• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.19-31
• /
• 2024

In order to support the mission of the institution in which they are attached, academic libraries provide services in both manual and digital but COVID -19 pandemic that spanned between March and September, 2020 has changed the scenario. With particular reference to Nigeria, about 249,606 cases were confirmed and in order to curb the scourge of this deadly disease, physical academic activities were prevented by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). With this development, innovative tools became indispensable tools for successful delivery of library services in Nigerian academic libraries. Whether or not these tools are still in use for reformation of library service during post- Covid era remains unclear, hence, need for this study. This study examined librarians' use of innovative tools for information dissemination in Nigerian academic libraries during the post-Covid era using a descriptive survey design. Data were obtained both in quantitative and qualitative formats from one hundred and forty-four librarians as respondents. A total enumeration sampling technique was adopted because the population was minimal. Findings of the study revealed that innovative tools such as videoconferencing, WhatsApp, teleconferencing, Facebook, LinkedIn, and web-based learning applications are still in use by librarians for the dissemination of information during the post-Covid era. These tools are useful and beneficial to librarians during the post-COVID era, as they facilitate easy participation and engagement of library users in various discussions. Inadequate funding and lack of advanced technology skills were also identified as major impediments to the successful use of innovative tools for information dissemination. As a result, it was suggested that academic libraries throughout Nigeria prioritize staff training on the necessary digital skills needed to cope in this advanced technology era.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.315-321
• /
• 2014

Forest timber production potential of any site is oftentimes measured quantitatively by site index, which is defined as dominant height of a particular stand at a specified age. A site index was developed for estimating site quality of monoculture Pinus caribaea plantations in southwestern Nigeria using a base age of 25 years. Dominant height data were collected from 60 Temporary Sample Plots (TSPs) of $20{\times}20m$ in plantations of 15 to 37 years. Linear and non-linear models as been widely applied in quantitative forest measurements were fitted to dominant height-age data and the best site index equation is : $SI=Exp^{(InHd-23.495(A^{-2}-0.04)}$. The site index curves constructed for the three sites (Omo Forest Reserve - OFR (J4), Oluwa Forest Reserve - OLFR and Shasha Forest Reserve - SFR) across the southwestern Nigeria using the chosen equation revealed that a 15 year old Pinus caribaea in the study area attained average dominant heights of 25, 22 and 21 m in OFR (J4), OLFR and SFR respectively. The site index equation and curves proffer veritable insight into better silvicultural options and management practices for the future plantations suitable sites.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2018

The tropical forests in developing countries are faced with the problem of illegal exploitation of trees. However, dearth of empirical means of expressing the dimensions, structure, quality and quantity of a removed tree has imped conviction of offenders. This study aimed at developing a model that can effectively estimate individual tree basal area (BA) from stump diameter (Ds) for Tectona grandis stands in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria, for timber valuation in case of illegal felling. Thirty-six $25m{\times}25m$ temporary sample plots (TSPs) were laid randomly in six age strata; 26, 23, 22, 16, 14, and 12 years specifically. BA, Ds and diameter at breast height were measured in all living T. grandis trees within the 36 TSPs. Least square method was used to convert the counted stumps into harvested stem cross-sectional areas. Six basal area models were fitted and evaluated. The BA-Ds relationship was best described by power model which gave least values of Root mean square error (0.0048), prediction error sum of squares (0.0325) and Akaike information criterion (-15391) with a high adjusted coefficient of determination (0.921). This study revealed that basal area estimation was realistic even when the only information available was stump diameter. The power model was validated using independent data obtained from additional plots and was found to be appropriate for estimating the basal area of Tectona grandis stands in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.91-94
• /
• 2013

Recently Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria has been facing severe water shortage due to the increase of population, social and economic activities. In order to meet the shortfall, attempts to utilize rainwater harvesting (RWH) have been made to provide an alternative source of water supply. A desk study was conducted to review various RWH technologies locally, regionally and globally. A hydrological analysis was also carried out using rainfall data for 30 years from two meteorological stations, with the aim of providing a more sustainable RWH system for water supply to private individuals, organizations, and government agencies. RWH is found to be technically feasible based on the prevailing rainfall pattern with over 90% of households having a rooftop constructed from technically appropriate materials. Results of the study indicate that an average roof of $80m^2$ will collect 82,835 L/yr (45 L/person/day) for a family of five people which is about the required water demand for drinking and cooking purposes. Hence, the capacity of storage tanks and the catchment area required for an all-purpose water supply system based on RWH are quite large. These can be reduced to affordable sizes, by collecting and storing water for cooking and drinking only while non-potable uses are supplemented by water from other sources. However, it must be highlighted that due to the type of roofing material, rainwater should go through proper treatment in order to be used for potable purposes. This study clearly shows that Ibadan city has a good rainwater harvesting potential.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.1 s.137
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2006

Anthropophilic Culicoides were investigated in a rural community endemic for Mansonella perstans in Ijebu North area of western Nigeria between December 2003 and October 2004. Three hundred and fifty-nine adults of Culicoides fulvithorax collected by human bait in the morning were dissected for Mansonella perstans larvae, and $1.95\%$of infection rate was found. Seasonal abundance of C. fulvithorax was investigated by monthly biting rates, and showed that higher prevalence was observed in rainy season, with peak in September. Culicoides prevalence was positively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity, but not temperature. Human perceptions on the behavior of these biting midges were determined by interviewing 854 self-selected villagers, of which $86.5\%$ of the interviewees confessed having experienced Culicoides bites. Between 76.5 and $99.1\%$ of the various age groups complained body reactions to Culicoides bites. Itching was the most frequent body reaction. No interviewees associated Culicoides with transmission of any parasitic infections. The results showed need to adequately control Culicoides in the community.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 2020

This Hydrokinetic energy system is the process of extracting energy from rivers, canals and others sources to generate small scale electrical energy for decentralized usage. This study investigates the application of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in Geographical Information System (GIS) environment to evaluate the theoretical hydrokinetic energy potentials of selected Rivers (Asa, Awun and Oyun) all in Asa watershed, Kwara state, Nigeria. SWAT was interfaced with an open source GIS system to predict the flow and other hydrological parameters of the sub-basins. The model was calibrated and validated using observed stream flow data. Calibrated flow results were used in conjunction with other parameters to compute the theoretical hydrokinetic energy potentials of the Rivers. Results showed a good correlation between the observed flow and the simulated flow, indicated by ash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and R² of 0.76 and 0.85, respectively for calibration period, and NSE and R² of 0.70 and 0.74, respectively for the validation period. Also, it was observed that highest potential of 154.82 MW was obtained along River Awun while the lowest potential of 41.63 MW was obtained along River Asa. The energy potentials obtained could be harnessed and deployed to the communities around the watershed for their energy needs.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.26-46
• /
• 2017

This article investigates perceptions and use of Open Access journals (OAJs) by master's degree students in two universities in the southwestern part of Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used in the study and the study population was comprised of 7,423 master's degree students in the University of Ibadan and 1,867 from Obafemi Awolowo University. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 249 and the data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, correlation, and regression analyses. The findings revealed that OAJs were used for learning, dissertation writing, personal research, and development. OAJs were not frequently used because of download delays, unavailability of Internet facilities, and limited access to computers terminals, among other issues. OAJs were found to be of relative advantage, positively perceived, and found to be compatible with existing values and quality assurance in scholarly publications, hence their use for academic activities. The regression analyses showed that there was a significant positive relationship between positive perception, perception of relative advantage, perception of compatibility, perception complexity, and master's degree students' use of OAJs. Negative perception was found to have a significant negative correlation with the use of OAJs. This article recommends that quality assurance of OAJs should be ensured in order to boost users' positive perceptions to increase their patronage and usage of these scholarly outlets for various academic activities, which will in turn encourage research and development across the various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.48-54
• /
• 2017

Public holidays are periods set aside by nations or states to observe particular events like national days, independence anniversary or religious festivals. These days are different from the usual periods of statutory leave or vacation provided for workers in the collective agreement or rule of engagement at the point of entry. These periods of leave enjoyed by workers include annual vacation, casual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave and others as may be recognized within an establishment. Individual worker's period of leave is personal and at the discretion of the worker or the organization as the case may be, but public holidays involve the stoppage of work by the entire workforce within the period it would last. Nigeria observes many public holidays some of which, at times, are unplanned for by the people. This has attracted arguments for and against on the basis that these holidays are too many and detrimental to productivity and the national economy. Using secondary data, this paper examines the issue and opines that there is the need to review these public holidays with a view to halting their negative effects on the nation's economy. Also, measures to manage these holidays in line with constitutional provisions are espoused.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.25-47
• /
• 2020

A study of the wave conditions for the Asabo offshore location at the Qua Iboe oil field in Eastern Nigeria has been carried out. Statistical analysis was applied to three (3) years of data comprising spectral periods, Tp and significant wave heights, H_s. The data was divided into two (2); data from October to April represents one set of data and data from May to September represents another set of data. The results were compared with similar studies at other locations offshore of West Africa. It was found that there is an absence of direct swellwaves from the Southern Ocean reaching the location under study (the Asabo site). This work suggests that the wave system is largely emanating from the North Atlantic storms. The presence of numerous islands near the Asabo location shields the site from effects of storms from south west and therefore swells from the Southern Ocean. It is noted that the local wind has little or no contribution. An H_s maximum of 2 m is noted at the Asabo offshore location. It is found that the Weibull distribution best describes the wave distribution at Asabo. Thus, the Weibull distribution is suggested to be adequate for long term prediction of extreme waves needed for offshore design and operations at this location.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.49-65
• /
• 2017

Young adults bear a higher risk of reproductive health problems than adults. Cases of unwanted pregnancies and their attendant complications reportedly rank among the highest in Africa. This study therefore investigates reproductive health and use of health information among university undergraduates in Nigeria. Correlational research design was adopted using descriptive survey method. Questionnaire was designed and used as survey instrument. The study used 25% of 6,978 undergraduate students from government and private universities in Abeokuta, Ogun State between 16-24 years old from each of the 35 departments that made up 8 colleges in the two universities. A total number of 1,745 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents out of which 1,500 copies were filled completely and retrieved making the response rate to be 86.95%. The findings of this study show that friends, parents and relatives were the closest sources of health information the respondents have used for reproductive health purposes. Utilisation of health information through information resources was effective. The study also concludes that cultural value, level of education and unfriendly attitude of health officials were parts of the major problems confronting effective utilization of reproductive health information among young adults in Nigeria.