British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies
British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies is a multidisciplinary research platform in all disciplines – Business and Management Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Medical Sciences.The Journal provides an international forum for discussion and debate, for individual, academics and practitioners to promote their double blinded peer reviewed works on any field. The purpose is to explore the field of Multidisciplinary Research directed for, academics, researchers and practitioners working in any area.
An Analytical Study of NAFDAC’s Influence on the Safety and Market Dynamics of Aporo-Epa Ijebu in South-West Nigeria
The study examines National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) with particular reference to the role of NAFDAC established by Decree 15 of 1993 (as amended) and charged with responsibility to control and regulate the manufacture, importation, advertisement, sales and use of food, drugs, chemicals, cosmetics, detergents, medical devices and all drinks with the view of protecting and safeguarding the citizens against consumption of hazardous and uncertified food, drugs and other related products. The study analyses primary data against the background of the objective. Evidence available indicates that consumer protection in Nigeria like most less developed countries remained at the lowest ebb. The study observed that although NAFDAC recognized the right of consumers but not specifically provide avenue on how these rights should be enforced as they are merely implied and subsumed with the function of the agency. Meanwhile, consumers’ awareness of their protection laws is low, even in case of obvious infringement. This implies that NAFDAC should be more proactive in safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians. The study employed Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) to elicit information from illiterates that more vulnerable while secondary data are sourced from textbooks, journals, publications and internet facilities.
History, International Relation, Political Science and Administration
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Human, Nature, and the Ring: Fire and Struggle in Jack London’s Fiction
This article examines Jack London’s short stories The Game (1905) and To Build a Fire (1908) through the lens of literary naturalism and the concept of dignified defeat. It argues that London redefines heroism not as victory over external forces but as moral endurance in the face of inevitable failure. By juxtaposing human confrontation with nature and with another human opponent, the study demonstrates how London foregrounds inner strength, ethical resolve, and perseverance as central markers of human worth. Drawing on close textual analysis and contextualized within American naturalism, the article situates London’s protagonists as figures who achieve moral triumph despite physical annihilation.
English Language, Teaching, Literature, Linguistics and Communication
Effects of Classroom Environment on Learning Outcomes of Students in Public Schools in Afijio Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
The classroom environment is a significant determinant of students’ learning outcomes, influencing cognitive, affective, and socio-emotional development. This study examined the effects of both physical and psychological aspects of classroom environments on students’ learning outcomes in public schools within Afijio Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was utilized, and data were collected from a sample of 390 students, selected via a multistage sampling technique across primary and secondary schools. Structured questionnaires were employed to obtain information on students’ perceptions of classroom infrastructure, teacher-student interactions, peer cooperation, and other socio-emotional factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means. Findings indicated that physical factors such as adequate seating, proper ventilation, sufficient lighting, and availability of instructional materials significantly enhanced learning outcomes. Psychological factors—including supportive teacher-student relationships, positive classroom climate, discipline, encouragement, and peer collaboration—were also positively associated with students’ motivation, engagement, and academic achievement. The study identified systemic challenges, including overcrowding, insufficient furniture, poor ventilation, and lack of instructional resources, which hinder the creation of conducive learning environments. It is recommended that educational stakeholders prioritize both physical infrastructure and the psychosocial climate of classrooms to optimize students’ learning outcomes. The study provides empirical evidence for policymakers and school administrators to enhance educational quality and contributes to understanding how holistic classroom environments impact learning outcomes in Nigerian public schools.
Education, Learning, Training & Development
Effective Leadership Strategies in Educational Institutions: Enhancing Performance and Innovation
Educational institutions increasingly operate in rapidly evolving landscapes shaped by digital transformation, accountability pressures, and demands for pedagogical innovation. Effective leadership is critical not only for sustaining institutional performance (e.g., teacher effectiveness, student achievement) but also for fostering innovation (e.g., novel pedagogies, organizational change). This paper presents a systematic literature review of empirical and theoretical studies (2015–2025) to identify leadership strategies that contribute to both performance and innovation in educational settings. We synthesize evidence on instructional, transformational, distributed, and technology-enabled leadership, examine underlying mechanisms and contextual moderators, and highlight research gaps. Findings suggest that integrated leadership models combining instructional focus, shared decision-making, trust, and digital capacity are most effective. We conclude with recommendations for policy, practice, and future research.
Nexus Between Employees’ Retention and Organisational Sustainability Among Health Workers in Ondo State, Nigeria
Employee retention is not just about keeping the competent staff; it also promotes continuity of workers to ensure services delivery and working environment is sustained. However, the study evaluated relationship between employees’ retention and organisational sustainability among health workers in Ondo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. The study adopted simple random sampling techniques to choose respondents for the study. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the socio-demographic information of the respondents while inferential was used to analyse the stated hypothesis. Specifically, pearson correlation was used to analyse the hypothesis at 0.05 alpha level. The result of the study revealed that there was significant relationship between employees’ retention and organisational sustainability among health workers in Ondo State, Nigeria {r (307) = -.231**, p < .01}. The study concluded that employees’ retention significantly relates to organisational sustainability among health workers in Ondo State. Therefore, it was recommended that selected health institution should regularly review the remuneration of their health workers to meet the competitive global standard.
The Evolution of Small Language Models in Healthcare: A Narrative-Evolutionary Literature Review
Small Language Models (SLMs) are emerging as transformative tools in healthcare AI, offering an optimal balance between task performance, privacy, and computational efficiency. Unlike Large Language Models (LLMs), which require substantial infrastructure and raise privacy concerns, SLMs are designed for domain-specific applications in real-time, resource-constrained clinical settings. This narrative-evolutionary review traces the development, capabilities, and deployment of SLMs across key healthcare domains, including clinical documentation, decision support, mental health, and telehealth. It outlines enabling technologies such as model compression, federated learning, and edge deployment that facilitate secure and efficient operation within sensitive healthcare infrastructures. To assess their clinical utility, we introduce a domain-relevance matrix and evaluate SLMs using both conventional and deployment-aware metrics, such as latency, memory usage, and compliance with data regulations. The review also identifies critical research gaps in benchmarking practices, data diversity, and explainability. We emphasize the importance of collaborative data ecosystems, standardized evaluation protocols, and socio-technical governance to ensure safe, multimodal, and regulation-compliant integration of SLMs in healthcare workflows. Overall, our findings position SLMs as a scalable, transparent, and context-aware solution for advancing real-world medical NLP, especially in scenarios demanding adaptability, trustworthiness, and decentralized AI performance.
Barriers to Scaling Circular Economy Practices in Selected Nigerian Cities
Rapid urbanisation in Nigeria has intensified waste generation and exposed the limits of disposal-oriented waste management systems. While circular economy (CE) principles are increasingly referenced in policy discussions, their practical scaling remains limited. This study examines the systemic barriers constraining the expansion of circular economy practices in Awka, Enugu, and Onitsha in south-eastern Nigeria. Using a qualitative exploratory design, twelve focus group discussions were conducted with municipal officials, private recycling firms, informal waste actors, and community representatives. Thematic analysis revealed six interrelated barriers: regulatory fragmentation, infrastructural deficits, financial constraints, informal–formal disconnects, weak market demand, and institutional coordination gaps. Findings indicate that circular transition is not hindered by the absence of recovery activity, but by structural misalignments across governance, infrastructure, finance, and market systems. Disposal-oriented regulatory incentives reinforce mixed waste streams, while limited access to capital and unstable demand discourage technological upgrading and private investment. Informal actors, despite playing a central role in material recovery, remain institutionally excluded. Cross-city comparisons further demonstrate that administrative structure and commercial intensity shape transition dynamics. The study concludes that scaling circular economy practices in Nigerian cities requires coordinated governance reform, infrastructural investment, financial innovation, and inclusive institutional frameworks rather than isolated technical interventions.
Talent Retention Strategies and Institutional Stability: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Universities in Southwest, Nigeria
This study examined the impact of talent retention strategies on institutional stability in public and private universities in Southwest Nigeria, with particular emphasis on incentive strategies. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and covered a total population of 8,550 academic and non-academic staff, with population data obtained from the Nigeria University Digest (2019). Using the Taro Yamane (1967) formula as cited in Umar and Wachiko (2021), a sample size of 382 respondents was determined and selected for the study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, were used to summarize respondents’ demographic characteristics, while inferential analysis employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed that incentive strategies have a positive and statistically significant effect on institutional stability in both public and private universities in Southwest Nigeria. In addition, the results indicated a significant difference in talent retention practices and institutional stability between public and private universities, suggesting variations in incentive structures, managerial flexibility, and organizational environments. The study concluded that talent retention strategies significantly influence institutional stability, though their effectiveness varies across university types. Consequently, it was recommended that universities, particularly public institutions, should design and implement context-specific and competitive incentive programs that align with the needs and expectations of their faculty and staff to enhance long-term institutional stability.
Public Procurement Management Practices and Public Procurement Price Variance in Government Agencies in Nairobi, Kenya
In developing nations where the urgent need for infrastructure and essential services has been historically neglected, public procurement often accounts for an average of around 30% of GDP highlighting the considerable reliance on public procurement to drive economic growth and improve public services in these regions. However, the large scale of public procurement makes it vulnerable to inefficiencies and corruption. Addressing these vulnerabilities is essential to ensure that public procurement can fulfill its critical role in driving national development. However, despite the pressing need for efficiency, public procurement processes in Kenya have been plagued by an inefficiency that manifests in the form of overpriced tendering processes, raising serious concerns about the integrity of public spending. Very few studies have examined the concept of public procurement overpricing in Kenya, and mechanisms to alleviate it. This study sought to examine the effect of: Procurement Planning; Procurement Audit; E-Supply Chain Management; and Procurement Risk Management; on Public Procurement Price Variance. The study collected data from 73 government agencies in Nairobi; and applied regression analysis to examine the statistical significance of the variables of study on Public Procurement Price Variance. The study established that public procurement management practices. However, the study also found gaps in procurement planning, lack of a concrete procurement audit framework, relatively low application of digitization, and relatively high usage of non-competitive methods of procurement. The study thus recommends for policy and research intervention into these public procurements practices-specifically, the perceived resistance to apply them.
The #EndSARS movement of October 2020 constituted a watershed moment in Nigeria's socio-political landscape, propelled by mass mobilization and a sophisticated semiotic architecture of protest discourse. This study interrogates the linguistic and visual signification systems deployed during the movement through the theoretical frameworks of Saussurean and Peircean semiotics, augmented by Barthesian myth theory. The analysis examines how slogans, symbols, imagery, and digital modalities articulated resistance, constructed collective identity, and contested hegemonic state narratives. Findings reveal that protest discourse functioned simultaneously at symbolic, indexical, and mythic registers, transmuting vernacular expressions such as "Soro Soke," "End SARS Now," and "We Are Tired" into instruments of ideological insurgency. Visual signifiers including the clenched fist and the blood-stained national flag reinforced solidarity by reconfiguring national iconography through frameworks of collective trauma and aspirational futurity. These semiotic productions achieved extensive circulation via social media platforms, facilitating transnational visibility and amplifying justice claims. The study concludes that semiotic praxis proved fundamental to the movement's efficacy, enabling Nigerian youth constituencies to reconceptualise citizenship, resist institutional violence, and articulate counter-hegemonic narratives of national identity through strategic meaning-making practices.
Effects of Grazing Intensity on Soil Properties of Rangeland in Semi-Arid Rangeland of Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia
The study was conducted in three districts of Borana Zone to determine the impacts of grazing on soil nutrients of Borana rangelands under the traditional enclosure and continuous grazing rangeland types. Within both rangeland types of each district, 20 m x 20 m plots were placed at 200 m distances intervals with three replications used to collect soil samples from four corners and a center of main plot within three depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20- 30 cm) to analysis its soil physio-chemical properties. Totally 54 soil samples were collected from three districts, two rangeland types, and three depths to determine the effect of grazing on soil properties. The collected data were analyzed using a three-way factorial ANOVA to compare the effect of grazing pressure by using traditional enclosures and continuous grazing rangeland types of each study site on rangeland soil properties. The study sites of soil texture class were loam, sandy loam, and silt clay. The soil pH value was significantly different (P > 0.05) among study sites, but there was no significant difference between rangeland types and soil depths. The soil total nitrogen was significantly different (P > 0.05) between districts, rangeland types, and soil depth, due to the impact of grazing pressure, was differed between rangeland types. Grazing intensity has a great impact on rangeland soil physico-chemical properties. Therefore, rangeland users should consider an appropriate grazing system to improve and sustain the soil health and ecosystem of rangeland.
Female Gender Portrayal in Nigerian Television Advertisement and Information Services
This study discussed the female gender portrayal in Nigeria television advertisement and information services. It examines the perception of the audience on gender roles in television adverts and information services generally. The primary objective of advertising is to change consumer behavior in response to information services and promotional offer. However, consumers frequently develop opinions about the advertised brand and how the characters are portrayed after seeing multiple services and advertisements. The objective of the study is to ascertain the extent to which women are negatively portrayed in television advertisements and information services in terms of their physical appearance and roles. The survey method was used by the researcher as instruments were administered to the respondents to gather information relevant to this study. The researcher discovered that while 42% strongly agreed that the portrayal of women in Television advert and information services is stereotypical, 12% strongly agreed that it is empowering. The 42% makes up for the opinion of larger percentage of the respondents on the portrayal of the female gender in Television advertisements and information services in Nigeria. Conclusively, the research findings underscore the need for improvements in the portrayal of women in Nigeria television advertisements and information services. Hence, it is recommended that instead of provocative and objectifying representations, advertisers should focus on presenting women in empowering and respectful ways that reflect their diverse roles, abilities, and achievements.
Contribution of Tourism Destinations for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Biodiversity Conservation in Eastern Ethiopia
Ethiopia has numerous tourism potentials that contribute to comprehensive sustainable development in many ways at both national and local levels. These tourism potentials are not yet utilized as expected due to various factors that require detailed assessments for each destination. Among these potential destinations, Eastern Ethiopia's tourism sites contribute to the country’s development, whereas their utilizations for entrepreneurship and biodiversity conservation are not assessed adequately. Based on these notions, this research assessment was conducted with the objectives of profiling the potential tourism destinations, identifying the existing contributions for local youth entrepreneurs, and assessing the challenges facing these places for further study and policy actions. Research Methodology: Accordingly, the purposive sampling method was used for site selection; as a result, East Hararghe, Harari region, and Maya City were included in the sample. Then, potential destinations in each selected site, specific places were identified to mention, Lake Haramaya and its watershed catchment lakes, Gara Mul’ata Mountain, the so-called Dabbal, the historical Lij Iyasu Prince Prison, and Harar Jegol. Moreover, a key informant interview with long-experienced locals was conducted to further strengthen the research.The result shows that these tourism destination sites have contributions to sustainable biodiversity conservation, climate change balance, income for local youths, foreign visitors’ attractions, educational research, and water sports. With all these contributions, however, these tourism destinations faced many challenges, such as society’s attitude towards these sites is low, less promotion of these sites to foreigners, and less attention to engaging domestic tourists and Ethiopian-born diasporas, poor infrastructures, especially for Gara Mul’ata Mountain, the so-called Dabbal, and Lij Eyasu Prince Prison.Therefore, it recommended that the government and other stakeholders should focus on sustainable awareness creation for the surrounding community about the importance of tourism, development of infrastructure, capacity building for small-scale local businesses, tourism managers, guides, community leaders, and registration of these sites at the global level.
Synergistic Intelligent Tutoring System for Enhancing Continuous Assessment Outcomes Among Students with Learning Disabilities
Continuous assessment remains a cornerstone of effective teaching and learning, particularly among the students with disabilities. However, traditional assessment practices often fail to adequately capture the learning progress of students with learning disabilities due to their limited flexibility, delayed feedback, and uniform evaluation standards. This paper reconceptualises continuous assessment through the lens of Synergistic Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), proposing an adaptive, data-driven, and learner-centered framework for improving assessment outcomes among students with learning disabilities. Anchored in Connectivism Theory, the paper synthesises empirical and theoretical literature to demonstrate how Intelligent Tutoring System can individualise assessment, enhance learner engagement, reduce cognitive load, and promote equity among students with learning disabilities and their counterpart. The study adopts a conceptual and systematic literature review approach to articulate the pedagogical, technological, and assessment-related implications of ITS for education of the student with disabilities. The paper concludes by proposing a synergistic ITS–continuous assessment model capable of transforming assessment practices for learners with diverse needs.
Environmental Sustainability Practices and Marketing Performance of Portable Water Producers in Abia State, Nigeria
The ability of the present generation of humans to conduct its activities without depleting the natural resources or undermining the efforts of future generations to meet up their own needs is the focus of environmental sustainability. The task of maintaining the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity ensures the protection and preservation of the natural resources needed for clean air, water, soil formation and climate regulation. The study focused on the environmental sustainability practices and marketing performance of portable water producers in Aba, Abia state, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the influence of eco-friendly packaging on the marketing performance of portable water producers; determine the influence of biodegradable packaging on the marketing performance of portable water producers; ;investigate the influence of recyclable packaging on the marketing performance of portable water producers; ascertain the influence of reusable packaging on the marketing performance of portable water producers and evaluate the influence of water sanitation on the marketing performance of portable water producers in Aba, Abia State. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study consisted 1030 (water producers) and 1,275,000(water consumers) totaling1,276,030. A sample size of 685 (six hundred and eighty-five) was drawn from the population using Taro yamane statistical formula. Five hypotheses were formulated in the study, tested with simple regression analyses.. The major findings in the study showed that there is a significant and positive influence of reusable packaging and water sanitation on marketing performance of portable water producers in Aba, Abia State while eco-friendly packaging, biodegradable packaging and recyclable packaging showed insignificant influence on marketing performance of portable water producers in Aba. Hence, we concluded that without stronger policy support and industry collaboration, the sustainability gap could widen, disadvantaging some market players. We, therefore, recommended that portable water companies should form alliances to share sustainability technologies and training and firms should run educational campaigns on the environmental benefits of their products, among others
Student-Teacher Ratio and Internal Efficiency of Public Secondary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria
The study examined the student-teacher ratio and internal efficiency of public secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design of the survey type. The population for this study consisted of all 258 public secondary schools in Ondo State, while the sample size consisted of 200 teachers and 20 principals selected in 20 public secondary schools in Ondo State. Two research instruments were used for the data collection. The instruments tagged ‘Student -Teacher Ratio Questionnaire” (STRQ), and inventory specifically designed and administered to the principals (or Vice-Principals) to request the enrolment of students from JSS.1 to SSS III. Face and content validity of the instruments were ensured by experts, while the test-retest method of reliability was adopted to determine the reliability coefficient of 0.81 for the STRQ. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The finding revealed that there was a significant relationship between the student-teacher ratio and internal efficiency of secondary schools. It was recommended that government and school administrators should ensure that teachers are made available for students to reduce overpopulated classes, and teachers should be provided with opportunities to attend seminars, conferences, and training that will equip the teachers to apply innovative ideas in the classrooms. The Teaching Service Commission should ensure that experienced teachers are employed in public secondary schools in the State. This will enable the teacher to monitor the students when the class size is not so large.
Attitude of Colleges of Education Students Towards Sex Education in Southwest, Nigeria
This study assessed the attitude of Colleges of Education students toward sex education in Southwest Nigeria, focusing on the influence of gender, religious beliefs, parental education, and school location on their perceptions. A descriptive survey design was used to collect data from students in selected colleges of education. The study’s population included 34,274 students across 12 Colleges of Education in Southwest Nigeria. A sample of 900 students was selected using a multistage sampling technique. In the first stage, three states were randomly chosen. In the second stage, one Federal and one State College were selected from each state using stratified random sampling. Finally, 75 students from each college were purposively selected. Data was gathered using a self-developed instrument, the "Students Attitude Towards Sex Education Questionnaire" (SATSEKQ), designed to assess students' attitudes. The instrument was validated by subject experts, and a reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. The SATSEKQ was administered to the selected students through face-to-face distribution during scheduled lecture hours, with respondents assured of confidentiality and voluntary participation. Descriptive statistics, including percentage and mean, were used to answer the research questions. Path analysis tested the research hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The findings indicated that College of Education students generally hold positive attitudes toward sex education. However, religious beliefs and gender differences significantly shaped their attitudes. Students from religiously conservative backgrounds held more restrictive views, while female students demonstrated greater engagement with sex education than their male counterparts. Parental education and school location were found to have minimal influence on students' attitudes. Based on these findings, it is recommended that schools develop sex education programs that respect religious beliefs while promoting comprehensive and accurate information. Teachers should tailor their methods to address gender differences, and the government should offer professional development on sensitive topics for educators.
Inclusive Human Resources (HR) Practices, Employee Engagement, and Retention: Evidence from Diverse Workforces in Southwestern Nigeria
The increasing demand for workplace inclusivity has heightened interest in how human resource (HR) practices affect employee outcomes across diverse organizational settings. While evidence from Western contexts indicates that inclusive HR practices improve positive work attitudes, limited empirical data from Sub-Saharan Africa exists. This study examined the impact of inclusive HR practices on employee engagement and retention among diverse workforces in Southwestern Nigeria. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and the Job Demands-Resources model, it was hypothesized that inclusive HR practices would boost engagement and decrease turnover intentions, with engagement serving as a mediator. A cross-sectional survey of 378 employees in five industries across Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun States was carried out using validated tools, including the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Structural equation modeling showed that inclusive HR practices significantly predicted employee engagement (β = 0.47, p < 0.001) and negatively influenced turnover intentions (β = -0.39, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that engagement partly mediated the relationship between inclusive HR practices and turnover intentions. These results suggest that inclusive HR practices foster employees’ psychological attachment to their work while lowering their desire to leave. The study advances Human Resources Management (HRM) scholarship by providing evidence from Africa on inclusivity and engagement and offers practical advice for organizations in Nigeria aiming to develop engaged and stable workforces.
Good Governance and Sustainable Development: Pathways, Principles, and Policy Imperatives
This paper examines the critical dynamic between good governance and sustainable development, emphasizing their shared cornerstones in institutional probity, responsibility, and enduring societal welfare. Leveraging global governance frameworks and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), this delineates the role of transparency, inclusive participation, robust regulation, and rule of law in shaping development outcomes across economic, social, environmental, and institutional spheres. The analysis accentuates deep-rooted governance issues like corruption, administrative inefficiencies, policy gap, and technological variations—that restrict sustainability efforts, particularly in developing and transition economies. Through discerning international instances, the study illustrates how governance innovations, information systems, and inclusive institutions heighten the prospects of just and adaptable progress. The research wraps up by determining the fundamental action items for building institutional resilience, mainstreaming shared input, and embracing climate-resilient management approaches. The paper thereby strengthens the argument that sustainable development’s success is deeply tied to the standard of responsiveness and credibility of governance systems.
Crops, Culture, and Colonialism: Agricultural History of Itak Clan, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, 1880-1959
This paper investigates the agricultural history of the Itak clan in Ikono Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, with emphasis on the transition from pre-colonial subsistence farming to colonial-era transformations. Using oral traditions, interviews with elders and youths across eleven villages, and limited textual sources, the study reconstructs farming practices, land tenure systems, crop cultivation, and labour organisation. In the pre-colonial era, agriculture was deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs, communal landholding, and rituals that honoured the soil as “Mother Earth.” Staple crops such as yam and cassava defined social status, while shifting cultivation and age-grade labour groups sustained production. The colonial period introduced mechanised farming and expanded cash crop cultivation; palm oil, coconut, and rubber, reshaped the socio-economic landscape and integrated Itak into global trade networks. Persistent challenges such as land fragmentation, inadequate infrastructure, and misallocation of agricultural inputs revealed the enduring legacies of colonial policies. The study situates Itak’s agrarian history within broader Ibibio and West African contexts highlighted the interplay of crops, culture, and colonialism in shaping rural development.
Impact of incorrect decision is very dangerous. When there is no chance to rectify it the situation goes beyond control. The arrow that is thrown from the bow can never be returned back by any means. It is hard reality. Illegal pregnancy, in the patriarchal society, is the striking example of this kind. The girl commits suicide to save her from shame and social dogma. Such an unfortunate girl has to face honour killing if she is involved with any guy beyond her community or not allowed by her society thereby parents as well. Sometimes parents may agree out of affection but the society, the self-proclaimed guardian never allows thus to protect the so-called chastity of the society.
Etymology of Genomology & reasons for the better development of Chemistry and Physics than Biology
All things or matter both genomic-things and nongenomic-things are composed of the elements found on periodic table. In other words, nuclear energy reactions of Physics involving atoms or elements such as uranium, chemical reactions of Chemistry, and enzymatic reactions of Genomology are subsets of the elements found on the Modern Periodic Table. An atom is the fundamental particle of an element, while an element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom. The key objective of this study is to impart the etymological accuracy of the term Genomology and the reasons for the better development of Chemistry and Physics than Biology. The contents of Figures and Tables herebelow are designed to serve as evidential components of Methods & Results in the targetful strategy of this study and that is why it is entitled Methodology & Results hereabove. Genomology is the first branch of natural sciences that has converged the teaching of Bible & the set of the three branches of Natural Sciences into a Unified Package of Universal Truth , because the very characteristic features of both Bible and Natural Sciences are absolutely the search for Truth. That is the reason for why the persons who are ordered by court to give statements of witness are obliged to touch Holy Bible or Holy Kuran with their hands during witnessing.
Essentials of Taboos in the Yoruba Cultural Sustainability
Taboo is an inhibition or general agreement based on socio-cultural custom to prevent feeling and emotion from doing or talking about something that is being found sacred or offensive. It is a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. Taboos are common to different groups to restricting a particular practice, but the reasons for such may be quite different from one set of group to another. However, the Yoruba ethnic group of south western Nigeria, which is the focus of this work, has a lot of cultural practices which are so valued despite the westernization by the European colonialist. These cultural practices were introduced by the founding father of this ethnic group and are meant to regulate the moral order of the society. Therefore, this paper sets to give an insight into different forms of taboos among the Yoruba and how are these taboos acting as a propelling force in preserving Yoruba cultural beliefs for future generations. It will also delve into means and ways of entrenching acceptable moral order and values into Yoruba society through the use of taboos. To achieve these, historical and exploratory methods will be employed as the tools of work in the course of this research work.
Does the Formation of Quantum Droplets Explain the Theory?
We describe a model of swirling droplets inside a steam able to support vortex waves for the deformation of spacetime by the particle
IT, Mobiles, Internet and AI: Impact on Human Values, Emotions, and Physical Presence in the Digital Age
Rapid advancements in Information Technology (IT), mobile computing, the Internet, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have revolutionized human life. While digital technologies have provided immense benefits in productivity, connectivity, and convenience, they have also contributed to shifts in social behaviors, human values, emotional expression, and interpersonal relationships. This paper examines how digital presence increasingly overshadows physical presence, the psychological and social consequences of this shift, and the ethical implications for society. Using multidisciplinary perspectives from psychology, sociology, and technology studies, the research argues that the overreliance on digital interactions reduces emotional richness, dilutes social responsibility, and challenges long-standing human values. The conclusion offers recommendations to balance digital engagement with physical human connection.
Modeling of soil quality in Umonyeche Milieu Southern Region of Nigeria using Heavy Metal Index and Spatial Distribution
This study examined the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in soil samples collected from Umuonyeche in Owerri, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. Metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. To assess pollution levels, multiple indices were applied, including the Potential Ecological Risk Index (ERI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Degree (Cdeg), and Nemerow Pollution Index (PNI). Statistical tools such as the Pearson correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were also used to evaluate the relationships among metals and identify their possible sources. The results showed that heavy metal contamination in the study area largely originates from anthropogenic activities, including automobile repairs, solid waste disposal, and agricultural practices. While the ERI suggested that the soil is mostly unpolluted, the Igeo results indicated the influence of human activities, highlighting a contrast between the two indices. The Cdeg values revealed a low level of contamination across the samples. Additionally, PNI assessments categorized the soils as 25.8% clean, 28.2% slightly clean, and 10.7% moderately polluted. Findings from PCA and the Pearson correlation matrix further confirmed that the heavy metals present in the soil are primarily linked to human activities.
Teacher Creativity as Correlate to English Essay Writing Achievement of Students with Learning Disabilities in Ibadan, Nigeria
Students with Learning disabilities are a unique minority in regular school setting in Nigeria, as such they often obstructed by partial or total delay in one aspect of learning development or the other. This paper discusses the impact of English language of teacher creativity on students with learning disabilities achievement in essay writing in Oyo State Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select seven government owned schools in seven towns within Ibadan, Nigeria. Eighteen (18) English Language subject teachers in Junior Secondary Schools II were enumerated while seven (7) intact classes of Juniors Secondary School II of students with learning disabilities totaling five hundred and eighty-five (585) were purposively selected for research purpose through nomination by the class teachers based on the academic records of each student in their classes across the seven schools. Two validated research instruments were used: Teacher Creativity Rating Scale (r=0.83); Essay Writing Achievement Test (r=0.72). Two research questions were raised and answered. The findings revealed that teacher creativity has a great influence on students’ achievement in essay writing. The researcher then recommended that teacher of English language courses should make use of creative skills effectively during teaching/learning process, most especially in essay writing.
An Exploratory Study of Jordanian EFL Teachers’ Perceived and Actual Creative Instructional Practices
Creativity was increasingly seen key element of effective English as the Foreign Language (EFL) teaching. the way it was actually used in the classroom often doesn't match what teachers say they did. This study exam the difference between what Jordanian EFL teachers thought they wear doing and what they actually dose in their teaching. It used a quantitative approach with two way of measuring things. One was a questionnaire about on perceived by practices, and the other is the observation of checklist for actual practices. The study included 101 teachers from public, private and higher education institutions. The questionnaire had 13 questions and the reliability score (Cronbach’s α) of 0.919. The observation checklist has14 items and the reliability score of 0.952. The results showed so that the average perceived practice score is 48.33 (SD = 10.35) on the 13-item scale, which was an average of 3.72 out of 5 for each item. The observed practice score was 48.11 (SD = 12.18) on the 14-item a scale, or an average of 3.44 out of 5 for each by item.Teachers self-reported the highest proficiency in establishing the associations (M = 4.04) and sequencing (M = 4.00) at the domain level, while their lowest ratings is for creative thinking (M = 3.44) and the exploring space (M = 3.47); observations corroborated these findings, revealing the least effective implementation in creative to thinking (M = 3.20) and the exploring numbers (M = 3.25). These outcomes validate the significant disparity between perceived and actual performance, thereby highlighting the necessity for focused professional development initiatives and institutional resources designed to convert positive attitudes into consistent classroom application. Inferential statistical analyses, including paired t-tests, independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA at α = 0.05 are employed to examine perceived-actual discrepancies and variability across teacher attributs and contextual factores.
Strategic Planning as a Cornerstone of Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Coupling Model with ISO 21001, ESG/ASG-QA, and Evidence Dashboards
This paper argues that strategic planning is the engine of quality assurance (QA) in higher education when it is explicitly coupled with recognized reference frameworks and operational evidence infrastructures. Drawing on an integrative synthesis of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), the African Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ASG‑QA), and ISO 21001:2018, we propose a “coupling model” that links mission and goals to process inventories, risk registers, and role‑based dashboards. We illustrate the model with the Cameroonian policy context namely the Education and Training Sector Strategy 2023–2030 (ETSS 2030) and the National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (NDS30) and with regional QA reforms (e.g., South Africa’s QAF). We show how institutional KPIs can be derived from sector targets and embedded in Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act (PDCA) cycles supported by an EMIS 2.0 architecture focused on learning and accountability. Recent research on learning‑analytics dashboards and human‑centered provides design considerations for usability, equity, and pedagogical actionability. The contribution is a practical mapping procedure and dashboard specification that translate high‑level QA requirements into auditable processes, data elements, and governance artifacts feasible for universities in resource‑constrained settings.
A pedagogical Approach for Integrating Smartphones into Learning Activities: Evidence Based Practice at Secondary School
Research in emerging technologies has argued that the pedagogical integration of smart-phones in learning activities is important to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. Recent studies have shown that SOAR pedagogy is effective when implemented in social science environments. Some of empirical studies of SOAR based mobile learning have demonstrated examples of different learning scenarios with positive results toward students’ performance. However, there is a little research exploring the augmentation of SOAR based mobile devices in field of science learning environments. This research is based on an experimental study where participants were divided to the experimental group (EG), (n = 33) who employed SOAR with mobile devices and control group (CG), (n =33) who followed mobile without SOAR approach. The purpose was to examine and compare the effectiveness of two mobile learning approaches on improving students’ learning achievement. In particular, EG group engagement and perspectives are investigated as to explore whether the mobile SOAR approach had positive effect on learning activities. The study was carried out in a secondary school located in Khartoum state in Sudan, both quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed to collect and analyze the data in order to understand the variations between two pedagogical approaches. Our results indicated that significant differences existed between students learning achievement, the EG students’ achievement was significantly higher compared to CG students. Moreover, the EG students reported that the mobile SOAR approach has influenced their engagement and create positive perspectives toward learning activities. We conclude by arguing that, diverse learning technology environments, and large sample size are critical to explore the potential of mobile SOAR approach in improving students learning performance.