The Consequentialist Foundations of Traditional Yoruba Ethics: an Exposition

Several treatises have been written on the foundations of African moral systems. A significant number of them favours the claim that these systems are founded on religion, with the latter providing a justification for the former. Others have taken a contrary position, denying the supposed necessary causal connection between religion and African moral systems. This paper neither seeks to support nor rebut any of the foundations proposed, but rather to argue for the thesis that from whichever perspective it is viewed - religious, humanistic or rationalist - the Yoruba moral system has strictly consequentialist foundations, and is hence subsumable under the general consequentialist ethical programme. However, the paper notes that Yoruba consequentialism diverges significantly from its western counterpart on the claim that “the end justifies the means”; for whereas this is true of western consequentialism, according to Yoruba consequentialism no evil, however well-intended, can bring about a good end. The Yoruba oral tradition, and particularly the Yoruba language as currently spoken and written among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, supplies tools of analysis, while ethical consequentialism provides the theoretical framework. Key Words Consequentialism, Foundations, Yoruba, Traditional Ethic

An assessment of the physico-chemical parameters of Kontagora reservoir, Niger state, Nigeria

The seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters of water reservoir in Kontagora, Nigeria were studied from January to December, 2007. The physico-chemical parameters were determined bimonthly. They include: temperature (using mercury in glass thermometer), transparency (using Secchi-disc ), while Pye Unicam model 292 meter was used for pH and electrical conductivity determination . Dissolved oxygen by modified Winkler-azide method, water hardness by Lind method and Phosphate – phosphorus by Denges method, total alkalinity by titration method, total dissolved solid by O’wen method, while Nitrate-Nitrogen was determined using Phenoldisulphonic acid method. Water depth was determined using a calibrated measuring tape weighted at one end. The rainy season mean values for water temperature, depth, pH, Nitrate-Nitrogen, were significantly (

A survey of the artisanal fisheries of kontagora reservoir, Niger state, Nigeria

A survey of the artisanal fisheries of Kontagora Reservoir was conducted between January – December, 2007, using statistical frame survey and catch assessment survey. Five fish families made up seven fish species were recorded. The fish species Hemichromis fasciatus, a cichlid was the most dominant with mean value of 414.3 and 7715 in terms of number and weight respectively. Nineteen fishermen using gill nets, cast nets, hook and line sets, and Malian traps as fishing gears were recorded in the reservoir with a total mean catch of 4.40kg/canoe or 167 fishes/canoe. The reservoir was productive and comparable with other smaller but productive African lakes. The monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system was suggested for management consideration, with emphasis on registration of fishermen and their fishing equipment, enforcement of minimum marsh size of 3” and establishment of community based cooperative scheme

Effect of different levels of urea treated Gamba hay on growth performance of Yankasa rams

Twenty four (24) Yankasa yearling rams were used to determine the effect of feeding high levels of urea treated gamba hay (Andropogon gayanus). The rams aged 15 – 18 months with an average weight of 22 .45kg were randomly allocated to one of four dietary groups, rams in group A served as control and were offered untreated gamba hay at 2.5% of their body weight while rams in groups 2, 3 and 4 where offered 5%, 6% and 7% urea treated gamba hay respectively at 2.5% of their body weight for 90 days. All rams had equal access to water, salt lick blocks and concentrate fed at 2.0% of their body weight. Data was collected daily on feed intake, while live body weight changes and body condition score were measured weekly. Dry matter composition of the gamba hay offered declined as the level of urea treatment increased, the crude protein content of the diets also increased as the level of urea treatment increased. However the values of NDF and ADF declined as the level of urea treatment increased. Rams fed 6% and 7% treated gamba hay had significantly the highest total dry matter intake while rams fed untreated gamba hay had significantly (P<0.05) the lowest weight gain. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the weight gains of rams fed 6% and those fed 7% urea treated gamba hay and the rams in both groups had significantly (P<0.05) the highest weight gains. Rams fed the 6% urea treated gamba hay had the best FCR. It can be concluded that 6% &7% urea treated gamba gave similar performance but 6% had the better feed conversion ratio and is more cost effective.Key words: Urea treated gamba hay, cost effectivenes

Acute ecotoxicity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of leaves of Khaya senegalensis on chironomid larvae

Protection of aquatic habitat requires an understanding of both the sensitivity of invertebrates to contaminants and their ecological requirements. Phyto-chemical screening of the leaves of extract of Khaya senegalensis revealed the presence of active constituents. Acute ecotoxicities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Khaya senegalensis to Chironomid larvae were evaluated by static bioassay. Bioactivity of the ethanolic extract was found to be greater than the aqueous extract. The LC50 of aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 1.39g/l and 1.20g/l respectively. Stressful behaviors exhibited by the chironomids include deformity of mouthparts, certain body segments being filled with black particles and change in body coloration. All behaviors were dose-dependent. The larvae were not repelled by the extract, indicating that antifeedant activity was not a mortality factor. Mortality was probably due to the disappearance of the reddish coloration of the hemoglobin component. The results were discussed and compared with those of other studies.Protection of aquatic habitat requires an understanding of both the sensitivity of invertebrates to contaminants and their ecological requirements. Phyto-chemical screening of the leaves of extract of Khaya senegalensis revealed the presence of active constituents. Acute ecotoxicities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Khaya senegalensis to Chironomid larvae were evaluated by static bioassay. Bioactivity of the ethanolic extract was found to be greater than the aqueous extract. The LC50 of aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 1.39g/l and 1.20g/l respectively. Stressful behaviors exhibited by the chironomids include deformity of mouthparts, certain body segments being filled with black particles and change in body coloration. All behaviors were dose-dependent. The larvae were not repelled by the extract, indicating that antifeedant activity was not a mortality factor. Mortality was probably due to the disappearance of the reddish coloration of the hemoglobin component and consequently impaired metabolism of the larvae. The results were discussed and compared with those of other studies

Prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in the Jidawa and Zobiya communities of Jigawa State, Nigeria

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis (UgS) is a parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma haematobium and can lead to chronic ill-health. Nigeria is endemic for schistosomiasis, but epidemiology of UgS has not been studied in most states. This study was conceived with the aim to contribute towards an accurate national picture of UgS in Nigeria. The prevalence of UgS and the associated risk factors were for the first time investigated among primary school pupils in Jidawa and Zobiya communities of the Dutse Local Government Area (LGAs) of Jigawa State, Nigeria. Method: Focus group discussions with teachers and parents were conducted. After obtaining written consent from parents, questionnaires were administered to pupils to obtain socio-demographic data and information on water contact activities. Urine samples (279) were collected and processed by the urine filtration technique to evaluate haematuria and the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Results: Prevalences of 65.7% (90/137) and 69.0% (98/142) were recorded in the Jidawa and Zobiya communities, respectively. In both communities, there was a significant association between gender and UgS: 63.3% of the infected pupils were males as compared to 36.7% females (χ2 = 5.42, p = 0.020). Grade 5 students had a significantly higher prevalence (χ2 = 17.919, p = 0.001) (80.0%) compared to those in grades 2, 3, 4, and 6 (63.8%, 66.7%, 61.5%, and 64.6%, respectively). Water contact activities showed that pupils involved in fishing, irrigation, and swimming were at greater risk of becoming infected in Jidawa and Zobiya, with odds ratios (risk factors) of 5.4 (0.994–28.862) and 4.1 (1.709–9.862), respectively (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Both the Jidawa and Zobiya communities of the Dutse LGAs of Jigawa State are hyperendemic for UgS. In collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, mass administration of praziquantel was carried out in the Jidawa and Zobiya communities after this study

EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BROILER BREEDER EGG WEIGHTS ON HATCHING AND POST-HATCH PERFORMANCES IN MARSHAL BREED

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different Marshal breed broiler on hatching egg weights on hatching characteristics and post-hatch performances; and also to compare the cost of production of hatchlings to table size. A total of 900 hatching eggs (HE) from 40 weeks old parent stock were sorted, graded and purposively grouped on weight basis into small (<50g), medium (50-65g) and large (>65g) sizes (3 groups). Each group was allotted 300 eggs and replicated thrice, with each replicate having 100 eggs in a complete randomised design before incubation for 21 days. Candling of incubated eggs was done on day 18 on group basis and numbers of fertile eggs noted. The chicks were individually weighed and counted to determine hatchability, hatchling weight and cost of production. Thereafter, hatched chicks were allotted into the respective groups and replicated to determine the post-hatch performance. Each replicate has 45 chicks, intensively raised and were fed ad libitum with broiler starter mash for the first 4 weeks of life and broiler finisher mash from 4-8 weeks. Data generated include feed intake, final weight, mortality; weight gain, feed conversion ratio and unit cost of production of chicken were calculated. The data were analyzed by GLM of SAS and Duncan’s multiple-range test was used to separate significance of differences among treatment means at 5% significance level. The medium HE had the best fertility (93.00%), hatchability (95.67%) and cost of producing a chick (N 90.07) when compared with the small and large HEs. The large HE has the best results in terms of, final weight and weight gain, while medium HE has the best FCR, lowest mortality and least cost of production, which are significant at p< 0.05. It is therefore recommended poultry breeders and hatchery operators should consider the use of medium weight (50-65g) HEs in their operations, so as to cut down the production cost.   &nbsp