication for development, Nigerian primary health care services, NGO, OCAT, organizational capacity assessment tool, PHC, DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/79-04 Publication date: April 30th 201

EXPLORING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY STRENGTHENING FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES FOR ENHANCEMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

The impacts of organizational capacity-strengthening support provided by local non-governmental organizations toward the utilization of communication for development techniques (advocacy and behavior change communication) for the improvement of primary health care services administration in the North-eastern Nigerian state of Yobe were explored. Using the organizational capacity assessment tool model and critical discourse analysis, the responses of five key management personnel of Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board were analyzed. Organizational capacity strengthening in respect of organizational governance, coordination and partnerships, organizational planning, human resource development and management board dimensions appeared to have salient influences on the utilization of communication for development techniques in primary health care services administration with budgeting and financing dimensions having weaker influences. Perceived sustainability crisis and government political commitment appeared to play a moderating role

Assessment of the Adequacy of External Auditing in Disclosing Fraud in Nigerian Commercial Banks

The primary purpose of auditing is to determine the true and fair view of the financial statements and investigation relates to checking of particular record for a specific purpose. The investigations launched by the financial regulators and other stakeholders into the cases of distressed banks revealed that accountants and auditors have not done their work properly. As a result of that, this study aims at assessing the adequacy of audit in disclosing fraud in commercial Banks of Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, primary and secondary data were used. One hundred (150) questionnaires were administered to the study respondents that were purposively selected from eleven (11) commercial banks in Yola, auditing firms and shareholders. Guided interviews were also conducted with some of the respondents. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the research hypothesis. The analysis of responses gathered revealed that the external audit is not adequate in revealing fraud. Based on the finding, the study recommended that an interim audit should be made mandatory in the commercial banks by the regulatory authority along side forensic audit as it will reduce the gravity of frauds in commercial banks. Keywords: Assessment, Auditors’ report, Fraud, Management, Nigeria, Commercial banks

Design Construction and Performance Evaluation of Solar Still for Rural Dwellers

This paper is aimed at designing, constructing and performance evaluation of a solar still. The solar still is design and constructed with locally source materials for rural dwellers. The still absorber plate is constructed with 2 mm galvanised plate painted black with an area of 2 m2 to absorb solar radiation effectively. The side wall and the base is constructed with concrete. Sawdust and felt is used between the retaining wall and base to resist heat transfer from the system to the surrounding vice-versa. The top cover of the still is constructed with transparent glass pane of 4 mm housed in an aluminium frame. The catch basin that collects the condensate is constructed with PVC pipe channel of 50 mm. The performance of the still was evaluated with; Overall yield (sum of daily yield and over-night yield) at a different water depth of (20, 40, 60 mm), (5127 ml/m2/hr, 4558 ml/m2/hr, and 3852 ml/m2/hr). The efficiency of the system at different water depth (20, 40, 60 mm) 51.27 %, 45.58 %, and 38.52 %. The water analysis before and after distillation was certified safe and portable for human consumption

Analysis of Heavy Metals Found in Vegetables From Some Irrigated Gardens in Katsina, Daura and Funtua Metropolis, Katsina State, Nigeria.

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals cadmium (Cd)) chromium (Cr) (copper (Cu), iron (Fe) manganese (Mn) zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and in five vegetables viz;  (Bitter-leaf),  Cabbage, Cucumber, Lettuce and Spinach and soil collected from selected farm and market sites in industrial, residential and commercial areas of Lagos state. The heavy metals present in the vegetables were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results reveal that all the heavy metals were detected in all the vegetables from the various sites. Most of the concentrations are below the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) safe limit of 0.1 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 1.3 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, 6.61 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg for cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co)   (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and  zinc (Zn), and respectively in the vegetables. However the concentration of cobalt in spinach and lead in cabbage from Katsina are above the WHO and FAO safe limits. There is a significant differences in the concentration of Cd in the vegetables from the sampling sites (P<0.05), while there is no significant difference in the concentration of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn  in the vegetables from the sampling sites (P>0.05). If the practice of treating the soils in the irrigation gardens with contaminated waters is not controlled, it may lead to health hazard on the part of consumers of the vegetables on the long term. Therefore, there is the need to continually monitor, control and take necessary policy decisions so as to limit and ultimately prevent these avoidable problems. Keywords: Irrigation, Vegetables, Heavy metals, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Garden

Enhancing Organizational Performance Through Effective Leadership in Public Enterprises: A Study of the Adamawa Investment and Property Development Company Ltd

The study examined the impact of effective leadership on the performance of public enterprises with a particular reference to the Adamawa Investment and Property Development Company Ltd. The study made use of content analysis and observation method. The study revealed that the performance of organization depends to a large extent on the efficiency or effectiveness of the leadership. It was also revealed that the Adamawa State Investment and Property Development Company Limited has not lived up to expectation due to leadership failure. The study made use of the transformational leadership theory. The theory believed in the leader’s ability to motivate the follower to accomplish more than what the followers planned to do by concentrating on the followers values and helping the followers align these values with the values of the organization. Based on the above, recommendations were given on the need for effective leadership if results must be achieved in an organization. Keywords: Leadership, organization, performance