CONFLICT MONITORING AND SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT OF SEME BORDER OF NIGERIA AND REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Conflict Monitoring is a crucial exercise in peace building. It is often designed to detect early warning signs of potential intra/interpersonal, intra/inter-organisational and other forms of conflict. Monitoring and Evaluation should be a major component of any development process. However, in many countries of the Sahel region this crucial component of development is neglected in their border regions. The issue is not a dearth of national policy/ies on Monitoring and Evaluation but that of the political will of governments to enforce the implementation of such policies. The extrapolation of evaluation   policies into constructive actions germane to development often suffers governmental neglect. This paper presents the report of the strategies deployed in conflict monitoring and risk evaluation of the Seme Border of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, with a view to enhancing full understanding of the risks inherent in security operations at the border, designing a pro-active agenda in the areas of profiling, targeting and selecting as preventive diplomacy against further degeneration of activities in the area and resultant threat to the security of both countries.     &nbsp

Toxic Effect of Powdered Castor Oil Seed (Ricinus Communis L.) on Roof Rat

The powder of castor oil seed of (Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae) was used in a Laboratory experiment for its toxicity. The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.) on roof rat. Forty five roof rat were caught and divided into three (3) groups, there were five (5) roof rat in a cage which represent a group, replicated three (3) times were used in the study. The castor oil seed was turned to powdery form using pestle and mortal to grind the seeds. Three feed formulations were used; A baited formulation of powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.5; Another baited powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.1; The third group were given a commercial rat feed only which serve as control. These feeds were administered to each group of the roof rat and their behaviors were properly monitored over a period of five (5) days. The histology of the kidney, liver, spleen, which was initially preserved in formalin were later analysed. The results showed that a powdered castor oil seed baited with fried fish can serve as rodenticide and all test groups show histological features of lethal tissue damage in all the organs examined while control group shows normal tissue. Key words: Toxic effect, Castor oil seed, Roof rat, kidney, liver, spleen, feed

Factors Affecting Financial Decisions and Corporate Governance Structure of Commercial Banks in Nigeria

The main purpose of this study is to ascertain factors affecting financial decisions and corporate governance structure of commercial banks in Nigeria.  Both primary and secondary data were used. 20 commercial banks that operated during 2000-2013 period constitute the sampling frame. In analyzing the data, descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum and correlation analysis were employed.  The results show that linear and positive association exists between debt ratio and board size (r = 0.46). This implies that finance decisions of banks were correlated with their corporate governance structure. However, the correlation between debt to equity ratio and board size is negative (r = -0.33), implying that inverse association exist between the two variables.  Board composition is found to be positive and significantly related (r = 0.419) to earning per share of banks implying a high and direct relationship between governance structure and investment decision of banks.  It is against this background that these recommendations were made that banks should pay more attention to other financing decisions such as dividend and liquidity in order to keep the banks at high level of performance which is crucial to their sustainability. Besides, commercial banks should reduce the number of individuals in their board if they desire to maintain or sustain a good level of performance as well as maintaining a good investment decisions for the overall performance of commercial banking institutions in Nigeria. Keywords: Financial decision, Corporate governance structure, Commercial banks, Nigeria

Effect of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.) on some internal organs of albino rat

According to estimates, the contribution of cocoa, which is the Nigeria’s highest foreign exchange earner among all agricultural commodities, has dropped from 308,000 tonnes in the 70’s to an average of 215,000 tonnes in recent years. This, according to reports, resulted from climate failure, among other factors. In the light of this, this study examined awareness and effects of climate change on cocoa production in Ondo State, the Nigeria’s leading cocoa producing state. Specifically, the study decribed socio-­‐economic characteristics of cocoa farmers in the study area, investigated the awareness and perceived effects of climate change on cocoa production by the farmers and identified the adaptation strategies practised by the farmers. Primary data obtained through a combination of purposive and random sampling techniques of 120 farming households from the six Local Government Areas noted for cocoa production in the state were used for the study. Descriptive statistics involving frequency distribution tables, mean, mode and percentages were used for the analysis. The results revealed that 80.8% of the respondents were aware of climate change. The general effects of climate change experienced by the farmers were excessive rainfall (23.3%), less rainfall (12.5%), irregular rainfall pattern (59.2%), delayed onset of rainfall (5.0%), high temperature (37.5%), drought (5.0%) and variation in sunshine hours (28.3%). The visible effects of climate failure on the farmer cocoa production were pest attack (35.8%), disease attack (44.2%), late ripening of cocoa pod (20.8%), reduced weight of cocoa bean (53.3%) and contaminated cocoa bean (45.0%). This is unfavourable to farmers and the Nigerian economy in general. Therefore, this study calls for dissemination of timely information on sound adaptation strategies to effects of climate change by agricultural development agencies and provision of training by relevant stakeholders to improve the technical knowledge and skills of the farmers on measures to mitigate effects of climate change on cocoa production.A study was carried out at the Toxicology laboratory of the Department of Crop and Environmental protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, to determine the effects of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.Euphorbiaceae) on kidney, liver, spleen of albino rats. The rats were in five groups, which were replicated three (3) times. The castor oil seed was turned to powdery form using pestle and mortal. Four feed formulations were used; powdered castor oil seed and commercial rat feed mixed in ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10 and ordinary commercial rat feed, which serves as the control.These formulations were given to four separate groups of rats for a period of three days. The behaviour of the rats was monitored over the three day period. The histology of the kidney, liver and spleen which was initially preserved in formalin was later analysed. Compared with the control the hemorrhagic and necrotic tissues in rats administered with ratio 1:10 and ratio 1:5 showed mild disruption. In ratio 1:2 fed group, hemorrhagic and necrotic tissues showed complete disruption while group fed with 1:1 were extensively disrupted. The results also relayed changes in the body weight and the spleen weight where significant highest, spleen weight were recorded for the rats fed with commercial feed (control) than the rats fed with the treated feeds. The rats fed with ratio 1:1 (treated feed) had the least spleen weight compared to the animals fed with treated feed of ratio 1:2 and 1:5 respectively. No significant difference was observed in the kidney fresh weight for all the treatments. Also, there is significant highest liver weight in rats fed with control feed when compared with rat fed with treated feed, followed least concentration ( 1:10 ) of the treated feed. The observation revealed that a powdered castor oil seed to commercial rat feed can be effectively used as rodenticide and it is clearly seen that the function of a powdered castor oil seed affected the internal organ tested

Evaluation of nutritional and toxicological effects of Treculia africana (Decne.) seed flour-supplemented diets on Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) fingerlings

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the nutritional and toxicological effects of full fat Treculia africana seed flour- supplemented diets on growth performance, nutrient utilization, survival, histopathology and blood parameters of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. One hundred and fifty fingerlings of C. gariepinus of average weight of 2.55.96 ± 0.13 g were stocked and fed at 3 % body weight per day for 42 days. Five experimental diets containing 35 % crude protein in which groundnut cake (GNC) meal was replaced by full fat T. africana seed flour meal at 0 % (TAF0), 15 % (TAF15), 30 % (TAF30), 45 % (TAF45) and 60 % (TAF60) were formulated and compounded.   Each treatment had three replicates using 10 catfish per 40-litre capacity plastic bowl. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in protein efficiency rate and feed intake among the control and experimental fish.  Packed cell volume was highest in fish on TAF45 (45 %) and was higher than fish fed TAF60 (60 %).  Histopathology result showed no visible lesions in some of the tissues of fish fed with the experimental diets.  Full fat T. africana seed flour might not be toxic to catfish; rather it seemed to be a nutritional source. Keywords:  T. africana, C. gariepinus, blood parameters, nutrient utilization, toxicology

The ameliorative effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on cardiovascular functions and osmotic fragility of wistar rats exposed to petrol vapour

The present study was aimed at evaluating the ameliorating effects of Moringa oleifera extract compared to captopril and candesartan cilexetil on cardiovascular functions and osmotic fragility of rats exposed to petrol vapour. Twenty five adult male Wistar rats (130g-200g) were randomly grouped to five with five rats in a group. Group 1 (control) was not exposed to petrol fume. Groups 2 (petrol only), was exposed to petrol fume only. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were pretreated with Moringa oleifera extract (40mg/kg), captopril (25 mg/kg) and candesartan (16mg/kg), respectively before exposure to petrol vapour, 10 minutes every day for eight weeks. All groups were given feed and water ad-libitum. Petrol vapour was generated by using human compressor nebulizer adopted for rats and connected to fume chamber where the rats were kept. The pretreatment were administered by oral cannula. At the end of the exposure, 0.2ml of blood samples obtained from individual rat in each group were suspended in separate sets of Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution of decreasing concentrations. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) was determined by spectrophotometer. Electrocardiography was done using EDAN 10. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in EOF of the rats exposed to petrol vapour only. However, Moringa oleifera, captopril and candesartan cilexetil significantly ameliorated this effect. There was no significant difference in the amelioration of Moringa oleifera and candesartan cilexetil. There was absence of p-wave and significant increase in heart rate observed in the electrocardiogram of petrol only group, this was significantly restored in the Moringa oleifera, captopril and the candesartan cilexetil group. The results showed that exposure to petrol vapour elevated EOF, resulted in atria arrhythmia and increased heart rate. These effects were ameliorated by pretreatment with Moringa oleifera, captopril and candesartan cilexetil. The amelioration in Moringa oleifera was comparable with that of candesartan cilexetil suggesting that Moringa oleifera may be an Angiotensin II receptor blocker.Keywords: Candesartan cilexetil, Captopril, Moringa oleifera, Osmotic fragility, Petrol vapou

Assessment of Charcoal Production and Its Impact on Deforestation and Environment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Commercial charcoal production is gradually becoming one of the major sources of sustenance and currently plays a major role in promoting entrepreneurial development in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The study was carried out to assess charcoal production and its impact on deforestation and environment in the study area. Data for the study were generated from a structured questionnaire administered to charcoal producers in the study area. Data obtained revealed that majority (83%) were male with 56% within the age class of 21-40, majority (67%) were married and about (51%) attained primary education. Majority of the producers (82%) used traditional earth mound kiln method for charcoal production and about 56% of the producers obtained their raw material from free area. Most preferred tree species for charcoal production was Prosopis africana and accounted for 61%. Loss of biodiversity ranked 1st as regards impact of charcoal production on deforestation and environment in the study area, closely followed by forest degradation and soil degradation respectively. This study will enable forestry policy makers, charcoal producers, and farmers in the study area to be better informed about the implications of charcoal production on deforestation and environment and seek innovative means and ways to combat its menace

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of fluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis Hook F.) seed residue fed to African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) at graded inclusion levels

The chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of fluted pumpkin seed residue fed to African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) at graded inclusion levels was carried out in order to evaluate its effect on the growth performance and nutrient utilization of the catfish. Five diets containing 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% inclusion levels of fluted pumpkin seed residue (FPSR) as partial replacement for groundnut cake were prepared and fed to the fishes for eight weeks. Each treatment had three replicates with 15 fish per replicate (mean initial weight 140.87 ± 8.77g) in 30-litre plastic tanks and fish fed at 3% of body weight twice daily. Fish on control diet showed the best growth and nutrient utilization while diets with defatted fluted pumpkin seeds cake produced weight reduction in the fish with the least reduction on diet 2 (15% inclusion) and greatest on diet 4 (45% inclusion). The specific growth rate, feed conversion ratios and protein intake of the control fish were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on FPSR-containing diets. Histopathological reports showed some damage to the liver of fish in higher FPSR-containing rations, torn gill tissues and changes of intestinal structure. Haematological parameters like haemoglobin, erythrocyte, sedimentation rate and biochemical parameters were within the ranges for healthy fish though reduced from pre-treatment values

Effect of domestic processing on the amino acid profile of Dioscorea rotundata (White yam)

Yam (Dioscorea species) is one of the most important food crops in West Africa. It is a major source of carbohydrates and nutrient energy for many people in tropical countries. Like many other foods, roots and tubers are rarely eaten raw. They normally undergo some forms of processing which makes them more palatable, digestible and safe for human consumption. Freshly harvested tubers of Dioscorea rotundata were peeled, washed and diced and subjected to different domestic processing techniques namely: Drying, roasting, boiling and frying. The flour was evaluated for proximate and amino acid composition. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated amino acid, with the drying process recording the highest value. Histidine, an essential amino acid showed a higher value than the FAO standard for the four techniques. The lysine contents were comparable with the reference egg protein. Total aromatic amino acid and total sulphur-containing amino acids gave values comparable with FAO/WHO/UNU standards. In general, the amino acid content was significantly higher (p<0.05) when the yam was subjected to drying process, suggesting that D. rotundata flour has potential as a high quality protein source, hence can be exploited to enhance protein quality of diet for adults and weaning/complimentary feeding for children