Adopting Information and Communication Technologies for Effective Inclusive Education

Education had been identified and used the world over, as the most dynamic tool to achieve societal change. Over the centuries, it has been consistently used to achieve behavioural change and make man useful to himself and his society. However, it has been observed that formal education tends to exclude children and adults who have physical, emotional, intellectual, psychological, locational, linguistic and other challenges. Whereas for education to maximally achieve its objectives, it has to be inclusive. Inclusive education implies an educational system which must include disabled and gifted children, children from remote and nomadic population, street and working children, children from linguistic, ethnic, or cultural minorities as well as children and adults who are disadvantaged or marginalized. To this end, there arise a need to meet the need of every learner and ensure that no one is left out during an instructional exercise. Based on the dynamism of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education, the writers believe strongly that, if educational ICTs are appropriately adopted and effectively utilized, the challenges of inclusive education could be mitigated. This paper therefore takes a look at the definition, coverage, benefits and challenges of inclusive education. It x-rays ICTs and points out the necessary ICT tools for inclusive education. It outlines the benefits and challenges associated with the effective use of ICTs in inclusive education. Finally, the paper makes replicable recommendations for effective engagement of ICTs in inclusive education for enhanced efficiency. Keywords: Inclusive education, Marginalized, Technological gadgets, Modern ICTs DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-24-16 Publication date:August 31st 202

Checkmating the Weaknesses Associated with Information and Communication Technologies in Education for Improved Effectiveness and Efficiency

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been identified as having two sides like a coin when used instructionally. While some scholars insist on the need to always prepare and deliver instructions using ICTs, others express worries over the pedagogical weaknesses thereof. This paper therefore x-rays the instructional strengths of ICTs to include; improving educational quality, enhancing access to education, easing collaboration, motivating learning, provision of remote learning resources, enhancing technological literacy, amongst others. It further enumerates the weaknesses of ICTs in teaching and learning to include high cost of acquiring and maintaining infrastructure and equipment, creation of inequality among learners, causing distraction among learners, encouraging cheating in examination and during assignments, exposing learners to technological hazards, inter alia. The paper proffers recommendations on how to effectively engage ICTs in teaching – learning to maximize the potentials, amongst which are: adequate funding for ICT sector in every educational institution; identification of needs, goals and objectives; proper budgeting and planning; engaging stakeholders for awareness and getting their inputs; ensuring safe and conducive environmental setting for the equipment; carrying out periodic employment, training and re-training of man-power; putting in place robust plagiarism software to checkmate theft of intellectual property; and providing detailed orientation for learners who are the end-users of the ICTs in the classrooms. Keywords: Checkmating, Weaknesses, ICTs, Effectiveness, Efficiency. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-8-11 Publication date:March 31st 202

Evaluation of the Insecticidal and Deterrence Properties of Pepper Fruit, Dennetia tripetala (G. Baker) and Ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe against Maize Weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.)

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the insecticidal and deterrent properties of pepper fruits (Dennetia tripetala) and ginger (Zangiber officinale) against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais. One hundred grams of maize were weighed into 500ml kilner jar and treated with 0%, 1%, 5% and 10% powders each of D. tripetala and Z. officinale in a 4x4 factorial combinations on weight by weight (w/w) basis. The experiments were laid out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated four times. Results showed significant (P<0.05) percentage mean adult mortality of 13.34, 15.34 and 16.33 post treatment with D. tripetala and 11.33, 14.33 and 18.7 post treatment with Z. officinale at 10% after 24, 48 and 72h respectively over other levels. At 5%, the percentage adult mortality was significantly higher than at 1% and the control after 72 hours post exposure. Significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage adult mortality was also observed in the 10% combinations of the tested plant products of 4, 5.33 and 5.67 after 24, 48 and 72 hours of storage for D. tripetala and Z. officinale respectively. Also, significantly (P<0.05) higher adult mortality 1065.66 and 1070.33 were observed on Z. officinale and D. tripetala treated seeds after 10 weeks storage period. The 10% treatment combination of the tested powders also showed significantly (P<0.05) higher adult mortality, which was however, not significantly different(P>0.05)  from the 10% D. tripetala and 5% Z. officinale and also10% Z. officinale and 5% D. tripetala. Significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage adult deterrence of 46.53% was obtained when 10% D. tripetala was applied compared to the other levels. Significant (P<0.05) reduction in the number of adults that emerged was observed when treatment concentrations increases. The studies showed that extracts of Z. officinale and D. tripetala can be used effectively singly or in combination as grain protectants in stored maize for the management of S. zeamais. Keywords: Dennetia tripetala, Sitophilus zeamais, mortality, deterrence, protectant

Salinity Effects on Morpho-Physiological and Yield Traits of Soybean (Glycine max L.) as Mediated by Foliar Spray with Brassinolide

Salinity episodes that are common in arid regions, characterized by dryland, are adversely affecting crop production worldwide. This study evaluated the effectiveness of brassinolide (BL) in ameliorating salinity stress imposed on soybean at four levels (control (1.10), 32.40, 60.60 and 86.30 mM/L NaCl) in factorial combination with six BL application frequency (control (BL0), application at seedling (BL1), flowering (BL2), podding (BL3), seedling + flowering (BL4) and seedling + flowering + podding (BL5)) stages. Plant growth attributes, seed yield, and N, P, K, Ca and Mg partitioning to leaves, stems and roots, as well as protein and seed-N concentrations, were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced by salinity stress. These trends were ascribed to considerable impairments in the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetically active radiation, leaf stomatal conductance and relative water content in the leaves of seedlings under stress. The activity of peroxidase and superoxidase significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased with salinity. Foliar spray with BL significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the photosynthetic attributes, as well as nutrient partitioning, under stress, and alleviated ion toxicity by maintaining a favourable K+/Na+ ratio and decreasing oxidative damage. Foliar spray with brassinolide could sustain soybean growth and seed yield at salt concentrations up to 60.60 mM/L NaCl

Histomorphological and biochemical alterations on the liver of Wistar rats following co-administration of NSAIDs (Piroxicam, Diclofenac and Ibuprofen)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an important therapeutic class of drugs widely used to suppress acute or chronic pains and  inflammatory diseases such as in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OS) etc. The aim of this study was to investigate the random combination and  individual effect of COX-2 inhibitors (NSAIDs) on the liver. This study was conducted using a total of 40 adults Wistar rats. The rats were divided into eight  groups of 5 rats each. Group one was the control group, group 2 was given piroxicam (0.29mg/kg) daily, group 3 was given ibuprofen (5.71mg/kg) daily,  and group 4 received diclofenac (1.42mg/kg) daily. Group 5 received piroxicam (0.29mg/kg bodyweight) plus ibuprofen (0.58mg/kg), group 6 received  piroxicam (0.29mg/kg) plus diclofenac (1.42mg/kg) and group 7 received ibuprofen (0.58mg/kg) plus diclofenac (1.42mg/kg) respectively daily. Group 8  was given Piroxicam (0.29mg/kg bodyweight) plus Ibuprofen (5.71mg/kg) plus diclofenac (1.42mg/kg) daily. Intervention was over a period of 3days.  Animals were sacrificed after 24 hours and the liver tissues were excised, some were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histological studies while  others were placed in normal saline for biochemical analysis. The results revealed that there was no significant statistical difference in total bilirubin, ALT  and AST when compared to the control. This suggests that NSAIDs may have no significant effects on the liver for this regimen. Histological changes  observed were congested portal vein, haemorrhagic bile ducts, distortion of portal triad and sinusoids, and degeneration of hepatocytes. In conclusion,  NSAIDs may have harmful effect on the cytoarchitecture of the liver which can lead to liver damage especially when given in high doses and in  combination, but however it had no effect on liver function.&nbsp

Silencing Boko Haram: Mobile Phone Blackout and Counterinsurgency in Nigeria’s Northeast region

In the summer of 2013, the Nigerian military, as part of its counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram insurgents, shut down GSM mobile telephony in three northeast states – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. This article explores the rationale, impact and citizens’ opinion of the mobile phone blackout. It draws on focus group discussions with local opinion leaders and in-depth personal interviews with military and security insiders, as well as data of Boko Haram incidences before, during and after the blackout from military sources and conflict databases. It argues that, although the mobile phone shutdown was ‘successful’ from a military- tactical point of view, it angered citizens and engendered negative opinions toward the state and new emergency policies. While citizens developed various coping and circumventing strategies, Boko Haram evolved from an open network model of insurgency to a closed centralized system, shifting the center of its operations to the Sambisa Forest. This fundamentally changed the dynamics of the conflict. The shutdown demonstrated, among others, that while ICTs serve various desirable purposes for developing states, they will be jettisoned when their use challenges the state’s legitimacy and raison d'être, but not without consequences

Management of Root-Knot Disease on Tomato with Bioformulated Paecilomyces lilacinus and Leaf Extract of Lantana camara

Glasshouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of application frequency of a bioformulated Paecilomyces lilacinus in combination with five concentration of Lantana camara crude aqueous leaf extract against Meloidogyne incognita race I on tomato. The experiment was a 3x5 factorial laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Each seedling was inoculated with 5000 eggs of M. incognita. Application of the bionematicide and L. camara leaf extract alone significantly (P&#8804; 0.05) inhibited root galling and egg production compared with their respective control. However, the severity of root galling and egg mass production was more significantly (P< 0.05) suppressed with the application of P. lilacinus than L. camara leaf extract. Double inoculation with P. lilacinus in combination with 0.80 g mL-1 of the L. camara leaf extract changed the susceptibility of the tomato cultivar with gall index (GI=4.00) to GI=1.50. Application of P. lilacinus twice (at transplanting and two weeks after transplanting) in combination with 0.80g mL-1 of L. camara leaf extract was the most effective treatment in gall and egg mass inhibition, growth enhancement and dry matter accumulation. This environment-friendly approach could be incorporated into integrated root-knot disease management in tomato

Checkmating the Weaknesses Associated with Information andCommunication Technologies in Education for ImprovedEffectiveness and Efficiency

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been identified as having two sides like a coin whenused instructionally. While some scholars insist on the need to always prepare and deliver instructions using ICTs,others express worries over the pedagogical weaknesses thereof. This paper therefore x-rays the instructionalstrengths of ICTs to include; improving educational quality, enhancing access to education, easing collaboration,motivating learning, provision of remote learning resources, enhancing technological literacy, amongst others. Itfurther enumerates the weaknesses of ICTs in teaching and learning to include high cost of acquiring andmaintaining infrastructure and equipment, creation of inequality among learners, causing distraction amonglearners, encouraging cheating in examination and during assignments, exposing learners to technological hazards,inter alia. The paper proffers recommendations on how to effectively engage ICTs in teaching – learning tomaximize the potentials, amongst which are: adequate funding for ICT sector in every educational institution;identification of needs, goals and objectives; proper budgeting and planning; engaging stakeholders for awarenessand getting their inputs; ensuring safe and conducive environmental setting for the equipment; carrying outperiodic employment, training and re-training of man-power; putting in place robust plagiarism software tocheckmate theft of intellectual property; and providing detailed orientation for learners who are the end-users ofthe ICTs in the classrooms.</p

Correlation and Path Analysis of Yield and Related Traits of Upland Rice Genotypes across Weeding Regimes

This investigation was carried out at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria to estimate correlation coefficients of yield and associated traits of thirty-six upland rice lines and the effect of these attributes in four weeding regimes. The weeding regimes were: weed free, weeding twice (21 and 42 days after sowing (DAS), weeding once at 42 DAS only, and weeding once at 21 DAS only, laid out in an alpha lattice design replicated two times. Correlation analysis indicated that yield was significantly and positively associated with panicle length, panicle number and 100 seed weight in both years. There was also a highly significant negative correlation between weed dry matter at all the sampling periods and number of tillers, plant height at maturity in 2011 and number of panicles and panicle length in 2012. Weed dry matter was negatively correlated with grain yield (P &lt; 0.01) in both years clearly explaining the adverse effect of weed on the yield of rice. Path analysis revealed that days to 50% flowering, 100 seed weight, number of panicles and panicle length had direct positive effect on yield across the weeding regimes. Hence, selection based on these traits could help bring simultaneous improvement of yield and yield attributes. For further breeding activities, more emphasis should be given to 100 seed weight, days to 50% flowering, number of panicles and panicle length as they showed high correlation in addition to maximum direct positive effects on yield

INSECTICIDAL EFFECT OF FRUIT EXTRACTS FROM Xylopia aethiopica AND Dennettia tripetala (ANNONACEAE) AGAINST Sitophilus oryzae (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

The insecticidal and repellent activities of fruit extracts of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. and Dennettia tripetala (Baker f.) G.E. Schatz belonging to the family Annonaceae was studied against Sitophilus oryzae (L.), an economic, primary post-harvest pest of rice, and other cereal products. Infested rice grains (100 g) treated with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (w/w) powders of both plants were evaluated for toxicity against S. oryzae every 24 h for 3 d, and during F1 progeny emergence. The essential oils of both plants were also applied at 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg cm-2 filter paper in Petri dishes for toxicity bioassays at 24 h exposure. Repellence bioassay with 10 μL solution of essential oils on filter paper was performed in a Y-Tube airflow olfactometer. Results indicate that powders of both plants significantly (P < 0.001) caused adult weevil mortality and a reduction in F1 progeny emergence than the control. Essential oils were also significantly (P < 0.001) adulticidal to S. oryzae after 24 h with the highest dose (2 mg cm-2) producing 100% mortality respectively. Similarly, both male and female weevils significantly avoided the test arm compared to the control arm in the Y-Tube olfactometer repellence tests. These results suggest that X. aethiopica and D. tripetala natural extracts have potential for use as part of integrated pest management of stored product protection against S. oryzae