Effect of Mobile Telecommunication Technologies on Globalization of Nigerian Rural Areas

The globalization of a country is today measured with respect to indices of globalization such as the Maastricht Globalization Index (MGI) and the Konjunkturforschungsstelle (KOF). These indices of national globalization often have an urban bias. This study however explores the extent to which these international measures include rural environments of the globalizing country. Application of the MGI/KOF indices for determination of the Nigerian rural environment inclusion in globalization showed that the country’s rural communities were mainly integrated technologically by virtue of telephony (communication technology) penetration of rural areas. An attempt to modify the MGI/KOF globalization indexes for rural inclusion showed that the Nigerian rural communities were technologically integrated but only partially integrated politically and socio-culturally. Based on this, it was recommended that a globalization index for rural inclusion needs to be developed to establish countrywide globalization in absolute terms

Agricultural Extension Agents’ Awareness Of Ict Potentials And Training Needs On Usage For Improved Extension Service Deliv- Ery In Selected Southwest States Of Nigeria

The   study   examined   the   agricultural   extension   workers’ awareness   of   ICT   potentials   and   training needs on ICT usage for improved extension service delivery in selected southwest states of Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 132 extension workers’ from Lagos and Ogun States Agricultural Development   Programmes   (LADA  and OGADEP).   A  validated  and  reliable questionnaire was used to obtain primary data on socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, their awareness of ICT potentials and training needs on ICT usage for improved extension services delivery. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and chi-square statistics. Result of the analysis showed that most of the respondents were the Village Extension Agents (78.8 %,), and about 34.1% of them were within the age range of 41 and 45years. About 72.7% the exten- sion agents had first degree (HND/BSc) as the least educational qualification and about 57.6% of them have spent between 11 and 20 years in the extension services. The result also showed that all the extension agents were familiar with the Global System Mobile communication (GSM), 58.3% with the computer and 38.6% of them with the internet. About 43.2% of the extension workers were moderately aware of the ICT potentials for improved extension service delivery based on their mean awareness score of 8.5 (53.1%). The chi-square test of the relationship between the extension workers’ socioeco- nomic characteristics (education: χ² = 45.5,  df = 12; professional rank: χ² = 38.7,  df = 9; working ex- perience χ² = 65.2, df = 12) and level of awareness of the ICT potentials showed a significant relation- ship at p < 0.05. Similarly, a significant relationship was observed between the extension agents’ level of awareness of ICT potentials and their needs for training on usage for improved extension service delivery (χ² = 71.3, df = 18) at p < 0.05. In the light of this, it was concluded that the extension workers had moderate level awareness of ICT potentials for improved extension services and were in need of training on usage in their extension activities. It was recommended that education on ICT potentials and   training on  usage for improved  extension service delivery   should   be promoted and intensified among the extension workers.      &nbsp

ANALYSIS OF MULTIMEDIA CHANNELS OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO FISH FARMERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Fish farmers in Nigeria lack adequate information and their production capacity is low. The study ana- lyzed the multimedia channels of information available to fish farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi- stage sampling techniques was used to select 120 fish farmers in the study area. Primary data were obtained with interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Most of the farmers (97.5%) were male and married. Many (43.3%) had primary education while 30.9% had no formal education. Majority (76.1%) had radio sets while 45.3% and 28.3% had television and phone respectively. Farmers’ accessibility to information was high in radio (79.2%) and extension agents (73.3%) but low in television, flyers, trainings, phone, internet and fellow farmers. Most of the farmers (85.0%) preferred extension agents, radio (71.6%) and television (68.3%) as their source of information on fish farming. Majority (80.0%) preferred Yoruba as the language of broadcast and pub- lications, 16.7% preferred English while 3.3% preferred Igbo. Most (83.3%) of the farmers regarded lack of electricity as the foremost constraint to their access to information on media. Other constraints identified were non-relevance of information to farmers’ felt needs (73.3%), feedback problem (60.0%), inadequate fund (40.8%) and illiteracy (23.3%). Chi-square analysis showed a significant association 2 at p ≤ 0.05 between farmers’ choice of information channels and age (π=19.60), educational level 2 2 2 2 (π=39.82), years of farming (π = 20.48), income (π = 34.03), and media related constraints (π = 6.92). The study established that age, educational level, years of farming, annual income and con- straints experienced by the farmers played significant roles in their choice and use of information channels, and that, farmers have more access to extension agents as channel of information. It was recommended that more information on fish farming should be provided through the multimedia and be based on farmers’ felt needs. More extension workers should be employed and trained while phone-in radio and television programmes should be regularly aired and viewing centres and radio groups established in strategic locations

Functional properties of amylopectin and amylose fractions isolated from bambarra groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean) starch

Bambarra groundnut starch was fractionated into amylose and amylopectin fractions, and chemical modifications, through oxidation and acetylation, was applied to the amylose fraction. Percentage yield of amylose and amylopectin were 75% and 11% respectively. Proximate analysis revealed that percentage protein, ash, crude fibre and crude fat were below 1%. Swelling capacity and solubility of all the samples increased with increasing temperature. Water and oil absorption capacity revealed that hydrophobic tendency was greater than hydrophilic potentials. Gel forming capacity increased with increase in concentration of the samples and least gelation concentration was minimal in amylopectin fraction. Initial pasting temperature of native amylose reduced from 70°C to 60°C and 65°C follows oxidation and acetylation, respectively. Among the samples, highest pasting temperature was recorded in native amylopectin and values for peak viscosity during heating (Pv), hot paste viscosity at 95°C (Hv), viscosity after 30 min holding at 95°C (Hv30), cold paste viscosity (Cv), set back (SB) and breakdown (BD) were maximal in native amylose

Survival Analysis of Timing of First Marriage among Women of Reproductive age in Nigeria: Regional Differences

Early marriage is common among women in developing countries. Age at first marriage (AFM) has health implication on women and their under-five children. In Nigeria, few studies have explored AFM; the current study was designed to fill the gap. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008 dataset on married women aged 15-49(N=24,986) was used. Chi-square, OLS regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used in the analysis. The mean AFM was 17.8±4.8 years and significant difference existed between the mean AFM of women in the North (16.0±3.6) and South (20.4±5.0) (p<0.001). Region, education, religion, residence, nutritional status, age at first sexual intercourse and children ever born were significantly associated with timing of first marriage (p<0.001). Majority of the women married between ages 15-19 years (43.1%), while very few married late (2.3%) and about 27.0% married too early (less than 15years). Early marriage was more common in all the regions in the North than the South and the hazard was highest in the North West and North East. Women who reside in rural area (H.R=1.15; C.I=1.11 1.18) married early than their counterparts in the urban area. Age at first marriage was directly related to levels of education (p<0.001). Muslim women married early (H.R=1.34; C.I=1.29 1.39) than Christians. Three models were generated from the data. Women married too early in Nigeria with Teenage marriage more common in the North than the South. Education has influence on AFM; therefore, women should have at least secondary education before marriage in Nigeria.Le mariage précoce est courant chez les femmes dans les pays en développement. L’âge au premier mariage (APM) a des répercussions sur la santé des femmes et de leurs enfants de moins de cinq ans. Au Nigéria, peu d&apos;études ont exploré l&apos;APM ; la présente étude a été conçue pour combler le vide. Nous nous sommes servis de l’Enquête Démographique de Santé du Nigeria de 2008, un ensemble de données sur les femmes mariées, âgées de 15-49 ans (N = 24 986). Pour l’analyse, nous avons utilisé les Chi-carre, les modèle de régression MCO, MCO et les risques proportionnels de Cox. La moyenne de l’APM était de 17,8 ± 4,8 ans et la différence significative entre la moyenne APM des femmes au Nord (16,0 ± 3,6) et du Sud (20,4 ± 5,0) (p <0,001). Le choix du temps du premier mariage (p<0,001) a été lié, de manière significative, à la région, à l&apos;éducation, à la religion, au domicile, à l&apos;état nutritionnel, au premier rapport sexuel et les enfants nés. La majorité des femmes se sont mariées entre l&apos;âge de 15-19 ans (43,1%), alors que très peu se sont mariées tard (2,3%) et environ 27,0% des femmes se sont mariées trop tôt (moins de 15 ans). Le mariage précoce est plus fréquent dans toutes les régions du Nord qu’au Sud et le risque était le plus élevé au Nord- Ouest et Nord-est. Les femmes qui vivent en milieu rural (HR = 1,15, IC = 1,11 1,18) se marient plus tôt que leurs homologues du milieu urbain. L’âge au premier mariage était directement liée au niveau d&apos;éducation (p <0,001). Les femmes musulmanes se marient plus tôt (HR = 1,34, IC = 1,29 1,39) que les femmes chrétiennes. Trois modèles ont été générées à partir des données. Les femmes se marient trop tôt au Nigéria, le mariage chez les adolescentes étant plus fréquent au Nord qu’au Sud. L&apos;éducation a une influence sur l&apos;APM ; par conséquent, les femmes doivent se scolariser au moins jusqu&apos;à l’école secondaire avant le mariage au Nigéri

Capability of Poultry Farmers Association for Extension Services Delivery in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study investigated the capability of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) for extension service delivery to poultry farmers in Oyo state. The respondents were predominantly registered poultry farmers in Oyo state PAN. Questionnaires were administered to 118 registered poultry farmers with PAN. Data were analyzed using percentage, frequency and chi-square at P=0.05. Results revealed that most of the respondents were male (64.4%), within the age bracket of 41-50 years, mostly married (61.9%), and had attained tertiary education. The majority accessed information on poultry management techniques and marketing during in-house training (34.7%), farm visits (44.9%) and workshop (55.1%) sponsored by PAN. It concluded that the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Oyo state, chapter has the optimum human and material resources for extension services delivery to its members. The number of trainings and farm visits organized by the association could be improved upon if PAN accesses other sources of funding.Key Words: Poultry farmers’ association; Extension services delivery