Evaluation of nutritional characteristics of corn stored in metallic silos

This study assessed the nutritional quality attributes of maize (Zea mays) stored in metallic silos for a period of eight months in the humid tropics of Nigeria. The nutritional properties (NP) evaluated are percentage ash content (AC), crude fibre (CF), crude protein (CP), carbohydrate content (CHO), fat content (FC), and energy value (EV). The initial or control values were compared with the values obtained during storage. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 20) was used to determine the significant levels of data while the Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Duncan’s multivariate test were used to determine the trend of deterioration (P<0.05) for all the values. The minimum and maximum average temperatures during storage were 29oC in July (wet season) and 34.7oC in April (dry season) respectively. The minimum and maximum average relative humidities during the storage period were 51% in March (dry season) and 71% in May (wet season) respectively. The mean deviation of FC, CP, AC, CHO, CF and EV are 7.25%±1.00%, 8.79%±0.87%, 3.5%±0.88%, 63.36%±0.99%, 6.25%±0.96% and 361.55%±1.00% respectively for the control in respect of the position of the grain in the bulk. FC, CP, AC, and CF decreases from 7.0% to 1.2%, 8.79% to 6.33%, 3.5% to 2.3% and 6.25% to 3.21% respectively during storage while the values CHO and EV increases from 63.36% to 83.2% and 360 kcal to 395 kcal during the storage

An Assessment of the State of Environmental Management in Nigerian Capital Cities

It has been observed that daily interaction of millions of Nigerian population estimated at 186.5 million by Population Reference Bureau (PRB) with their immediate environment have serious implications on the landscape, environmental aesthetics and atmospheric well-being. Urban decadence, proliferation of slums, deforestation, congestion and all forms of pollution are some of the resultant effects of man’s interaction with his environment which results in adverse effects on Nigeria major cities. Increased industrial activities have engendered more carbon emission in the country, which it is estimated at 26.1 million tons per annum, the fourth highest in Africa. This paper examines the state of environmental management in the state capital cities of Nigeria in the light of five research-proven indicators of environment-friendly cities. The paper applies qualitative method using the indicators to examine which state capital is really environment-friendly out of the thirty seven (37) in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Results show that only five (5) state capitals out of the thirty seven (37) in Nigeria can be referred to as being environmentfriendly. The study outlines notable recommendations capable of stimulating the attention and enhancing the efforts of less environment sensitive cities in adopting global best practices

HEALTH IMPLICATION OF CHILD MARRIAGE IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

Marriage at its right time and with the right and self-selected person is one of the best things that can happen to a man. Unfortunately, as glamorous such a day of espousal would have been, child marriage has made it sour for child brides as most of them are forced into it, particularly in their mid-teens; thereby aborting beautiful and achievable life goals and future ambitions. This paper examines the factors inducing child marriage in the most endemic location in the country North-Eastern Nigeria and the health implications on victims. Primary data i.e. questionnaire andsecondary data from Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2008) were used. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was also held with a group of child wives, all of who are less than 18 years. Results show that povertyand limited educational attainment are the two main cause of child marriage in the study resulting to different health problems. Recommendations were made to curb this infamous practice in Northeastern Nigeria as is a globally acceptable fact that delaying marriage until a lady is physically and physiologically mature improves her health

Election Gifting and the Ordeal of Democracy in Nigeria

Over-time, researchers have failed to show how citizens share, if not all, a part of the blame in Nigeria's failing democracy. Through election gifting, the community of voters in Nigeria have been selling their commonwealth to politicians who should not be anywhere close to power. Using secondary sources of data and relying on Robert Dahl’s theory of democracy, the paper argues that since the people are the custodians of the political mandate in any democracy, they should be held accountable when there is a problem. The paper further identifies the history, effect, scope, and predisposing factors of election gifting in Nigeria. This paper focuses on the fact that the non-evaluative and clientelist approach to democracy are the reason for the sad realities in Nigeria and concludes that only the engagement in a civil society can revive Nigeria’s failing democracy

Fatigue Analysis of Steel Jacket Platform in Shallow Water Depth in the Gulf of Guinea

This work investigates the fatigue life of a steel jacket installed at a water depth of 22m in the Gulf of Guinea, both deterministic and spectral analysis was done using the Bentley SACS software. Wave data was collected every 3 hours for seven years resulting in 20440 sea states. The analysis was carried out using industry codes and standards for critical inspectable and non-inspectable members. The result of the analysis was obtained for 50 modal shapes, and the mass participation factors show the highest vibration at the mode shape of 2. The fatigue life of the joint was determined for a life of 50 years and applying the factor of safety of 5; the spectral analysis shows that none of the members investigated to meet the fatigue life of 250 years. However, the deterministic analysis shows some members that meet the fatigue life of 250 years. The analysis was also conducted for the piles both above and below the mud line, and the spectral and deterministic analysis show that the piles meet a fatigue life of 500 years using a factor of safety of 10. It was concluded and recommended that the joints on the jacket that do not meet the fatigue life should be rewelded and inspected for structural integrity. Also, the result shows that the spectral analysis is more detailed than the deterministic analysis. Keywords: jacket, fatigue analysis, Gulf of Guinea, SACS, spectral analysis, deterministic analysis, fatigue damage. DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/11-3-01 Publication date: April 30th 202

A Qualitative Assessment of the Effects of Child Marriage on Female Education and Entrepreneurship in Northeastern Nigeria

Marriage at its right time and with the right person is one of the best things that can happen to a man. No religion, race or colour is against this globally. Unfortunately, as glamorous such a day of espousal should have been, child marriage has made it sour for child brides as most of them are forced into it in their mid-teens; thereby aborting beautiful and achievable life goals and future ambitions. This paper examines the factors inducing child marriage in Northeastern Nigeria, the effects and how these affect women’s educational attainment and entrepreneurial skills. Secondary data from Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2008) and other published data were used. Results show that avoidable poverty-a cause and an effect, limited educational attainment and powerlessness of women are the three main effects of child marriage in Northeastern Nigeria which seriously affect women entrepreneurial skills and all-round development in that region. We conclude therefore that more purposeful preventive interventions are seriously and urgently needed. In achieving this, we recommend compulsory education for all girl child of northern origin, economic empowerment for teenage girls and child brides and promote community leaders participation in the advocac

Anthropometric characteristics of roadside auto-mechanics: a case study

The study evaluated the relevant/corresponding anthropometric characteristics of the people involved in engine-repair activities. The study was carried out on the selected roadside auto-engine repairers along Lagos-Ibadan express way, in Nigeria. This was with a view to providing ergonomic design data for optimal working condition among this set of workforce and redesigning the mechanics inspection-pit. Material and methods: The static and the functional anthropometric characteristics of the mechanics were measured. The data obtained from 110 auto-mechanics, randomly selected, were employed to evaluate efficient design parameter for roadside workstations. Results: The results indicated that inspection-pit is about 1626 mm deep; seat height ranges between 375 mm and 405 mm; optimal work posture sitting is between 483 mm and 622 mm. Conclusions: Adopting the data presented in this paper in optimizing the auto-mechanics working conditions for effective workplace comfort and productivity among the roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria will be of immense advantage

Challenges of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the Delivery of Adult Education for Participation in Community Development in Bayelsa and Rivers States, Nigeria

The study investigated challenges confronting NDDC in the delivery of adult education for participation in community development in Bayelsa and Rivers States, Nigeria. The NDDC is expected to within 15years of the implementation of her regional master plan; produce a vivid picture of what the people of the Niger Delta region desire irrespective of challenges. Challenges are like road blocks and knowledge of them will help the NDDC and other stakeholders; adult education instructors and adult learners seek steps to forge a better output in the delivery of adult education. The investigation was carried out with 1, 020 adult learners (40% of the entire population). A questionnaire and an interview were used for data collection. Data gathered in the study were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics utilized mean to answer the research question. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used in testing the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. A major finding of the research is that, there are challenges confronting NDDC in the provision of adult education however, to a high extent, she still provides opportunity to adult learners to acquire adult education for participation in community development in Bayelsa and Rivers States. The study recommends that NDDC should endeavour to eliminate the challenges confronting her in the delivery of adult education for a better out-put. This will further positively influence adult learners perception on the extent she has provided training opportunities for them to acquire adult education because for their perception to be that NDDC has provided training opportunities for adult learners to a very high extent, such opportunities should be hitch free and fully maximized by adult learners. Key Words: Challenges, Delivery, Adult Education, Participation, Community Developmen

Livelihood Diversification and Settlement Patterns among Agro-Pastoralists in Ibadan/Ibarapa Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study assessed livelihood diversification and settlement patterns among agro-pastoralists in Ibadan/Ibarapa Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 106 agro-pastoralists, while data were collected with the aid of pre-tested and validated interview guide. Data were subjected to descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean) and inferential (chi-square) statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results revealed that the mean age of respondent was 43 years, and that 60.4% of the respondents were sole owner of their cattle. The major livelihood activities were sale of cattle, crop farming and sale of milk/milk products. Findings also showed that many of the agro-pastoralists practiced either the transhumance (25.5%) or semi-transhumance (55.7%) settlement patterns. It was further revealed that the respondents benefited from equitable access to land, expansion of business trade and market integration. Some of the challenges faced by the agro-pastoralists include; cattle defecating on streams and roads (78.3%), extensive sedentarization (80.2%), farmland invasion by cattle (85.8%), and overgrazing on fallow lands (80.2%). Chi-square analysis revealed that there were significant associations between settlement patterns and livelihood diversification; selling of milk and milk product (χ2 = 12.248, p≤0.01), cultivation of crops (χ2 = 15.362, p≤0.01), petty trading (χ2 = 7.957, p≤0.05) and commercial selling of livestock (χ2 = 9.456, p≤0.05). It was concluded that the transhumance or semi-transhumance settlement patterns adopted by the agro-pastoralists had positive influence on their livelihood diversification into different activities.  It is therefore recommended that agro-pastoralists should diversify into more income generating livelihood activities

Mineralogy and Geochemical Characteristics of Clay Occurrence in Central Bida Basin Northwestern Nigeria

The Bida basin is bounded to the north and south by the Precambrian basement rocks. The largest portion of the basin occurred at the southern half of Niger State, which formed the central portion of the basin that constitutes the study area. Clay of varying mineralogical and chemical compositions has been reported to have occurred as sedimentary clays within varying lithological units and at various locations of the Bida basin. Geochemical analytical methods employ is Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometer (ICP – MS) and X-ray Diffraction (X-RD). Field work revealed seven clay occurrences at different stratigraphic formations. Mineral compositions of the study clay account for Kaolinite, muscovite/illite and anatase. Geochemical results revealed SiO2 ranging between 54.91wt% and 87.37wt%, and moderately high Al2O3 ranging between 7.4wt% and 29.67wt%, and a low value of Fe2O3 ranging between 1.13wt% and 7.11wt%. However, the samples are low in CaO, Na2O and K2O except for Shegba clay which is slightly higher in K2O. Trace and rare elements suggested felsic character in the nature of source materials of the kaolin.