FACTOR INFLUENCING JOB PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL TEACHERS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS NIGERIA

The study examined the factor influencing the job performance of agricultural teachers in selected secondary schools in Abeokuta metropolis. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 77 respondents for the study. The results showed that majority (62.5%) of the sampled teachers were male, while (77.9%) were married with a mean age of 38.9 years. The educational background showed that majority (64.9%) of the agricultural teachers had HND/B.Sc as their educational qualification with quite a lot of them (66.2%) belonging to the Christian faith group. Furthermore the results indicated that, adequate career opportunities with a mean score of (=4.06) were among the highest factor influencing the job performance of the respondents, while adequate performance appraisal with a mean score of (=3.56) was the least factor that contribute to the job performance of the respondents. Inferential statistical results showed that there was significant relationship between teachers job performance and their age (χ2=6.61, p<0.05) and working experience (χ2=7.26, p<0.05).Also constraints (r=-0.403, p<0.05) and lack of training/staff development (r=0.432, p<0.05) have significant relationship with the respondents job performance. The study concludes that adequate working environment and frequent pay rise in salary were among the major factors influencing the job performance of teachers in the study area. The study recommended that government should increase their budgetary allocation to education so that teachers’ job performance can be enhanced

Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey.

An estimated 1.7 million people were living with HIV in Nigeria in 2020, with over 86,000 people newly infected. Although the global rates of HIV have remained consistent over time, Nigeria has the second-highest number of people living with HIV and contributes to 9% of the global burden of HIV/AIDS. This is due to several structural and individual-level factors that limit knowledge of HIV and condom utilization. In this context, this study examines the association between knowledge about HIV transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria. The data utilised in this study was sourced from the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2018. The sample included a total of 9,346 men between the ages of 15-59 years who were sexually active at the time of data collection. Frequency distribution, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed at 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 to determine the association between the key independent variables and covariates. The results showed that 85.03% of sexually active men who had no knowledge of HIV engaged in inconsistent condom use. The key independent variable showed that sexually active men who had knowledge of HIV had higher odds [AOR = 1.37; 95%(CI = 1.10-1.72)] of consistent condom use compared to those without knowledge of HIV. However, sexually active men who were previously married [AOR = 0.38; 95%(CI = 0.24-0.61)], and those residing in the South Eastern region of Nigeria [AOR = 0.62; 95%(CI = 0.44-0.96)] had lower odds of consistent condom use. This study established the association between HIV knowledge and consistent condom use among sexually active males in Nigeria even after controlling for confounders. Educational level, wealth index, and ethnicity are also associated with condom use. This calls for the consideration of social determinants of health, localised and cultural health promotion and targeted public health strategies at all governmental levels to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2022 Bolarinwa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT DISCHARGE ON IBESE RIVER AND INHABITANTS OF VILLAGES ALONG ITS COURSE IN NIGERIA

Quest for industrial hazard impact both on the inhabitants and environment, necessitated the study of Socio-economic Impact (SEI) of Industrial Effluent Discharged (IED) on Ibese river and inhabitants of villages along its course in Nigeria. The SIE of IED was conducted after water quality result of the Ibese River has been ascertained. Based on the water quality result, the river course was demarcated into direct industrial effluent discharged Ibese river site, upper Ibese River site and control (free of effluent discharge) river site outside the Ibese River location. The river that is Free of Industrial Efflu- ent Discharge (FIED) site served as control. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 10% of farmers from farmers’ organization list in IED and FIED to give a total of 180 farmers selected for the research. Data were collected through the use of interview schedule and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result revealed that high number (92.3mg/L) of phosphate an acid element and low (3.30) dissolve oxygen were discovered in IED site. Concerning heavy metals, higher mean level Fe 12.63, Pb 2.01 Cu 4.86 and Zn 7.88mg/L were found in IED water quality analysis. Majority (80.0%) of the farmers in FIED areas cultivated between 5.1 and 20 hectares of farms while 50.0% belong to this categories in IED. In FIED, higher proportion (86.0%, 64.0%, and 62.0%) generate income from crop planting, sheep and goat keeping and cassava processing re- spectively whereas fewer (24.4%, 16.7% and 6.6%) generate income from these sources in IED site. Impairment of used water was rated by 93.3% of the farmers as the most prominent harmful effect of IED. Income discrepancy between industrial effluent discharge site and non industrial effluent dis- charge site was statistically different at P<0.005. The finding revealed that SIE of IED is severe in IED site

Utilization of Information Communication Technology’s Components for Coordination of Marketing, Agricultural Commodities in Oyo State Nigeria

Base on the fact that ICT’s components are the fastest tools of disseminating information and Nigeria being an agrarian country that its utilization for marketing agricultural commodities (MAC) becomes pertinent. The study is a pilot project conducted in Oyo state because it is one of the food basket states in Nigeria. List of markets was the sampling frame work for the research; from where 8 markets were randomly selected. Sixty agricultural commodities marketers (ACM) were randomly selected from marketer’s list. Interview schedule was used to solicit for information from (ACM). Regression analysis was used to ascertain the level of contribution of each ICT’s components to MAC. Result revealed that mobile phone, radio, and television and automated teller machine awareness mean scores 3.5,3,4 .3. 3 and 2.5 respectively were higher than any other components put into consideration. Adoption rate of ICTs component for marketing agricultural commodities revealed that automated teller machine and mobile phone for marketing agricultural commodities adoption mean scores 2.5, and 2,8  were higher than any other ICT components However, very few 32.3 % 22.1% of the marketers made use of ICT components for recording of sales of farm commodities and saving money respectively. High cost of power and telephone services, poverty level of agricultural marketers and limited access to ICT components ranked first ,second and third respective as the constraints to marketing of agricultural commodities among other components Regression analysis results indicated that  mobile phone, radio, and automated money transferred machine are the most important ICT components in marketing of agricultural commodities. Despite the role of ICT’s in ACM the marketers have  not been able to make use of  facilities frequently  because of those constraints  identified  in this study  hence, a programme that will  provide solutions to those constrains    should be promoted. Keywords: Information, marketing, ICT components, agricultural commodity and utilizatio

Journalists’ Attitudes towards the Coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State.

The study examined the journalists’ attitudes towards the coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State. Multistage technique was used to select 40 journalists from Print and Electronic media organizations in Ogun State. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Spearman correlation were used to analyze the data collected. Result showed that most (57.5%) of the journalists were male and 72.5% married. Their mean age was 30.6years. About 70.0% were with a minimum of a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification. Majority (55.0%) were Christians while 45.0% were Muslims. Most (85.0%) of the journalists live in urban areas while few (15.0%) live in semi-urban areas. Result showed that 85.0% of the journalists were operating on a permanent basis while 15.0% were on part time/freelance appointments. Half (50.0%) of the journalists had 6-10 years work experience. Result further showed that 40.0% of the journalists were constrained by organizational problems,75.0% by lack of transportation to rural areas for news coverage, 92.5% by bad roads to rural areas, 55.0% by inadequate equipment and 90.0% were constrained by lack of interest in agricultural news by most of the members of the audience. Chi square analysis showed a significant association between age (c2=82.15, p<0.05), work experience (c2=80.21, p<0.05) and the perception of journalists toward the coverage of agricultural and rural development news. Result further showed an inverse relationship between the constraints experienced by the journalists and their reportage of agricultural and rural development news (r =-0.24, p=0.00). It was concluded that most of the journalists were not favorably disposed to the coverage of agricultural and rural development news owing to the identified constraints and challenges. Keywords: Journalist, Attitude, Agricultural News, Rural developmen

EXAMINATION OF ICT RESOURCES SITUATION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN ADEYEMI COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ONDO, NIGERIA

This study examined the ICT resources situation and academic achievement of business education students. It was conducted in the Department of Business Education, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used. The population and samples used for the study were 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2014/2015 set of business education students. Three research questions and two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Primary data collected from the Department of Business Education of the college which is ICT resources data and students’ academic performance obtained from the final year results of the sessions under study were used for the study. The data were analyzed using simple percentage and mean. Findings revealed that ICT resources were grossly short- supplied and the available ones have become obsolete. It was also revealed that the students’ academic achievement were very low as a result of dearth of resources required for effective teaching and learning. There is no significant difference between the academic achievements of the students but there is significant relationship between resource allocation and students’ academic achievement in the sampled college. Government and other stakeholders in education were encouraged to come together to salvage the resource situation and the poor academic condition obtained from the programme.  Article visualizations

Impacts of Environmental Degradation on Profitability of Cassava Production in Southeast, Nigeria

This paper examines the impacts of soil erosion on profitability of cassava production in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study specifically compared the costs and returns of the farmers operating on eroded and non-eroded farms and explicitly analyzed the factors influencing profitability of cassava farming enterprise using partial budgetary technique and regression analysis. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 200 cassava farmers for the study. Primary data were collected on respondents’ age, sex, educational background, farm size, as well as on quantities and prices of inputs and outputs using pre-tested questionnaire. Partial budgetary analysis showed that farmers operating on eroded farms recorded lower crop yield resulting in a significant difference (p<0.05) between the average gross margin earned per hectare on non-eroded (N185, 553) and eroded (N152, 312) farms. Regression model estimates showed that farm size, labor, input-usage and access to extension services positively and significantly influenced profitability of cassava farming enterprise; whereas incidence of soil erosion and large household size have negative effects on  profitability of cassava farming enterprise in the study area. Cassava farmers in the study area could substantially increase their profit if farmers have access to more land, credit to purchase farm inputs and extension services geared towards good agricultural practices and soil conservation methods. It is also pertinent for government to design and implement special schemes to control and mitigate the effect of soil erosion in order to forestall continuous degradation of arable lands. Keywords: Profitability; Budgetary technique; Multiple regression; Soil erosion; Cassava farmers

Communal Conflict Impact On Agricultural Extension Agents’ Operations In Atisbo Local Government Area Of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study determined impact of communal conflict on extension agents dissemination of relevant agricultural infornuition and its consequences on farmers utilization level ofagricultural information in Atisbo local government area[LGA] of Oyo States Nigeria. The local government was stratifiedinto conflict andnon- Conflict areas. Out of6 viable cells in the L G. A. 3 extension agents and 150farmers in the conflict cells were purposely selected using systematic random sampling techniques. It wasfound that contactfarmers cultivated land, were reduced after conflict. Extension activities such as establishment ofsmallplot adoption technologies, demonstration ofadoption ofnon-farm technologies, visitation of EA and Training offarmers were drastically reduced after conflict. There is a significant difference infarmers’ utilization of agricultural information mean scores 4.32 before and 2.5 after the conflict with Teal 2.12 >T.Tab 1.96. Hence an urgent intervention, to promote peace, is needed, if effective dissemination and utilization ofrelevant agricultural informationin the area willbe realized

Constraints Associated With Cultivation and Utilization of Soyabean by Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study identified the constraints associated with the cultivation and utilization of soyabeans by farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Primary data were obtained with interview guide. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-Square were used to analyze the data collected. Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 54.8years and majority (75.0%) were male. Majority (64.2%) were married while 65.0% were literate. Thirty five percent (35.0%) had been in farming for about 20 years while majority (65.8%) cultivated between 1-3 hectares of land. Most (80.8%) of the farmers were aware of soyabean cultivation with 56.7% having extension agents as their source of information. Other sources of information include the media (radio and television), fellow farmers and friends. Lack of market for soyabean was the foremost constraint against farmers’cultivation of soyabeans while lack of knowledge of soyabean processing was ranked first among the constraints militating against farmers’ utilization of soyabeans. More than half (59.2%) of the farmers utilize soyabean only in the form of soya milk. Chi-square analysis showed a significant relationship between farmers’ cultivation of soyabean and sex (c2=8.34, p<0.05) and educational status (c2=31.43, p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that farmers’ cultivation of soyabean is significantly related to age (r=0.96, p<0.05), farm size (r=0.78, p<0.05) and years of farming (r=0.68, p<0.05) while age is significantly related to farmers’ utilization of soyabean (r=0.04, p<0.05). It was concluded that age, sex, educational status, farm size and years of farming played significant roles in farmers’ cultivation of soyabean while age determined the utilization of soyabean by the farmers. It was recommended that extension services targeted on soyabean cultivation and utilization should be more vigorously pursued. Keywords: Soyabean, Cultivation, Utilization, Innovation, Constraint

Communal Conflict Impact On Agricultural Extension Agents’ Operations In Atisbo Local Government Area Of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study determined impact of communal conflict on extension agents dissemination of relevant agricultural infornuition and its consequences on farmers utilization level ofagricultural information in Atisbo local government area[LGA] of Oyo States Nigeria. The local government was stratifiedinto conflict andnon- Conflict areas. Out of6 viable cells in the L G. A. 3 extension agents and 150farmers in the conflict cells were purposely selected using systematic random sampling techniques. It wasfound that contactfarmers cultivated land, were reduced after conflict. Extension activities such as establishment ofsmallplot adoption technologies, demonstration ofadoption ofnon-farm technologies, visitation of EA and Training offarmers were drastically reduced after conflict. There is a significant difference infarmers’ utilization of agricultural information mean scores 4.32 before and 2.5 after the conflict with Teal 2.12 >T.Tab 1.96. Hence an urgent intervention, to promote peace, is needed, if effective dissemination and utilization ofrelevant agricultural informationin the area willbe realized