Re-Positioning Nigeria towards Sustainable National Unity

This work examined some of the threats confronting Nigeria s national unity It also examined some of the possible alternatives needed to be adopted in order to reposition the country towards sustainable national unity Descriptive analysis was adopted in this research Qualitative method of data collection was utilized by the Researchers Secondary based data sourced from journal articles magazines newspapers bulletins lecture notes diaries as well as internet based information were used by the Researchers Religious intolerance internal conflicts as well as over centralization of power and resources as the Researchers found out are some of the threats confronting Nigeria s national unity Decentralization of power and resources to the federated unions as the Researchers recommended are part of the alternatives needed to re-position Nigeria towards sustainable national unit

Effective Strategies for Resolution and Management of Farmers-Herdsmen Conflict in the North Central Region of Nigeria

Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen in the North Central Region of Nigeria is an age long phenomenon which became severe shortly after the transfer of power from Military to Civil Rule in the country on 29 th May 1999 In its current stage the conflict has assumed religion features and thus serving as one of the major threats to Nigeria s national security This research examined some of the effective strategies that can be adopted in the proper resolution and management of the conflict It was conducted with the used of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies Closed ended questionnaire was administered on sixty respondents systematically chosen among Farmers Herdsmen and Local Government Officials selected from the six states located in the North Central Region of Nigeria The questionnaire were administered by the Researchers and all were completed by them and returned back to the Researchers who analyzed data collected through this method with the used of Positive Correlation Analysis PCA Promotion of religious tolerance and well as the establishment of effective mechanism for conflict resolution and management in the region were found out as part of the effective strategies for resolution and management of Farmers- Herdsmen Conflict in the North Central Region of Nigeria The Researchers recommended that forum and congress for promoting religious tolerance and harmony among Farmers and Herdsmen be established in the six states across the North Central Region of Nigeria They also recommended that existing traditional institutions across the region should be empowered to effectively resolve and manage conflict between Farmers and Herdsme

Length-weight relationship of Hepsetus odoe in Lapai - Agaie Reservoir, Niger State, Nigeria

Study on the length-weight relationship (LWR) of Hepsetus odoe in Lapai-Agaie Reservior, Niger State was carried out between April 2016 and August 2016. One hundred and twenty samples, which comprised of 70 males and 80 females were used for this study. These were collected from fishermen that use gillnet. Females were bigger than males though did not show any significant difference (P<0.05). Length-weight (b) values showed that males (b = 2.6), females (2.7) and pooled (b = 2.7) exhibited negative allometric growth pattern hence, length and weight did not grow at the same proportion. There was positive correlation (r) between length and weight of males (r = 0.74), females (r = 0.78) and pooled (r = 0.85). It is recommended that similar study should be done for dry season, other aspects of the biology of the fish should be studied and water quality assessment through determination of physico-chemical parameters to know the pollution status of the reservoir should also be carried out. This would go a long way to better managed Hepsetus odoe and other fish species in the reservoir.Keywords: Growth pattern, Hepsetus odoe, length-weight relationship, reservoir, Niger stat

Assessment of the nutritional quality of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria

This study examined the nutritional quality of smoked Catfish Clarias gariepinus obtained in three different markets in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria for a period of three months. Proximate compositions of smoked Clarias gariepinus were determined. The highest protein content (49.27 ± 2.59) was recorded in smoked fish obtained from Baddegi market and was not significantly different from that of other sampling sites (P>0.05), while the least protein (46.68 ± 0.52) recorded from Central market also shows no significant differences (P>0.05) from other sampling sites. Similar results were obtained for the fat, the differences in proximate composition of smoked fish in Lapai markets were not significant (P>0.05). The ash content of smoked fish in Efugwaja, Central and Baddegi markets showed significant differences (P<0.05) and these were also exhibited within the months. Sensory evaluation of smoked fish revealed that the taste was significantly different (P<0.05) in all the three market samples, while that of colour, texture and appearance were not significant (P>0.05).There was a significant different (P<0.05) in two minerals, Potassium and Sodium from Baddegi and Efugwaja markets. This study therefore recommends smoked method as one of the preservative process to maintain a longer shelf life for Clarias gariepinus for both commercial and domestic purpose, and still retain its nutritional qualities.Keywords: Smoked fish, Clarias gariepinus, Proximate composition, Fats, Protein, Ash content

Praseodymium dithiocarbamate 1,10 phenantroline complexes

Seven promethium (Pr) complexes with 1,10-phenantroline were successfully synthesized using in situ methods from the reactions of eight amines with praseodymium(III) salts together with carbon disulphide. Methatesis and condensation were the most successful methods to prepare praseodymium dithiocarbamate 1,10-phenantroline complexes with general formula Pr[S2CNR1R2]3phen (R1 = ethyl, methyl; R2 = butyl, heptyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, benzyl and cyclohexyl; phen= 1,10-phenantroline). These complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared, thermogravimetric analysis and conductivity. Microelemental analysis data were in agreement with the general formula. Infrared spectra of complexes showed the thioureide ν(C-N) bands were in the region of 1454 - 1484 cm-1 and ν(C-H) bands in the region of 2853-2973 cm-1. The single ν(C-S) bands appeared in the region of 959 – 999 cm-1 has proved to be bidentate bonding. The 13C NMR spectroscopic data for these complexes showed that the carbon signal from NCS2 moiety were in the range of 192 – 212 ppm. The crystal structure of Pr[S2CN(CH3)(C7H7)]3phen adopts triclinic system (space group Pī) with a distorted dodecahedron geometry with a = 10.7165(16) A , b = 12.2897(19) A, c = 16.586(2) A, α = 73.887(2)o, β = 74.879(2)o and γ = 71.837(2)o and Z = 2. Three dithiocarbamates and one phenanthroline ligands were coordinated to the central Pr atom in bidentate manner

Staff Utilization and Commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education, Nigeria

The study determines the relationship between staff utilization and staff commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine: the level of staff utilization in Borno State Colleges of Education, the level of staff commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education and the relationship between staff utilization and staff commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education. Two research questions were raised and answered as one hypothesis was tested. The study adopted correlation research design. The population of the study comprised 739 academic staff in Colleges of Education in Borno State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 148 academic staff from the three Colleges of Education in Borno State. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistic of frequency and percentage counts to answer research questions 1 and 2 while Pearson Product Movement Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. The result of the study revealed that the level of staff utilization in Borno State Colleges of Education was relatively high, the level of staff commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education was low, there was no significant relationship between staff utilization and staff commitment in Borno State Colleges of Education. It was recommended that there is the need for increased and sustained staff welfare so as to enhance and improve staff commitment in Colleges of Education in Borno State and that there should be flexibility on the part of Colleges of Education authorities in creating conducive atmosphere for college staff to desire to work and freely get involved and committed to their work. Keywords: Staff Utilization, Staff Commitment, Effectiveness, Colleges of Educatio

Compatibility of Sorghum almum (Columbus grass) with three forage legumes

The study evaluated compatibility of Sorghum almum (Columbus grass) forage with 3 forage legumes namely Lablab purpureus (lablab) Stylosanthes hamata (verano) and Macroptilium bracteatum (burgundy bean) in a randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of monocultures of Sorghum almum, lablab, verano, burgundy and their mixtures in the following grass-legume proportions 4:0, 3:1. 2:2, 1:3 4:0 replicated in four blocks in accordance with de Wit’s (1960) replacement principle. The results revealed that dry matter yield values of grass monoculture were significantly greater (P<0, 05) than those of monocultures of legumes and mixtures except for monoculture of lablab found to be statistically at par with its corresponding grass monoculture. Grass-legume mixtures (2:2) tended to record higher total dry matter yield values compared to other mixtures (1:3 and 3:1) among mixtures. Relative yield total values of all mixtures were less than one except for grass-burgundy (2:2) (3.31). The legumes in mixtures were found to be more competitive than the grass given their higher relative crowding coefficient values (k). It was concluded that intercropping of grass-lablab and grass-stylo (verano) had no yield advantage compared to the corresponding grass monoculture. Also, 2:2 sowing proportion appeared to be the best given the relatively higher dry matter yield values and relative yield among mixture

Resolving Nigeria's ‘Boko Haram’ insurgence: What role for the media?

Nigeria has no doubt witnessed and is still witnessing several forms of conflicts in both the North and the Southern divides.One of such devastating insurgence that currently ravaged the peaceful and harmonious living in the country is the present conflicts in the North, involving the Islamic sect group – Boko Haram.The sect (which forbid western education) come to limelight in 2009 after the arrest and subsequent murder of the former leader Late Muhammed Yusuf.Since then however, the group have successfully launched attacks that have claimed lives and properties worth billions of Naira, most of which were attributed to the way and manner in which media handles them.The mass media are blamed in several occasions on inflaming the conflict, particularly regarding the nature of their reportage.The critical question is can Nigerian media play any role in resolving the Boko – Haram insurgence? This form the fulcrum in which this paper revolved

Development of Generalised Integrator with a Feedback Loop Based Dynamic Voltage Restorer for Fast Mitigation of Voltage Sag/Swell

Power-electronic converter-based device called the Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is intended to shield delicate loads from supply-side voltage perturbations. It is connected in series to the distribution feeder and has the ability to generate or absorb real and reactive power at its AC terminals. This work presents the use of a control scheme based on Generalized Integrator with a Feedback Loop (GIFL) gain choosing technique for the purpose of fast voltage sag/swell detection to enable the DVR to carry out a fast and effective voltage compensation in power distribution system. This helps in significantly reducing the impact of voltage sag/ swell and in turn improve the power quality of the system. Two scenarios were used to analyze the effectiveness of the developed technique: incorporation of voltage sag and swell independently on the distribution system. The results obtained showed that the distortions introduced to the system as a result of the sag and swell was significantly reduced. The results obtained from the developed scheme was further compared with that obtained when the conventional DVR was used in mitigating the voltage sag and swell using total harmonic distortion (THD) as performance metrics. All modelling and analyses were carried out using MATLAB 2019 software