PERSONAL HYGIENE PRACTICES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS: A STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING COVID-19

The purpose of the study was to determine personal hygiene practices of primary school pupils in Owerri, Imo State. Two purposes and two research questions guided the study. The study was carried out in Imo State, Nigeria within the early (January to February, 2020) at the onset on Covid-19 Pandemics. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study’s population was made up of 980 pupils and random sampling technique was used to derive a sample size of 200 pupils. Structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentage. The findings of the study showed that 89% (174) of the pupils had knowledge that personal hygiene refers to maintenance of cleanliness of one’s body and clothing. Also, 97.5% (195) of the pupils reported associating personal hygiene with good health. However, 15% (30) and 10.5% (21) of the pupils did not have knowledge that personal hygiene helps to reduce contamination of infectious diseases and prevents body odour respectively. Furthermore, the study’s results indicated that 98% (196) of the respondents do not wash their hands immediately they return back from school. Also, 22.5% (45) and 15% (30) do not cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing respectively. The study concluded that personal hygiene practices of primary school pupils needs to be upgraded. The study therefore, recommended re-orientation of the pupils on the observance, need and importance of personal hygiene by the school management.

THE ROLE OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY OF COVID – 19 AND WORLD ECONOMY STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY

In the Global economy, tourism is one of the most noticeable and growing sectors. This sector plays an important role in boosting a nation’s economy. An increase in tourism flow can bring positive economic outcomes to the nations, especially in gross domestic product GDP. The tourism industry is an engine of economic development and GDP growth. As the number of COVID-19 positive cases increasing day by day, government bound to take this hard decision (lockdown). All international flight have been cancelled and stopped for long days accommodation business, hotels, motels/resort owners, already started to face a countless loss, hotels/motels, restaurant, travel agencies already closed their businesses, thousands of people working in tourism industry have started to become jobless. Already government of Nigeria offered different special packages for recovery and ensuring sustainability of different sector. This study also presents the real scenario of tourism industry during COVID-19 pandemic which will help to know the update knowledge regarding the impacts of COVID-19 in tourism and hospitality industry and to take proper recovery steps.

THE MISCONCEPTION OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN AFRICA, CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES: AN APPRAISAL OF ANAMBRA STATE SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria is part of the worldwide pandemic of corona virus disease 2019, caused by the novel corona virus. The first confirmed case was announced in the country on 27th February 2020 and subsequently in Anambra state on 9th April 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease, (now officially named COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 31st January, 2020 and subsequently rolled out measures to preventing and or contained the spread of the disease. This paper looks at the preventive measures of the World Health Organization (WHO), adopted by the Nigerian Government in the fight against the Virus and the perceptions of residents in three selected city centers of Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka in Anambra state Southeastern Nigeria. The data used in this paper were accumulated from three hundred randomly selected adult (within 25 and 65years old) literate residents in sampled city centers using structured questionnaire, supplemented by oral interviews and other literatures. The data collected was subjected to Principal Component Analysis to discover the principles underlying variables and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis to identify the effects of the misconceptions. Recommendations therefore suggests rescinding the lockdown policy; production and free distribution of face masks, soaps, hand sanitizers, and immune booster supplements; provision of water supply; intensified sensitization and massive testing for Covid-19.

ATTITUDES OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TOWARDS (SIWES) PROGRAMME AT KOGI STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) BABBA

This research work investigated the attitude of students towards Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) using the descriptive survey research design. The research was conducted among undergraduates students of the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba, 40 students were randomly sampled from the school of Vocational and school Technical education. The instrument was the questionnaire in likert type response format; Strongly Agree (5), A =Agree (4), U= Undecided (3), DA= Disagree (2), and SD =Strongly Disagree (1). the research questions were analyzed using the mean rating, and the findings are that: School equipment were not found replicating those in the industries, the schools lack adequate infrastructures that discouraged students further in showing concern for industry’s based training, Knowledge of I.T was found to be valuable in giving students an idea of industrial management and SIWES enhance student’s ability to tackle technical problems. It was observed that student attitude toward SIWES has improved over time, regardless of challenges on ground. It was however recommended that ITF should ensure regular visitation of the IT officers to supervisors, agencies, institution, employers and students on attachment. Also, checking of log –book issued to students at place of attachment by institutions is recommended so that the average vocational students can develop a good sense of work commitment.

FOOD INSECURITY: A WARNING SIGN OF POVERTY

This study examined the relationship between food insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.Poverty and food insecurity is social determinants of economic wellbeing. The pandemic COVID 19 which had extremely affected the world economy has also increased the rate of food insecurity as well as poverty in various households by 16%. The present economic conditions have produced a pattern of widespread starvation among the poor with more people dying from poverty-related causes. The rapid increases in food insecurity are as a result of the pandemic, lack of agricultural storage facilities for food, and actions of wholesalers and transporter in the market. The studies enumerate the responsibilities of both governmental and non-governmental organizations on aiding the increasing food scarcity and alleviate poverty among the masses.

HOUSEHOLDS’ RESILIENCE TO COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN NIGERIA: WAY FORWARD

The impact of the current global pandemic on households’ economy in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Undoubtedly, households’ resilience is threatened by the global pandemic that has ravaged the means of survival of people in both urban and rural areas. The onset of the lockdown that affected all individuals put setback on economic activities and this impacted negatively on the income of households. The already dwindling economy of households, especially those in rural areas become hampered thereby enhancing vulnerability. The poor becomes poorer because there is no back up that the poor could easily fall on. Also, the capacity to recover and adapt become impaired. The emergence of COVID 19 has implication for food security sustainability among households. This study employed the use of secondary sources to examine the vulnerability of households to the global pandemic and the ramifications of the effect of COVID 19 on households’ economy in the rural and urban areas of Nigeria. Containment strategies (such as innovative information system delivery, interest free loan especially to entrepreneurs, sensitization and promotion of home gardening particularly in urban, among others) that could stimulate households’ resilience or foster quick economic recovery in urban and rural Nigeria in the bid to ensure food security and livelihood sustainability were suggested.

EXAMINING STATUS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS; COMPARISM WITH MEN COUNTERPARTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

This paper discussed the status of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, It discovered and addressed the different challenges, obstacles and regrets of Nigerian Women entrepreneurs despite all their efforts and interests in business. Most of the literature has been mainly theoretical qualitative. This paper contributes to addressing the gap and comparing the Nigerian Women entrepreneurs with their men counterparts. The exploratory factor indicated that Nigerian Women entrepreneurs are highly marginalized compared to the men counterparts which includes the aspects of tradition and cultural belief even when they struggle as much as their men counterparts, if not more. The paper suggested that Nigerian Women need to be supported, improved and motivated if not more than the men counterparts, the motivations can be targeted to promote sustainable entrepreneurship in addition to complementary support such as improving business management skills and competencies for sustainable women entrepreneurs.