The Perceived Adequacy of Vocational and Technical Education in Nigeria and the Administrative Problems in Staffing the Programs

Problem This study was to examine the perceived adequacy of technical education in Nigeria and the problems that administrators face in staffing the programs. The aims and objectives of technical education were examined as written in the Fourth National Development Plan and National Policy for Education. Method Two instruments were utilized for data collection: (1) a survey questionnaire for the opinions of Nigerian technical educators, and (2) a set of structured questions to interview selected executives in industry. The researcher travelled to Nigeria\u27s technical institutions for distribution of questionnaires and for on-the-scene assessment of technical programs. Collected data and government publications were analyzed. The questionnaire covered goals and objectives, nature and scope, grade placement, laboratory facilities, competencies, funding, staffing, responsiveness of curriculum to intended objectives, and the overall rating of programs. Responses of the interviewed industrialists were also analyzed. Findings and Conclusions National aims and objectives were clearly defined, but the quality of education has declined because of enrollment increases, shortages of qualified teachers, textbooks, funds to run expensive programs, and the unavailability of physical facilities and teaching aids. Ninety-three out of 95 (97.9%) technical educators rated the overall Nigeria technical education programs as inadequate. Coordination and management of technical education programs were also rated inadequate. The curriculum has been too theoretical in nature. Curriculum development has occurred without the input of industry, community, and curriculum specialists. There has been lack of administrative support, proper planning, and management of resources. The remuneration for teachers has been poor; excellent teachers have not been rewarded. The number of available industries has not been enough for students\u27 industrial attachment. The quota system of allocating resources has been inadequate. Many graduates have not been employed and those employed are working in areas other than which they are qualified

Paradigm for Total Quality Management in Building Maintenance Operation

The study is about developing benchmark/ paradigm for total Quality Management in Building Maintenance Operations.  Building defects is usually   outcome of failure or shortcomings recorded at early stage of project which could be design oriented and sometimes wrong  approach, this need to be corrected and as well maintained, the study thus present paradigm/benchmark through which quality of maintenance operations being carried out  on construction projects and buildings could be improved. The methodology involved primarily opinion survey, measured against benchmarked Total quality management principles, the data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, designed in Likert scale 1 to 5. The secondary data were collected through review of pastworks, Journal articles and Textbooks. Random sampling method was used for population sampling, the result generated were analysed using mean item score, frequency count and Ranking The study concluded with recommending eighteen benchmarked quality points which when observed could lead to productivity enhancement, accident reduction, waste elimination, quality job output and host of other positive outcomes. Keywords: Quality, Maintenance, Benchmark ,Management, Paradigm,Operatio

Assessment of the hepatic effects, heamatological effect and some phytochemical constituents of Ximenia americana (Leaves, stem and root) extracts

The aqueous extracts of the leaf, stem bark and root of Ximenia americana was evaluated for its phytochemical constituents. A study was also conducted with 20 albino rats (Wistar strain) weighingbetween 100-130 g to access for hepatic effect and haematological effect. The extracts were administered every day for a period of 21 days. Group 1 was the control animals and those of groups 2and 3 and 4 were administered 0.5 mg/rat/day of each of the different extracts. The results showed that the stem extract significantly (

Cost Entropy and Expert System Approach to Modeling Cost Smoothing System in Reinforced Concrete Office Building Projects Procurement

The main aim of this research work is to develop an expert system approach to cost smoothing model in reinforced concrete office building project procurement. An econometric model which incorporates exigency escalator and inflation buffer, with entropy threshold for a typical reinforced concrete office building, useful at tendering and construction stages of building projects  was developed in this study. As built and bill of quantity value of twenty (20) building projects initiated and completed within 2008 and 2009 were used at random. Elemental dichotomies within the context of early and late constructible elements with speculated prediction period was used, taken into consideration the present value of cost. This attributes would enable a builder or contactor load cost implication of an unseen circumstance even on occasion of deferred cost reimbursement with the aid of average entropy index developed for each project elements. The model was further validated with new samples and discovered to be of high Eigen and contingency coefficient values. The model could help in cost smoothing at different stages of reinforced concrete office building which could further aid cost overrun prevention.   Keywords: Expert system, Smoothing, Entropy, Dichotomy

Malnutrition and feeding practices among under-five children in rural communities of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Poor dietary practices and malnutrition among under five children in Nigeria has remained a great public health concern. Objective: This study assessed the feeeding practices and nutritional status of under-five children to determine the prevalence of malnutrition of under five children in Kuje area council, Abuja. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was employed. Validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on the feeding practices of the respondents, while appropriate equipment was used for measurements of anthropometric parameters. Anthropometric data was analysed by comparing with reference standard and analysed statistically with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Result showed that 97% of the children were breastfed, 30.6% had early initiation to breastfeeding, 22.4% were breastfed exclusively, and 30.2% discarded colostrum. Only 27.7% had age appropriate timely introduction of complementary feeding. The prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) was 12.8%, (severe wasting [5.4%] plus moderate wasting [7.4%]), underweight was 24.4%, stunting was 40.3% and overweight was 7.0%. Child left in the care of another child (younger than 14 years old), place of delivery, immunization status of the child, early initiation to breastfeeding, use of colostrum, and age of child were all significantly (p<0.05) associated with nutritional status. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of malnutrition and poor infant and young child practice in Kuje Area Council

Relationship between Painful Crisis and Serum Zinc Level in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with zinc deficiency; zinc supplementation may ameliorate some of its clinical manifestations including the relief of painful crisis. Subjects and Methods. Serum zinc levels were determined in 71 children with SCA and painful crisis and in equal numbers in steady state. Seventy-one children with AA genotype acted as controls. Qualitative assessment of zinc content of 24-hour dietary recall and the last meal consumed before blood was drawn was taken. Serum zinc was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined using standard methods. Results. The mean serum zinc concentration in the study was less than international reference range. The controls had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations than the SCA group (42.7 ± 13.6 versus 32.3 ± 14.0 μg/dL, P < .000); this difference was due to the significantly lower values of serum zinc in SCA with painful crisis compared with the remaining two groups F = 30.9, P<.000. There was a positive correlation between serum zinc and haemoglobin concentration only in the control group (r = 0.4; P = .001). Conclusion. The serum zinc levels in this study were low. Painful crisis in SCA may exert greater demand for zinc utilization in children with SCA thereby resulting in lower serum levels

Adapting Disruptive Applications in Managing Quality Control Systems in Intelligence Manufacturing

Controlling quality has become a major trend in the circle of manufacturers and production managers that engage in intelligent manufacturing all over the world, on account of industry 4.0, in recent times. Intelligent manufacturing therefore is the use of advanced applications, analytics, sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) to improve manufacturing. The aim of the study is to carry out a study on application of disruptive application in managing quality system in intelligent manufacturing with a view to improving manufacturing process in organizations. Survey methods was used in collating responses from production managers of manufacturing companies at selected locations censoring production managers and supervisors on some parameters such as areas of disruptions in the quality assurance monitoring and calibration in production process, issues and challenges involved in quality control systems in manufacturing, Man-Whitney U Test, T-test, Pearson’s Test were used to analyze the collated data. Also, this study presents advanced analytical tools and applications to improve quality in manufacturing process. The study finally presents areas of disruptions in the quality assurance monitoring and calibration in production process, issues and challenges involved in quality control systems in manufacturing, emerging areas of application and recommendation for improvement

The haemoglobin regeneration potential of fermented and unfermented Telfaira occidentalis and Gnetum africanum leaves in iron deficient albino rats

The effect of 10% supplementation of fermented and unfermented Telfaira occidentalis and Gnetum africanum leaves for 21 days on haemoglobin-iron, haematological parameters and serum ferritin was investigated to determined if the leaves could replenish haemoglobin in iron deficient rats. Iron deficiency significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased the relative weight gain, haemoglobin-iron, serum ferritin, haemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), when compared to the iron sufficient control rats. Rats fed with T. occidentalis had a significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased serum ferritin compared to those fed with G. africanum leaves. The levels of haematological parameters of rats in the iron deficient group were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) different from the iron sufficient and leaves supplemented groups. However, haemoglobin concentration of rats on iron sufficient diet, fermented and unfermented T. occidentalis leaves and those treated with FeSO4 were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than that of rats in the iron deficient, fermented and unfermented G. africanum groups respectively. Percentage change in Haemoglobin-iron was lower for rats supplemented with the fermented forms of both leaves. This study shows that T. occidentalis has a significant (p&lt;0.05) haemoglobin regeneration potential compared to G. africanum, and fermentation did not significantly (p&gt;0.05) enhance the haemoglobin regeneration potential of both leaves.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Haematological parameters, nutritional anaemia, serum ferritin, vegetable

Role of Public Libraries in Promoting Youth Participation in Agriculture in Nigeria: Information as a Key Driver

The paper reviewed the integral role of public libraries in promoting youth participation in agriculture, information serving as a key driver. The population of youths in Nigeria estimated to be about 70 million establishes the need for this study, noting their relevance to economic growth and development of the agricultural sector. The major objectives of the study were to examine the perception of youths and their level of participation in agriculture in Nigeria; discuss factors limiting their participation; consider the implication of their participation; and the role of the public library in driving their productive involvement in agriculture. An appraisal of information as a key driver for motivating youths to participate in agricultural practice was done with emphasis on compilation of list of possible markets for agricultural products; engagement of ICT as sources of agricultural information; maintaining databases of organizations that support farmers; creating awareness about value chain in agriculture; creating awareness on various aspects of agricultural practice. The study relied majorly on secondary data, reviewing existing relevant literature as a basis for the discussion of the subject matter. The paper concluded by recommending that professionals in public libraries should collaborate with government at all levels, extension agents, information practitioners as well as other stakeholders to embark on massive and comprehensive education of youths on the importance and the derivable benefits of engaging in agriculture

BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: IMPLICATION AND STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARY SUPPORT

Following advances and extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education and the current tech savvy generation of learners in higher institutions of learning, blended learning is gaining popularity as it is adjudged effective in improving both teaching and learning process in higher institutions of learning. It has the potential to expand access to quality education and break learning barriers in developing countries. Blended learning has created a paradigm shift in library services, however, not all academic libraries in developing countries have understood their roles in blended learning environment. Academic library can play significant roles in collaboration with faculty. The paper examined innovative strategies that academic libraries can adopt to make effective use of blended. The paper examined the state of academic libraries in developing countries with emphasis on their ability to participate in an embedded learning environment, it revealed that traditional learning methods is still prevalent in many developing countries, the paper considered factors that enhance and hinder academic libraries intervention in a blended learning environment. Competencies and skills required by academic librarians to be relevant in an embedded learning environment were discussed. The paper proffered workable recommendation for implementing a blended learning environment. In conclusion, the paper recommends that librarians in developing countries must be intentional about skills acquisition so as to be well equipped to join their counterparts in other developed climes to play a significant and principal role in the ever dynamic sophisticated learning environment