Water in Yoruba Belief and Imperative for Environmental Sustainability

The observation by scholars that the typical African people are often overtly religious in matters of interpreting reality demands a critical outlook with allusion to apt consideration of phenomena in relevant locale within the African space. The phenomenon of water has received copious attention worldwide and the need to consider this within an African nay Yoruba worldview is timely. The Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria are wont to express that ‘water is the converge of good health, no one can despise it’ – omi labuwe, omi labumi, eni kan kii ba omi s’oota. This expression among other narratives convey a symbolic and paradoxical representation of water, which depicts the metaphysical dialectics of water in Yoruba belief. Basically, it renders the phenomenon of water as an entity that has the potency to vitalize and disrupt life-forms, given the beliefs regarding its place in relationship with certain animals like buffalo, fish and some endangered species, plants, trees as well as humans. Resultant impediments that fraught environmental order such as flood, draught and water borne diseases or outbreak in this regard are often linked to these beliefs. This is believed to be due to negating demands of the essential place of water by aberrant practices/acts, abuse, negligence of venerating ancestral grooves, goddesses or spirit. In lieu of this, this discourse adopts a hermeneutic analysis of the phenomenon and argues that the understanding of water in indigenous Yoruba belief is underscored by the dialectics of positive and negative causes that also impact the course of environmental sustainability. Keywords: Water, Yoruba Belief, Metaphysical Dialectics, Environmental Sustainability

Analysis of the Shelf Life of Soya Bean (Glycine max) Flour

Aim: This work was to investigate the shelf life of fresh and stored soybean flour by isolating resident bacteria and carrying out their proximate analyses. Place and Duration of study: Samples were bought from Roundabout market at Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. An analysis was carried out within 8 month. Methodology: The bacteria were isolated and identified using standard morphological and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was also carried out using standard methods. Results: Isolated bacteria belonged to genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Escherichia and Enterobacter. The number of isolated organisms was higher in all cases in the stored flour sample. The results showed that the percentage of crude protein (37.0 ± 0.12), crude fat (16.4 ± 0.04) and dry matter (91.1 ± 0.06), was highest in the freshly purchased soybean flour. The moisture content of the stored flour was (9.1 0. ± 06), while carbohydrate (35.2%), ash (3.9 ± 0.04) and crude fibre (4.2 ± 0.02) were also higher. Resistance to antibiotics was highest to cloxacillin (100%), amoxicillin (75%) and augmentin (75%). Conclusion: The result of this work showed that long term storage is detrimental to the soybean flour and the presences of antibiotic resistant bacteria have serious public health implications

A Philosophical Reflection on Some Key Issues in Yoruba Indigenous Knowledge System

Abstract Abstract The discourse of indigenous knowledge system is no absolute preserve of any intellectual outlook; humanities, social-sciences or basic sciences. The enterprise of philosophy is not an exemption in this regard. From a philosophical angle, this discourse addresses certain key issues identified in Yoruba indigenous knowledge system (IKS). Adopting conceptual and critical methodology, it argues that the Yoruba indigenous knowledge system could be explicated from an internalist perspective, drawing upon the intricacies of key issues like Ifá , the environment, arts (beliefs and practice), as well as human-animal relations in Yoruba worldview. Basically, it emphasizes that Yoruba IKS is underscored by an internalist framework of understanding (knowing) inherent in beliefs, reflected in attitudes and practices, which are suffused with ontological cum existential assumptions of reality. Keywords: Yoruba, Indigenous knowledge system, internalism, beliefs and practice

A STUDY OF STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: CASE STUDY OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, COVENANT UNIVERSITY, OTA OGUN STATE

achievement and learning. Few studies have however been done in the study area. The purpose of this study was to investigate the students' perception of their learning environment and the various building components that influence learning in such environment. An open ended structured interview was conducted amongst 22 randomly selected students of architecture of Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria in the 2016/2017 academic session. A content analysis was carried out to analyze the qualitative research data on a basic level using manual coding by grouping the responses based on thematic issues as presented in tables and word clouds. Findings revealed the meaningful patterns and themes affecting learning environment as: school design and maintenance, school structure, physical conditions and furniture arrangement. 45.5% of the respondents emphasized physical condition variables such as lighting, ventilation/air quality, noise levels, colour & decoration, as major components influencing learning environment. 54.5% emphasized furniture arrangement and physical conditions as key components of the learning environment. The culminating influence on performance and students’ achievement was also highlighted with a view to improve the quality of learning environment and school design

Yoruba and Chinese Perspectives on Post-Anthropocentric Understanding of Human and Nonhuman Animal Relations

Human and nonhuman animal relations refer to human engagement of animals for several purposes that include food and companionship. Such engagement reflects the dominant worldview about animals as object of human utility. Post-anthropocentric understanding about animals contends the categorization of animals as object. Post-anthropocentrism remains a Western based ideology that projects extra-ordinary interpretations about the status of animals (as subject) beyond being tools (object) for human (anthropocentric) utility. It follows that post-anthropocentricism is often circulated as an ideology that has little or no connection with non-Western worldviews. This discourse inquires about the fundamental question: Are there other traditions of thought besides Western thought for understanding post-anthropocentric interpretations of the dynamics of human and nonhuman animal relations? This discourse attempts to comparatively interrogate indigenous Yoruba and Chinese traditions on the post-anthropocentric understanding of human and nonhuman animal relations. It adopts hermeneutical and critical approaches to analyze the Chinese Daoist, zodiac ontological cum cosmological beliefs, sayings/worldview about human and animal relations. These approaches are employed in similar manner to analyze Yoruba thought, in terms of ideas, beliefs and relational attitudes of humans to animals. The discourse submits that Yoruba and Chinese intellectual traditions reflect post-anthropocentric understanding about human and animal relations through eco-animist driven Zodiac cosmological beliefs and ontological roles of primordial agencies respectively, which shape perceptions about animals as interdependent agents and symbolic totems of ancestry to underwrite environmental order and harmony

Prevalence, Patterns and Cognitive Barriers to HIV Disclosure Intention Among Treatment-Seeking People Living with HIV

Background: Globally, the patterns, prevalence and cognitive barriers to Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus and Acquired-Immune-Deficiency-Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disclosure among individuals diagnosed with HIV have continually been a source of concern, especially in developing countries. This been widely linked to most persistent problems thwarting the effort of authorities saddled with responsibilities of curbing the menace of HIV/AIDS in Africa at large. The unabated issues have been a primary global health concern. Methods: The study was carried out in the Heart to Heart (H2H) unit of Hematology Department of the Ondo State Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State. The study incorporated a blend of a quantitative method (to explore the prevalence of disclosure and its socio-demographic prevalence) and qualitative method (to explore cognitive barriers to self-disclosure of HIV positive status. The quantitative data was gathered from three hundred and ninety (n=390) PLWHA and the qualitative data was gathered from nineteen (n=19) PLHIV. Results: The prevalence of low-disclosure intention among treatment-seeking people living with HIV/AIDS was pegged at 64.6%. Approximately 70% of the males and 60% of the females are not likely to disclose their HIV positive status. 65% of the PLHIV from monogamy family structure are not likely to disclose their HIV positive status. Anticipated stigmatization, disclosure self-efficacy, mood problems, health locus of control were identified as the major cognitive barriers to disclosure of HIV positive status. Conclusion: The study further concludes that anticipated stigmatization, disclosure efficacy, manifested mood problems (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and health locus of control were the implicated cognitive barriers to disclosure among a hospital-based PLHIV. The outcome was similarly Furthermore, the study revealed that the target of disclosure was major to secondary circle i.e. parents and siblings and not towards the primary circle, such as; spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend, children. Implications and recommendations were further discussed.

Socio-Economic Profiling of Students and its Impact on Learning Outcomes

Every student has a need; and the topmost aspiration of every student is to be self-fulfilled with commendable performance in school. For this aspiration to be achieved, many factors such as the kind of learning environment, teaching methods, socio-economic background, students’ motivation amongst others have been found as precursors. In this context, socio-economic characteristics of students include gender, age, class, daily means of transportation to school, geographical location of the school, type of residential accommodation they lived in, and its ownership amongst others. This paper presents findings of a study carried out to measure the impact of socio-economic profiling of students on their academic performance. Quantitative data were collected from twelve sampled secondary schools: nine private owned schools and three public owned schools across three senatorial districts in Lagos State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted using a hybrid of three techniques: purposive sampling, quota and random sampling to select the approved schools, group them in quota and final selection of respondents respectively. A total of 674 copies of the questionnaire were administered by hand during the first term of the 2018/2019 academic session. The result identified that amongst several socio-economic characteristics of learners, the geographical location of the school, type of school (private or public) and learning styles of students have more significant impact on students’ learning outcomes. This paper recommends that instilling internal motivation in students irrespective of their socioeconomic background can boost their self-esteem and self-actualisation. This will in turn influence their performance favourabl

Geochemical Appraisal of Termite-Reworked Clay Soils from Basement Complex Terrain: Implications as Landfill Liners

The geochemical and mineralogical assessment was prompted by the considerable presence of Termitaria overburden on the Basement Complex outcrops in southwest Nigeria with the goal of determining their suitability as landfill liners. The X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction techniques were used to examine ten soil samples. Major oxides and mineralogical values were analysed to determine the effectiveness of soil engineering. Weathering indices and silica/sesquioxide ratios were also measured. The results of the mineralogical investigation showed that kaolinite clay mineral predominated, which is indicative of non-swelling qualities. The outcomes demonstrated that the soil is a true laterite as well as a lateritic soil. Fair carrying capacity was shown by the stability and shear resistance values of 47.15% and 48.11%, respectively. The weathering indices show severe weathering, high clay fraction, strong plasticity, and low hydraulic conductivity with an average of 95% and 0.59 weight percent, respectively. Additionally, the repackaging of the clay soils by termite activity produced greater interlocking and water film resistance. These characteristics make soils an excellent material for landfill liners due to their improved density and bearing capacity, resilience to chemical attack, and reconstructed structure. Keywords: Landfill liners. Termitaria, Kaolinite, Mineralogy and Geochemical Properties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-8-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

Impact of Physical Learning Environment on Students' Learning Outcomes in Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria

The classroom is the physical learning environment where learning takes place in formal education. More worrisome globally is the need for classroom learning spaces that can improve students’ learning outcomes not just in one aspect of learning outcome but holistically: affective, behavioural and cognitive domains. In achieving this, this paper draws data from findings of a study carried out to investigate the impact of the classroom learning environment on students’ learning outcomes. Quantitative data were collected on 37 variables from students across the three senatorial districts in Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital with the highest number of schools. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted using a hybrid of three techniques: purposive, quota and random sampling to select the approved schools, group them in quota and final selection of respondents respectively. A total of 674 copies of the questionnaire were administered by hand during the first term of the 2018/2019 academic session. A total of 488 were analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and regression analysis. The result identified eleven (11) significant factors to consider in remodelling classroom learning spaces in order to improve students’ learning outcomes. As a result of these factors, a combined proportion of 53.6% of respondents experienced a significant impact on the classroom physical learning environment on their learning outcomes. 31.8% affirmed to its average impact while only 6.9% averred to its least impact, respectively. This paper provides a focus for Architects, interior designers, space planners and other stakeholders in the educational planning and management on the guidelines for remodelling classroom spaces to holistically improve students’ learning outcomes

PROMOTING ICT AND DIGITAL EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA USING AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all including the promotion of lifelong learning. Hence the goal seeks to promote development of the human person through education. This development is best driven by technology through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to digital education. The challenges posed by COVID-19 have further made virtual education which is dependent on the acquisition of ICT and digital skills very imperative. Incidentally, technology based education is dependent on the availability of energy which cannot be guaranteed in a developing country context such as Nigeria. Hence, this study is aimed at examining the energy supply situation in selected public secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria and their coping strategies for ICT and digital education. The study adopted the qualitative approach with data obtained from observation and interviews. The study found that the schools relied mostly on conventional electricity supply from the national grid which was generally epileptic and unreliable. The schools had standby electricity generators to support mains supply and this is a major source of pollution and carbon emissions. The study thus recommended the use of renewable clean energy systems such as solar electricity through photovoltaic cells to power the equipment used for ICT and digital education