Analysis of the challenges of small-scale farmers’ access to labor in North Central Nigeria

The study analyzed the challenges experienced by small-scale farmers’ in accessing human labour in North Central Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used for sample selection while questionnaires were used for data collection. A total of 1,750 farmers were randomly interviewed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way factorial analysis of variance and mean separation was done at 5% probability level. Result revealed small scale farmers perceived a lack of access to human labour for agricultural activities in the zone while mean separation showed Niger state has the highest access to labour while Abuja and Kwara states are the least state with access to labour. High cost of labour, lack of fund and scarcity of labour are the major challenges experienced by the farmers in accessing labour for agricultural production. Based on the findings, the research concluded that small scale farmers do not good access to labour while facing serious challenges which has resulted into increased cost of production for the small-scale farmers. The study recommends among others that combine hiring should be encouraged among farmers for the adoption of expensive labour saving technologies/ implements

Professional Responsibility: Legal Malpractice Standards for Criminal Defense Attorneys in Ohio

Krahn v. Kinney, 43 Ohio St. 3d 103, 538 N.E.2d 1058 (1989)

Analysis of the management competencies of goat farmers in some selected local government area of Lagos State Nigeria

This study focused on the analysis goat farmers’ management competency in ensuring sustainable production in some selected local government areas of Lagos state, Nigeria. A total of 80 goat farmers were sampled for the study with the aid of structured questionnaires which were used to collect data needed for the study. The objectives of this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the hypothesis was tested using binary logistic regression. The result showed that men dominated women in goat farming and that the average age of respondents was 42.4 years. It revealed that majority of the respondents (65.4%) made an annual income of 100,000-300,000 annually and had lived in the study area for 10-15 years. This study also showed that majority of the respondents practiced semi intensive system of management, used family labour (55.6%), the study further revealed that the goat farmers in the study area has low management competency with poor extension service, lack of pasture and graze land and prevalence of ectoparasite among the major challenges facing the goat farmers. It was recommended that farmers be encouraged to belong to organizations such as cooperatives to solve problems in management and government should revamp the extension service to improve service delivery to the farmers

Assessment of Food Security Status of Goat Farmers In Lagos State, Nigeria

The goat value chain plays a pivotal role in income and employment generation, livelihood enhancement; food and nutrition security among the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged groups and they are reared to supplement income and as a means of reducing food insecurity. The objective of this study is to assess the food security status of urban goat farmers in some local government areas of Lagos state, Nigeria. The use of qualitative method of data collection in the form of structured questionnaires were executed during the course of this study on a sample size of 80 goat farmers. Furthermore, during the course of the study, the specific objectives were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as USDA food security code module. Using the Pearson’s rank correlation and binary logistic regression, the hypotheses were accurately tested to achieve results. From the result acquired, it was determined that men dominated women in the goat farming sector as well as revealing that the average age of respondents were 42.4 years. Furthermore, the results revealed that, about 65.4% of the respondents made an annual income ranging from 100,000-300,000 Naira and have been residents of the sample location for about 10-15 years. Another observation made from the results obtained during the course of this study showed that majority of the respondents practiced semi intensive system of management. This involves them using family labor (55.6%), having an average of 18.8 goats, as well as revealing sales as their main purpose of farming. More revelations from the result showed that, majority of the respondents were food insecure without hunger. Showing the major reasons for food insecurity to be insufficient finance, high cost of food and poor storage and processing. It was recommended that farmers be encouraged to belong to organizations such as cooperatives to solve problems in management and also for easy access or contact by government and extension agents

Compensation for expropriated community farmland in Nigeria: An in-depth analysis of the laws and practices related to land expropriation for the lekki free trade zone in lagos

In Nigeria, the recurring impoverishment and other negative socioeconomic impacts endured by landholders affected by expropriation are well-documented and call into question the Land Use Act’s (LUA) effectiveness in protecting local land rights. The World Bank’s Land Governance Assessment Framework found that, in Nigeria, “a large number of acquisitions occurs without prompt and adequate compensation, thus leaving those losing land worse off, with no mechanism for independent appeal even though the land is often not utilized for a public purpose”. Such negative outcomes may be due to a number of factors, including corruption, limited capacity, and insufficient financing as well as Nigeria’s weak legal framework. According to a recent study of compensation procedures established in national laws of 50 countries, Nigeria’s compensation procedure lags behind many of the countries assessed because the LUA mostly fails to adopt international standards on the valuation of compensation. This article examines Nigerian expropriation and compensation procedures in more detail by combining both an in-depth legal analysis of Nigeria’s expropriation laws as well as survey and qualitative research that indicates, to some extent, how expropriation laws function in practice in Nigeria. Based on our legal assessment, surveys, and interviews with both government and private sector officials involved in the LFTZ, we found that the Nigerian government failed to comply with international standards on expropriation and compensation, both in terms of its laws and its practices in the LFTZ case. This article expands our conference paper written for the UN Economic Commission of Africa Conference on Land Policy in Africa, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in November of 2017. Under Nigeria’s LUA, affected landholders are not granted the right to participate in expropriation and compensation decision-making or otherwise be consulted on matters affecting their land and livelihoods. In 2004, the LUA enabled the Lagos State government to set aside 16,500 hectares of expropriated agricultural land from Lagos coastal communities to develop the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ). Following the expropriation, the Lagos State Government (LSG) and Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with nine affected communities in 2007. The MOU is a legally binding document that promises compensation, alternative land, jobs, healthcare, and educational opportunities to the communities affected by expropriation. However, our research suggests that the MOU has not been fully honored. According to a survey of 140 affected households conducted in August 2017, the government still had not paid sufficient compensation to all affected communities or had not yet provided them with suitable alternative land, jobs, equity shares and other entitlements promised by the MOU. While there are several reasons why the MOU has not been honored, this article mainly focuses on the failure of the LUA to establish binding obligations on government officials to compensation, resettle, and reconstruct the livelihoods of affected landholders. This article argues that the LUA must be reformed so that, whenever land is expropriated for development projects, the government and private sector entities (i.e., acquiring bodies) have a legal obligation to provide sufficient and prompt compensation, alternative land, jobs, equity shares, and other entitlements to affected landholders. Moreover, the LUA should obligate the government and acquiring bodies to follow a transparent and participatory process when expropriating land and compensating communities so that, if properly enforced, the reformed LUA can mitigate the risks commonly associated with expropriation, including landholder impoverishment, displacement, food insecurity, and conflict

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF BOTANICAL EXTRACTS AGAINST STORAGE WEEVILS OF MAIZE (Zea mays L)

Seeds of two maize varieties (Suwan-1-SRY and TZPBSR) were initially evaluated for seed moisture content, germination and Seedling Vigour Index.  50g cleaned, undamaged, uninfested seeds from each seed lot were treated with different botanical extracts from five plant materials (Neem leaf powder, Ocimum leaf powder, Chromolaena leaf powder, Tithonia leaf powder and Piper guineense ground powder) and actellic liquid to give six treatments and one control at recommended dosages. Artificial infestation was carried out with five pairs of newly emerged unsexed adults of Sitophilus zeamais for 14 days after which they were removed. The jars covered with wire mesh and held with rubber bands arranged in a completely randomised design in the laboratory for 12 weeks using three replications. Data were collected on initial and final seed sample weight, number of emerged adults, total number of adult mortality, number of damaged and undamaged seeds and total number of holes per sample. Seeds in storage were also tested for seed viability and vigour. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The initial germination test showed a significant difference between the two maize varieties. All the plant products applied to maize grains significantly reduced weight loss in the grain when exposed to S. zeamais. The plant products tested in this study were also significantly effective on the adult maize weevils. The chemically treated samples and the plant products recorded more as against the non-treated sample. Suwan-1-SRY had the least % weight loss. In terms of plant extracts’ effect on seed germination and seedling vigour, basil was most effective; followed by Chromolaena, actellic, Piper, Tithonia and neem. Results thus indicated efficacy of the various plant products and spices as grain protectants in storage pest management. Botanical pesticides thus represent an important potential for integrated pest management programmes in developing countries.Â

Reducing Disparities by way of a Cancer Disparities Research Training Program

Background: For minority populations, there is a continuing disparity in the burden of death and illness from cancer. Research to address this disparity should be conducted by investigators who can best understand and address the needs of culturally diverse communities. However, minorities are under-represented in health-related research. The goal of this project was to develop and evaluate an approach to motivating and preparing master’s degree students for careers dedicated to cancer disparities research. Method: A Cancer Disparities Research Training Program (CDRTP) was initiated in 2010. The program consists of coursework, practicum experiences, and research opportunities. Assessment of the curriculum is based on monitoring achievement of evaluation indicators and includes a quantitative assessment and qualitative approach. Results: In its first three years, the program graduated 20 trainees, all of whom were minorities (18 African Americans and two Asians). When asked about career goals, two-thirds of the trainees indicated interest in pursuing careers in research on cancer prevention and control. The trainees expressed high satisfaction with the courses, instructor, materials, and curriculum. Although trainees had suggestions about course details, evaluations overall were positive. Across focus groups, three recurrent themes emerged regarding activities to enhance the student experience: having a wider variety of topics, more guest speakers, and field trips. Conclusion: The CDRTP was intended to recruit students – primarily African Americans – into research on prevention and control of cancer disparities. Although final evaluation of the program’s overall outcome will not be available for several years, a preliminary evaluation indicates the program is being successful

Availability and Accessibility of Health Information to Women in Rural Community, Elemere, Moro Local Government, Kwara State

This research work investigates the availability and accessibility of health information by rural women in Elemere communities of moro local government, Kwara state. Questionnaire and interviews are major instruments used for data collection which was done by examining relevant documents to obtain necessary information 10 set of questionnaire were administered to health workers and health information providers in which all the 10 questionnaires were retrieved. Interviews were conducted on forty (40) rural women. the study selects reconnaissance survey for its design. The data gotten from the study area was further analysed with the use of descriptive techniques such as frequency tables and percentages using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS). Map was used to show the study area. In addition, photography was used to illustrate the operation system in the study area. The result shows that the health information available to rural women in the study area (Elemere) is majorly on immunization (70%) which is the most frequent of all. Other health information available are maternal and child health information, prevention and treatment of sickness and communicable diseases. It was found that rural women values and sought often health information in the study area .however; The health information available to rural women in the study area is efficient, relevant but not sufficient as women are faced with The challenges of traditional belief on local drug, concoction and high illiteracy among women, unaffordable price of information materials.It was also gathered that rural women are aware of the health information available through various medium including friends and relative, direct contact with health centres and through community show talk. it was also gathered that sensitization on health is done by public health official the sensitization/awareness of the health information by public health official is once in a while as selected by 80% of the respondent and 20% of the respondent selected that the awareness is once every two months respectively. Moreover librarians are not part of health information dissemination in the study area. Appropriate recommendations were made towards improving the situation as revealed by the study

Phytotoxic and Anti-microbial activities of Flavonoids in Ocimum gratissimum

In this study, the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum have been investigated and found to contain flavonoids as part of their secondary metabolites. This observation agrees with the few available reports on the presence of flavonoids in O.gratissimum plants. The flavonoids were extracted from dried powdered leaves of Ocimum gratissimum using soxhlet extraction method. The crude extract was partially purified on column chromatography using an eluting system of formic acid and ethyl acetate in the ratio of 15:85.Qualitative tests were carried out to confirm the presence flavonoids in the O. gratissimum extract. Frothing test, as a follow up was also done on the extract to ensure the absence of saponins which are usually abundant as secondary metabolites in plants. The allelopatic investigation of the partially purified extract on bean and maize seeds germination, and on seedlings growth showed that O.gratissimum flavonoids are phytotoxic. The inhibition of the radicle and coleoptile growth was observed to be dose-dependent, and the radicles of both seeds were comparatively more inhibited. Eight human pathogenic microbes; six bacteria and two fungi were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of the flavonoid extract. A broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect was observed with the flavonoids. However, they had no effect on fungi growt

Assessment of the Building Collaborative Research Capacity Model: Bridging the community-academic researcher divide

Background: Community–based Participatory Research (CBPR) can be challenging when community leaders and academic researchers have not previously co-led research or worked together with established rules guiding their relationships, roles, and respective functions. The objective of this investigation was to assess the processes and outcomes of the Building Collaborative Research Capacity Grant Program, sponsored by the Community Engagement Research Program of The Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute and designed to foster CBPR. Methods: Four competitively selected community-based organizations (CBOs) participated in capacity-building workshops designed to build research skills and receive technical assistance to plan a pilot study with academic researchers. Pre- and postsurveys were used to assess the impact of the training and technical assistance on the CBOs’ knowledge and skills and abilities to plan, implement, and evaluate research. Key informant interviews were conducted with academic researchers and CBO dyads to identify experiences, perceptions, and recommendations related to the program model, and seven identified domains of collaborative research including research skills, attitudes toward collaboration, shared goals, institutional factors, mutual respect, human and fiscal resources, and partnering skills. Results: Areas of research competency increased from pre- to post-survey, with statistically significant increases in Community Assessment (p= 0.046) and Program Planning (p= 0.046). Each partnership had inherent characteristics related to strengths and barriers affecting the research outcomes. Conclusions: The present results contribute to the literature through assessment of processes, outcomes, and partner insights of a model designed to facilitate collaborative community-engaged research partnerships. Future research should examine the model to expand understanding of the dimensions of effective community and academic research collaboration