Agnes Ebi Maliki

Assessing Nigerian university students knowledge about HIV / AIDS.

Abstract The HIV/AIDS knowledge survey was carried out among Nigerian university students to assess their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. A total of 900 undergraduates of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria participated in the study. They consisted of 520 male students and 380 female students within the age bracket of 18years and 40 years (M= 20.62, SD=2.28). The main finding of the study indicated that current students have a highly favourable knowledge about HIV/AIDS. To this end, HIV/AIDS interventions that college counsellors could adopt to sustain this trend were advocated.

Analysis of Students’ Performance in Junior Secondary School Mathematics Examination in Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Abstract Mathematics is the bedrock of all science and technologically based subjects. The poor performance of students in mathematics tests has become a thing of great concern to all stakeholders such as: parents, teachers, and government. This paper therefore looked at the influence of sex, school location and school type on the academic achievement of secondary school students in mathematics. The paper found out that student performance in mathematics in junior secondary school Examination for 2006 was high, male students performed better than their female counterparts in the examination, students from the rural school performed better than students from urban schools in mathematics examination and also students from private schools performed better than those from public schools.

Youths, Electoral Violence and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: The Bayelsa State Experience

Abstract No human collectivity can experience any meaningful and sustainable level of progress if it fails to systematically, deliberately and constructively engage and harness the drive and energy of the youths. It is based on these premises that the paper decided to investigate the role of youths in the ugly phenomenon of electoral violence and its implication for democracy in Nigeria. The basic proposition of this write up is that how the political elites behave and the roles they assign to the youths will go a long way to demonstrate whether Nigeria is heading towards democratic consolidation or not. The paper which is an empirical study based its analysis on data derived from the sample population of 400 youths in Bayelsa State. The statistical analysis technique of Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed to arrive at the conclusion that there is a significant relationship between youths’ involvement in electoral violence and the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The conclusion of the paper is that Nigeria will not experience democratic sustenance until its political class inculcate in the youths relevant democratic culture.

Background Variables, Social Responsibility and Academic Achievement among Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between background variables, social responsibility and academic achievement among senior secondary school students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The sample of the study was made up of 450 senior secondary three students randomly selected from the secondary schools in Bayelsa State. From the data analyzed, it was found out that various dimensions of social responsibility are significantly related to academic achievement. The study also revealed that parental educational attainment and number of siblings are related to sex. It was also discovered that there was no significant relationship between social responsibility and age of parents.

Par ental Child Rearing Styles, Parental Marital Relationship and Students' Attitude towards Cultism in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State of Nigeria: Counselling Implications

Abstract This study examined the influence of parental child rearing patterns and parental marital relationships and attitude of university undergraduates to cultism. Five hundred and seventy-two undergraduates from Niger Delta University, Bayelsa-State of Nigeria participated in the study. The findings revealed that there is significant influence of parental child rearing patterns on students’ attitude towards cultism. Also, the findings revealed that parental marital relationship has a significant positive relationship with students’ attitude towards cultism. Some counseling implications were derived to include: guidance and counseling units in institutions of higher learning should organize conferences and seminars where students can be educated and encouraged to build a high self-esteem, self-control, and positives body image of self as all these can enable the students develop negative attitude towards cultism.

Demographic Variables and Perception of Human Trafficking in the South-South Zone of Nigeria

Abstract The problem of human trafficking has continued to plague the Nigerian society generally and the southsouth zone in particular. The increasing rates of its practices and its associated health problems such as HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are really causes for serious concern. This study was conducted with 1000 (one thousand) civil servants in government ministries from the south-south cities of Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Yenegoa, Asaba and Benin city, to find out how demographic variables such as age, gender and residential location influence their perception of human trafficking, since all accusing fingers seems to point at this direction. Results of the data analyses using independent t-test revealed a significantly positive relationship. Therefore, an aggressive public enlightenment campaign should be embarked upon in order to arouse an objective perception of the issue.

Bullying Problems among School Children

Abstract This paper examined the problems of bullying in schools. The paper is a position paper. The term bullying refers to physical, verbal and psychological attacks intended to induce fear and distress or to inflict physical harm upon victim. Physical attacks between peers were traditionally categorized as rough play and integrated parts of students’ culture. The victims of bullying can have a variety of psychological problems such as: low self confidence, feeling of worthlessness; and low self esteem. The study advocates that bullying should not be viewed as an integral part of growing up but as an antisocial behavior associated with public health problems. The authors suggested ways to prevent and stop bullying in our schools.

Parental Socio-economic Status and Attitude of Towards Cultism in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State: Implication for Counselling

Abstract The study sought to examine the influence of parental socio-economics status and attitude of students towards cultism. The study was carried out in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Five hundred and seven two (572) undergraduates were the respondents. The study revealed that parental socio-economic status significantly influences the attitude of students towards cultism. The study also indicated that students who are from high and average socio-economic status are most significantly influenced. Also counseling implications were advocated.

Interpersonal Relationship Behaviours, Perceived Social and Civic Obligations, Background Variables and Academic Achievement among Senior Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Abstract The study sought to examine the differences between interpersonal relationship behaviours, perceived social and civic obligations, background variables and academic achievement among senior secondary school students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted in this study. The sample consisted of 228 male students and 222 female students, all of senior secondary three randomly selected. The findings revealed that there were significant differences in students’ measure of interpersonal relationship behaviours and perceived social and civic obligations on the basis of sex, fathers’ educational attainment, number of siblings, age of father and academic achievement. Male and female students whose fathers had higher educational attainment, as well as those from large families, who had older fathers and those with higher educational attainment were on the average in their interpersonal relational relationship behaviours and social and civic obligations than their male counterparts, whose fathers were less educated, had fewer number of siblings, had younger fathers and lower achievement scores.

Gender Differences in Preferences in Marriage Partner's Selection among University Undergraduates in South-South Zone of Nigeria

Abstract The study sought to examine gender differences in preferences in marriage partner selection among university undergraduates in south-south zone of Nigeria. The study population was made up of 135 231 university undergraduates in south-south zone of Nigeria. The sample was made up of 1420 university undergraduates randomly selected from 7 universities out of 11 universities in the zone. Independent t-test was used to test the hypothesis at.05 level of significance. The result of the findings indicated that gender differences do not exist in preferences in marriage partner’s selection in terms of personality traits, marriage partner’s socio-economic status and physical attractiveness. Counseling implications were derived from the findings which include that counselors should create awareness by organizing awareness campaign programmes in the universities on the process of selecting a marriage partner.