This study investigated the benefits of mobile phone usage among cassava processors in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 81 cassava processors across four processing centres as respondents. Data collection was by a structured interview schedule. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and a linear regression model. The results show that the majority (80.2%) of the respondents were females; the respondents’ mean age was 37 years. All (100%) the respondents had one level of education or the other with a greater proportion (49.4%) of them having primary education. Their mean monthly income was N88, 395.06. The majority (72.8%) of them owned mobile phones which they used for business communication with customers. There was high level (M>2.0) of use of mobile phones for business communication by the respondents. The perceived benefits of mobile phone usage were reduced cost of transportation (67.9%); stability of prices of raw materials (66.7%); easy access to market information (61.7%) among others. The regression results show that only membership of social group and ownership of mobile phone had significant effects on level of use of mobile phones for business communication. The major constraints to the use of mobile phones for business communication were poor mobile network services in rural areas (63%), Lack of /unstable power supply to charge phones (48.2%) and high cost of recharge cards (47%). It was recommended that governments at all levels should provide electricity to rural communities to promote agricultural production and processing. Cassava processors in the area need to be mobilized by extension service providers (ADP and private) to form cooperative groups to enhance their businesses.Key words: Mobile Phone, Entrepreneurship Skills, Cassava Processors.

The study sought to examine factors affecting utilization of Computer Based Internet Technologies (CBIT) by extension personnel in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Relevant data were obtained from 180 respondents, while data analyses were achieved with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Findings showed that 57.8 % of the respondents were male, 91.7% were married, with a mean age of 43years, while 62.8% respondents had no formal computer training. It was also revealed that, of the nine surveyed CBIT facilities and applications, only mobile phones were highly utilized, while I-pads/laptops and YouTube were the least utilized. It was also revealed that 62.8% respondents indicated that they had a low level of CBIT utilization, while level of CBIT utilisation was found to be influenced by financial, training, policy/personal barriers, social, technical and management factors. Results of tested hypotheses revealed that CBIT utilisation was not influenced by respondents’ personal characteristics, and no significant difference was observed in terms of level of CBIT utilization between field extension personnel (FEP) and supervisory extension personnel (SEP). It was concluded that extension personnel are constrained from using CBIT due to the prohibitive cost of CBIT software and maintenance, inappropriate infrastructure and lack of access to training opportunities. It is recommended, among others, that policy makers should facilitate the evolution of appropriate CBIT policies to enhance access to appropriate tools by extension personnel.

The study was carried out to examine the dimensions of Computer-Based Internet Technology (CBIT) technophobia among extension personnel in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, it identified respondents: personal characteristics; incidence of CBIT technophobia, level of CBIT technophobia and identified factors influencing CBIT technophobia. The study hypotheses tested: the relationship between personal characteristics and the levels of CBIT technophobia and the difference in CBIT technophobia between Field Extension Personnel (FEP) and Supervisory Extension Personnel (SEP). Simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data was generated from primary source through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings show that 57.8 % of the respondents were male, 91.7% were married and their mean age was 43 years. Also, while 79.5% respondents constituted FEP, 64.4% were graduates and the mean household size was six (6). Mean monthly income of respondents was revealed to be N73, 108.00, while 62.8% had no formal computer training. It was also revealed that 83. 9 % respondents had moderate CBIT technophobia, while predisposing factors to CBIT technophobia were revealed to encompass; human, operational, learning anxiety, lack of exposure and experience, technology, environment and self-efficacy indices. Hypotheses revealed that educational level influenced CBIT technophobia, although no significant difference was observed between FEP and SEP respondents with regard to CBIT technophobia. The study concluded that level of education influences CBIT technophobia. It was recommended that training and exposure to the use of CBIT should be given to extension personnel to ameliorate the effect of CBIT technophobia.