Assessment Of The Use Of Mobile Phone Technology: Extension Significance In Orashi Region Of Rivers State, Nigeria
O Chukuigwe
Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,
B A Odinwa
Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), PMB 11, Omoku, Rivers State.
Keywords: Use, Mobile phone, Technology, Extension, Significance, Orashi Region
Abstract
The study assessed the use of Mobile Phone Technology: Extension Significance in Orashi Region of Rivers State, Nigeria. A total number of four hundred (400) respondents were randomly selected from farmers, traders, civil servants, community leaders and students from the four Local Government headquarters in the region. Four specific objectives were framed to guide the study. Primary data used was collected through a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive (Percentage and weighted mean scores) and inferential statistics (ANOVA) were employed for data analysis. The result showed that mobile phones were massively used by all and sundry in the region. It showed that the most used networks were MTN (GM = 3.48), Airtel (GM =3.44), 9-Mobile (GM =3.17) and GLO (GM =3.02) in the area. It showed that mobile phones were used to make and receive calls (GM=3.71), send messages (GM=3.70), listen to music (GM =3.67), e-mail (GM =3.63), research purpose (GM =3.62), play games (GM =3.54), access the internet (GM=3.12), watch video/film (GM =3.06), snap pictures (GM =3.05) and facilitates crimes like kidnapping (GM =3.04), among others. It shows that registration of mobile phone (GM =3.59), not using mobile phone along the road (GM =3.57), not using mobile phone while driving (GM =3.47), punishing offenders publicly (GM =3.43), not using mobile phone in public places (GM =3.38), not using mobile phone in the classroom, (GM =3.14) and periodic verification of phone numbers (GM = 3.40) are ways of conditioning the use of mobile phone in the area. The study therefore recommends that: 1)Post – impact assessment of the use of mobile phone be carried out in the area, 2) All users of mobile phones should be subjected to register their phones to march their Biodata Verification Number (BVN), 3) A task force should be set up by the state government to check and arrest those making use of mobile phones along the streets, roads and while driving in the area, and 4) Network providers like the popular MTN should develop effective mechanisms that will work in all mobile phones for tracking crimes involving mobile phones within and beyond Orashi region in Nigeria.