Economics of piggery enterprise in Nigeria: A case study of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study examined the economics of pig enterprise in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Despite the economic leverage and  nutritional advantages of pig, its production still remains the least when compared to other livestock sub-sector. The study specifically described the socioeconomics characteristics of pig farmers, examined the factors influencing revenue from pig production, estimated the costs and returns in pig production and examined the problems faced by pig farmers in the area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used in the selection of 60 farmers for the study. Primary data were collected from the selected farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, net income and multiple regression models. Results showed that majority of the respondents (85%) were male, married (81.7%), literate (100%) with mean age and household size of 48 years and five persons, respectively. Majority (88.3%) of the respondents sourced their capital from personal savings and 95% of them had crossed breeds of pigs. The determinants of net income from pig production were  education (−0.271), cost of feed (0.687) and cost of labour (0.329). The profitability and the viability of piggery enterprise in the study area were shown by the gross margin, net farm income and the return on investment of ₦824,395.30 ($2,269.56), N747,797.42 ($2,058.69) and 0.84 (84%),  respectively. Huge capital required for the investment, inadequate extension education, high cost of feed, diseases and parasite infestation, poor farm management, high cost of veterinary services, insufficient credit facilities and subsidies, and infant mortality and cannibalism were the major constraints faced by the farmers in the piggery enterprise. The study recommends that the government and other relevant agencies should provide subsidies and make credit facilities available and accessible to pig farmers in the study area. Key words: pig production, enterprise, gross margin, profitability, Nigeri

Road Traffic Accidents in Nigeria: Causes and Preventive Measures.

Road accidents have become a normal and re-occurring phenomenon in Nigeria which constitutes a menace in modern times. Although both the developed and developing nations of the world have suffered from varying degrees of road accidents, the developing countries clearly dominates with Nigeria having the second highest rate of road accidents among 193 ranked countries of the world. Deaths from reckless driving are the third leading cause of death in Nigeria. In 2012, at least 473 persons died from a total of 1,115 vehicular accidents nationwide. Already in 2013, April may go down as the worst month in terms of road accidents as according to reported cases, April 3, 2013: A luxury bus and a smaller bus crashed on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, 18 died. April 5, 2013: A petrol tanker set luxury bus and articulated vehicle ablaze at Ugbogui village on Ore-Benin Expressway, 80 people were burnt beyond recognition. April 6, 2013: At Dazigan, 11 kilometers from Potiskum, Yobe State, 20 died in an accident. April 11, 2013: 10 died on the Damaturu-Gashua Road also in Yobe State. April 14, 2013: Seven died on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, a car ran into an articulated vehicle. April 15, 2013: Five died on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. By the middle of April, 142 people had died from reported motor accidents, 30 per cent of the 473 deaths recorded in 2012 had been covered in only 15 days! There could be more unreported cases, and as often happens, some of the injured die without making the statistics. This paper examines road traffic accident problems in Nigeria. The causes of accidents and their general preventive measures are discussed. A review of literature on road traffic accidents and it impact was done. The articles were accessed from public libraries, as well as online through internet search engines and relevant information extracted. There is need to view road traffic accident as a very serious issue requiring urgent attention aimed at preventing untimely deaths, reducing the health, social and economic impacts it portends to the average Nigerian. Keywords: Road traffic accident, Nigeria, Vehicle, Causes, Preventive measures

Flood Menace in Nigeria: Impacts, Remedial and Management Strategies

Flood menace in Nigeria have become a normal and re-occurring phenomenon which sometimes has devastating impacts on human livelihoods and infrastructural development. Causes of this problem such as rapid population growth, poor governance, poor drainage facilities and decaying infrastructures, lack of proper environmental planning and management strategies, poor practice of dumping waste/refuse and climate change coupled with inadequate preparedness have been traced and among others, human activities in terms of developmental involvements adjudged to be very important factors in accelerating the rate of this disaster which often leaves in its wake spread of diseases, loss of thousands of lives from various parts of the country and properties worth billions of naira being destroyed. The impacts of floods are more pronounced in low-lying areas. In more recent years, 2011 and 2012 appears to be the worst incidence of flooding in Nigeria with a lot of reported cases indicating how flood menace ravaged affected states of the country when water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon was released. Although the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had alerted Nigeria that there would be an above normal rainfall in strategic parts of the country which might lead to flooding incidents in 12 states of the federation, yet nobody gave consent to that warning. This paper provides an overview of how Nigerian cities have been affected by flood menace incidences as it takes a look at the devastating impacts, remedial and management strategies at curbing flooding in Nigeria. A review of literature on flood menace was done. The articles were accessed from public libraries, as well as online through internet search engines and relevant information extracted. Onsite assessment of some areas affected by flood was done and pictures taken with the aid of a camera. Flooding in Nigeria is a serious issue requiring the attention of all stake holders aimed at preventing and remedying its adverse effects which threatens human existence. Keywords: Flood, Menace, Nigeria, Infrastructure, Impacts, Remedial and management strategies