WATARI Multidisciplinary Journal of Science Technologyand Mathematics

Volume 9

2025

WATARI Multidisciplinary Journal of Science Technologyand Mathematics

Articles

Peer

Reviewed

Editorial Note

"Editorial Notes"

Featured Articles

Peer-reviewed research from this volume

IN-VITRO PROPAGATION OF TOMATOES UNDER ASEPTIC CONDITION

Vol

In this study the major focus was to regenerate and produce multiples of Tomato (solanum lypersicon), with other desirable traits; in the absence of seed. The apical Meristem of tomato seedling was used as ex-plants for in vitro callogenesis. The ex-plants were washed with distilled water and sterilized by treating with 70% ethanol for 2 minutes and 20% of sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes, ex-plants were thereafter washed 3 times with distilled water and then sterilized ex-plants were placed on MS medium modified with 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 mg/L 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) and incubated in the dark for callus induction and regeneration. The effect of different concentration of 2, 4-D on the callus induction from apical Meristem of tomatoes was evaluated under in vitro condition, 3.0,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.0mg/L 2, 4-D and were tested. The best optimum number of callus induction was MS medium supplemented with 4.5mg/L 2,4-D with an average percentage callus induction of (95.8%) and degree of callus growth (XXX) followed by MS medium supplemented with 4.0mg/L 2,4-D with an average percentage callus induction of (70.8%) and degree of callus growth (XX). The least was MS medium supplemented with 3.5mg/L 2, 4-D with an average percentage of callus induction of (56.8%) and degree of callus growth (XX). From the best optimum number of callus induction on MS medium supplemented with 4.5mg/L 2,4-D, the percentage of callus formation in each bottle was sub-cultured on fresh MS medium having concentrations of Zeatin (1mg/L) and 2,4-D (1mg/L) for regeneration. They showed average percentages of regeneration of 62.2% . Negative factors were eliminated.

TEACHING MATHEMATICS WITH THE AID OF AN AI CHATBOT FOR IMPROVING MATHEMATICAL THINKING SKILLS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN GOMBE STATE

Vol

ABSTRACT The researcher in this study analyses AI chatbots in order to facilitate the mathematical thinking capacity of tertiary students at Gombe State, Nigeria, which has low resources and a large number of students, in a region with limited resources. It was primarily aimed at identifying whether AI chatbots can help to improve problem-solving skills and develop interest in mathematics under problematic conditions. The quasi-experimental study design was deemed to have two groups, i.e. one treatment group (TE), which involved the use of AI chatbots, and another control group (CO), which involved the use of the traditional instruction. The data collection methods in the measurement of the performance and engagement were pre-test and post-test, student questionnaires, and system logs. The findings show that AI chatbots were more effective in enhancing the problem-solving capabilities and reasoning among the students, and this implies that AI-based personalized learning can lead to the high level of improvement in the area of mathematics. The article demonstrates the potentials of the AI chatbots to eliminate inequality in education particularly when such resources are limited and defines their capability to provide personalized learning in mass scale.

IMPROVING INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE MECHANISM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

Vol

Abstract The Nigeria educational system is faced with the challenge of repositioning her educational system to meet the national and international expectations. This call for functional mechanism to ensure those standards and monitor performance at all levels of education in Nigeria. The paper therefore examined the need for improving internal quality assurance mechanism in computer education programme. The paper also examined the concept of quality assurance, parameters for measuring quality assurance, challenges facing quality assurance and strategies that can be adopted to assure quality. The paper recommended among other things: need for Supervision of instruction and teaching effectiveness, need for government to institute a periodic workshops and conferences where experience professionals are invited to talk to education undergraduates, the need for qualified and experienced teachers, qualified students and finally the need for curriculum review from time to time so as to make it relevant to present day needs. The paper concludes that quality assurance is a continuous phenomenon and should be observed always.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHOSPHATE APPLICATION ON GROWTH OF SOME COWPEA VARIETIES (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L. WALP) IN MINJIBIR, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Vol

Abstract Phosphorus is important for cowpea production in many tropical African soils with inherent low phosphorus. Most farmers in Africa, however, do not have access to phosphorus fertilizer. Selection of cowpea variety that can produce good yield under low soil phosphorus or those with high phosphorus use efficiency can be a low input approach to solving this problem. In order to examine the possibility of the problem identified above, field experiment was conducted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano station farm located at Minjibir Local Government. The study aimed at assessing the differential phosphorus response of cowpea varieties that are tolerant to low phosphorus: IT97K-819-118, IT98K-205-8, IT97K-499-35 and IT99K-573-1-1. The study found that IT99K-573-1-1 gives the highest yield without phosphorus, followed by the IT97K-499-35, IT98K-205-8 and lastly IT97K-819-118. This concludes that there are varieties that can be carefully selected to mitigate unavailability of phosphorous fertilizer to farmers who wish to produce cowpea. The study, recommends that these potential varieties should be tested at multiple sites under various soil phosphorus condition to confirm the result.

STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING QUALITY ASSURANCE MECHANISM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Vol

Abstract, The widespread recognition of education as a major driver of economic competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy has made high quality education more important than ever before. This emphasize the importance of ensuring quality assurance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for sustainable development through quality education. Thus, this paper delves into the meaning and importance of STEM education, achieving quality education through STEM Education, parameters for measuring quality assurance in STEM Education, challenges of quality assurance in STEM education as well as strategies for improving quality assurance mechanism in STEM education. The paper concludes that the importance of STEM education in providing quality education cannot be overemphasized and ensuring quality assurance in STEM education should be paramount to stakeholders in the field of education. Regular inspection of schools from the science section of the Ministries of Education, setting up of quality assurance implementation committees as well as encouraging STEM teachers to attend in-service trainings such as sandwich and part-time training through government sponsorship were recommended.

INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PRACTICE IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Vol

Abstract “No educational system can rise above the quality of its teachers” (NPE, 2013) this notion of the National Policy on Education signifies the need for highly qualified and competent teachers that will effectively manage our schools and cascade quality education to the younger generation in our society. Colleges of education as teacher training institutions where minimum teaching qualification (NCE) is acquired are expected to practice internal quality assurance in their respective institutions with the view of providing enabling environment for teaching and learning through regular monitoring and internal assessment by authorised reputable individuals. This paper discusses the concepts of quality assurance, the nexus between internal and external quality assurance; the prospects of internal quality assurance in Colleges of education were highlighted which include; ensuring quality of teaching and learning, ensuring the quality of assessment judgments by checkmating the quality of continuous assessments and examinations questions as well as conducting self-assessment to identify the challenges and existing gaps in the Colleges. The challenges in practicing internal quality assurance in Colleges of education were also highlighted. The paper concludes that internal quality assurance is a new mechanism in Colleges of education that enable the institutions to identify their shortcomings and make up by conducting so many activities. Recommendations on how to address the challenges facing the Colleges and quality assurance Directorates in ensuring quality delivery for the benefit of all were also proffered.

ASSESSMENT OF BUSINESS SKILLS AND SELF-EFFICACY AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENTS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION

Vol

Abstract This study aimed to assess business educators’ perceptions of business skills and self-efficacy as predictors of students’ entrepreneurial intentions in Jigawa State Colleges of Education. The study used a structured questionnaire titled “Assessment of Business Educators’ Perceptions on Business Skills and Self-efficacy as Predictors of Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention” (ABEDPBSMSPSEI), which was developed by the researcher and validated by three experts from the College of Education Gumel and the College of Education and Legal Studies Ringim. The questionnaire used a four-point rating scale (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree) with assigned numerical values of 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively. Items with a mean score of 2.50 and above were considered “Strongly Agreed” (SA), while items with a mean score of 2.49 and below were considered “Strongly Disagreed” (SD). The study found that business educators perceive skills in financial management, marketing, and strategic planning, as well as self-efficacy, as strong predictors of students’ entrepreneurial intentions. These findings align with previous research and suggest that educators recognize the importance of these factors in fostering students’ entrepreneurial aspirations. To address this issue, colleges should integrate business skills into the curriculum, enhance self-efficacy development, promote entrepreneurship education, provide resources and support for entrepreneurs, and monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions.

ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AMONG CHEMISTRY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN KANO STATE

Vol

Abstract Chemistry is everything and everywhere, as a result, chemistry offers wide varieties of business opportunities for small and medium enterprises development like any other discipline. From the perspective of students, starting a new firm is a complicated decision due to high uncertainty and perceived risk. There are many factors that can support or hinder the students’ decision to start their own business. Therefore, entrepreneurial intention of chemistry education students in tertiary educational institutions in Kano state were surveyed with structured questionnaire. Research questions were raised and hypotheses tested using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Motivation to go into private business included quest to gain more money, influence from family and the urge to be an independent person. Barriers such as lack of initial capital outlay (seed capital) and lack of guidance proved to be highly significant hindrances. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that all stakeholders should create and strengthen entrepreneurial education specifically for tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN EFFLUENT RELEASED FROM INDUSTRIES IN CHALLAWA RIVER, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Vol

Abstract Industrialization plays a crucial role in economic development, contributing to job creation, technological advancements, and overall economic growth. However, rapid industrialization often leads to environmental degradation. Industrial activities are major contributors to environmental pollution, particularly through the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated industrial effluents, which led to significant environmental challenges in the area. The Challawa River, which receives waste from the industrial estate, is a primary source of water for irrigation and, in some cases, for domestic use. Consequently, there is a heightened risk of heavy metal contamination affecting soil and water quality, posing potential threats to agriculture and public health. This study assessed the concentration of selected heavy metals—Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) in effluent samples released from the industries in Challawa Industrial Area of Kano State, Nigeria. The water effluent samples were collected from three distinct sites, prepared and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) after nitric acid (HNO3) digestion. The results showed critically elevated levels of Cd (0.076 mg/L), Cr (22.07 mg/L), and Pb (1.770 mg/L), significantly exceeding WHO (2017) and NESREA (2011) permissible limits, thereby posing serious risks to environmental and public health. In contrast, Cu and Zn were within the WHO and NESREA permissible limits. These findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory enforcement, research, improved industrial wastewater treatment, and public health awareness.

APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICS SKILLS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Vol

Absract Mathematics skills serve as a critical foundation in entrepreneurship education, equipping learners with analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities essential for sustainable development. Many entrepreneurship students lack adequate mathematics skills like financial literacy, statistics, optimization necessary for sustainable business management and limited integration of mathematics into entrepreneurship curricula, making students unprepared for real-world challenges. Overemphasis on theoretical mathematics without practical application in business scenarios. Students who acquire mathematical skills through entrepreneurship education are better equipped to make informed decisions, manage resources efficiently and sustain their enterprises. The paper discussed mathematics skills in entrepreneurship education and the qualities required for entrepreneurial skills to be successful. It was recommended among others that Government and non-governmental organizations should create an enabling environment for business development programs in schools by providing capital and other resources to enable schools to organize seminars, conferences, and also training and retraining of mathematics teachers and students on various innovative skills concerning entrepreneurial activities.

EFFECTIVE USE OF DIGITAL PEDAGOGY FOR MASTERY AND ERROR REMEDIATION IN TEACHING COMPUTER KEYBOARDING: A CASE STUDY OF BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS OF JIGAWA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GUMEL

Vol

Abstracts The research work tested the Effectiveness of digital pedagogy for mastery and error remediation in teaching computer keyboarding in Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel. Experimental research design was adopted for this study with two specific objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses were used. A total of 100 students constituted the population of the study, while 60 students were selected using simple random sampling to serve as the sample of the study. Two instruments i.e post-test 1 and II were used in the process of collecting data. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores, percentage, average, range and Z-test. The study finds that there is significant difference in mastery and error remediation between students taught keyboarding using digital pedagogy and those that were taught without digital pedagogy. The finding also shows that, there is a significant difference in error remediation between control and experimental groups. As a measure to enable graduating NCE students to effectively handle our Junior Secondary students as contained in the NCCE minimum standard. Therefore, greater use of digital pedagogy in teaching keyboard at NCE Business Education should be encouraged. The study also recommends that, effective use of digital pedagogy should be encouraged and monitored by the head of department in teaching keyboarding to enhance the mastery of keyboard by NCE I students.

DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SOLVING UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS AMONG NIGERIAN BUSINESS EDUCATION GRADUATES

Vol

Abstract: This study explores the critical role that digital entrepreneurship plays in addressing the ongoing unemployment issues that Nigerian business education graduates confront. Less than 20% of graduates are absorbed into formal employment, despite the high annual output. This is mostly because of skill mismatches and a lack of digital competences. The situation is made worse by structural elements such as population increase, economic reliance on oil, a lack of vocational training, and a lack of support for entrepreneurs. By giving graduates the necessary digital skills to provide self-employment options and stimulate innovation in the digital economy, digital entrepreneurship education presents a promising career path. The study underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and educational strategies that integrate digital entrepreneurship into business curricula, aiming to empower graduates to generate employment and contribute to sustainable economic development. Addressing infrastructural, pedagogical, and curriculum challenges is essential to fully harness this potential in Nigeria’s youth-driven economy.

ASSESSMENT OF MUSCULAR ENDURANCE AMONG THE STUDENT OF AMINU KANO COLLEGE OF ISLAMIC AND LEGAL STUDIES

Vol

Abstract This study assessed the muscular endurance of students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and legal studies, Kano, Kano State. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for this study was 12, 072 students and a sample of 380 students were drawn through a multi-staged sampling procedure. The variable measured was muscular endurance. Simple frequency counts and percentages was used to organize and describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents; means and standard deviations were used for the physical characteristics of the respondents and inferential statistics of chi square was used to test the hypothesis to determine the muscular fitness of respondents and independent t-test was used to determine the difference between the male and female students. The results of the study revealed that students of the College have significant muscular endurance (ᵡ2 = 6.40, p = 0.001 < 0.05). Male students of the College do not significantly differ (t = 0.895, p = 0.372 > 0.05) from their female counterparts in their muscular endurance. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made that the physical activity of students should be a concern for the school in particular and the policy makers in general. Students of the College should be encouraged as much as possible to develop their physical fitness through daily physical activities because doing so will develop their physical fitness as well as free them from diseases, such as back pains and leg pains.

TWO MODES OF COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGES AND COLLEGES OF EDUCATION STUDENTS RETENTION IN BASIC GENERAL MATHEMATICS

Vol

Abstract This paper studied two modes of computer assisted instructional packages and colleges of education students’ retention in basic general mathematics. This study specifically adopted quasi experimental research design. The population of the study comprised of 2967 NCE 1 students in government owned colleges of education in south-east, Nigeria. The sample of the study comprised 137 NCE 1 students from four colleges of education (two states and two federal). Multi stage sampling technique was used to select the study sample. Three research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The instruments used for the study were Basic General Mathematics Learning Package (BGMLP) and Basic General Mathematics Retention Test (BGMRT). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed audio, video with text enhanced students’ retention in BGM and that gender has no significant difference in students’ retention in basic general mathematics. The study recommended that: audio, video with text should be used in teaching students to improve their retention in basic general mathematics and mathematics in general, school administrators should provide necessary facility that will enable the use of AVT mode of CAI in teaching students and government should furnish schools with needed facility that could enhance the use of AVT mode of CAI in teaching basic general mathematics.

ROLE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AMIDST COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Vol

Abstract The paper examined a brief history of Vocational Education and its objectives contained in the minimum standards of National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). It also discussed the concept of sustainable development from different perspectives. The paper also examined the effects of covid-19 pandemic to vocational education programme. It went further to explain the roles played by vocational education during covid-19 pandemic. It recommends that government and teachers of vocational education should encourage the use of innovative approaches to facilitate effective teaching and learning in the field of vocational education.

THE STUDY OF DETERMINANT MEASURE OF FINITE RHOTRIX SETS

Vol

Abstract This paper extends rhotrix theory to the study of measure theory through the instrumentality of determinant measure of finite matrix set. Construction and axiomatization of measure functions over sigma algebra on finite rhotrix sets are considered. A systematization of some existing results in measure theory using finite rhotrix sets, as an underlying set are made. The results is that measure theory can be used on not on the real line and the determinant measure study of finite rhotrix sets is possible. It would also help in showing the application of rhotrix theory in the abstract study of measure theory.

TRACE ELEMENTS CONCENTRATION OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE DRINKING WATER IN KANO STATE

Vol

Abstract Drinking water is important for the survival of all living beings. Many trace elements, both metals and non-metals, in drinking water are capable of causing human diseases if their concentrations exceed certain permissible levels. This study aims at measuring the concentrations of Zinc, Chromium and Cadmium in the commercially available drinking water in Kano state using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique. A total of 94 water samples were analyzed. The mean concentrations of the metals obtained in this study are within the maximum permissible levels for the drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). Conductivity and pH of the water samples were also measured to investigate correlation between their values and the concentrations of the three metals. A positive correlation is obtained between the metal concentrations and the corresponding conductivity values, while no significant correlation is seen between the pH values and the metal concentrations.

ENHANCING MOVIE RECOMMENDATION USING A MODIFIED ALTERNATING LEAST SQUARES ALGORITHM

Vol

ABSTRACT Recommender systems are software techniques and tools that provide suggestions of items to be used by users, the suggestions are aimed at supporting users in various decision making process. The study tried to enhance a movie recommender system using a Modified Alternating Least Squares Algorithm to improve recommendations. An experiment was conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed design. The result shows that the algorithm effectively improves the movie recommender system. To validate system, we ran extensive experiments using Apache Spark with Movielens1M dataset. We compare the system with the other methodologies. The performance metrics used in the experiments are Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Precision and Recall. The results of the experiments show that the proposed Modified Alternating Least Squares (MALS) algorithm reduces the RMSE, MAE values compared to the existing recent ALS-based Algorithms, thereby improving the recommendation accuracy of the recommender system. As such, MALS is recommended to be used in training collaborative filtering recommendation systems, so as to result in generating best recommendations.

PRELIMINARY FOR WATARI VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

Vol

AS ALREADY DISPLAYED