Building Effective Public Relations in University Libraries in Nigeria

Library is one of the strongest pillars that hold the universities. Its role in the overall improvement and success in the intellectual development climate of universities cannot be overemphasized. However, as important as it is, it has a challenge of competing with other agencies and departments in the academic community for scarce resources. This is so, because, many in the university community perceive that internet and the mega-book stores are better place to find information that they need. Defending the university libraries existence becomes a serious challenge today thus the need to get the word out to draw people into their doors. To learn how they can better do this, a strategy such as public relations needs to be employed. This article therefore attempts to discuss building effective public relations in university libraries in Nigeria. It listed some techniques as regard making public relations effective in the libraries and concluded by advising libraries to be proactive in building positive relations as to structure and improve library service, so that they may make maximum contribution to survival through learning. Keywords: Public Relations, University Libraries, Effective, University Community, Librarians

The Impact of Community Information Centres on Community Development in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria

This study discussed the impact of community information centres on community development in four communities in Akoko North West Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study employed survey research method, using mainly questionnaire. Copies of questionnaire were distributed to a total of 200 respondents. The entire questionnaire were effectively completed and retrieved. Teachers, traders, farmers, fish sellers, civil servants, students among others were respondents. At the end of the study, it was discovered that availability of community information services were rare in the communities, thus the dwellers were unaware of the great potentials inherent in the utilization of the centres. It was further discovered that the communities yearn for provision of well stocked community information centres  with a view to empowering, changing and transforming their life socially, economically, technologically, educationally, politically  for the better. Keywords: Impact, Community Information Centre, Community Development, Empowerment

School Libraries as Panaceas for Mass Failure in West African Senior School Certificate Examinations in Nigeria

This paper attempted to explain school libraries as reliable and dependable panaceas for mass failure in West African Examination Council Senior School Certificate Examinations (WAEC SSCE). The paper began with an introduction highlighting various comments and views on reports of mass failure in SSCE in recent years in Nigeria. This was followed by providing a brief on the concept of West African Examination Council. Percentages of students that passed SSCE from 2008 to 2012 with five credits including English Language and Mathematics were obtained from newspapers and online reports and shown in tables to confirm the claim of mass failure of students in the WAEC examinations in recent years. School libraries and their capacity to improve student performance were discussed. Some recommendations were made as regards putting in place world class school libraries in Nigerian schools and committing them to regular use by the students for success in examinations. Keywords: School library, panacea, mass failure, examination

Medicinal plants with cholinesterase inhibitory activity: A Review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a common neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by low levels in the brain of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh). Clinical treatment of this disease is palliative and relies mostly on enhancing cholinergic function by stimulation of cholinergic receptors or prolonging the availability of ACh released into the neuronal synaptic cleft by use of agents which restore or improve the levels of acetylcholine. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), enzymes which breakdown acetylcholine, are considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of AD. A potential source of AChE and BChE inhibitors is provided by the abundance of plants in nature, and natural products continue to provide useful drugs and templates for the development of other compounds. The present work constitutes a review of the literature on 123 species of medicinal plants that have been tested for AChE inhibitory activity and 42 plant species which have been tested for BChE inhibitory activity. The plant species listed are potential cholinesterase inhibitors and may aid researchers in their study of natural products which may be useful in the treatment of AD.Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and medicinal plants

MARRIAGE PRESSURES AND PERCEPTION OF SINGLEHOOD AMONG YET-TO-MARRY WOMEN IN IBADAN METROPOLIS

Despite the critical disapproval of singlehood in most African societies, Nigeria inclusive, it is most appalling that the age at which women make their first nuptial bliss is becoming late in recent times. Statistics have shown that the number of single women have doubled within a short space of time. The available chunk of studies have paid sufficient attention to the factors responsible for singlehood among older women. However, little studies have examined how different source marriage pressures influence how single women view themselves. Against this background, this article examines the sources of marriage pressures and how they influence the perception of singlehood among women in Nigeria. The study draws heavily on Marx Weber Social Action theory. A total of 24 yet-to-marry women selected through a multistage sampling technique were extensively interviewed. The study found that beside the direct marriage pressure from parents experienced by yet-to-marry women, they are also faced with indirect marriage pressure during gatherings with family, friends, and co-workers. The pressures sometimes translate to the women perceiving themselves as being judged, though most of them feel independent and free. They are of the opinion that they need to be careful in selecting a partner in order not to fall victim of a failed marriage despite having waited for long.     &nbsp

MOTIVATION AND ETHICS: CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

The primary function of any government is to ensure an equitable distribution of public goods and services to its citizens. Despite the material and human resource in Nigeria, Nigerians have been short-changed by the quality of public service delivery in the country. Against this backdrop, this paper: examined the issues affecting public service delivery and demonstrated how motivation can enhance ethical behaviours among public servants. Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from year 2000 to 2016 was used to argue the position of the paper. The study discovered, among other things that certain Human Resource (HR), political and institutional factors have led to the erosion of moral conduct by public servants. While measures such as reforms and campaigns have been taken to curb political and institutional issues, limited remedial actions have been proffered to tackle that of HR. These have negatively affected public service delivery in Nigeria. Therefore, apart from putting some ethical principles in place, there is need to motivate public servants to get at their best. In addition to this, good behaviour is to be rewarded and bad behaviour is to be punished across all public services in the country, by a truly independent and incorruptible statutory body. By doing this, sanity and equitable service delivery will be achieved.     &nbsp

ICT INFORMAL SECTOR JOBS AND SATISFACTION AMONG THE YOUTHS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The youths are the greatest assets of any nation. However in Nigeria, one of the vital socio-economic challenges in Nigeria is youth unemployment. In a quick reaction to this milieu, the informal sectors have been a veritable avenue to provide economic opportunities to the teaming youth. However, most past studies have focused on job satisfaction in the formal sector, while few have evaluated how informal sector jobs meets the entrepreneur needs, wants, or expectations – satisfaction, especially from the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) angle. Against this background, the study examined ICT Informal Sector Jobs and Satisfaction among the Youths in Osun State, Nigeria. Institutional theory was adopted to give theoretical explanation to issues of interest. Data was gathered among 168 youths who were purposively selected for the study through questionnaire administration. Findings revealed that engagement in ICT informal sector jobs have positively influence youth job satisfaction. The study concluded that, though ICT informal sector jobs play a positive role in youths job satisfaction, however, those who venture into sale of phones and its accessories were more satisfied than others. As a result of this, this study suggests that governmental organisations, non- governmental organisation and other concern bodies should encourage Nigerian youths, through the provision of funds, to venture into ICT informal sector jobs, especially sale of phones and sale of phone accessories as they increase youth wellbeing, enhance nature of work and gives a positive feeling towards their jobs

Investigation of Mortgage Lending: An Overview of Nigerian Practice

There has been a growing concern on the rate of default in residential mortgages of lending institutions in Nigeria. The need to salvage the undesirable situation has led to serious research efforts on factors causing default in residential mortgages. The paper therefore assesses the lending practice of lending institutions as possible cause of residential mortgage default. One (1) set of questionnaire was administered on Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) across the Lagos metropolis with the intent of eliciting relevant information. Out of Sixty-five (65) questionnaires administered, only Thirty-six (36) were returned and found good for analysis. Data analysis was done using weighted mean score and rank correlation analysis. It was found that statistical based credit models are seldom used by the lenders while the evolving role of information technology in mortgage lending is yet to be given due attention. Keywords: default, finance, mortgage, practice, residential

DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF A MODELED TRANSPORTATION NETWORKED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR T-JUNCTION

Traffic congestion has been the major problem on most Nigeria roads. This is particularly due to the rapid increase in urban migration. Majority of the traffic control schemes adopted in the country to alleviate this problem are the fixed time controllers employed at all signalized intersections. This has resulted in increased traffic jam especially during the peak periods at most intersections on our highways. In this study, a fuzzy logic system to control traffic on signalized intersection has been proposed. The Fuzzy Logic Controller regulates the traffic signal timing, the green light extension and phase sequence to ensure smooth flow of traffic, thereby reducing traffic delays and thus increasing the intersection capacity. A fuzzy logic traffic control simulation model was developed and tested using MATLAB/ SIMULINK software. Comparative analysis was carried out between the fuzzy logic controller and a conventional fixed-time controller in order to determine the efficiency of the developed system. Evaluation results of the fuzzy logic traffic controller shows that vehicles spent less time at the intersection compared to the fixed time controller, that is, improved vehicular movement. Moreover, simulation results show that the fuzzy logic controller has better efficiency and that a huge improvement could be realized by adapting it in controlling traffic flow at intersections. &nbsp

Fuzzy k-c-means Clustering Algorithm for Medical Image Segmentation

Medical image segmentation is an initiative with tremendous usefulness. Biomedical and anatomical information are made easy to obtain as a result of success achieved in automating image segmentation. More research and work on it has enhanced more effectiveness as far as the subject is concerned. Several methods are employed for medical image segmentation such as Clustering methods, Thresholding method, Classifier, Region Growing, Deformable Model, Markov Random Model etc. This work has mainly focused attention on Clustering methods, specifically k-means and fuzzy c-means clustering algorithms. These algorithms were combined together to come up with another method called fuzzy k-c-means clustering algorithm, which has a better result in terms of time utilization. The algorithms have been implemented and tested with Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) images of Human brain. Results have been analyzed and recorded. Some other methods were reviewed and advantages and disadvantages have been stated as unique to each. Terms which have to do with image segmentation have been defined along side with other clustering methods. Keywords: Clustering algorithms, Fuzzy c-means, K-means, Segmentatio