ASSET: An International Journal (Series C)}

MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING OF THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE AS A BUSINESS METAPHOR

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

Nested optimization is a nonlinear variety of mathematical programming (MP) formulated at a high level of sophistication. In this study we investigated a general MP problem in a real normed linear space relating to the determination of ‘low-level’ optimal points of functional defined on non-empty subsets of a real linear space. These low-level optima are subsequently synthesized into a ’high-level’ optimum in a nest. Possible definitions and interpretations of the African Renaissance (AR) have been proffered. A description given in this study follows that this author (Oguntade, 2003) where AR is metaphorically considered akin to a business enterprise. In this work can be found several optimization problems to solved at various levels for the purpose of making the African actualization and life consonant with the universal mission statement (Covey, 1996) concerning the improvement of the economic well being and quality of life of the African people. It is herein being suggested that the AR problem may be formulated as a nested optimization problem (Clemence et al., 1994). By way of introducing several maximization of concave functions, AR is shown to be amenable to a mathematical formulation which can be depicted as a mathematical optimization problem in a nested configuration. However, an interdisciplinary research team mathematicians, statisticians , economists, econometricians, operational researchers, psychologists, psychometricians, et cetera, would need to be assembled to give the mathematical structure provided herein a socio-cultural flesh and a techno-economic flavour.

GENDER DIFFERENCE IN STUDENTS’ RESPONSE TO ETHNIC PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The problem of ethnicity with its attendant ethnic crisis is one of the major social problems that Nigeria has been grapping with right from its inception as a nation. It would appear that at present, the problem has assumed a rather uncontrollable dimension with incessant crises being reported almost on daily basis in different part of the country . Many scholars have attested that a large percentage of the population is more ethnically conscious. The aim of this study is to find out the situation in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria with regards to the issue of ethnic tolerance and with special reference to gender differences. In particular the study sought to find out if the male students are more ethnically tolerant than their female counterpart . The study is a survey which employed questionnaire as its major instrument while percentages and t-test were used to analyze the data collected. The findings show that the male respondents were used not significantly more tolerant than the female, the explanation of which was their common exposure in term of educational background. It is recommended that all stake holders should empower women of all ages to enable them contribute their quotas in providing solution to national problems.

COST AND RETURNS TO CHARCOAL PRODUCTION IN ISEYIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

Due to the problems associated with alternative fuels (gas and kerosene) in the recent years, the rate of substitution of charcoal for the alternative fuels by different and more categories of people had increased. This study therefore analyses cost and returns to charcoal production in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. The study also determines the personal characteristics of charcoal producers, identifies the problems and constraints of production, determines the profitability of charcoal production among other things. Purposive sampling method was used to select five wards out of eleven existing political wards in the local government area. Simple random sampling was then employed to select eighty respondents for interview. Data used in this study were gathered from traditional charcoal producers with the aid of interview schedule, the analytical techniques used were descriptive analysis, and budgetary techniques . The findings revealed that the method of production in the study area is purely traditional and labour intensive, thus, 95% of producers were found to be men. The cost of labour and logging were the highest components of cost and constituted 31.49% and 27.03% of total cost respectively. Charcoal production was found to be considerably profitable, with high rate of return of 0.78 (78%) to investment within a short period of production, it is also less capital intensive. However, increase in charcoal production increases pressure on the natural forest, as this study discovers that no wood plantation was established in the study area. Thus this study concludes that even though, charcoal production will continue to have a positive impact on the Nigeria economy. However, unless establishment of plantations of most desired species of wood (afforestation) is taken into consideration, continuous production of charcoal would lead to environmental hazard and also the potential of charcoal production as an instrument of economic development may not be fully realized.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE IMPERIALISM AND SUPERIMPOSITION OVER NIGERIA INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

This paper examines English language imperialism as a sub-type of ’linguicism’. In doing this, it looks at the role of the English, language in Nigeria in under vague terms such as second language, official language, lingua franca, unifying language, etc,. Its major concern , however, is how we have underdeveloped our indigenous languages, one of the numerous implications of the privileged position of English over indigenous Nigerian languages. In order to bring the dilemma into sharper focus, the paper presents a description of this complex linguistic situation in Nigeria and the place, role and function of the English language in a multiethnic society such as Nigeria. Finally, its suggests measures that should be adopted to ameliorate this situation

ENHANCING THE USAGE AND TEACHING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

English language is of high value of Nigerian society as it is the language of instruction in most, if not all, areas of our educational system. It is, however, sad that students do not have good grasp of this language and this adversely affect their performance in other subjects. In order to stem this tide of failure, the paper highlights areas of difficulty and also suggested possible solutions. Students as well as teachers need take particular note of the rules of the language for effective communication to take place.

HUMAN-ELEPHANT RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSESSMENT OF CROP DAMAGE IN BABANRAFI FOREST

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The crop damage by wild animals in Babanrafi forest with special emphasis on African elephant (Loxodonta africana ) was investigated through the administration of questionnaires designed for the local farmers. The data indicated a significant damage to crops planted by the local farmers by the elephants (57.50%). This happen when the elephants migrate from the neighbouring areas into the forest. During rainy season, the migration frequency was reported low (9.17%) however, they become more frequent in the dry season (55%) and the harmattan period (35.83%). The principal cause of their migration is in search for water (100%) and food (85%). The traditional methods of deterrence include raising of alarm by noise making (100%), fire and watching over their farms (100%). Others include the use of repellants and irritants.

TOWARDS AN APPROPRIATE IDEOLOGY: THE EVOLUTION OF IGBO PHILOSOPHY FROM COLLECTIVISM TO INDIVIDUALISM

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

Ndigbo, as it is popularly called, is one of the ethnic nationalities in African that used to have rich cultural values or belief systems. To be sure, the group was remarkably known prior to this contemporary time for their collective consciousness and total aberration, things have not been the same again in that society. The effects have been traumatic and tragic. Hence, the need for ideological re-orientation and transformation.

MACRO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF THE GROWTH OF THE CROP SUB-SECTOR IN THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY 1980 —1999

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The study analyzed the effect of pricing and exchange rate policies on the growth of the crop sub-sector in Nigeria from 1980 to 1999. secondary data were colleted for the study. Simple descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for the analysis. The results revealed that most pricing policies implemented by government during the period affected the farmers in particular and the growth of the crop sub-sector in general. The average prices relatives to world market prices, received by farmers during the period under review were below 65%. However, price changes were more influential in affecting crops production than Naira exchange rates. It was recommended that a commodity exchange market should be established and exchange rates should not be implemented on the basis of addressing specific problems.

PERCEIVED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS IN IJEBU-ODE ZONE OF OGUN STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, NIGERIA

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

In order to meet the requirement of disseminating proven technologies, some professional competencies should be possessed by the agricultural extension agents (EAs). A descriptive survey study was conducted in the Ijebu-Ode zone of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, South-western Nigeria to assess the perceived professional competencies possessed by the EAs. Interview guides for farmers and questionnaires for Extension Agents were used for data collection and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show that more competent extension agents perceive their levels of professional competency as adequate and have had a positive and significant impact on technology transfer to farmers. The paper concludes with recommendation that skill gap analysis to determine the training needs should be conducted periodically and large number of EAs with low competency in identified areas trained to enhance technology transfer to farmers.

THE RELEVANCE OF LITERATURE IN ENGLISH TO SCIENCE STUDENTS: THE UNAAB EXPERIENCE

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

In general, literature is valued for aesthetic, didactic, ideological, and socio-cultural reasons. To what extent does the science student need Literature in English? Does he appreciate this need? What are his problems or challenges in the attempt to learn Literature? How can the teaching of Literature in English be made more interesting for students whose background is basically in the sciences ? These are some of the questions this paper attempts to answer, drawing upon the experiences of teaching Literature in English at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), and the responses of UNAAB students to a questionnaire on these issues. Through these, one hopes to find a lasting solution to the apathy of science students towards Literature in English and their consequent poor performance in it and other courses that require the development of language skill.

RESOURCE-USE PRODUCTIVITY OF RURAL FARMERS IN KWARA –STATE, NIGERIA

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The focus of this study was to examined the productivity of the crop farmers in Kwara-State, Nigeria. The farm level data for the study were obtained from 226 farmers using multi-stage random sampling technique. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression as employed to analyse the information obtained. The results showed that the volume of crops produced was significantly determined by land, family, labour, seed and chemical inputs. The productivity estimates showed that family labour and hired labour had the highest average physical productivity. On the average, the marginal value product (MVP) differed significantly from the (MFC) to whichthey sould be equated under allocative efficiency. The analysis further showed that land and family labour were underutilized while hired labour, seed, chemical and implements were over utilized. In order for crop farmers to attain economic optimum, they should increase the use of land and family labour and reduce that of hired labor, seed, chemical and implements to the point where MVP equals MFC.

THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN HIV AND AIDS EDUCATION: THE PROSE FICTION OPTION

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The AIDS scourge has assumed an alarming proportion in its devastating effect globally. The rate of its spread, as well as its consequences, particularly in sub-Saharan African, has attracted the attention of creative writers. Given the importance of the didactic function of literature, it is imperative that HIV and AIDS must become part of the concerns of contemporary literature. This paper examines, by way of textual analysis, three works of prose fiction and highlights their contribution to education on HIV and AIDS. In addition, students of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), who have read two of these texts, were interviewed to ascertain the extent to which they have been enlightened on HIV and AIDS through them. The result was positive and heartwarming. This paper therefore encourages government, educational institutions, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), other stakeholders and concerned parties to further explore the potentials of literature in other fighting the modern threats to life called HIV and AIDS.

SCHOOL LOCATION AND STUDENTS’ PROFICIENCY IN ORAL ENGLISH

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

The influence of nurture on achievement has been an age long controversy that has remained unsettled. This informs the need for research on the possible effects of nurture, as dictated by school location, on the oral English of students. A total of one hundred and twenty students were randomly selected from some schools in the central part of Ekiti State to find out if school location plays a role in proficiency in oral English. Results of a t-test at 0.5 level of significance showed that there was an influence of location (rural and urban) on secondary school students’ proficiency in oral English.

THE LINGUISTIC TRAP: THE ISSUE OF STANDARD ENGLISH OR NUCLEAR ENGLISH

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

A few centuries ago, the English Language consisted of a collection of dialects spoken mainly by monolinguals and only within the shores of a small Island. Today, the language includes a range of different standard and non-standard varieties that are spoken on a regular basis in many different countries throughout the world. This paper explores the retionalisation for prescribing the Received Pronunciation (RP) as the only English to be thought in school. It also provides some justification for teaching of non-standard varieties, with reference to the extended English speaking world in general and Nigeria in particular . These undertaking were therefore , tackled in the light of the spread of English, RP, the teaching of RP and the justification for the teaching of non-standard varieties.

WRITING ERRORS OF STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

2012-10-03T10:54:02+01:00

This discussion examines the errors in undergraduates’ writing. These errors were identified and reproduced from examination scripts of 200 level students in the end of semester examination for GNS 201 course (Literature-in-English). A total of 312 students formed the sample of the population for this study. For easy identification and discussion, the errors were grouped into seven categories. Reasons for occurrence of errors were given with suggestions made on remediation. A more practical teaching and learning of English Language and Communication Skills is suggested for improving performance of students at the tertiary level.