A Novel Pedagogical Tool For Childhood Education In STEM And STEAM Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals In Africa

The integrating of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) in Early Childhood Education in developing countries has proved to be a workable strategy in enhancing inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all (SDG 4) towards achieving Sustainable Development Agenda by the year 2030.This paper presents a critical review of early childhood education in Africa, its impacts, benefits, challenges and plausible remedies. Theoretical frameworks in use were x-rayed with basic characteristics and types of pedagogical tools highlighted. A firsthand experience of non-formal, community-linked and integrated approaches, STEM Play cycle and Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA) to STEM and STEAM education at childhood stage was carried out in Ekiti State, a rural –urban setting in densely populated Nigeria for this case study research. The role of culture and influence of environment in learning were showcased

Effect of domestic processing on the amino acid profile of Dioscorea rotundata (White yam)

Yam (Dioscorea species) is one of the most important food crops in West Africa. It is a major source of carbohydrates and nutrient energy for many people in tropical countries. Like many other foods, roots and tubers are rarely eaten raw. They normally undergo some forms of processing which makes them more palatable, digestible and safe for human consumption. Freshly harvested tubers of Dioscorea rotundata were peeled, washed and diced and subjected to different domestic processing techniques namely: Drying, roasting, boiling and frying. The flour was evaluated for proximate and amino acid composition. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated amino acid, with the drying process recording the highest value. Histidine, an essential amino acid showed a higher value than the FAO standard for the four techniques. The lysine contents were comparable with the reference egg protein. Total aromatic amino acid and total sulphur-containing amino acids gave values comparable with FAO/WHO/UNU standards. In general, the amino acid content was significantly higher (p<0.05) when the yam was subjected to drying process, suggesting that D. rotundata flour has potential as a high quality protein source, hence can be exploited to enhance protein quality of diet for adults and weaning/complimentary feeding for children

INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN NIGERIA’S TERTIARY

Women have been historically marginalized in all spheres of life including social, economic and political spheres. This anomaly has been recognized globally and it has become accepted that issues of women’s human rights are important for any meaningful development to take place. Apart from social justice, which demands equal opportunity for all citizens, it is smart economics to plan with both halves of one’s population because it benefits society as a whole. In consonance with this global standpoint, and coupled with Civil Society engagements, the Nigerian government has been overt in engaging in gender responsive policies and programmes, including the development of the National Gender Policy in 2006 which puts credence on strengthening institutions and systems for gender mainstreaming and building partnerships with male led institutions to deliver results for girls and women. The policy recognises gender education as a major pillar in the process of achieving gender equality and women empowerment through transformative development process. Although the process has been somewhat slow, the Nigerian tertiary institutions are now becoming responsive to the engendering process that is, ensuring that academic programmes and the learning environment are gender responsive. Although the gender profile in Nigerian tertiary institutions is still abysmally poor, a number of universities are now adopting gender mainstreaming strategies in knowledge production and in practice. Using Ekiti State University as a case study, the paper presents gender mainstreaming strategies and mechanisms adopted in Nigerian tertiary institutions, noting achievements, challenges and prospects. Basic gender profile of the university is presented, while intervention programmes and initiatives at bridging gender gaps and institutionalising gender mainstreaming as an administrative tool are processed and analysed

A comparative study of proximate composition, antinutrient composition and functional properties of Pachira glabra and Afzelia africana seed flours.

The flours of Pachira glabra and Afzelia africana seeds were produced and investigated for proximate, anti-nutrient composition and functional properties. The result of the proximate analysis revealed that the flour of A. africana was richer than that of P. glabra only in moisture content, crude protein and crude fat. The anti-nutrient component showed that P. glabra contained 3.5% tannin, 7.41 mg/g phytate, 3.87 mg/g oxalate and 2.11% alkaloid while A. africana contained 2.67% tannin, 10.71 mg/g phytate, 0.86 mg/g oxalate and 1.25% alkaloid. This shows that P. glabra contained higher anti-nutrients (except pytate) than A. africana. The water and oil absorption capacities of P. glabra (215 ± 5.0 and 144.15 ± 4.3 respectively) were higher than the respective values for A. africana (157.5 ± 2.5% and 106.95 ± 4.65) while A. africana had relatively higher foaming capacity and stability, emulsion capacity and stability than P. glabra. The two samples recorded minimum gelation concentration of 4.0% (w/v). Protein solubility was found to be pH dependent for the two samples with both recording minimum and maximum protein solubility at the same pH (pH 3 and pH 8, respectively). The proximate and functional properties observed suggested that the flours may be useful as human foods

Evaluation of antioxidant activity and vitamin E profile of some selected indigenous vegetables in Nigerian diet

Freeze-dried leaves of some selected vegetables (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Talinum fruticosum and Solanum macrocarpon) were examined for antioxidant activity and analysed for vitamin E profile, using Ferric-ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method, and vitamin E profile was determined by HPLC analysis. Based on dry weight of the vegetables, C. aconitifolius had the highest antioxidant activity (122 μ mole Trolox equivalent/g dry wt), followed by S. macrocarpon (115.2 μmole TE/g dry wt) and T. fruticosum (78.14 μmole TE/g dry wt). Total phenolic content ranged from 349.2 to 1247.6 mg GAE/g dry wt for T. fruticosum, S. macrocarpon and C. aconitifolius, respectively. Vitamin E profile (tocopherol & tocotrienols) was significantly higher in C. aconitifolius (