ABSTRACT
Consistent recreational programme has been justified by
scholars that it improves the morale and fitness of workers. Recreation
therefore, increases the efficiency of workers. This is the reason why many
developed nations have set aside specific periods in between working hours for
compulsory recreation for workers. How well this is being undertaken in Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria and what nature of constraints could affect
recreational activities of Staffs is what this research is concern with. The
studyexamined recreational activity participatory constraints among academic
staff of Ahmadu Bello University;identified its patterns and preferences and
provided explanations as well as suggestions on ways to enhance recreational
activities in the university. The Ex-post facto research design was used in the
study on a population sample size of 150 respondents from the total population
out of 1535 academic staff in both Kongo and Main Campuses. The administration
of the questionnaire which was the instrument for data collection was done in a
simple random way. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. From the results of data analysed and
interpreted it was found that that the low rate of staffs‟ participationin
recreational activities could be traced to certain factors liked distance of
facilities (37.7%), nature of work and work time in the office (37.7% and
30.2%) as well as psychological and physiological shown in Table 4.9.
Furthermore, it was found that, non-participation in recreational activities by
academic staff of the university was due to lack of the awareness of the importance
of the recreational activities to the contribution of good health life living
of the staff as well as the inability of the University authority in creating a
recreational week quarterly to address this. Based on this findings, it was
recommended that, enlightenment campaign should be carried out vigorously
through the use of ABU Samaru FM and Special official bulletins to educate the
staff on the important of recreational activities. The university authority can
also go a step further by institutionalizing a recreational week quarterly in
order to increase the participation of staff in recreational activities as well
as provided ease of access and transportation services to the facilities to
address the complaints about the distance to such facilities.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
Recreation is the expenditure
of time with intent to gain some refreshment (Alia, 2000). It is a break from
monotony and a division from the daily routine. Recreation also is a means of
escaping from work boredom and/or a body renewal in preparation for routine and
necessary work (Alia, 2000). It is vital to good living, it not only refreshes
the body, mind and spirit from the daily demands of life, it also draws us into
the creation and “re-creation” of self (Swann, 2004).
Recreational activities involve
an element of enjoyment and happiness obtained from engaging in something one
likes. Different recreational activities serve as sources of immense pleasure
and provide relaxation to one‟s mind and body. Recreational activity in this
study, therefore, is used to explain those physical activities engaged in
during free time for the purpose of personal sensation of wellbeing, increasing
satisfaction, entertainment, rejuvenation and reducing stress (Alia, 2000).
In this modern era, a
consistent recreational programme has been justified by the claims that it
improves the morale and fitness of workers as well as the traditional benefits
of increased productivity (Alia, 2000). Some of the recreational activities
help us in developing leadership qualities and interpersonal skills.
Recreation, therefore, increases the efficiency of workers. This is the reason
why many developed nations have set aside specific periods in between working
hours for compulsory recreation for workers(Ogu&Eneogwe, 2007).
The benefits of regular
recreational activities include insurance discounts, decline in absenteeism,
lower turnover, lower health care claims, increased job efficiency, improved
communication between workers and employees, improved employee relations and
recruitment of high quality personnel (Ogu and Eneogwe, 2007). However, given
the life style of many people, especially in developing nations, engagement in
recreational activities appears to be on the decline, most especially due to
the state of such economies, which demand the input of extra hours to earn
additional income to take care of day to day needs. This trend does not exclude
staff of educational institutions in Nigeria.
Against this back drop, there
is an urgent need for proper management of work and leisure in educational
institutions such as universities, so as to derive optimum benefits that
consistent recreational activities can provide (Omolawon and Quadri, 2002).The
academic staff normally experience academic pressure on a routine basis,
resulting into boredom and tiredness. Academic staff work mostly involves
reading, writing, lectures and research. Activities that are highly energy
sapping. Therefore, it would be most appropriate for this crop of workers to
find an outlet to let out the stress and strain of life. Staff ought to be
positively engaged during their free time to make good use of it, instead of engaging
in negative and antisocial activities, such as drunkenness (Ameafuna and
Achugbu, 2009).
To achieve this, it is
necessary to begin to investigate issues around participation in recreation by
groups such as academic staff of universities. This is necessary as a precursor
to identifying patterns and preferences, so as to determine the best approach
to sustain or improve participation in recreation by academic staff of
universities, for the benefits of their health and wellbeing, and for the fact
that they train the manpower that support the economy and protect the Nation.
In most Nigerian universities,
academic staff works nearly all days of the week in order to meet up with the
demands of teaching, research and personal development. This way of life has
created high tension and emotional problems among academic staff in Nigerian
Universities. As a result, only about 22%of academic staff can be observed to
engage in recreational activities. This development may threaten their health
and result into low productivity because, according to the American Institute
of Stress (2011), such lifestyles can lead to conditions triggered by stress
and manifesting in heart and other problems.
The attitude to recreation
among academic staff of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria appears to conform
to the general pattern that reflects low interest and negligence. Casual
observations of some academic staff in Ahmadu Bello University show a high rate
of inactivity which was of a primary concern because of its resultant health
consequences. Previous studies shows that many academic staff of Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria are yet to fully understand the values of participation in
recreational activities and the benefit of participating in it (Akogun, 2006
and Ugbabe, 2009). This is despite the efforts of the university sports office
and the university authority to sensitize academics on the need to engage in
recreational activities after the day‟s work. Coupled with the fact that, there
are several functional recreational centers such as staff club, Basketball
Court, Football Pitch, Athletic Tracks, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis Court,and
Gymnasiumin Ahmadu Bello Universities which staff members can utilize for
recreational purposes, in order to enhance their fitness and quality of life
during their free period, but these recreational centers appear to be
underutilized and in some cases almost abandoned.
It is in view of this and
considering the investment on sporting facilities, viz-a-viz the benefits they
can offer to general wellbeing of academic staff of the Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria towards improved productivity that the study
examinedrecreational activityparticipatory constraints among academic staff of
Ahmadu Bello University. This is an attempt to identify patterns, preferences
and provide explanations for the state of things.
1.3 Research
Questions
The
following research questions were raised for this study:
1.
What is the level of awareness of
academic staff of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the benefits of recreation?
2.
What are the determinants of
participation or non-participation in recreational activities among Ahmadu
Bello University academic staff?
3.
How can participation in
recreational activities be improved among the staff of Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria?
4.
What is the appropriate strategy to
stimulate recreational interest among staffs?
1.4 Aim
of the Study
The aim of the study is to
assess participation in recreational activities among academic staff of Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, with a view to identifying constraints and proffering
suggestions for improved participation.
1.5 Objectives
of the Study
The
objectives of this study are to:
1.
Establish recreational patterns
among academic staff of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
2.
Characterize determinant factors of
recreational patterns among academic staff of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
3.
Assess the efforts of university
authority‟s in improving the participation of staff in recreational activities.
4.
Develop a management and operational
framework for improved participation in recreation by academic staff of Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria.
1.6 Scope
of the Study
The scope of this study is on
recreational activity participation among academic staff of Ahmadu Bello
University Zaria. The study was specificallydelimited to level of awareness,
determinant factors of participation, improvement among academic staff,
management and operational framework for improved participation among academic
staff of Ahmadu Bello University. The study considered the patronages of
recreational facilities in the campuses by both academic and non-academic
staffs of the university.
1.7 Significance
of the Study
The result of the research will
be of great benefit to the university authority in the provision of
recreational facilities and equipment for the use of the Academic Staff and
students of the University and members of the University community and various
tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The result will further be of benefit to the government, in
terms of guiding the provision of funds to tertiary institutions most especially
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the management and maintenance of existing
recreational facilities and equipment.
The result of the research will
also be useful to individuals and corporate bodies that are interested in the
supply, provision and management of recreational facilities for Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria.
Also, the outcome of this study will serve as a document
which could be used to carry out further work in related areas regarding
participation in recreational activities. It will further help in developing a
healthy behaviour in the participation of recreational activities among its
target audience.
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