Functionality of Cooperative Business Education in Development of Nigeria

Cooperatives without doubt are seen as major players in the development process especially in developing countries; for the mobilization of citizens and building them into formidable groups for productive purposes. The ability of this organization to achieve objectives depends greatly on the public, its members, management and leadership, in understanding of its ideologies, principles and practices, also in development of skills and competencies for sustainability. This paper provided insight into the issues of cooperative education and its ability to achieving functions in economic, social, political and other areas of development of cooperative members and the nation at large. Recommendations were also proffered to enable the programme achieve objectives.

Frequency Of Isolation Of Salmonella From Commercial Poultry Feeds And Their Anti-Microbial Resistance Profiles, Imo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of isolation of salmonella and their microbial resistance profiles across different commercial poultry feeds sold in Imo State, Nigeria. Thirty-six bulk feed samples were colleted from 154 bag across different feed types and brands which included Guinea (GF), Top (TF), Vital (VF), Extra (EF), Animal care (AF) and livestock (LF) feeds. The salmonella isolated were tested against 14 anti-microbial drugs using the disc diffusion method. Bacterial load enumeration of the samples indicated a range of <30 colony forming unit (CFU) to overgrowth at 104 serial dilutions. Eight feed samples (22.2%) which cuts across the entire feed brands expect EF were positive for salmonella. The highest prevalence of 28.8% and 25.0% were recorded for LF and TF respectively, while VF, GF and AF had 11.1 and 10.0% respectively. Salmonella isolates showed high rates of resistance (51-100%) against nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, tetracycline and ceftriazole, while moderate rates (31-50%) were recorded for chloramphenicol, oxfloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Low resistance rates (1-30%) were on the other hand recorded against ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin clavulanate (Augumentine), whereas zero resistance was demonstrated against pefloxacin, gentamycin, streptomycin and nalidixic. Commercial feeds form important channels for the dissemination of multi-drug resistant salmonella in Imo State, Nigeria

STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF TECHNOLOGY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA

Technology Vocational Education (TVE) is one of the greatest facilitator of change in any developing nation due to its impact on skill acquisition and a panacea for poverty alleviation. This paper focused on strategies that could be used to impart entrepreneurial skills among TVE undergraduates for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Such approaches as the combination of the use of modern teaching methods like role play, project method, field trips, and demonstration among others in a tactical manner necessary for entrepreneurial skill development of TVE undergraduates were x-rayed. It was recommended among others that collaboration between schools and industries should be strengthened in the area of students practical work experience. This will help the students to develop skills in the manipulation of machines and other equipment which they are expected to use after graduation for self-employment.  Article visualizations

Educators’ Rating of Strategies Considered Necessary for Motivation of Potential Entrepreneurs among Secondary School Students for Poverty Alleviation in Anambra State

Timely planning and strategizing for the future had remained the major strength of wealthy nations; who in a bid to unleash their full development potentials, have set up educational programmes, necessary to fight poverty in all its ramifications. This study aimed at assessing strategies considered necessary for the motivation of potential entrepreneurs among secondary school students for poverty alleviation in Anambra State of Nigeria. The study was a descriptive survey conducted with 110 business educators purposively sampled from five local government areas in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the conduct of the study and one null hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance. A validated structured questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.94 was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores and z-test statistic. The findings of the study revealed among others that cash and scholarship awards, exposing students to entrepreneurship education such as interacting with small scale business owners, display of project materials and government sponsorship, were considered as highly necessary strategies. However, special gift from teachers and school authority, recognizing students through assigning of responsibilities were considered as barely necessary strategies by the business educators. It was concluded that the strategies considered fairly necessary and above should be used to motivate potential entrepreneurs in secondary schools. It was recommended among others that educators should constantly be provided with in-service training on entrepreneurship programmes to help them develop entrepreneurial skills required for effective motivation of potential entrepreneurs in their subjects. Keywords: Poverty Alleviation, Motivation, Potential Entrepreneurs, Educators and Strategie

Anti Microbial Resistance Profile of E. coli isolates From Tropical Free Range Chickens

Normal intestinal flora of humans and animals constitute enormous reservoir of resistance genes for potentially pathogenic bacteria and may serve as major indictors of selection pressure exerted by anti-microbial use in a given population. A study was conducted in September 2003 at 3 purposively selected peri-urban sites spread across 3 senatorial zones of Imo state, Nigeria to determines the anti-microbial resistance profile of commensal E. coli isolated from free range chickens. The isolates were screened for anti-microbial resistance profile against 10 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. E. coli strains from local fowls, recorded 100 and 78.9% resistances against ampicillin and cotrimoxazole respectively, while resistance rates against ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and norfloxacin were 0.0, 5.3 and 5.3% respectively. Isolates from free-range cockerels recorded 100% resistance against norfloxacin, cotrimoxazole and ampicillin and 83.3% against nitrofurantoin. Similarly, isolates from old layers, recorded 100% resistance against nitrofurantoin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ampicillin and 80% against nalidixic acid. Similar resistance trends were observed in E. coli isolates from free-range turkeys and broiler roosters against the inexpensive broad-spectrum first line antibiotics (ampicillin, nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol), although values varied slightly across poultry types. Resistances against gentamycin were consistently low in isolates from the different types of poultry. Twenty-nine resistance patterns were observed in the E. coli isolates with predominant patterns being distributed widely across poultry types indicating a striking diversity of resistance patterns in the areas

PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF WORK-BASED LEARNING AS A STRATEGY FOR STUDENTS TRAINING FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

The study determined work-based learning as a strategy considered effective for training students for improved performance in business organizations in South East, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study was 144 business educators in tertiary institutions in the South East, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and one hypothesis was tested. An 8 item validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the reliability of the instrument established at 0.86 alpha. The data generated from the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and Analysis of Variance. The mean ratings were used to answer the research question while standard deviation was used to determine the closeness of the respondents’ means. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that the respondents considered engaging students in work-based learning as an effective strategy for training students for improved performance in business organizations. Furthermore, the findings revealed that years of experience of the respondents did not significantly influence their mean ratings on the effectiveness of engaging students in work based learning as a strategy for training students for improved performance in business organizations. It was recommended among others, that administrators of business education programme should go into partnership with private organization so as to work out a work-based learning arrangement that will improve students’ work skills. It was also recommended that work-based learning programme should be integrated into business education programmes as a full course by the administrators of business education programme in tertiary institutions.  Article visualizations

USAGE OF PRINT LIBRARY RESOURCES BY BUSINESS SUBJECTS STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The need to encourage students’ constant usage of print library resources for higher academic performance necessitated this study. The study ascertained the usage of print library resources by business subjects’ students in secondary schools in Anambra State. One research question guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 3577 business subject students and a sample size of 520 was drawn for the study using stratified random sampling technique. A structured 10-item questionnaire validated by three experts was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was established using test retest method and data analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient yielded reliability coefficients of 0.86. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and z-test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that business subject students in Anambra State moderately utilize print library resources. It was also found that the business subject students did not differ significantly on their mean responses on the usage of the print library resources based on gender and location of their schools.. It was recommended among others that Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC) responsible for the management of secondary schools in Anambra state should jointly fund school libraries with schools authority and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for adequate provision of print library resources and employment of librarians to assist students, to increase business subject students’ usage of library resources for improve academic performance.  Article visualizations

Effect plant density and poultry manure on rapid multiplication of a cassava propagule

This study appraised the effect of plant density and poultry manure rates on rapid multiplication of a cassava propagule during the late cropping season of 2007. Nine (9) treatments consisting of three cassava densities (1.0 x 1.0, 1.0 x 0.5, 1.0m x 0.25m) amended with three rates of poultry manure (0, 2 and 4 tons/ha) were laid out in 3 x 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete design with three replications. The research work was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Owerri in the humid rainforest of Southeastern Nigeria. Growth and yield data were collected and statistically analyzed. The soil fertility at planting was low. Poultry manure rates significantly improved the growth and yield of cassava. Cassavas spaced 1.0m x 0.25m and amended with 4 tons/ha of poultry manure were significantly tall with moderate girth and highest stem bundles and root tuber yield. Regenerative stem cuttings had good field establishment vigour. Post-harvest soil chemical analysis showed improvement in nutrient status of the soil. Cassava spaced 1.0m x 0.25m and amended with 4 tons/ha of poultry manure had highest benefit cost ratio

Physiological Response Of Laying Birds To Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaf Meal-Based Diets: Body Weight Organ Characteristics And Haematology

A 12-weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leafmeal (NLM) on body weight gain, carcass and organ characteristics and haematological values of laying hens. The leaves were harvested, chopped to facilitate drying in the sun until they became crispy but still greenish in coloration. The Sun-dried leaves were milled using a hammer mill to produce the leaf meal. Four layers diets were formulated to contain the NLM at 0%,5%, 10% and 15% dietary levels respectively and were used to feed 120 Shikka brown layers already 10 months in lay. The birds were divided into 4 groups of 30 each and randomly assigned to the 4 treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). NLM did not show any appreciable difference in weight gain between the birds at 0% and those at 5%, 10% dietary levels. Carcass weight, dressed weight, liver, heart and gizzard weights were significantly (P<0.05) increased at 5% dietary level of NLM. There were no significant difference in Hb and PCV between birds on O% and 5% treatment diets. However, these differed significantly (P<0.05%) from those of birds on 10% and 15% treatment diets. There were variations in the differential WB count , marked lymphocytopenia adversely affected the total leucocyte counts in the birds on 5%, 10% and 15% treatment diets. The results of this study suggest that laying birds could tolerate 5%- 15% dietary levels of NLM without deleterious effects

Differential Effects of Instruction Technique and Gender on Secondary School Students’ Achievement in Civic Education in Anambra State, Nigeria

The essence of civic education is to train a child on how to adapt his or her life to the provisions of the social system to engender equality, social justice and inalienable rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The current dismal performance of students on civic education has sadly threatened the actualization of lofty ideals of civic education in Nigeria. In search of answers to this growing problem, this study explored the differential effects of group instruction technique (GIT) and gender on secondary school students’ achievement in Civic education in Anambra State, Nigeria. The design of this study was non-randomized control group, pre-test, post-test quasi experimental design while multi-stage sampling procedure was used to sample six coeducation schools from each of the six education zones that make up 258 public secondary schools in Anambra State. The sample was 193 Senior Secondary 2 students drawn from six intact classes. The instrument Civic Achievement Test (CAT) was used for data collection. Data from the study was analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The result revealed significant differences in Civic achievement test between groups. The experimental group taught Civic education with the use of GIT recorded higher mean scores than their counterparts in the control group taught with LM. Also, gender was a covariant factor on the differential effect of GIT and gender on students’ achievement in Civic education. Given this empirical evidence; GIT stands as an effective alternative to improve on students’ academic achievement in Civic education. Thus, recommendation was made for its adoption by the stakeholders in education especially the Anambra State Ministry of Education to improve on the status-quo