When compared to in situ conservation sites like national parks and game reserves in Nigeria, zoos are the most visited wildlife tourism destinations given their proximity to people and close interactions with wildlife. This study explored the characteristics of visitors and the image they possess about zoos. A total of 1529 visitors were sampled using a structured questionnaire in four prominent Nigerian zoos in the southwest zone. The results revealed that the majority of visitors were single, young and mid adult male and female Nigerians within the age range of 18 -37 years. The foremost image of visitors about a zoo is that of close wildlife experience, recreation and entertainment, however, conservation was least acknowledged. Only age was found to have a significant relationship with the destination image. The st udy concludes that zoo managers should continually employ various strategies in projecting the right image of zoos. The study extends current re search on zoos by highlighting so far, the uninvestigated image of zoos in Nigeria and documenting practical implications.
Surveys exploring satisfaction, place attachment and loyalty in a zoo context are scarce despite the prevalence of such studies vis a vis other tourism destinations, and their valued importance in understanding travel behaviour and contributions to destinations’ success. This study explores the relationships between visitors’ satisfaction, place attachment (place identity, place dependence, place affect and place social bonding) and loyalty in one of Nigeria’s prominent zoos. This study adoped a qunatitative research approach, with data obtained from a sample of 395 visitors through a structured questionnaire. Using structural equation modeling, we found that the most important causal factor of loyalty is satisfaction, either directly or indirectly through some dimensions of place attachment. In addition, it was revealed that place social bonding can act as either a predictor or an outcome of visitors’ satisfaction. Satisfaction was found to be a significant and positive mediator between place attachment (place identity and place social bonding) while place attachment was found not to mediate the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. The findings were discussed and practical applications were drawn, particularly aimed at optimizing and providing satisfying experiences which enhances place attachment as well as loyalty.
Background The low utilisation of modern contraceptives in many low- and middle-income countries remains a challenge. Patent medicine vendors (PMVs) that operate in the informal health sector, have the potential to address this challenge. Between 2015 and 2018, the Population Council, in collaboration with the Federal and State Ministries of Health and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, trained PMVs in six states to deliver injectable contraceptive services. Outcome evaluation demonstrated increased client uptake of injectable contraceptive services; however, there is limited information on how and why the intervention influenced outcomes. This study was conducted to elucidate the processes and mechanism through which the previous intervention influenced women’s utilisation of injectable contraceptive services. Methods The study utilised a mixed methods, convergent parallel design guided by the UK Medical Research Council framework. Quantitative data were obtained from 140 trained PMVs and 145 of their clients in three states and 27 in-depth interviews were conducted among relevant stakeholders. The quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results The results revealed that even after the completion of the PMV study which had a time-bound government waiver for injectable contraceptive service provision by PMVs, they continued to stock and provide injectables in response to the needs of their clients contrary to the current legislation which prohibits this. The causal mechanism that influenced women’s utilisation of injectable contraceptives were the initial training that the PMV received; the favourable regulatory environment as demonstrated in the approval provided by government for PMVs to provide injectable contraceptives for the duration of the study; and the satisfaction and the confidence the female clients had developed in the ability of the PMVs to serve them. However, there were gaps with regards to the consistent supply of quality injectable contraceptive commodities and in PMVs use of job aids. Referral and linkages to government or private-owned facilities were also sub-optimal. Conclusion PMVs continue to play important roles in family planning service provision; this underscores the need to formalize and scale-up this intervention to aid their integral roles coupled with multi-faceted initiatives to enhance the quality of their services.
Despite the significance of motivation in understanding the behaviour of tourists, its interconnectedness to environmental attitude and place attachment has been scarcely studied in nature-based tourism destinations, especially outside the western and Anglo western context. This study examined these constructs as individual variables as well as the inter-relationships that exist between them in the context of a wildlife park. Using a convenience sampling technique, 372 visitors were surveyed. It was revealed that visitors displayed more anthropocentric beliefs than ecologically favourable concerns. Their motivations centred on experiencing and appreciating nature, recreation, relaxation and education which are some of the core goals of the establishment of such areas as wildlife parks. The levels of attachment to the destination were however mild. The results further revealed significant associations between the constructs. The partial mediating role of motivation in the relationship between environmental attitude and place attachment was also reported. Appropriate conclusions were drawn and managerial implications were discussed.
Construction projects are very important to the infrastructural development of a country. The study assessed the causes of conflict in construction projects in Ondo State, with focus on Akure South Local Government. The multistage sampling procedure of data collection was used. The population of the study was 240 contractors and consultants and the sample was 150. The study used a set of structured questionnaire to obtain primary data. The collected data were statistically analysed using frequency, percentage and mean ranking. Findings from the study indicate that conflict occurs in public construction projects. It identified ten dominant causes of conflict in construction projects in study area. Also, the study revealed the most important cause of conflict as the tendency of contractor claiming high prices with mean value=3.468. It is recommended that conflict be addressed early to prevent its escalation which may affect construction project performance negatively. It is further recommended that construction project team conflict should be trained in conflict management.
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