This study investigated agricultural information dissemination to soybean farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: identify the types and the extent to which agricultural information is disseminated to soybean farmers in Niger state. It also aims to establish the relationship between dissemination of agricultural information and quality of life of farmers. Descriptive survey and multistage sampling technique was used for the study. In the first stage, purposive sampling technique was used to select three Local Government Areas under the Niger State Agricultural and Mechanization Development Authority (NAMDA). In the second stage, stratification of the three Local Government Areas into four extension blocks was carried out. In the third stage, a random selection of respondents from the four blocks in proportionate to size was done. Questionnaire was the instrument used for the collection of data. The data collected were tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that some types of agricultural information were sufficiently disseminated while others need improvement in dissemination efforts. The study also showed that farmers commonly received information from interpersonal sources. Moreover, agricultural information dissemination was found to bear direct relationship with quality of life of soybean farmers (β=.660, R 2 =.740, p<.05). The study therefore recommended that agricultural information disseminators (particularly state agencies), should disseminate more information on post-harvest activities as this may translate into high income generation and consequently, improve the quality of life of soybean farmers.

The contributions of the tomato-based agro-allied companies in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized because nearly every household consumes tomato products on daily basis. There is low industrial take-off and poor product development among existing agro-allied industries, especially for perishables like a tomato. The current study, therefore, seeks to investigate the factors militating against product development in tomato-based agro-allied food companies in Nigeria. The study employed a survey research design. Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study in the 23 companies studied. In the first stage, fifteen (15) out of the 23 listed and seven (7) out of the seventeen 17 non-listed tomato processing companies were purposively and conveniently selected for the study. In the second stage, the researcher stratified selected companies into existing three departments; Research and Development, Production and marketing were purposively selected. Finally, a simple random sampling technique was used and participants were selected proportionately to the size of each department and a total of 450 respondents were selected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression and t-test) at P≤0.05. Findings revealed that three commonly produced tomato-based products in Nigeria are Tomato paste (15.7%) closely followed by Tomato juice (12.8%) and Tomato sauce (12.6%). Others includes Crushed Italian tomatoes (5.9%), Tomato Ketchup (10%), Tomato Puree (5.7%), Passata (6.9%), Sun dried tomatoes (10.7%), Tomato fat (7.1%), Tomato oil ( 11%) and others (1.6%) respectively. This result shows that most tomato based agro-allied food companies in Nigeria develop mostly tomato paste. It revealed an overall high level of product development with an overall average mean of (mean = 3.32) on the scale of 4points. The identified factors ranges from sluggish exports (mean = 4.1), local market sales (mean = 4.1), custom duties (mean=4.1), exchange rate fluctuation (mean = 4.0), high interest rate (mean = 4.0), price increase (mean = 4.0), procurement of parts (mean = 4.0), inequality control (mean=4.0), lack of progress (mean = 3.9), increase in personnel expenses and increase in fuel (mean =3.9) and lastly lack of facilities, stricter environmental regulations, electric power shortage, inadequate logistics (mean = 3.8) The study concluded that actors and stakeholders in the tomato based agro-allied food companies in Nigeria should be commended for their efforts in sustaining tomato based agro-allied products in the country. The paper recommended that policy makers and heads of production departments of these companies should give more attention to production of other products for increase sales of agricultural products in tomato based agro-allied food companies in Nigeria.

The dynamism of the current digital era requires academic librarians to be lifelong learners who can take advantage of available opportunities to improve their professional competence continuously. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online learning platforms that provide training to learners at little or no costs. While it is documented that a lot of Africans participate in MOOCs, it is not certain whether academic librarians in Nigeria are aware of and take full advantage of MOOCs. The study surveyed awareness and use of MOOCs among academic librarians in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for data collection. This was administered to 83 librarians from five randomly selected university libraries in Ogun state, Nigeria. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that more than half (61.4%) of the respondents were aware of MOOCs whereas, only (42.9%) enrolled for MOOCs. MIT Open Courseware (40%) was the most popular MOOC website among the librarians. Many (53.3%) of those that enrolled expressed inactive participation. Lack of time (50%) was a major barrier to MOOC participation among librarians. The paper recommended that university as well as library management need to formulate strategies and programs that will promote active participation in MOOC among librarians.

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Quality medical care connotes a medical service with inherent ability to meet desired health outcome. Quality medical care is of concern to everyone. This is because it is important to human welfare and efficiency. The situation in Nigeria’s hospitals as depicted in literature and observed by many is worrying. The quality of medical care services available in the Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) in Nigeria is worrisome and of concern to everyone. Empirical evidences in literature have shown that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skill has positive impact on several professional output including medical service. It is believed that ICT proficiency of medical practitioners could contribute to a higher quality of medical care services. This study therefore examined the influence of ICT skill on the quality of medical care in FMC Owo, Nigeria.