INFLUENCE OF WOMEN COOPERATIVES ON THE WELFARE OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

O. E. Adelakun, S. O. Odebode, M. M. Fabunmi — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cooperative societies have proven to be valuable setups for social inclusion and women's empowerment. This study assessed the contributions of women cooperatives to household welfare in rural communities of Osun state, Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 160 registered women cooperators were proportionately selected by size across wards. Interview schedules were used to collect data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, and t-test analyses. The age of respondents was 47.0±11.0 years, with most of them being married (79.4%). Over fifty-five percent of respondents were processors with an average monthly household income of ?18,713.25. The majority were members of credit and thrift societies (95.6%) and processing cooperatives (51.9%). Lack of government support (1.53) and diversion of loans for different purposes (0.93) were major constraints to participation in cooperatives. Most respondents were worse off (60.6%) before joining cooperatives and better off (57.5%) after associating with one form of cooperative or another. Monthly income (r = 0.220), years of experience in cooperative (r = 0.298), educational qualification (?²= 13.189), level of participation in cooperative (r =0.129), benefit derived from participating in cooperative (r =0.377) and constraints to participating in cooperative (r =-0.116) were significantly related to respondents’ welfare status. Membership in cooperatives influenced the welfare of women cooperators. However, there was a need for training on various modes of operation of cooperative societies. This would ensure that rural women benefited maximally from the services of cooperative societies.

REDUCTION OF ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS OF DRIFTING FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES (DFADS) USING DRONE TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIAN OFFSHORE WATERS

G. W. Olakunle, B. Falaye, R. Olabinwonnu, G. A. Ayodeji — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs), which are used intensively in industrial tuna fisheries, have become widespread in West African waters. While effective in aggregating pelagic species such as tuna, dFADs have serious environmental consequences in the form of ghost fishing, marine pollution and disruption of ocean ecosystem processes. These challenges are further added to by dFADs drifting into Nigerian offshore waters from neighboring countries, increasing the difficulty of fisheries management and undermining conservation efforts. Existing mitigation efforts are limited by high cost, technology deficits, and weak enforcement capacity. This research examined the possibility of employing drone technology as an affordable and environmentally friendly means of mitigating the environmental impact of dFADs in Nigerian waters. Drone-assisted reconnaissance missions were conducted at three offshore locations — Brass, Escravos and Lagos — augmented by two locally adapted fishery boats. Utilization of drones enabled real-time identification, geolocation, and recovery of errant dFADs, which was more efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional retrieval. The results indicated that drone utilization reduced time and the impacts of uncontrolled dFAD drift, saving marine ecosystems. The research highlighted the need for regional cooperation among ECOWAS member states in the regulation of utilization, traceability and disposal of dFADs through shared surveillance platforms. The outcomes offer actionable suggestions to policymakers, fisheries stakeholders, and conservationists responsible for protecting the marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Guinea, in addition to promoting responsible fishing habits.

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INFLUENCE OF WOMEN COOPERATIVES ON THE WELFARE OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

REDUCTION OF ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS OF DRIFTING FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES (DFADS) USING DRONE TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIAN OFFSHORE WATERS