Motivational Patterns and the Performance of Entrepreneurs: An Empirical Study of Women Entrepreneurs in South-West Nigeria

Over the years many research works have examined the motivation of women into entrepreneurship. Evidence has shown that several factors have been responsible for women’s involvement in entrepreneurship. These factors have multiple effects on the enterprise, irrespective of its ownership and control. Therefore, the main thrust of this paper is to examine different dimensions of motivation and their relationship with the performance of women entrepreneurs in South-West Nigeria. Both primary and secondary sources were used in gathering the data required for this paper. The instrument of questionnaire was used in conducting this research. The models of correlation coefficient and chi-square were used in analyzing the questionnaire collected from the respondents. The results show that there is positive relationship between motivational factors and the performance of women entrepreneurs in South-West Nigeria. Among other things, it was recommended that irrespective of the factor(s) that motivate women entrepreneurs into business, there is need for them to go for training and other capacity building programme so as to be equipped with the required skills for running their businesses

Entrepreneurial Motivations as Determinants of Women Entrepreneurship Challenges

Motivation is the set of forces that initiate behaviour and determine its form, direction, intensity and duration. Women are motivated into business by different factors. This article looked at the relationship between motivations and entrepreneurial challenges among women entrepreneurs. Examining the relationship between motivations and women entrepreneurial challenges tends to provide some useful insights into some theoretical issues on the one hand and on the other hand, it raises some practical implications for policy makers both in the government and women entrepreneurs. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that a positive relationship exists between motivational factors and women entrepreneurial challenges. Based on this finding, this study among others recommends that women entrepreneurs should take some time to study the nature of challenges women entrepreneurs face in business and possibly proffer solutions to them before starting their own business

MARITAL ROLE ADJUSTMENT AND SATISFACTION AMONG IGBO MARRIED WORKERS IN MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between marital role adjustment and satisfaction among Igbo married workers in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.  Two hypotheses were formulated to direct the study and the correlational research design method was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the sample of 170( 85 males and 85 females) out of one thousand, seven hundred Igbo married workers (1700). Data collection was with the aid of a questionnaire titled “Marital Role Expectation Inventory (MREI) and were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Corelation (PPMC). The reliability coefficient with split-half ranged from 0 .68 to 0.74. Findings revealed that a significantly positive but weak relationship existed between domestic role adjustment and marital satisfaction (r = 0.255; p = 0.001, SD 3.03). The relationship between financial role adjustment and marital satisfaction was found to be significantly positive and moderate (r = 0.472; p = 0.000, SD 2.48). Consequently, domestic and financial role adjustments can be said to have significant influence on marital satisfaction of Igbo married workers. It is recommended among others that the marriage counsellors in both private sectors should organize regular seminars, symposia, awareness programmes geared towards assisting married workers to acquire good marriage skills, through the introduction of good marriage therapies

Modelling of the reliability of flip chip lead-free solder joints at high-temperature excursions

At high-temperature operations of electronic control devices, Tin-Silver-Copper (SnAgCu) alloy solder joints used to assemble the component of the devices are functioning at homologous temperature above 0.8. In such ambient temperatures, solder alloys have limited mechanical strength and will be sensitive to strain rate. The sensitivity of solder properties to creep/visco-plastic deformation increases the rate of accumulation of plastic damage in the alloy and decreases the number of cycles to failure (Nf) of the joints. Most untimely rupture of solder joints in high-temperature electronics (HTE) system usually culminates in colossal loss of resources and lives. Typical incidences are reported in recent automotive and aircraft crashes as well as the collapse of oil-well logging equipment. To increase the mean time to failure (MTTF) of solder joints in HTE, an in-depth understanding and accurate prediction of the response of solder joints to thermally induced plastic strain damage is crucial. This study concerns the prediction of the reliability of lead-free solder joints in a flip chip (FC) model FC48D6.3C457 which is mounted on a substrate and the assembly subjected to high-temperature excursions. The research investigates the effect of the high-temperature operations on reliability of the joints. In addition, the investigation examines the impact of control factors (component stand-off height (CSH), inter-metallic compound (IMC) thickness, number of thermal cycle and solder volume) on Nf of the joints. A model developed in the course of this investigation was employed to create the assembly solder joints architecture. The development of the model and creation of the bump profile involve a combination of both analytical and construction methods. The assembled package on a printed circuit board (PCB) was subjected to accelerated temperature cycle (ATC) employing IEC standard 60749-25 in parts. The cycled temperature range is between -38 oC and 157 oC. Deformation behaviour of SnAgCu alloy solder in the joints is captured using Anand’s visco-plasticity model and the response of other materials in the assembly were simulated with appropriate model. The results demonstrate that the reliability of solder joints operating at elevated temperatures is dependent on CSH, thickness of IMC and solder volume. It also shows that incorporating the IMC layer in the geometric models significantly improves the level of accuracy of fatigue life prediction to ± 22.5% (from the ± 25% which is currently generally accepted). The findings also illustrate that the magnitude of the predicted damage and fatigue life are functions of the number of ATC employed. The extensive set of results from the modelling study has demonstrated the need for incorporating the IMC layer in the geometric model to ensure greater accuracy in the prediction of solder joint service life. The technique developed for incorporating the IMC layer will be of value to R&D engineers and scientists engaged in high-temperature applications in the automotive, aerospace and oil-well logging sectors. The results have been disseminated through peer reviewed journals and also presentations at international conferences

Impact of Boko Haram insurgency on human security in Nigeria

The spate of violent attacks by Boko Haram in recent times which has been  characterized by the abduction and killing of people; destruction of houses, schools, health care centres, churches, mosques and farms has plunged the country into a chronic state of insecurity. The basics of food, health, shelter, education and  protection which constitute security to the human individual primarily, has therefore been threatened by the Boko Haram insurgency. The paper therefore examines the threats of Boko Haram insurgency on human security in Nigeria. Findings reveal that insurgency has claimed a lot of lives and property; compounded the food and nutrition insecurity situation in the country; aided the spread of infectious diseases; denied millions of children and youths access to education; increased the number of internally displaced persons with dire need of shelter and has caused people to live  in constant fear and anxiety. This paper concludes that Boko Haram Insurgency has negative impact on human security, and recommends that counter-insurgency will be effective only when issues of poverty, corruption and bad governance are effectively addressed.Keywords: Boko Haram, Insurgency, Human Security, Violence, Nigeri

MARITAL ROLE ADJUSTMENT AND SATISFACTION AMONG IGBO MARRIED WORKERS IN MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between marital role adjustment and satisfaction among Igbo married workers in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.  Two hypotheses were formulated to direct the study and the correlational research design method was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the sample of 170( 85 males and 85 females) out of one thousand, seven hundred Igbo married workers (1700). Data collection was with the aid of a questionnaire titled “Marital Role Expectation Inventory (MREI) and were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Corelation (PPMC). The reliability coefficient with split-half ranged from 0 .68 to 0.74. Findings revealed that a significantly positive but weak relationship existed between domestic role adjustment and marital satisfaction (r = 0.255; p = 0.001, SD 3.03). The relationship between financial role adjustment and marital satisfaction was found to be significantly positive and moderate (r = 0.472; p = 0.000, SD 2.48). Consequently, domestic and financial role adjustments can be said to have significant influence on marital satisfaction of Igbo married workers. It is recommended among others that the marriage counsellors in both private sectors should organize regular seminars, symposia, awareness programmes geared towards assisting married workers to acquire good marriage skills, through the introduction of good marriage therapies

An Assessment of the Influence of Calabar Carnival on the Economy of the Residents of Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of Calabar Carnival on the economy of the residents of Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State Nigeria Special focus was on the resident s income from tourism jobs and related activities during the period of the Christmas festival celebration in the state Information for the study was basically from the questionnaire survey and participatory research method The generated data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean simple percentages and graphic illustrations The study demonstrated that there was a steady increase in the number of tourists visits for the Christmas festival with a corresponding increase in the number of people involved in tourism related activities during the time under investigation with the greatest number of people involved in trading during this time and recording the highest income The result shows that tourism influenced economic activities vis- -vis enhancement of the people s income in the area Based on the above findings it is recommended that all stakeholders in the tourism industry should be involved in the planning and execution of tourism projects and that tourism activities be organized all through the year to ensure more tourists visitation and avoid seasonality in the tourism industr

Some demographic variables and teaching effectiveness of secondary school teachers in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated influence of some teachers‘ demographic variables and teaching effectiveness of secondary school teachers in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of the study, two hypotheses were formulated and tested. The Survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample consists of 170 teachers in ten public secondary schools in Calabar Municipality. The instrument used for data collection which was a questionnaire titled Teachers‘ Demographic Variables and Teaching Effectiveness Questionnaire (TDVTEQ) developed by the researcher and validated by experts in Test/ Measurement had a reliability coefficient with Cronbach Alpha of .77. Independent t-test and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were the statistical tools used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that teachers‘ age and teaching experience  significantly influence teaching effectiveness. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that teachers‘ age be  reviewed in favour of the teachers in such a way that it makes provision for age-long experience and other considerations that can  enhance their competence. Keywords: Demographic, teacher, age, experience, effectivenes

Psychosocial Variables and Sustainable Safety Environment in Secondary Schools in Calabar Education Zone

The study centered on investigating psychosocial variables and sustainable safety environment in secondary schools in Calabar Education Zone. The study adopted a survey research design with a census sampling technique since the population was not large and the researchers can handle all the members of the population. A total of 86 principals were used in Calabar Education Zone. A questionnaire titled ‘Psychosocial variables and sustainable safety environment scale (PVSSES) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three Experts in Measurement and  Evaluation, University of Calabar, Calabar and the reliability was established using Cronbach alpha technique. The coefficient of the sub scales ranged from .87-88 and was considered high for the instrument to be used for data collection. The data were collected by the researchers and the data analysis were carried out using Pearson product Moment correlation using SPSS version 20.0 and the result showed There is no significant relationship between school- community relationship, provision of security measures, principals attitude to security issues and sustainable safety environment in secondary school It was recommended that school managements should ensure that they maintain a cordial relationship with host communities in order for them to provide security cover to schools and that measures such as provision of security personnel to schools as well as erection of comprehensive fence be built in secondary schools to avoid break ins. That principles should be alert to identify security threats in the school and report same to operatives in order to fore stall breaches that may affect the lives of the teachers and students in the school

Self-Regulation, Empathy, and Compassion: A Critical Triad to Develop Anti-Racist Digital Citizenship in the Time of Pandemic

The coronavirus has unleashed another pandemic - xenophobia. This article aims to counter the xenophobic narrative that affects many Asians and people of Asian descent due to COVID-19 pandemic.  To counter this narrative, we offer an anti-racist digital citizenship framework in social studies. This illustrates a critical triad of self-regulation, empathy, and compassion. Self-regulation is the ability to develop cognitive control of emotional reactivity to facilitate self-directed change. Empathy is the understanding of another person’s emotional state and the projection of oneself into the other’s situation. Compassion is taking a mindful action to alleviate the struggles and sufferings of others