Effects of Motivation on Test Performance of First Year Covenant University Students

This study examined the effect of motivation on test performance of first year Covenant University students, Ota, Ogun State. The study adopted pre-test, post-test experimental design. Data for the study were obtained from sixty (60) students with age range between 15 and 18 years (average age = 16.5 years). Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions using independent group design. The independent and dependent variables were motivation and test performance respectively. The two hypotheses were analysed using Mann- Whitney U test. The result shows a significant difference between the result of the unrewarded students in the control group and students rewarded with verbal praise in the experimental group (U = 61.000, N1 = 20, N2 = 20, p< 0.05, one-tailed). There was also a significant difference between the result of the students rewarded with primary reinforcers and the unrewarded students in the control group (U = 45.000, N1 = 20, N2 = 20, p< 0.05, one-tailed). This study justifies the importance of motivation on test performance. To improve students’ academic performance, teachers are encouraged to motivate their students. Key words: Teachers, motivation, test performance, Ot

Proximate Determinants of Women's Use of Birth Control Methods in Ota,Ogun State

Fertility regulation and pregnancy prevention are among the major health challenges of the 21st century in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria. Contraception has been identified as an effective means of combating the problem of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion and it is equally an effective means of family planning and fertility control and therefore very important in promoting maternal and child health. Women between ages 18 and 47 (n=143, mean=30.4 years) were sampled. A survey research questionnaire made up of four trajectories and consisting of sixteen (16) items was used in this study. The study made use of frequency counts, percentage, t-test analysis and regression analysis. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Results indicate a good knowledge of types of contraception with more than a third (83%) aware of condom as a contraceptive method. However, very few women were aware of modern contraceptive methods such as implants (9%) and spermicides (5%). The study indicates that knowledge of contraception (β = 2.244; t = 2.356; p < .05), employment status (β = 1.955; t = 2.257;p < .05) and age (β = 1.530; t = 2.203; p < .05) were good predictors of women’s contraceptive use. There was also a significant difference in women’s use of contraceptives based on contraceptive selfefficacy (t = 3.387, p < .05). Based on these findings, the study shows the need for strong advocacy,enlightenment and community mobilization for improved awareness and use of contraceptives in fertility control and preventing unwanted pregnancie

Psychosocial Health of Adolescent living in Urban Slum Nigeria

The paper examines association of neighborhood characteristics with psychosocial statues of adolescent living in urban slums. Data for the study were obtained from a cross sectional survey among adolescent age 15-19, living in urban slums in Lagos State. Adopted a measuring scale for adverse environment and psychosocial attributes, data were analyzed using univariate and binary logistic regression analysis. Results revealed that neighborhood characteristics were associated with low self-academic performance rating. Both parental process and neighborhood factors such social disorganization was able to predict psychosocial wellbeing such subjective academic performance rating. The findings revealed among others that adverse neighborhood characteristics in urban slum were associated with unhealthy subjective wellbeing which reflects wide personal and social contexts and have implications for public health and social wellbeing. This paper calls for programmes that are tailor to addressing rapidly developing slum settlements in low income area, to secure the future generation

CONTRIBUTIONS OF METAL WELDING WORKSHOPS TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN AKURE METROPOLIS, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The concentrations of eight metals -Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), and Cobalt (Co

Influence of Religiosity on Turnover Intention: Empirical Evidence from Selected Employees in Lagos and Ogun States

This study examined the influence of employees’ religiosity on their turnover intentions. The ex-post facto research design and the convenient sampling technique were employed in this study. A hundred and forty-nine (149) employees in Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria were sampled as the study participants. The participants were between the ages of 18 and 56 years; with forty-three percent (43%) as males and fifty-seven percent (57%) as females. Three hypotheses were raised and tested. The result revealed a significant negative relationship between intrinsic religiosity and turnover intention (r= -.233, p<0.01) and a significant positive relationship between extrinsic religiosity and turnover intention (r=.256, p<0.01). Although the result revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity jointly influenced turnover intentions ( = .118, F (2,123) = 8.250, p<.01), intrinsic religiosity dimension was found to contribute negatively to employees’ turnover intentions (β= -.233 p<.01) while extrinsic religiosity was found to contribute positively to turnover intentions (β= .253, p<0.01). This study concluded that religiosity influences employees’ turnover intentions; it further asserts that intrinsically religious employees would experience reduced turnover intention, while extrinsically religious employees would experience increased turnover intentions. To this end, it was recommended that intrinsic religiosity should be encouraged in the work milieu within the limits of acceptable work ethics

Time Management Practices, Character Development and Academic Performance among University Undergraduates: Covenant University Experience

Background: University undergraduates are representative of the Nigerian youth population; and sustainable development in any nation depends on the resourcefulness of her youth. This necessitates the need to drive excellence among Nigerian undergraduates through quality education and advice. Quality education is demonstrated in character and in learning; and characters of discipline, responsibility and diligence serve as the hallmark of excellence among university undergraduates. It is hypothesized that time management practices will be positively related to character development and academic performance among university undergraduates. Method: The case study and ex-post facto research designs were adopted in this study. Questionnaire was administered to 120 Diploma and Certificate students of Leadership Development Programme in Covenant University. Results: The findings revealed a positive relationship between character development and time management practices (r = .44, p < .01) and between character development and academic performance(r = .23, p < .05). The result further revealed that time management practices predicted character development (R2 = .241, F (3,116) = 12.383, p < .01) and character development predicted academic performance (R2 = .241, F (3,116) = 5.412, p < .01). However, no significant relationship was found between time management practice and academic performance (r = .18, p > .05). Conclusion: It was concluded that in the quest for academic excellence, buildin

FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN COVENANT UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

The study aimed at investigating the factors influencing the choice of career of undergraduates in Covenant University. The study was conducted using descriptive survey research design. A sample of 400 first to third year students was randomly selected from the four colleges of the University. The data for this study was collected using questionnaire titled Career Choice Questionnaire (CCQ) which explored the psycho-social factors that influenced students’ career choices. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result shows that parents greatly influence their children’s choices of career and that students’ academic attainments/performances at secondary school level influenced their choices of career. The secondary school environment was another factor that influences students’ choices of career. Other factors are personal interest and advancement of science and technology. However, gender was found not to have a significant influence on the students’ career choices. The study concludes that students’ choice of career is influenced by parents/guardians, their school environment, academic performance among others. Based on the findings, it was recommended that parents/guardians should be properly oriented on the extent they should be involved in the career choices and decision of their wards. In addition, secondary school teachers, principals, school counsellors and other stakeholders in the educational system should provide students with appropriate experiences that expand their exploration processes and a wide range of career information on all the available careers to enable them explore, and make informed career choices