THE IMPACT OF MULTIGRADE TEACHING APPROACH IN TEACHING OF BASIC SCIENCE

A major challenge in the teaching of science at Basic Education (BE) level in Nigeria has been the inadequate number of qualified teachers, coupled with insufficient materials and the overcrowded classroom conditions in cities (Miller 1989). In remote environments, the situation is different, where there are few children in two or more grades with one or two teachers, and usually among them one is an Arabic teacher. This poses a serious challenge in the learning / teaching condition of these kinds of schools. The use of multigrade teaching approach in this situation seems to be a viable option. In this research, six schools were selected from three geo-political zones in Katsina state, Northern Nigeria. In each zone one school is used as experimental group and another one as control group. Pupils (subjects) were assessed using an achievement test constructed by the researcher based on the concepts taught. The results indicated a significant relationship between the use of multigrade teaching and pupils’ academic achievement. While a gender comparison of subjects taught using the multigrade teaching approach and their counterparts taught using the monograde approach revealed a significant difference in their academic achievement. The paper concluded with some recommendations to education stakeholders especially the Local Education Authorities (LEAs), State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and the International development Partners (IDPs) for more support in the retraining of teachers on multigrade teaching approach not only in the teaching of Basic science, but all subjects.&nbsp

Determination of Nitrate Concentrations in Dutsin-MA Fadama Land using Spectrophotometric method

Chemical analysis of water from Dutsinma Fadama Land was conducted for ten consecutive months (January to October) using Spectrophotometric measurement, to determine the level of nitrate in the water. The result of the study showed that the level of nitrate exceeded WHO recommended value in all the sampling sites. Similarly, mean monthly variation of the nitrate showed remarkable increase in the level of nitrate higher than the WHO maximum limit of 10mg/l in months of June (11.25±1.08mg/l), July (15.54±3.17mg/l) and September (14.79±2.14mg/l). Generally, the values were observed to be higher during the rainy season compared to the dry season. This point to the possibility of increasing nitrate concentration as a result of run offs from farm lands due to application of chemical fertilizers. It was concluded that the Dutsin-ma Fadama  water is not potable for drinking due to the high nitrate content of the water, particularly during the rainy season.Keywords: Water, Nitrate, Chemical fertilizers, Dutsinma Fadama land and WHO limit

Pollution studies of some water bodies in Lagos, Nigeria

Over the years, there has been an obvious pollution problem in Lagos area, Nigeria with high population of over eleven million and the near absence of waste management infrastructures. Concentrations of some pollution parameters and trace elements (temperature, pH, salinity, SO42-, NO3-, PO43-, F-, DO, BOD, COD and coliform, Cr, Co, Ni, Ag, Cd and Pb) were determined from water bodies of Isolo Canal, Lagos lagoon and the Seaport in Lagos area, during the rainy season (July, August, September and October) of 2002. Temperature was fairly constant with a range of 26? 31°C while salinity, SO42-, NO3-, BOD, COD decreased in the three water bodies as the rains increased. DO and coliform counts increased, while F- was almost constant during the same period. Phosphate was below detection limit in all the water bodies. The concentrations of dissolved metals varied between the water bodies. The concentration of Pb was found to be highest in the Sea and Cd was not detected in all the water bodies. The concentrations of the Cr, Co, Ni and Ag varied differently with salinity in all the water bodies. Pb concentrations did not show any significant variation with salinity in all the water bodies

Geochemical Distribution of Lead and Chromium in River Getsi-Kano

Geochemical forms of lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) from the sediment of River Getsi Kano-Nigeria were determined using Atomic Absorption spectrometer for eighteen months. Apart from determination of the metals in water, geochemical forms of the metals were also evaluated into five fractions. Exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to concentrations of the metals in water alone will not be enough to tell on the toxicity of particular heavy metal, as such the need for the geochemical forms of the metal become necessary in order to quantify the form in which the toxic metals exist. The distribution of the metals at the sediment shows that the metals were distributed in all the fractions. This suggests different pollution sources. Hence the sediment may be said to be a reservoir for the heavy metals.Keywords: Heavy metals, River Getsi, Environment, Pollution, Sediment, Geochemical form

Characterization of Synthesized Goethite and Natural Goethite sourced from Itakpe in North Central, Nigeria

This study was aimed at characterizing samples of natural and synthetic goethite (α-FeOOH) in order to establish their composition and properties. The natural goethite (NGT) sample was obtained from Itakpe area in North Central, Nigeria while the synthetic goethite (SGT) fine particles were synthesized by the air oxidation method. Techniques employed in the investigation included determination of point of zero charge (pHpzc), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brauner-Emmet-Teller Isotherm (BET) and particle nano-sizer. Results of the study showed that pHpzc of the NGT and SGT were 7.0 and 8.0 respectively. The main surface functional group from FTIR in both samples was the OH while the XRF studies indicated a high content of iron (66.193 % in NGT and 66.4009% in SGT). The SEM analysis revealed a high porosity being associated with SGT than the natural sample. Furthermore, The surface area of SGT as obtained from BET analysis was 797.662 m2/g while the nano-sizer also revealed a near nano-size for the synthesized goethite with particle size of about 172-173 nm. In view of the results of this study, SGT could relatively be used as a more effective adsorbent. It is also believed that both samples will find applications in lots of other analytical processes.Keywords: Adsorption, BET, Natural goethite, Particle nano-sizer, Synthetic goethit

Impact of Facilities and Service Quality on Patient Relatives Satisfaction and Patronage in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, Nigeria

The study aimed at evaluating the impact of facilities and service quality in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The study assesses the level of service quality and facilities provided to the patient's relative satisfaction and patronage. The study adopted a quantitative approach, and data were collected through a questionnaire survey from 225 patients relative to the UMTH proportionately selected from the target population in the Borno metropolis. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics with mean ranking, frequency distribution and Partial Least Square – Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) to achieve the research aim. The study indicated that service quality has the most potent effect on patronage, followed by satisfaction with a significant effect and facilities provided with a small size effect. The study also indicated hypothesised path relationship between service quality and patronage is statistically significant. The study reported that hypothesised path relationship between satisfaction and patronage is statistically significant. The study demonstrated that hypothesised path relationship between facilities provision and patronage is not statistically significant. It can be depicted that service quality and satisfaction are both moderately strong predictors of patronage, but facilities provision does not predict patronage directly. The study finally recommended that management intervenes through the provision of maintenance culture, enhancing the quality of services and facilities for satisfaction and patronage

Problems Associated with Elevators in High-Rise Commercial Buildings in North-Western State Capitals of Nigeria

The development of high-rise buildings in Nigeria has been experiencing drawbacks. The retarding growth translates to the very fewness of high-rise buildings in existence in Nigerian cities just as even most of the few in existence are poorly utilized due to some persistent factors. A current trend in modern cities all over the world is the development of high-rise buildings mainly to overcome the challenges of urban over population, for optimal use of scarce land resources, as status symbol, as tourist attractions and for beautiful skylines. From the existing literature, only few research were conducted in this very important aspect of real estate profession. The data used in this research was obtained through physical inspection and careful observations of the elevators (lifts) in some selected high-rise commercial buildings within the area of study.  Samples of 2500 tenants, 25 Property Management Companies and 70 visitors or clients were selected. The sampling procedure used includes; purposive sampling method in the selection of the experienced property managers, and random sampling technique in selecting the tenants. Part of the result shows that about 63% of the elevators studied have one problem or the other which rendered it not convenient for the passenger’s use. It was recommended that all elevators’ problems should be properly and effectively attended to as soon as the sign of failure is notice before it causes further damages that will increase costs. There is need for the property managers to consider periodic inspection and system diagnosis of the elevators by professionals to verify it conditions and advice on the way forward. It was concluded that,  with adequate maintenance policy, adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions, use of skilled and highly trained manpower in the maintenance of elevators and by ensuring only standard and approved spare parts are used, majority of the problems hindering effective use of elevators in high-rise commercial buildings in Nigeria will be overcome. Keywords: Commercial Buildings, Elevator, High-rise Buildings, Lift and Multi-tenanted Properties

Knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Technology and advances in research have made it possible for the fetus to become a patient whose illness can be investigated, diagnosed and treated in utero. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between December 2016 and March, 2017. Pregnant women attending antennal care clinic at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH) were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured interviewer questionnaire.Results: A total of 417 pregnant women were interviewed. The mean maternal age was 28.35±5 years with a range between 17 to 45 years. Up to 188 (69.10%) had at least secondary school level of education. There was an overall poor knowledge of prenatal diagnosis, as 406 (97.36%) had little to no idea. There was statistically significant association between knowledge and educational status at p value- 0.0001. Majority, 353 (87.8%) will accept prenatal diagnosis if offered. There was also statistically significant association between educational status and acceptability as well as knowledge of prenatal diagnosis at p value- 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. The noninvasive method, ultrasound was the most preferred by the majority, 332 (84.3%). Termination of pregnancy as an option of management in fetal abnormality was acceptable by up to 2/3 (63.1%) of the respondents.Conclusions: The knowledge of prenatal diagnosis among the respondents was generally poor. The identifiable factor that determined knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis was level of education

Management Problems Associated with Multi-Tenanted High-Rise Commercial Buildings in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

It is globally established that, where high-rise buildings are put in to multiple occupations, certain problems arise which eventually affect the building structure, occupants and the surrounding natural environment either directly or indirectly. This paper is aimed at investigating and presenting research findings on the management problems of multi-tenanted high-rise commercial buildings in Kaduna metropolis as compared to the system practised in other countries. Field survey was carried out and eventually structured questionnaire was employed as the data collection instrument. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to the tenants, managers and owners of the buildings in the study area. Data obtained from the study were analyzed in tabular forms, simple percentage distribution tables and narrative description. Part of the results showed that 74% of the buildings were constructed 30 years ago which turned them old for the existing demands due to lack of upgrading the facilities therein. It was further uncovered that 66% of the facilities in the high-rise buildings such as lifts, generators, water supply were not properly maintained by the managing firms due to lack of planning and also due to lack of enough fund budgeted to take good care of  maintenance activities. It was concluded that, old facilities are responsible for the void and vacant spaces in 44% of the high-rise buildings studied. It was deduced that facilities in the high-rise buildings failed to function regularly due to poor maintenance planning and ignorance of some managers to respond to repairs and maintenance request on time. Finally, part of the recommendations proffered include; property management rules of service should be adhered to, where only competent skilled workers will be employed to take care of different services provided in the multi-tenanted high-rise buildings. These competent hands should be adequately employed for effective management of the buildings.  There should be good planning in respect of assessing and responding to sudden breakdown of services so as to achieve service delivery promptly. Keywords: Commercial Buildings, High-rise Buildings, Management Problems, Multi- tenanted Buildings and Property Management

Perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation among women attending antenatal clinic at Usmanu Danfodiyo university teaching hospital Sokoto

Background: Contraception can be defined as all temporary or permanent measures designed to prevent pregnancy. Bilateral tubal ligation is a surgical and permanent form of contraception offered to women who completed their family size or for limitation of family size due to medical condition. The practices of bilateral tubal ligation is limited in Sub-Saharan African countries, Nigeria inclusive because of great desire for a large family size, cultural and religious factors, misunderstanding and fear of the procedure. The aim of the study was to determine the perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation as a form of contraception among women attending Antenatal clinic at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among women attending antenatal clinic between 1st of May to 31st of July, 2018. The information was obtained using a structured questionnaire to obtain the respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, questions on perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation. Data analysis was done with statistical package for social sciences version 22 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).Results: The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were aware of bilateral tubal ligation, but only 44% of them have good perception towards it. Majority of the respondents (63.8%) reject BTL for contraception. Most of their reasons were cultural believe (33.3%), regret (31.6%), religious believe (26.6%) and fear of surgery (8.5%).Conclusions: There was poor perception and low acceptability toward bilateral tubal ligation among the study population, mostly due to cultural and religious believes, as well as fear of regret, despite awareness of BTL among majority of the respondents