Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
Access to Potable Domestic Water in the Rural Communities of Southwestern Anambra State, Nigeria
(School of Postgraduate Studies, 2009-12) Okeke, I.O
Full texts attached
Open Access
Achievement in Mathematics among Selected Secondary School Students in Ekiti State
(2012-03) Fakorede, J.O
This study investigated the effects of testwiseness training on test anxiety and achievement in Mathematics among selected secondary school students in Ekiti State. The moderating effect of gender and cognitive ability was also investigated. The study employed the pre test-post test control group, quasi experimental research design. A total of four hundred and twenty five (425) participants consisting of two hundred and nineteen (219) male and two hundred and six (206) female Senior Secondary two (SS2) students drawn from six secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti through stratified random sampling procedure participated in the study. Testwiseness training module and traditional teaching method were used as treatment approaches while the control group was exposed to only the traditional teaching method. Three instruments; Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ), Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) and Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale-Revised (MARS-R) were used to collect data for the study. Eight hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and data collected were treated statistically using Analysis of Covariance while pair-wise comparisons were performed using Fisher’s protected t-test. All hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Results of the data analysis revealed that testwiseness training was efficacious in improving the Mathematics performance of students and in reducing their Mathematics anxiety level while training in test-taking strategies was significantly most effective for low ability students. There was no gender difference in the students’ performance in Mathematics. Testwiseness training was equally effective in helping both male and female participants in improving Mathematics achievement and managing their Mathematics Anxiety levels. Based on the findings of this study, some conclusions were drawn, a number of recommendations were made and some suggestions for further research were also stated.
Open Access
Achievement in Mathematics among Selected Secondary School Students in Ekiti State
(2012-03) Fakorede, J.O
This study investigated the effects of testwiseness training on test anxiety and achievement in Mathematics among selected secondary school students in Ekiti State. The moderating effect of gender and cognitive ability was also investigated. The study employed the pre test-post test control group, quasi experimental research design. A total of four hundred and twenty five (425) participants consisting of two hundred and nineteen (219) male and two hundred and six (206) female Senior Secondary two (SS2) students drawn from six secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti through stratified random sampling procedure participated in the study. Testwiseness training module and traditional teaching method were used as treatment approaches while the control group was exposed to only the traditional teaching method. Three instruments; Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ), Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) and Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale-Revised (MARS-R) were used to collect data for the study. Eight hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and data collected were treated statistically using Analysis of Covariance while pair-wise comparisons were performed using Fisher’s protected t-test. All hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Results of the data analysis revealed that testwiseness training was efficacious in improving the Mathematics performance of students and in reducing their Mathematics anxiety level while training in test-taking strategies was significantly most effective for low ability students. There was no gender difference in the students’ performance in Mathematics. Testwiseness training was equally effective in helping both male and female participants in improving Mathematics achievement and managing their Mathematics Anxiety levels. Based on the findings of this study, some conclusions were drawn, a number of recommendations were made and some suggestions for further research were also stated.
Open Access
The Acquisition of HIV/AIDS Information by Commercial Sex Workers in Selected Brothels in Lagos State, Nigeria
(2015-10) Kayode, O.O
The study is aimed at one of the ‘vector groups’, the commercial sex workers (CSWs), and how this group acquires, processes, and uses information from the several campaigns on HIV/AIDS in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study explores the application of uses and gratification theory to HIV/AIDS information acquisition by CSWs. The research problem is that CSWs being a “hidden population” are not only at a high risk of HIV/AIDS but are vectors due to several sexual partners, and may not practice safe sex despite their perception of high risk from exposure to several HIV/AIDS campaigns. Using the uses and gratification theory and the theory of reasoned action/planned behaviour, the study investigates how HIV/AIDS information has been utilized by CSWs. The theoretical assumptions of this study are that individual reasoning provides the impetus for human action and behavioural change and that health communication audiences exhibit such information behavior that is typified by active seeking and using of information and messages garnered from multi-media campaigns, in this case, HIV/AIDS communication channels. Population of the study comprises all CSWs in the 20 local governments in Lagos state. Fifteen local governments representing 75% were randomly selected using the table of random numbers. Using the brothels in the sampled local government as a unit of sampling, 70 brothels were identified of which 40 were randomly selected. Fifteen CSWs were conveniently selected from each of the 40 brothels constituting the sample size of 600 CSWs. The study employed a triangulation methodology that includes survey, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs).The survey elicited responses from six hundred commercial sex workers all of whom are brothel-based. Forty eight CSWs (eight FGD sessions consisting of six CSWs per session) further participated in the FGD sessions. Furthermore, another 48 CSWs from the 600 sample size were further subjected to IDIs. Data analysis for the survey was done using the SPSS package 15th version and the FGDs as well as the IDIs transcripts were qualitatively analyzed. The study found that most (60%) of the CSWs interviewed have secondary school level education, and those who have post-secondary education are fewer (10%) and the age range of CSWs indicate that most are between 21 to 29 years. Furthermore, the study also found that most of the CSWs have a good understanding of HIV/AIDS, and have good comprehension and conviction of the multi-media messages to which they have been exposed over the years. They have used HIV/AIDS messages in learning safe sex skills. Also, the perceived risk of the commercial sex workers is relatively high as most of them understand what it takes to prevent HIV/AIDS, and that their work predisposes them to infection should they fail to practise safe sex. However, the study found that the CSWs’ ability to negotiate safe sex is inhibited by economic (monetary gains) and social factors (boyfriends, drunkenness, personal visits, etc.) in spite of their perceived risk of HIV/AIDS. The study recommends more multimedia interventions and campaign assessments, especially interpersonal and community based interventions.
Open Access
Activity Schedule and Anticipation Training as Counselling Strategies in Managing Mild-Depression among Nigerian Adolescents
(2010-11) Bamidele, E.O
This study investigated the impact of Activity Schedule and Anticipation Training as counselling strategies in managing mild depression among Nigerian adolescents. Six Senior Secondary Schools were randomly selected from three Education Districts in Lagos State. The total population of SS 2 students, available for the study in the six schools, was 2,982. To select the participants for the study, The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was administered to assess the cognitive, affective, psychomotor, somatic and social interpersonal dimensions of depression in the students. The SDS has a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.93, showing good stability. After the baseline assessment, the total sample for the study comprised 96 participants. The sample accommodated all the characteristics of participants in terms of age and gender from the senior secondary schools chosen for the study. The study utilized Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design comprising three groups (1, 2 & 3). Two research instruments, Depression Inventory and Index of Self-Esteem were employed to generate relevant data for the study. Six null hypotheses were postulated and tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Testing of the hypotheses was set at 0. 05 level of significance. Results of the data analyses indicated that: 1. The two counselling techniques Activity Schedule (AS) and Anticipation Training (AT) were effective in managing mild depression (lack of concentration, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, persistent sad and empty moods). 2. There is a significant interaction effect on adolescents’ depression scores due to self esteem across the experimental groups. 3. There is no significant difference in depression level of participants due their socio-economic status. 4. There is insignificant effect of participants’ family size on their depression level. 5. There is no significant gender difference in the post-test scores of participants across the three experimental conditions. 6. There is insignificant difference in the depression scores of participants based on their birth order. In the light of these findings, a number of recommendations were made with the hope that if implemented, cases of adolescents’ mild depression will be assessed and effectively managed with the use of Activity Schedule and Anticipation Training as counselling Strategy.
Open Access
Adaptation of a Global Orthometric Height Model to Local Height Datum using 'Satlevel' Collocation.
(2014) Aleem, K.F
Three-dimensional (3D) maps are of immense value in the planning and execution of engineering and other projects aimed at harmonious environmental development. In many real-life situations, the knowledge of heights is crucial for understanding the relative vertical positions of neighboring entities in a common reference system called datum - an important reference surface for elevations of terrain points. In many countries, the reference surface for heights is the geoid which is approximated by the Mean Sea Level (MSL). Conceptually, two approaches are used to determine the geoid - deterministic and empirical; and can also be determined in absolute or in relative terms. The recent success in the determination of reliable global geoid gave opportunities and preferences to the relative geoid determination using the global Geopotential Earth Model (GEM-XX), as platform. The latest edition named GEM2008 defines the global geoid to submeter accuracy. The global model generalizes the geoid in any locality; and therefore, it is not the best fit for any country or place. The fitness of the global geoid is always tested in the locality for its adequacy by comparing the GNSS derived Orthometric Heights with those obtained by direct geodetic levelling. In practice, the discrepancies are usually attributed to the imperfection of the global geoid model. The direct methods of determining Orthometric Heights by geodetic leveling is physically demanding and even almost impossible in some areas such as the rain forested areas and Niger Delta region of Nigeria due to the presence of swamp and the nature of the terrain. Thus, it is preferable to develop a mathematical model for the global model imperfections with the hope of obtaining Orthometric Heights by applying the geoidal error model to GNSS heights (which are easier to acquire) in other to obtain the Orthometric Heights. The challenge in this approach is to get the appropriate geoidal error model and this is the focus of this research. In this study, an empirical error models code named ‘Satlevel’ Collocation model is developed, and compared with other existing predictive models developed and used by researchers in other countries. The ‘Satlevel’ uses an optimal numerical model which transforms the global model to local datum using geoid modelling techniques aided by GNSS measurements. GNSS is used to obtain ellipsoidal heights at some selected control points, while the Orthometric Heights of those points were determined by geodetic levelling. Orthometric and ellipsoidal Heights were related by Geoidal Undulation (N) for which empirical error model was sought. Spherical and Rectangular ‘Satlevel’ models were explored. GEM2008 Orthometric Heights were computed in the two selected study areas (Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Lagos State of Nigeria). The results show that the geoidal undulation determination with Spherical ‘Satlevel’ models gave average values of 18.946m and 22.854m for Port Harcourt and Lagos State respectively, while Rectangular ‘Satlevel’ models gave average values of 18.948m and 22.857m for the two areas. The Mean Square Error (MSE) for Spherical ‘Satlevel’ were 6.151mm and 0.0033mm; while Rectangular ‘Satlevel’ gave 1.728mm and 0.00032mm for Port Harcourt and Lagos State respectively. The statistics show that there are no significant differences between the observed Geoidal Undulations and the computed Geoidal Undulations from ‘Satlevel’ collocation models. Also, the goodness of fit of the model was checked and satisfied 95% significant level. The geoidal map and 3D surface models of the areas were produced. ‘Orthometric height on the fly’, a user-friendly interactive program was developed to compute the local Geoidal Undulation and Orthometric Height from “Satlevel’ collocation model. Although, all the models considered give comparable accuracy of the orders of millimeters, Spherical ‘Satlevel’ model is more preferable than the Rectangular ‘Satlevel’ because of its advantage of accepting data format that is most common on maps and GNSS devices over other models. GEM2008 fits perfectly in the Port Harcourt Coastal area of Nigeria and therefore adapted for Orthometric Height with the use of ‘Satlevel’ Collocation Models developed in this research. The study recommends re-observation of the Nigerian Vertical control network and its integration with GNSS observations so that a general model applicable to the entire country can be determined.
Open Access
An Adaptive Radial Basis Function Neural Network Glowworm Swarm Optimization for Time-Series Forecasting
(2017-11) Isimeto, R.O
It is well noted that statistical approaches to forecasting of time series have been going on since the start of the twentieth century. Advances in the field of computing, motivated researchers to develop new models based on Machine Learning. The Artificial Neural Network models (ANN) are known to construct good and useful approximations for sequence dependencies variables. The past three decades have witnessed active research using a class of ANN, the Radial Basis Function Neural Networks, to forecast time series.Many techniques for forecasting time series using Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) have been proposed and developed in literature. The major challenges in RBFNN lie in the optimization of its full parameters: the number and location of cluster centres, the number of neurons in the hidden layer as well as the output weights. To address these challenges, this study adapted the Clustering Analysis based on Glowworm Swarm Optimization (CGSO) algorithm to obtain a modified Clustering Analysis based on Glowworm Swarm Optimization (CGSOm) algorithm for solving the clustering problem. Adaptation was achieved by incorporating a mechanism that determines the sensor range of the CGSO efficiently and automatically, modifying the initialization method, and introducing a function that measures the cluster error during the iteration phase. For the weight optimization, the Bioluminescence Swarm Optimization algorithm (BSO) was adopted, making it the first time it will be applied in training the weights of the RBFNN. Algorithm as well as software development, and graphical simulation in this work are implemented using functional programming paradigm. The algorithms implemented include the CGSO, CGSOm, BSO, Conjugate Gradient Descent (CGD), Gradient Descent (GD) and Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO). Using seven well known datasets in literature, the first set of results compared the effectiveness of the CGSOm with the following five well-known clustering algorithms: CGSO, K-means, average linking agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (HC), Further First (FF), and Learning Vector Quantization(LVQ). Experimental results indicate that the CGSOm gave best entropy and purity values in four out of the seven datasets clustered (57%); CGSO gave best results in two datasets (28.5%); and HC gave best result in one dataset (14.5%). With respect to the weight training, stock price and currencexchange rate data were used to train the combinations of models developed (based on Kmeans, CGSO, CGSOm and GD, CGD, PSO, BSO). The results obtained from the training showed that the CGSOm-CGD RBFNN gave best forecasting accuracy by yielding lowest error values; followed by the CGSOm-BSO RBFNN that gave relatively similar error. Hence, two new training methodologies for time series forecasting resulted from this study; they are the CGSOm-BSO RBFNN and the CGSOm-CGD RBFNN. Validation of the proposed approaches was done in comparison with other RBFNN models: Auto Regressive-Radial Basis Function tuned using Genetic Algorithm and Evolving Radial Basis Function Neural Network, using same data. The results obtained showed that CGSOm-BSO RBFNN and the CGSOm-CGD RBFNN yielded lowest error values.
Open Access
Adequacy of Movement Education as a Programme for Physical Education in Some Primary Schools in the City of Lagos.
(University of Lagos, 1984-04) Ajasin (Mrs), B.S
Adequacy of Movement Education as a programme for Physical education in some Primary Schools in the City of Lagos sought to investigate the extent to which movement education can adequately lead to the realisation of physical education objectives despite problems of 1. lack of space, 2. insufficient equipment and supplies, and 3. inadequately trained teachers. 114 boys in two groups and 114 girls in two groups aged between 7 and 9 years, all selected by purposeful random methods from three Lagos State Schools, constituted the subjects of the study. One group was taught physical activities by the traditional methods, the other was taught movement education. Physical Fitness Tests and Sports Skills Tests, modified from standardised tests were used as major measurement instruments to determine the performance of the two groups before and after teaching. Statistical procedure used was the t-test. Findings of this study show that subjects in the movement education group generally performed better and scored higher than subjects in the physical activities group in the physical fitness tests when test items were taken singly and not collectively. While subject in the physical activities group generally performed better and scored higher than subjects in the movement education group in the sports skills tests, when test items were taken not only singly, but also collectively. Other findings show that differences exist in the way boys and girls performed on the Physical Fitness and Sports Skills Tests 1. The conclusions are:1. That movement education can be adequate as a programme for physical education in Lagos State Primary Schools and 2. That the present available syllabus, facilities, space, equipment and teaching staff can adequately allow for the implementation of movement education programme in Lagos State Primary Schools. These conclusions are recommended for implementation and suggestion is made for further studies.
Open Access
Adult Education in Nigeria: An Analytical Bibliography
(University of Lagos, 1988) Oyesola, O.M
Adult education is conceived as any activity that seeks to bring about improvements in the perceptual, intellectual, attitudinal and physical outlook of any adult and makes him or her function more effectively, economically, politically and socially. The role of adult education is to help people acquire the knowledge and skills which are necessary for improvement of their living standards and to be concerned actively with the economic and social development of their community. The lack of awareness of the existing literature, fewness and lack of reading materials on some aspects of adult education in Nigeria are identified as part of the problems of adult education development in Nigeria. Some of the weaknesses of the Nigerian educational system, which can be remedied through adult education, are listed. This includes, provisions for (1) the drop-outs from schools, (2) those who finished the primary school education and there are not enough secondary schools for them, (3) those who cannot find job, and so on. The study set out to investigate the specific areas in which there are adequate and/or inadequate sources of literature on adult education in Nigeria. Some published bibliographies with similar characteristics like this work were reviewed. The method employed in carrying out this study includes (1) Visits to libraries to identify books, journals, and other materials relevant to this study and to physically handle them. (2) Interviews and discussions with some adult educators, planners, practitioners and theoreticians of adult education in Nigeria. As a means of awareness and finding list, a systematic bibliography of the existing literatures on adult education in Nigeria was compiled from the data collected during this study. Books and journal articles are listed under various subject headings. Theses and dissertations, reports, official publications and conference papers on adult education in Nigeria are listed as "Miscellaneous Publications.' In the discussions about the findings of this study, it is revealed that it is impossible to have enough literature on any given subject, and that the more books learners are exposed to, the better. This study reveals that aspects of adult education in Nigeria that are well covered include, Community development, literacy education, Design of programmes, Workers and Vocational education. Those that are inadequately covered are philosophy, sociology of adult education, History of adult education, Lifelong education, Correspondence education, Rural and extension education. Other aspects of adult education that are really lacking and need urgent attention are: Methods of programme design, Psychology, Research in adult education, Mass media, Visual aids, face to face approach and supporting institutions to adult education. Index to the items listed is provided. It is suggested that researchers and adult educators are encouraged to publish more books and journal articles in the areas not adequately covered on adult education in Nigeria. Other areas should not be neglected since there is need to up-date information from time to time.
Open Access
Aeropalynology and Allergenicity of Pollen in Selected Locations Within Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
(2017-12) Adeniyi, T.A
Airborne pollen grains and fern spores (aeroflora) are some of the major causative agents of allergies. However, data gathering on composition and distribution of these aeroflora across Nigeria is incipient. The aim of this study is to monitor the aeroflora in Lagos metropolis and determine the allergenicity of dominant aeroflora. To achieve this, aerosampling was done in Surulere, Ebute-Metta, University of Lagos, Akoka (UNILAG), Bariga and Gbagada. Aerosamples were collected and analysed monthly from January, 2013 to December, 2014. Aeroflora were identified and data obtained was correlated with weather parameters and allergy cases. Dominant aeroflora were freshly collected and their proteins were extracted and subjected to allergenicity tests. A total of 5174 pollen grains and 323 fern spores were collected in all the selected locations in 2013 while 4769 pollen grains and 488 fern spores were collected in the same locations in 2014. Dominant pollen grains recorded were those of Alchornea cordifolia, family Amaranthaceae, Casuarina equisetifolia, family Cyperaceae, family Poaceae, and Terminalia catappa. Pollen and spores counts (PSC) in Surulere, Ebute-Metta and Bariga showed significant negative correlation with relative humidity (p ≤ 0.05). PSC in UNILAG and Gbagada showed significant positive correlation with wheezing cough (p ≤ 0.05). Allergenicity tests revealed a total of 14 allergenic proteins, whereby 12 were newly identified. Results showed that individuals were most susceptible to the 58 kDa allergenic protein of Alchornea cordifolia pollen (84 %; 42 individuals). In conclusion, the general public can now be informed and educated on occurrence and frequency of aeroflora in the studied areas which will assist allergy sufferers in managing allergies. Furthermore, allergenic proteins identified can be used to develop immunotherapy drugs and aid allergy diagnosis, and treatment in Nigeria.
Open Access
Agenda Setting Theory and the Influence of Celebrity Endorsement on Brand Attitude of Middle Class Consumers in Lagos, Nigeria.
(2014) Akashoro, G.O
The study was designed to investigate influence of celebrity endorsement through advertising on the attitude of middle class consumers in Lagos, Nigeria towards the advertising message of an endorsed brand of high-priced and low-priced product, as well as their attitude and purchase intention towards the brand. The study utilized triangulated instruments to gather relevant data. These include: (1) self-administered questionnaire used to obtain data from 700 randomly selected middle class consumers in five local government areas (Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere, Agege and Ikorodu) of Lagos State through multi-stage sampling; (2) focus group discussions (FGD) moderator`s guide used to obtain data from 20 middle class consumers in Lagos State; (3) semi-structured questionnaire used to obtain data from 15 purposively selected Lagos-based brand managers of endorsed brands; (4) structured in-depth interview guide used to obtain data from 10 purposively selected Lagos-based advertising agency managers who have executed celebrity advertising campaigns for advertisers; and (5) structured telephone interview guide used to obtain data from five purposively selected Lagos-based celebrities who have featured as celebrity endorsers in advertisements of products and services. Data obtained through the semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth and telephone interviews were used to complement discussions of the study`s findings. Seven research questions were raised for the study. The study found that, for low-priced and high-priced products and within a two-factor context, while the celebrity endorser has a moderate influence on message appeal, product claims have a significant influence on brand attitude and purchase intension of middle class consumers regarding an endorsed brand. The study also found product claims, rather than the celebrity endorser, to significantly influence change in consumers` attitude towards an endorsed brand, and predict consumers’ intention to buy an endorsed brand. The study further found product claims, rather than the celebrity endorser, to significantly influence consumers` inclination to develop a persistent attitude towards an endorsed brand. Product claims were also found to significantly influence consumers’ reaction to counter advertising messages of substitutes of an endorsed brand. The study also found product claims to significantly influence consumers’ acceptance or rejection of an endorsed brand`s advertising message, as well as the relationship between pre-exposure beliefs and post-exposure attitudes of consumers towards an endorsed brand. Product claims were also found to significantly influence consumers` confidence in what they know about an endorsed brand, as well as the relationship between consumers` confidence in their knowledge of an endorsed brand and their attitude towards the brand. The study also found product claims, rather than the celebrity endorser, to significantly influence consumers` choice of the most important or most preferred brand among substitute brands in the same product category with an endorsed brand. It was also found that, for low-priced or high-priced products, middle class consumers will consider other factors together with the celebrity endorser in evaluating product claims of an endorsed brand. Hence, the study concludes that the persuasive power of celebrity endorsement in consumer behavior is limited to message appeal, brand message recall, as well as brand recognition and product branding. The study therefore recommends more frequent use of non celebrity advertising techniques where greater emphasis is placed on product claims. It also recommends the use of celebrity endorsers across the marketing mix platforms, (such as in product packaging, event promotions, trade exhibitions) not just in advertising. The study also proposes an integrated model of celebrity engagement in advertising campaigns and recommends its adoption, by advertisers and their advertising agency managers, to serve as a guide in the use of celebrities as endorsers of products and services through the advertising platform.
Open Access
Agenda Setting Theory: a Comparative Study of Two Communication Models in HIV/AIDS Coverage in Selected Nigerian Newspapers
(School of Postgraduate Studies, 2009-12) Okidu, O
Full texts attached
Open Access
Allelopathic Potentials of Extracts of Tithonia Diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray in Biological C ontrol of Weeds in Cowpea Cropping System
(2017-01) Ajayi, O.A
The limitations of physical, mechanical and chemical methods of weed control coupled with the global concern about the risks associated with the use of synthetic herbicides in controlling weeds in agroecosystems has necessitated concerted efforts on promoting alternatives to synthetic herbicides. The aim of this research was to carry out field appraisal of the allelopathic potentials of aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray in biological control of weeds in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cropping system in order to improve on the measures that have been adopted in biological control of weeds in agroecosystem. The allelochemical constituents of aqueous extracts of T. diversifolia were determined by spectrophotometric method while the phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with plot size of 3 m x 3 m and three replicates. Aqueous extracts from the root, stem and leaf of T. diversifolia (10.0%, 7.5% and 5.0% w/v) concentrations were applied at 2, 21 and 35 days after planting (DAP) at the rate of 20 l/ha in the two field trials at the experimental farm located at Owode, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. For comparison, glyphosate herbicide, hand weeding, sorghum-based bioherbicide (Sorghum bicolor L. extract) and weedy plots were maintained as the checks (controls). The allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts from the different parts of Tithonia on germination of seeds and seedling growth of cowpea were investigated by collecting data on germination and seedling growth parameters of two accessions (IT 84E-124 and Ife Brown) at seven DAP and four weeks after planting. The weed suppressive effects of aqueous extracts from different parts of Tithonia on weeds of cowpea cropping system were assessed from the data collected on weed density at 30 and 65 DAP and weed dry weight at 65 DAP. The allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts from the different parts of Tithonia on cowpea yield were evaluated from the data collected on yield parameters which include plant height at six weeks after planting, pods per plants, seeds per pod, 1000-seeds weight and grain yield. The allelochemicals detected in the aqueous extracts of Tithonia were phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloids. The metabolites were more concentrated in Tithonia leaf extract than in the stem and root extracts. Results also indicated that aqueous extracts of Tithonia did not have significant stimulatory or inhibitory effect (p = 0.51) on germination of cowpea seeds. However, the seedling growth was significantly (p = 0.01) enhanced. Application of Tithonia leaf extract at 10.0% (w/v) concentration led to significant (p = 0.00) increase in shoot dry weight 44.70% and 38.67%, in the two accessions respectively. The corresponding increase in root dry weight were 62.90% and 52.30%. The reduction in weed density at 65 DAP obtained with the application of Tithonia leaf extract at 10% and 7.5% (w/v) concentrations were 65.49% and 62.05% while the weed control efficiencies (WCE) were 69.92% and 59.26% respectively. In relation to the weedy check (control), maximum cowpea grain yield increases were recorded from the application of Tithonia leaf extract at 10.0% and 7.5% (w/v) concentrations with 66.45% and 65.32% increase respectively. The yield recorded with the application of 10.0% w/v and 7.5% w/v Tithonia leaf extract at 20 l/ha was significantly (p = 0.01) higher than the yield recorded in the handweeded and glyphosate treated plots. This implies that the weeds were controlled effectively beyond the critical period of weed interference in cowpea. Thus, aqueous leaf extract of T. diversifolia is recommended for biological control of weeds in cowpea cropping systems.
Open Access
Analysis of Dynamic Stress Propagation of a Vibrating Subsea Structure in a Pressurized Environment
(2011-08) Ogunmola, O.Y
Offshore pipeline and flow line systems define a variety of subsea architectures associated with Floating Production Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs) or Floating Storage and Offloading units (FSOs) that are usually employed for oil and gas production in deep and ultra deep waters. The design of such transmission facilities, must satisfactorily account for various phenomena such as hydrodynamic wave loading, fluid transport velocity, operating pressure and temperature of the internal fluid as well as limitations imposed by the seabed subsoil layer geotechnical properties. In fact the transverse and longitudinal dynamic responses of these pipeline and flow line systems are strongly modulated by these effects. Subsea pipelines are on the high demand to function at high temperatures and pressures. The natural behavior of a pipeline is to relieve the attendant high axial stress in the pipe-wall by buckling. Such uncontrolled buckling can have serious implication on the integrity of a pipeline. Hence, the usual practice to date, in the industry is to restrain pipelines by trenching and burying, or relieving the stress with inline expansion spools. In this work, the effect of transverse and longitudinal vibrations on the dynamic stresses induced by the fluid flow was studied with special reference to onset of buckling or bursting of such pipes. For this purpose, an offshore pipeline was idealized as a fluid conveying elastic beam on an elastic foundation and the corresponding set of equations governing the transverse and longitudinal motion of the pipe were formulated. Particularly, by employing integral transforms, an analytic solution for the induced stresses was computed and simulated for design applications while comparison with corresponding formulae currently in use in the field was also carried out. Furthermore, the earlier work was extended to capture the effect of deliberate or natural sediment covering of pipe that occurs over a long period of time, by examining the dynamic stress propagation through a partially or fully buried offshore pipeline. For this problem a boundary valued partial differential equation for the fluid- structure- soil interaction mechanics was formulated. In particular, by employing operational methods, the burst and buckling pressure profiles as modulated by the seabed sediment layer history were reported for design analysis and applications. Lastly this research reported an analytic solution for the induced stresses in polar coordinates coupled with von Mises yield criterion in conjunction with the corresponding set of equations governing the transverse and longitudinal motions of an offshore pipeline on an elastic foundation. Interesting results were simulated for practical analysis and applications.
Open Access
Analysis of Dynamic Stress propagation of a Vibrating Subsea Structure in a Pressurized Environment.
(2012) Ogunmola, O.Y
Offshore pipeline and flow line systems define a variety of subsea architectures associated with Floating Production Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs) or Floating Storage and Offloading units (FSOs) that are usually employed for oil and gas production in deep and ultra deep waters. The design of such transmission facilities, must satisfactorily account for various phenomena such as hydrodynamic wave loading, fluid transport velocity, operating pressure and temperature of the internal fluid as well as limitations imposed by the seabed subsoil layer geotechnical properties. In fact the transverse and longitudinal dynamic responses of these pipeline and flow line systems are strongly modulated by these effects. Subsea pipelines are on the high demand to function at high temperatures and pressures. The natural behavior of a pipeline is to relieve the attendant high axial stress in the pipe-wall by buckling. Such uncontrolled buckling can have serious implication on the integrity of a pipeline. Hence, the usual practice to date, in the industry is to restrain pipelines by trenching and burying, or relieving the stress with inline expansion spools. In this work, the effect of transverse and longitudinal vibrations on the dynamic stresses induced by the fluid flow was studied with special reference to onset of buckling or bursting of such pipes. For this purpose, an offshore pipeline was idealized as a fluid conveying elastic beam on an elastic foundation and the corresponding set of equations governing the transverse and longitudinal motion of the pipe were formulated. Particularly, by employing integral transforms, an analytic solution for the induced stresses was computed and simulated for design applications while comparison with corresponding formulae currently in use in the field was also carried out. Furthermore, the earlier work was extended to capture the effect of deliberate or natural sediment covering of pipe that occurs over a long period of time, by examining the dynamic stress propagation through a partially or fully buried offshore pipeline. For this problem a boundary valued partial differential equation for the fluid- structure- soil interaction mechanics was formulated. In particular, by employing operational methods, the burst and buckling pressure profiles as modulated by the seabed sediment layer history were reported for design analysis and applications. Lastly this research reported an analytic solution for the induced stresses in polar coordinates coupled with von Mises yield criterion in conjunction with the corresponding set of equations governing the transverse and longitudinal motions of an offshore pipeline on an elastic foundation. Interesting results were simulated for practical analysis and applications.
Open Access
Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Maize and Beans Types in Lagos
(School of Postgraduate Studies University of Lagos., 2008) Ogah, C.O
Open Access
Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Maize and Beans Types in Lagos Markets
(University of Lagos Postgraduate School, 2008) Ogah, C. O.
Pesticides used in agriculture for the control of various pests often leave residues in foodstuffs and these have been shown to pose health hazards. Analysis of pesticide residues in food is one way to determine the level of human exposure to these chemicals and hence their potential human health hazards. Maize (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) samples purchased from different markets in Lagos State were analyzed for residues of organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Analysis was done using gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric detector (GC-MS) after careful extraction and cleanup. Most of the maize samples (96%) were found to contain residues of one or more pesticides with concentrations ranging from 2.2-3951.0 μg/kg. The white types of maize contained higher concentrations of residues than the yellow types. Three classes of pesticides were detected in maize. All the samples of beans analyzed contained at least one pesticide residue (100% incidence). White beans were found to contain higher concentrations of residues than the brown types. The concentrations of organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides residues in beans ranged from 2.3-1480.5μg/kg. The most commonly found residue among both maize and beans samples was the organophosphate, pirimiphos-methyl. Its percent occurrence was 43 in maize and 54 in beans. There was a decline in the mean levels of organochlorine pesticides in both maize (6.9-41.3μg/kg) and beans (4.8-39.7μg/kg) compared to the results of a previous similar study (10.0-93.0μg/kg for maize and 25.0-303.0μg/kg for beans). Maximum residue limits (MRLs) of the various pesticides were exceeded in up to 10% of samples of both maize and beans. The incidence of pesticide residues in maize and beans was found to be higher in some markets than others but mean concentrations were not different from market to market. The pesticide residue contents were decreased by boiling. Percent reduction ranged from 9 to 100. The extent of reduction was higher in the organophosphates (24-100%) and carbamates (20-100%) than in the organochlorines (9- 32%). The estimated total diet intakes (ETDIs) for most of the pesticides were well below their maximum permissible intakes (MPIs). On the other hand, the ETDIs for aldrin, dichlorvos and dieldrin exceeded their MPIs by 100%, 363% and 17% respectively. Conclusively, most of the maize and beans in Lagos markets contain pesticide residues at different levels and maximum residue limits were exceeded in about 10% of samples. There is therefore a need for more stringent monitoring of the use of pesticides in agriculture and food storage in Nigeria.
Open Access
Analysis of the Dynamics and Stability of Visco- Elastic Pipes Conveying a Non-Newtonian fluid.
(2012) Kuye, S.I
Flow induced vibration of pipeline and riser systems are strongly dependent on internal fluid flow parameters as well as the mechanical properties of the conveyance vessel. The steady growing demand on the transport of primary energy sources such as oil and gas necessitated larger diameters and higher operating pressures. In order to reduce the amount of steel in the pipes there was a search for higher strength materials that could be used to reduce the wall thickness, as permitted by advances in manufacturing processes. Some studies on the mechanics of sandwich elastic systems as effective vibration and noise reduction mechanisms have stimulated the possibility of replacing stainless steel pipes with sandwich pipes especially in deepwater environment. Recent analysis has indicated that crude oil is a Newtonian fluid at high temperature, but exhibits non-Newtonian behaviour due to its complex mixture of hydrocarbons. This thesis presents our attempt to find an alternative material to steel as offshore fluid conveyance medium, by analytically investigating the dynamics of viscoelastic pipes in offshore environment using Euler-Bernoullis beam theory. By idealising the viscoelastic pipeline resting on the sea bed as a viscoelastic beam that is resting on an elastic continuum, a non-linear, boundary value partial differential equation governing the fluid- structure- soil interaction mechanics is formulated. The material property of the beam-model pipe is described by the Kelvin-Voigt type viscoelastic constitutive relation. By linearizing the governing partial differential equation matching the problem physics, under slight perturbation of the internal fluid velocity and other flow variables closed form analytical results for the system dual natural frequencies and consequently stability under external excitation are computed for field designs. We were able to find out that stability for both single and sandwich viscoelastic pipes is low in offshore environment compared with that of steel pipe. However, when sandwich pipes are arranged in such a way that thicker viscoelastic material is on the inside and thinner steel material on the outside, natural frequency is tremendously improved which demonstrates good stability. Results also show that the more the flow behaviour index of the conveyed fluid the more the stability, which makes dilatant fluid to be more stable than Newtonian fluid which in turn is more stable than pseudoplastic fluid. In the case of sandwiched pipes, the results obtained in this work emphasized the importance of arrangement of the pipes for offshore applications.
Open Access
An Analysis of the Impact of a Home Economics Programme on Under-Privileged Women in Lagos
(University of Lagos, 1982-12) George, Mary. Martha.
The need to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged women to enable them play significant roles in the society has been articulated throughout Nigeria and indeed the world especially since 1975 (Gayfer 1980). Few programmes however exist towards this goal and the women hardly participate in them. What factors have been responsible for this low level of participation? Are the women themselves, or to how the programmes are operated or to a combination of these? This research however is not so much to answer these questions but to evaluate the effect of a particular adult education programme, spearheaded by the researcher, on the lives of women in some suburban areas in the Lagos metropolis. The three-years participatory research programme by the researcher provides a model geared towards helping underprivileged women in urban slum areas to fulfil their educational needs so that they can better utilise and improve their income-generating skills as well as develop better understanding of their potentialities for improving their general wee-being of the society.
Open Access
An Analysis of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria.
(2014) Ajulor, O.V
This study entitled “An Analysis of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Ogun State, Nigeria” is on policy implementation and rural poverty reduction in Nigeria. This study becomes imperative in view of the growing incidence of poverty and underdevelopment in the rural areas in Nigeria. This situation is due to neglect and inconsistence and problems of the various governments’ poverty reduction policies and programmes over the years. In carrying out the study, primary and secondary data were used. In the case of primary data, survey was carried out and questionnaires were used to elicit information from twenty-two rural communities of Ado-Odo local government, the Local Government Council and the NAPEP office at the Federal Secretariat, Ogun State. Non parametric Chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. All the data obtained were computer processed through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Key informant interview was also carried out. The secondary data were collected from the library and internet sources which include books, journals, newspaper articles and government publications from National Poverty Eradication Programme office, Abuja. The research findings reveal that there have been constraints of policy implementation in Nigeria. Policies have been top-down resulting in implementation gaps between the policy makers and implementers on one hand and the policies and the target populations on the other hand. The gap is further widened by inability of the bureaucrats to take into consideration the socio-political and economic environments in analyzing policy implementation. These problems are compounded by unrealistic goal setting, inadequate implementation planning, political patronage, inadequate manpower and high level of corruption. NAPEP is constrained by these problems and could not make impact in the rural communities in Nigeria. The study therefore, recommends that government should show more sincerity and commitment to rural poverty reduction through effective policy planning, implementation, evaluation and monitoring. This can be achieved if policies and programmes like NAPEP are made relevant to the rural people through the participation of the target beneficiaries in the determination and realization of their needs. Effort should be made to bridge the gap between the intention and the actual implementation of policy through appropriate planning and the use of change management. The demand for accountability and transparency in the performance of central government structure at local areas should be strengthened. Public officials and political leaders should be made accountable and to deliver their promises to the people. This will reduce corruption and political influence. When all these measures are taken into consideration, failure of policies will be eradicated, thus reducing poverty and achieving the desire development in the rural areas in Nigeria.

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