Sleep Pattern and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students

There have been studies that demonstrate the impact of sleep on both implicit and explicit memory. Of particular interest is that sleep has been shown to aid memory consolidation. This holds some implication for students, most of whom sleep for considerably very little amount of time, whereas they require sufficient amount of sleep to consolidate memory for material learned during the day. This study was therefore designed to investigate the possible impact of sleep on the academic achievement of undergraduate students. The study participants were 300 undergraduate students drawn from about twenty Department of a private university in Nigeria. 152 of the participants were female and the rest were male. The School Sleep Survey Habit Scale previously validated in Nigeria by one of the authors (IDO) was used to measure sleep habit, while academic performance was measured as self-reported grade. The result of Analysis of variance using SPSS XX showed a significant effect of Sleepiness on Academic Performance F (8, 211)=3.73, P<.01, and on Cumulative Grade Point Average, F (4, 190) = 3.82, P<.005. The study also showed that stimulant intake significantly impacted on Sleep habit. It was concluded that to enhance student's academic achievement counseling centres should endeavour to include sleep in their orientation programme for students. Besides, it would be necessary not to cram up the programme in such a manner that would rob the students of adequate rest and sleep

Constraints to Occupational Diversification among Rural Women in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in Anambra State, Nigeria to ascertain constraints to occupational diversification among rural women. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 462 rural women. Percentage, mean scores, standard deviation, factor analysis and student’s t-test were used for data analysis. Major constraints to occupational diversification were grouped into labour, institutional, technical and social problems. The study identified solutions to problems to include provision of adequate physical infrastructure such as roads, electricity and pipe-borne water in rural areas (74.2%), provision of social amenities such as hospitals (73.6%), establishment of industries in rural areas to create job opportunities (72.9%) and appropriate government policy on women empowerment (65.8%), among others. There was a significant difference between means of farm and non-farm income. The mean of farm income was ₦31,022.8 while the mean of non-farm income was ₦125,364 (t= 12.136; p≤0.05). The study recommends the inclusion of non-farm occupations in rural extension services especially value chain of cash crops as a means of improving income generation

Contribution of Livestock Production to Climate Change and Mitigation Options: A Review

An attempt is made to understand the role livestock production plays in climate change and to identify mitigation strategies to cap or reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions. Scientific literature on farm animal production and documented GHG emission, as well as mitigation strategies were synthesized and used for the study. Results show that animal agriculture sector is responsible for approximately 18%, or nearly one-fifth of human induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In nearly every step of meat, egg, and milk production, climate changing gases are released into the atmosphere potentially disrupting weather, temperature and ecosystem health. As the number of farm animals increases, so do their GHG emissions. Cattle rearing alone generate more global warming GHGs, as measured in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, than transportation. Immediate and far reaching changes in current animal agriculture practices and consumption patterns are both critical if GHGs from the farm animal sector are to be mitigated. However, the approaches that best reduce emissions depend on local conditions and therefore vary from region to region. In Nigeria emission of GHGs is generally low based on low per capita energy and other resource consumption. However, it is expected that there will be future rise as a result of increased numbers of livestock and high population growth rate with corresponding increase in per capita energy and other resource consumption. The assessment of options to reduce future GHG emissions is considered an important contribution to sustainable development of Nigeria. Efficacious plants peculiar to the Nigerian environment and conditions should be planted and maintained around cities. Also government should support waste management in all the states in Nigeria to have a sequel structure to safe disposal of organic matter from cattle

Constraints to Occupational Diversification among Rural Women in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in Anambra State, Nigeria to ascertain constraints to occupational diversification among rural women. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 462 rural women. Percentage, mean scores, standard deviation, factor analysis and student’s t-test were used for data analysis. Major constraints to occupational diversification were grouped into labour, institutional, technical and social problems. The study identified solutions to problems to include provision of adequate physical infrastructure such as roads, electricity and pipe-borne water in rural areas (74.2%), provision of social amenities such as hospitals (73.6%), establishment of industries in rural areas to create job opportunities (72.9%) and appropriate government policy on women empowerment (65.8%), among others. There was a significant difference between means of farm and non-farm income. The mean of farm income was ₦31,022.8 while the mean of non-farm income was ₦125,364 (t= 12.136; p≤0.05). The study recommends the inclusion of non-farm occupations in rural extension services especially value chain of cash crops as a means of improving income generation

Contribution of Livestock Production to Climate Change and Mitigation Options: A Review

An attempt is made to understand the role livestock production plays in climate change and to identify mitigation strategies to cap or reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions. Scientific literature on farm animal production and documented GHG emission, as well as mitigation strategies were synthesized and used for the study. Results show that animal agriculture sector is responsible for approximately 18%, or nearly one-fifth of human induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In nearly every step of meat, egg, and milk production, climate changing gases are released into the atmosphere potentially disrupting weather, temperature and ecosystem health. As the number of farm animals increases, so do their GHG emissions. Cattle rearing alone generate more global warming GHGs, as measured in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, than transportation. Immediate and far reaching changes in current animal agriculture practices and consumption patterns are both critical if GHGs from the farm animal sector are to be mitigated. However, the approaches that best reduce emissions depend on local conditions and therefore vary from region to region. In Nigeria emission of GHGs is generally low based on low per capita energy and other resource consumption. However, it is expected that there will be future rise as a result of increased numbers of livestock and high population growth rate with corresponding increase in per capita energy and other resource consumption. The assessment of options to reduce future GHG emissions is considered an important contribution to sustainable development of Nigeria. Efficacious plants peculiar to the Nigerian environment and conditions should be planted and maintained around cities. Also government should support waste management in all the states in Nigeria to have a sequel structure to safe disposal of organic matter from cattle

The effect of aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Sorrel) calyces on heamatological profile and organ pathological changes in Trypanasoma congolense – infected rat

The effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on haematology and pathological changes in some selected organs during experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection of rats were investigated. Three groups of rats were intraperitoneally infected with T. congolense (Karu stock). One group was administered with the aqueous extract and another given a solution of vitamin C in drinking water; the remaining infected group was left untreated. Data from these groups were compared with those of two groups of healthy rats, one of which was similarly treated with the aqueous extract. The experiment was terminated three weeks, post-infection (pi). The uninfected and infected rats administered the extract consumed the equivalent of 9.94 mg – and 9.61 mg ascorbic acid / 100g / day during the experiment. Consumption of the extract significantly (

Challenges of Participatory Approach to Watershed Management in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study highlights the status of existing watersheds management in four rural communities of Enugu State. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (Rapid Rural Appraisal, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interview schedules) were used in an interactive manner to collect data for this study from four rural communities in the state. The study revealed that many problems such as fuel wood exploitation, farming activities, animal grazing/hunting, and road/house construction, among others were factors threatening the sustainability of watersheds in Enugu State. The study also showed that many of the communities had rules and regulations guiding the use of watersheds but could not apply the principle of participatory management approach to ensure sustainability of the watersheds. However, the rules and regulations merely emphasized environmental sanitation of the watershed surroundings without ensuring the overall sustainability of the watersheds. The paper concludes with the need for public and private extension services to educate key actors in rural communities on the sustainability of using participatory watershed management approach

Challenges of Participatory Approach to Watershed Management in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study highlights the status of existing watersheds management in four rural communities of Enugu State. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (Rapid Rural Appraisal, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interview schedules) were used in an interactive manner to collect data for this study from four rural communities in the state. The study revealed that many problems such as fuel wood exploitation, farming activities, animal grazing/hunting, and road/house construction, among others were factors threatening the sustainability of watersheds in Enugu State. The study also showed that many of the communities had rules and regulations guiding the use of watersheds but could not apply the principle of participatory management approach to ensure sustainability of the watersheds. However, the rules and regulations merely emphasized environmental sanitation of the watershed surroundings without ensuring the overall sustainability of the watersheds. The paper concludes with the need for public and private extension services to educate key actors in rural communities on the sustainability of using participatory watershed management approach

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price