Talking Justice: The Role of Antiracism in the Writing Center

he article describes the process that four writing center consultants took to design and implement an antiracist workshop at the Oklahoma State University Writing Center (OSUWC). Using antiracist pedagogy, feminist invitational rhetoric, and inclusive writing center pedagogy, this essay documents the creation of an antiracist workshop designed for writing center staff and consultants, our presentation of the workshop at the South Central Writing Centers Association conference, the revision process, and training of writing center staff at the OSUWC. Rather than outline a one-size-fits-all workshop, this article provides a framework for addressing racism with reflexive, context-based resources.University Writing Cente

Control of Nematode Disease of Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Using Manure

Pot experiment was conducted in the year 2010 and repeated in 2011 to examine the eff ects of organic manure (poultry, cow dung, domestic waste) and inorganic manure (NPK 15:15:15) on the yield, soil and root population of Meloidogyne incognita that infected Ethiopian eggplant Solanum aethiopicum in a greenhouse at Kabba College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Kabba, Nigeria. Each of the organic manure was applied as soil amendment at the rate of 5 t/ha and the inorganic fertilizer (NPK) was applied at the rate of 200 kg/ha while there was an untreated control that acted as standard check. Th e experimental design was a completely randomized design comprising of fi ve treatments including control and each of the treatments was replicated four times. Th e results of the experiment showed that all the organic manures considered and NPK fertilizer were eff ective in suppressing nematode negative eff ects on the plant as manifested in improved yield, reduced soil and root population as well as in reduced gall index of the organic and inorganic manure treated plants compared with the control. Th e mean fruit yield of the manure treated plant was 18+1, of NPK fertilizer treated ones was 17, while the average fruit number in untreated control was 6.5. Th e organic and inorganic manures treated plants had bigger fruit size compared with control and were signifi cantly diff erent from the control. Th e soil and root population as well as root gall index were reduced in all the manure treatments compared with the control and they were signifi cantly diff erent from the control. Th e results of this experiment confi rmed that organic manure can be utilized to manage root-knot nematode (M. incognita) in soil

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF COVID-19 CHALLENGES ON PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF NIGERIANS

Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 challenges on the psychosocial wellbeing of the Nigerian populace are the focus of this paper. There are diverse reasons for the essence of assessment of this pandemic; however, the major reason is to document it for future generations. This study, therefore, examined the challenges faced by the populace as a result of COVID-19 pandemic in the South-Western zone and Nigeria as a whole. The study was conducted using a volunteering sampling technique and 335 participants were used using telephone inquiry. Those who completed the interview were 203 (60.6%) males and the rest 132 (39.4%) were female respondents. The instrument has a reliability coefficient of 0.76. Some of the challenges or impacts of COVID-19 on Nigeria populace are hunger, lawlessness, arm robbery, economic crisis, political crisis, financial problem, and hike in the price of essential commodities, young adults resulting in abuse of drugs, raping, pool betting, and internet fraudsters. The spiritual houses like churches, mosques, and shrine were closed up, couples that have given up raising child still found themselves in it as a result of lockdown order and finally the loss of love ones due to CORONA Virus. Based on these findings it was concluded that COVID-19 among the citizenry had cost Nigerians a lot of havoc.  Article visualizations

Evaluation of Enrolment and Performance Patterns of Male and Female Graduates in Guidance and Counseling Programme: A University of Ibadan Study

The purpose of this study is to review the enrolment pattern and performance of male and female students in the guidance and counselling programme of university of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The participants sampled for the study consisted of graduate students in the department of guidance and counselling of faculty of education, university of Ibadan, Ibadan which had undergone the programme from 2008/2009 - 2012/2013 academic sessions. Two hundred and thirty-seven students’ results for the periods in question were used which comprises of ninety-seven males and one hundred and forty female students. The data was extracted from departmental records of admission and graduation lists. To examine the enrolment pattern and their performance pattern, frequency and t-test statistical tools were used. Results on enrolment pattern favoured the female and that there is no significant difference in the academic performance (t=0.536, df + 235 and p = 0.59). This study suggests that the course is not meant for women alone and those females are not significantly performed better than male counterparts. It is recommended that Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) should try as much as possible to educate masses on the importance and usefulness of the course and profession at large for human race. Finally, the schools responsible for producing guidance counsellors should make adequate provision for the counsellors in trainee to be well trained in both theory and practical. Keywords: Enrolment, Performance, Guidance & Counselling, Programme, Gender

Psychological and Job Contextual Predictors of Work Commitment among the Polytechnic Ibadan Staffs, Nigeria

Lack of commitment among workers poses a serious problem in an organization or work environment. Workers have been threatened by non-payment of salaries as at when due, poor remuneration, promotion delay, lay-offs, and necessary work infrastructure. This study therefore examined psychological and job contextual predictors of work commitment. The study adopted a descriptive survey design of correlational type. A sample of three hundred workers was selected to partake in the study using multistage sampling. Data was collected using reliable instrument (work commitment scale; motivation scale; job satisfaction scale; emotional intelligence scale and work efficacy scale). Three research questions were raised and tested at 0.05 level of significance using Pearson’s product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between work commitment and work efficacy, job satisfaction, emotional intelligence and motivation. The result also indicated a significant joint and relative contribution of the independent variables to the prediction of work commitment. Based on the findings of the result, it was recommended that employers of labor must make it a point of duty to formulate policies and create programmes that would strengthen these factors among their workers in order to ensure commitments. Keywords: Work commitment, Work efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, Job satisfaction, Motivatio

EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL INPUT, PROCESS VARIABLES AND LEARNING OUTCOME AS DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

This study is designed to examine the composite and relative effects of educational input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education among selected employers of labour in south west, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of correlational type was employed to investigate the relationship that exists between the educational input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education among the selected employers of labour in south west, Nigeria. 518 employers of labour in south west, Nigeria were used for the study with 323 males and 195 females. Primary data were collected from the concerned individuals using questionnaire tagged “Perception of Employers’ of Labour on input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education in Nigeria”. This instrument was divided into five sections viz the demographic, input, processing, product and quality of secondary school education sections, all together has a test-re-test reliability coefficient of 0.71. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the three research questions that were raised at 0.05 levels of significances. The result revealed significant composite effect and relative contributions with curriculum as the most potent predictor (β = 0.544; t= 7.692; p< 0.05), followed by teachers quality (β = 0.531, t=12.767, p<0.05) followed by school friendly environment (β = 0.445, t= 5.696, p<0.05) followed by evaluation of learners (β = 0.405, t= 3.924, p<0.05), followed by learners support (β = 0.107, t= 1.987, p<0.05) and learners’ discipline (β = 0.176, t= 2.369, p<0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that parents should see to the education need of their children early enough. Also, that teachers’ quality should be looked into on issues of teaching-learning; curriculum implementation, learners support and learners discipline. Also, that curriculum should be prepared so as to make it relevant to individuals, cooperate existence and at large for national development.  Article visualizations

Assessment of Challenges of CBT among Students in Nigerian Educational System

This study examined the challenges of CBT among students in Nigerian educational system. This study made use of descriptive research design of survey type and the population of interest is the senior secondary school students that had experience CBT means of assessment. The sample is made up of 330 senior secondary school students that had experience CBT assessment. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire tagged challenges of CBT among students in Nigerian educational system with reliability coefficient of 0.79. Section A consists of socio-demographic information while Section B consists of checklists of challenges of CBT among students in Nigerian educational system. The findings of the study showed that students took CBT assessment technique amidst a lot of challenges such as inadequate facilities, poor power supply, without computer technical knowhow, problems of far distance and insecurity of examination materials. Based on these findings the researcher concluded that CBT as one way of assessing learners has a lot of challenges. Therefore, the following recommendations were made that students must as a matter of necessity be able to learn how to use computer, government must make teaching of computer compulsory at secondary school level, power supply must be made available to every look and cranny of Nigeria cities, towns, villages and hamlets so as to be able to get electricity to power the computer for usage or alternative source of power must be made available in each school. Computer literacy must be part of requirements for teacher’s employability and pure computer teachers and computer literates personnel must be employed to teach computer in all secondary schools. In addition CBT centres must be owned by local, state or federal government to prevent insecurity of examination materials and examination malpractices that may arise from profit making individuals. The experts must be appointed to man each CBT centre to avoid break down of facilities and if there is any hitch these experts can quickly repair and make the system continue to work without wasting much time of examinees. The facilities like soft ware, hard ware and internet facility must be made available to prevent examination batching situation. Teachers should also adopt the pattern of the external examinations by exposing the students to CBT in the internal examinations to lessen examination anxiety. Professional and highly skilled computer science teachers should be recruited to help improve the computer skills of the students in the various secondary schools. Keywords: Assessment, Challenges of CBT, Students, Educational System

Knowledge Sharing among Librarians in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria

The paper examined knowledge sharing among librarians in federal universities in Nigeria. Eighteen (18) federal university libraries were selected and all 412 librarians in these libraries constituted the sample size. Out of 412 copies of questionnaire administered, 362 copies were found usable representing 87.9% response rate. The study reveals that librarians in federal university libraries in Nigeria had positive perception about knowledge sharing but averagely share knowledge. Majority of the respondents 140 (38.6%) shared knowledge through verbal discussion while 90 (24.9%) shared knowledge during staff meeting and the least respondents 10 (2.8%) shared knowledge through community of practice. There were no incentives given to those who share knowledge hence; the level of knowledge sharing was low among them. Recommendations are made to improve knowledge sharing among librarians in the university libraries. Keywords: Knowledge sharing, Librarians, University, Libraries, Nigeria.

EVALUATION OF UNIVERSITY FRESHMEN SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT BASED ON SSCE, UTME, GENDER AND AGE IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

This study is designed to examine the composite and relative effects of SSCE result, UTME score, age and gender on academic performance of University freshmen. Descriptive research design of ex-post facto type was employed to investigate the relationship that exists between the performance in SSCE, UTME, age and gender and university freshmen academic performance. University freshmen in the federal universities in south west Nigeria were used, 2518 participants 1423 males and 1095 females. Secondary data were collected from the concerned universities’ records office. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the three research questions that were raised at 0.05 levels of significances. The result revealed significant composite effect and relative contributions with SSCE result as the most potent predictor (β = 0.0140; t= 7.241; p< 0.05), followed by age (βeta = -0144, t=7.024, p<0.05). However, sex and UME scores were not potent predictors of academic performance of University freshmen. Furthermore, the findings showed that there is significant difference in the academic performance of university freshmen that holds SSCE result by WAEC and NECO, (t = 6.795, df=1869, p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the academic performance of male and female university freshmen. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that parents should see to the education need of their children early enough. Also, that SSCE exam should be looked into on issues of teaching-learning; conduct and marking of the examination papers. Also, that JAMB organization should be sanitized so as to be able to perform the roles it is expected of her.  Article visualizations