Transmission of Learning in Modern Ilorin: A History of Islamic Education 1897-2012

This work is a history of Islamic education in Ilorin from the colonial period to the first decade of the twenty-first century. It is a history of the adaptations of the ulama to the challenge of the modern period through three pedagogical schools Ilorin, namely: tolerant Adabiyyah School, the Zumratul Mu’meenina (makondoro) School that was strictly against western education in the early days and the third school, Markaziyya, privileging Arabic/Islamic education. This thesis argues that society’s attitude towards the system, absence of reliable state support and the weak financial wherewithal when compared with the western system are all connected as hindrance to progress in the system. Despite this limited capacity, the scholars have been unrelenting, continuously adapting the system to the needs of the society, such as transformation of the traditional Qur’anic schools into madaris (sing. madrasah) to running of the two educational systems within their madaris, especially from the late twentieth century. More than is credited to them the scholars have actually contributed to the development of western education even as the attention given to the western system of education by the government and the society has not been very encouraging to its own development.Colonial and Global Histor

Assessment of millet-groundnut intercropping systems efficiency in Jigawa and Kano states.

Open access Journal; Published online: 30 June 2016In this study, an intercropping experiment consisting of millet and groundnut was established at Dutse (Jigawa) and Minjibir (Kano) to compare the efficiencies of intercropping systems. Two intercropping systems (2:2 and 2:4; millet to groundnut ratio) were studied in terms of aggressivity, competitive ratio, actual yield loss and intercropping advantage. The treatments were studied under split-split plot design that was replicated four times. The results shows that aggressivity was determined by crop arrangement not by component crop and that the rate of increase in millet aggressivity was proportional to rate at which groundnut aggressivity was reduced. Intercropping advantage was higher and positive under 2:4 system at both trial locations; this implies that the system have a better economic feasibility. Under the same system at Dutse, competitive ratio was higher (1.18); indicating that the crops have a fairly comparative ability for resources competition, in contrast, the reverse was the case at Dutse 2:2 with higher competitive ration difference value of 1.05 compared to 0.69 at 2:4

Prevalence of rotavirus diarrhoea among children under five years in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Rotavirus (RV) is a major etiological agent of acute infantile gastroenteritis and is associated with 20%-25% of diarrhoea cases in infants. Nigeria continues to be among the first five countries with greatest number of RV disease associated deaths per year. From September 2013-August 2014, 467 stool samples were collected from children under 5 years of age in Kaduna State, Nigeria and analysed for RV antigen using ELISA. An overall RV prevalence of 31.0% (143/467) was obtained with the infection occurring throughout the study period. Children from Kachia LGA had the highest prevalence of 53.8% (28/52), while children from Kagarko LGA had the lowest prevalence of 21.0% (10/74). The difference was significant (P=0.019). Highest prevalence of RV was recorded in March (75.0%:3/4) and the least in July (11.5%:3/26) with significant difference (P=0.003). Female children had highest prevalence of 32.1% (79/246) compared to male children (29.9%:66/221) with a non-significance difference (P=0.530). Children within 25-36 months had the highest prevalence of 36.4% (28/77), while children 49-60 months had the lowest prevalence of 17.6% (6/34) with no significant difference (P=0.517). The difference observed was not significant (P=0.477). The result showed no significant difference between the presence of RV infection with vomiting, fever, dehydration (P>0.05). The study has revealed that rotavirus remains an important cause of acute diarrhoea in children under five years in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Hence the need for the implemention of the vaccines into the childhood immunization programme in the country.Key words: Prevalence, Rotavirus, Children, Kaduna State, Nigeri

Epidemiological studies on rotavirus associated with diarrhoea among calves and children in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Rotaviruses are enteric pathogens causing acute, watery, dehydrating diarrhoea in various host species, including birds and mammals. A total of 716 diarrhoeic stool samples were collected comprising of 249 from calves and 467 from children within Kaduna State Nigeria. Rotavirus antigen was detected in the stools of calves by NSP3 Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction, while RV antigens were detected in children using Enzyme Linked Immunosobent Assay (ELISA). Rotavirus was detected in 34 of the 249 stool sample from calves (13.7%). The infection was higher in males (15.7%:16/102) compared to females calves (12.3%: 11/147). The highest number of cases was detected among calves 2-3 months of age (22.9%:8/35). Further analysis of the result showed no significant difference between rotavirus infection in calves with mode of feeding and presence of other animals in the farm (p>0.05). There was significant difference between rotavirus infection and sanitation on farm and source of water for calves (p<0.05). An overall RV prevalence of 31.0% (143/467) was obtained in children. The infection was higher in females (32.1%:79/246) compared to males (29.9%:66/221). The highest burden was detected in children 25-36 months of age (36.4%:22/77). There was no significant association between source of drinking water boiling of drinking water, attendance of day care and playing with toys and the prevalence of rotavirus (P>0.05). The study has revealed that rotavirus remains an important cause of acute diarrhoea among calves and children in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Hence the need for improvement in sanitation and the implemention of the vaccines into the childhood immunization programme.Key words: Rotaviruses, Stools, Calves, Children, Risk factors, Diarrhoea

Sensory evaluation and microbial status of meat floss from West African Dwarf Goats fed graded levels of broiler litter

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion levels of Broiler Litter (BL) on meat quality of West Africa Dwarf (WAD) goats. Five complete diets were formulated using BL to replace 40 % composition of Cottonseed Cake (CSC) as dietary protein source at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % levels, thus each level of replacement served as a treatment. Thirty WAD bucks with average weight of 10.57±0.42 kg were randomly allotted to five treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). After feeding trials and digestibility studies, the bucks were humanly slaughtered and two kilograms of meat from uniform parts (hind leg and loin) of each buck were processed to Meat Floss (Dambun nama) and evaluated for proximate, sensory qualities and microbial status during storage for 60 days at room temperature. Twenty semi-trained panellists were used to evaluate the processed meat, using a five-point hedonic scale, Total Aerobic Plate Counts (TAPC) and Total Coliform Counts (TCC) was also determined. The result revealed that proximate nutrients composition of fresh Chevon was not significantly (p>0.05) different in all the treatments. The results of sensory parameters revealed that aroma, taste, colour, tenderness, juiciness and acceptability were significantly (p<0.05) affected by levels of BL inclusions. Similarly, there was also interaction (p<0.05) between levels of CSC replacement with broiler litter and time of storage of Dambun nama on sensory parameters. It was concluded that replacing up to 50 % of CSC with BL improved meat sensory qualities

Determination of sex using demarking points of the calf and skinfold thickness among Bauchi State students in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to estimate sex using demarking points and index of sexual dimorphism of the calf and skinfold thickness among Bauchi State students in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The study was carried out using 194 subjects (100 males and 94 females) with  age ranged from 18 to 39 and 18 to 35 years  respectively with no structural deformity or fracture. The following parameters were measured (standing height, weight, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds). The results showed that standing height, weight, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds in males were 1.70m, 62.08kg, 43.68cm, 32.15cm, 4.70mm and 6.15mm respectively, while female counterparts had 1.58m, 60.22kg, 35.98cm, 35.23cm, 10.33mm and 13.46mm respectively. There were significant differences between males and females standing height, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds (p < 0.05) but no significant differences in weight (p > 0.05). Index for sexual dimorphism and demarking point were calculated and all the parameters were observed to be sexually dimorphic. In conclusion, males have higher values for height and weight, while the females have higher values for the calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds

Production and characterization of asbestos-free brake lining material using agro wastes

The health problems associated with the use of asbestos based brake linings have motivated research on the use of ecofriendly-agro based biomaterials as reinforcing agents in composite materials used for brake pad lining production. This research work studies the possibilities of using palm kernel shell (PKS), coconut shell (CNS), and canarium sweinfurthii shell (CSS) powder for asbestos-free brake lining materials production. The powders alongside the relevant fillers were used in the production of the brake lining. Compositions of the reinforcing powders were varied from 25% to 40% thatof resin binder was varied from 58% to 43%, while those of filler metal and curing agents were kept constant. These materials were weighed, formulated, mixed, cured, and moulded. The developed composite materials were characterized and subjected to water and oil absorption, compressive strength, hardness, and wear tests. Results of the analysis revealed that increase in reinforcing materials results in an increase in the water and oil absorption of the samples. The composite’s compressive strength equally increased with the introduction of up to 35% composition. The measured value of coefficient of friction was found to be within an acceptable range. Also, when mixed with other fillers and bounded, CSS powder proved to be a very promising material for brake lining production

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on viscosity of transesterified neem oil

Efforts have been made worldwide to find alternative fluids for industrial applications. Vegetable oil appears to be a perfect alternative, but using most of the vegetable oil as a feedstock made its use for industrial purposes challenging. The recent trend is to develop coolants/lubricants from non-edible seed oil. This work investigates the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on viscosity of transesterified neem oil. The crude neem oil was purified, transesterified and nanoparticles were dispersed in the transesterified oil at concentrations ranging from 0.0% to 1.0% at 0.2% intervals. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra were used to examine the structures of the samples and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses were used to examine the surface morphology of the samples. Viscosity were examined. Among other things, it was found that a small amount of ZnO (0.6%) nanoparticles in the oil could improve the viscosity of the fluid. The nanoliquid with a ZnO concentration of 0.6% appears to have optimal properties

Novel application of Trichilia Heudelotii planch: effectiveness of different polarity of organic solvents of leaf and stem bark extracts on the control of cowpea beetle

Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea beetle) is a field-to-store pest causing over 90% losses of cowpea. The search for new plant-derived crop protectant that can be explored as alternative to synthetic pesticides is urgently needed. Thus, the phytochemical screening, as well as the bioactivity of different polarity of organic solvents of leaf and stembark extracts of Trichilia heudelotii (Meliaceae), was investigated against the field-to-store insect pest Callosobruchus maculatus in laboratory bioassay. The non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) extracts [0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml] of the leaf and stem bark were added to 100 g of cowpea. The following parameters of the cowpea weevil life cycle were analysed at the various concentrations: adult mortality, oviposition rate, number of larvae and pupae, and emergence of first filial progeny. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins in both the non-polar and polar extracts. Furthermore, the various treatments used were significantly (p< 0.05) effective in controlling C. maculatus from 1 and also 30 days after treatment (DAT) for both the non-polar and polar extracts when compared to the control. However, the most effective treatment was observed with the polar (EtOH) stem bark extract at 1.5 ml, which caused more mortalities and fewer emergence of the insect. Our findings suggest that the non-polar and polar leaf and stem bark of T. heudelotii extracts could serve as a sustainable and potential alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control

Production and quality evaluation of soy milk yoghurt

Background: Yoghurt is a fermented dairy product basically produced from cow's milk. In Nigeria, cow’s milk is imported and relatively expensive. Soy milk is inexpensive and available and could be alternative to cow's milk in yoghurt production. Objective: This study evaluated nutrient composition and sensory characteristics of soy milk yoghurt. Methods: Soy milk (4.6litres) of 12.5% total solid was produced from 500g of soybean seed using standard method and divided into 3 portions (C1, C2 and C3) of 1000ml each. Liquid cow’s milk was made by mixing 125g of full cream powdered milk with1litreof distilled water; and designated B. The C1, C2, C3 and B, were separately pasteurized (85o C, 15 mins), homogenized, cooled to 40 – 44o C and inoculated with 0.44% of 50:50% mixture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophillus. Sucrose (1.95g), carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) (0.96g) and strawberry (2.5ml) and commercial cow's milk flavour (0.10g) were added to samples C1, C2 and C3 while lactose and calcium citrate were added only to C2 and C3 at different concentrations. These were fermented (7h), cooled (44o C) gradually to set. The yoghurts were analyzed for nutrient composition, microbial and sensory quality. Results: Soy milk yoghurt which had no CMC was relatively higher in carbohydrate (50.01%) than others which had 2.85% to 4.84% carbohydrate. The sensory attributes of the formulated samples were affected by ingredients, but they compared favourably with the cow's milk yoghurt. Conclusion: The produced soy milk yoghurts had nutrient and sensory quality characteristics similar to cow's milk yoghurt and could be substitute cow's milk yoghurt.Keywords: Production quality evaluation, soy milk yoghurt