Awareness, knowledge and perception on MDGs among clinical students of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos

Background: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 Heads of State and Governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000 with the aim of attaining these goals by the year 2015. The aim of the study is to determine the awareness, knowledge and perception on MDGs among clinical medical students of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos.Methods: The sampling method was consecutive sampling of all the students until sample size was obtained. A total of 173 questionnaires were distributed and 171 were duly filled and returned.Results: Analysis of the results obtained showed that about 90% of the students are aware of MDGs, Majority of the students heard about the MDGs by surfing the internet (59%), followed by information from television set (21%). The results from their responses showed that majority of them disagree that Nigerians felt theimpact of MDGs (52%, disagree and 15%, strongly disagree). The knowledge on MDGs was good in some indicators. The highest knowledge was on the education, environment and gender equality, with 60%, 54% and 40% respectively knowing that the MDGs had indicators on these. However, on health only 18% knew the correct number of indicators that were centered on health.Conclusion: There will be need to educate the universities students on MDGs, so as to have a greater impact on the ongoing SDG

Training for Intercultural Sensitivity Skills: A Case for Agricultural Extension Professionals in Nigeria and Nations Facing Similar Challenges

The agricultural sector is one of the biggest contributors to Nigeria’s economy in addition to being the employer of about 60% of its population (Odoemelam, 2011). In spite of the important role played by agriculture in the nation’s economy, the sector is still underdeveloped. To foster the development of agriculture in Nigeria, agricultural extension and advisory services are being used to transform the practices of farmers, who are still largely subsistence producers. In fact, Anaeto et al. (2012) attributed the slow development of Nigerian agriculture to the failure of its farmers to respond positively to novel ideas or innovations. For farmers to respond positively to such change, they must be properly educated on how best to implement the new ideas or practices on their farms. This is because increased agricultural productivity depends largely on the acceptance of cultural and technological transformations that extension workers bring to the farmers

Performance of Weaned Rabbits Raised in Cages or Pens in Northern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Abstract. Management system in rabbit production has been reported to affect the performance of rabbits. In view of this, an eight week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different management systems (cage-housed and pen-housed) on the growth performance indices of weaned rabbits in Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Twenty four (24) weaned rabbits of heterogeneous breeds in equal sexes, aged between 5-6 weeks, with live weight of 612±14.72 g were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (cage-housed and pen-housed) consisting of 12 rabbits per group. They were fed commercial diet (concentrate) supplemented with Tridax procumbens and given access to clean fresh water adlibitum. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Results from the study showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in daily body weight gain, feed intake and final body weight. Caged-housed Rabbits recorded higher daily weight gain, daily feed intake 72.24±0.07 g/day and final body weight of 1373±41.57 g as against 9.92±0.38 g/day, 63.58±0.88 g/day and 1168±23.36 g, respectively for the pen-housed rabbits. It is concluded that rabbits raised in cages had better growth performance indices than those raised in pens. It is however, recommended that further studies be conducted to assess the welfare of rabbits raised under the two management systems. Key words: Growth performance, weaned rabbits, management systems. Abstrak. Sistem pemeliharaan ternak kelinci mempengaruhi performan kelinci. Penelitian telah dilakukan selama 8 minggu untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh dua sistem pemeliharan yang berbeda  terhadap index pertumbuhan kelinci lepas sapih di area Northern Guinea Savannah, Nigeria. Dua puluh empat (24) kelinci lepas sapih dengan jenis kelamin sama, umur 5-6 minggu dengan bobot hidup 612±14,72 g digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Kelinci dibagi secara acak ke dalam dua kelompok (kandang terkurung dan pen), setiap kelompok 12 kelinci.  Kelinci diberi pakan konsentrat disuplementasi dengan Tridax procumbens dan air diberikan secara adlibitum. Eksperimen berlangsung selama 8 minggu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perbedaan nyata pada kenaikan bobot harian, asupan pakan dan bobot akhir. Kelinci yang dikandang terkurung memiliki pertambahan bobot badan harian 13,62±0,70 g/hari, asupan pakan harian 72,24±0,07 g/hari, dan bobot badan akhir 1373±41,57 g yang lebih tinggi daripada kelinci dalam kandang pen, secara berturut-turut yaitu  9,92±0,38 g/hari, 63,58±0,88 g/hari dan 1168±23,36 g. Disimpulkan bahwa kelinci yang dipelihara dalam kandang terkurung memiliki indeks pertumbuhan yang lebih baik daripada yang di dalam pen.  Penelitian lebih lanjut disarankan guna mengukur kenyamanan kelinci yang dipelihara dengan dua sistem pemeliharaan tersebut. Kata kunci: Performan pertumbuhan, kelinci lepas sapih, sistem pemeliharaa

Determination of the level of some heavy metals in water collected from two pollution - prone irrigation areas around Kano Metropolis

Industrial effluents discharged into the environment pose a serious threat to our agricultural products and health. In view of this, levels of some heavy metals, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, Fe and Mn were determined in water samples collected from two pollution prone areas around Kano (Sharada and Bompai industrial estates) and control site (Thomas Dam, Dambatta). The levels of the heavy metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results obtained show that the mean values of all heavy metals (with the exception of Zn) in water samples from the polluted areas studied were significantly higher than in the control site (P < 0.05). These mean values have also exceeded the acceptable limits. Key words: Heavy metals, Pollution, Kano, Environmen

Effect of different levels of Striga gesnerioides on the growth and yield of some local and improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) varieties

Experiment was carried out at International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Striga infestation on the growth and yield of some varieties of cowpea. Four cowpea genotypes were selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with two treatment regimes of Striga infestation. The levels of Striga infestation include 0.05g, 0.1g and 0.0g (control). The results showed that IT97K-499-35 recorded higher plant height at 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation, but DANILA showed lower plant height at 0.1g of Striga infestation. The result for chlorophyll content (SPAD) indicates that at 30 days after Striga infestation, IT99K-241-2 recorded higher chlorophyll SPAD value of 39.2. But IT97K-499-35 had lower chlorophyll SPAD value of 16.3. Higher number of days to 50% flowering was recorded in IT99K-241-2 across the treatment. IT98K-205-8 recorded early days to 50% flowering across the treatment. IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded Striga emergence and attachment to their roots. But IT97K-499-35 and IT98K-205-8 had no Striga attachment and emerged. Higher grain yield was recorded in IT97K-499-35, but IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded lower grain yield. Higher Fodder yield was recorded in DANILA. The result indicates that fodder yield was reduced in 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation in all the varieties. The present study conclude that varieties IT99K-241- 2 and DANILA were susceptible to Striga at 0.1g of infestation, while IT97K-499-35 was tolerant to Striga at 0.5 and 0.1g of Striga infestation.Keyword: Striga gesnerioides, Cowpea, growth and Yiel

Relationship of Soilborne Mycoflora of Cassava Growing Fields to Incidence of Postharvest Rots of Cassava Tubers in Sokoto, Nigeria

In this study the fungi associated with cassava growing fields in Sokoto were isolated and identified using soil dilution technique. A total of 215 fungal colonies from 9 fungal species were isolated from soil samples of different cassava fields between the month of June and August, 2012. It was observed that soil samples from Lambara recorded the highest number (64) of fungal species followed by Damba and the least number (44) of fungal species was observed in Wamakko.The fungi isolated were Alternaria species, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cylindrocarpon lichenicola, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor hiemalis, Rhizopus orgyzae and Scopulariopsis candida.The highest percentage frequency of occurrence was observed in Aspergillus Niger (39.5%) seconded by Fusarium oxysporum (18.2%) and the least was seen in Rhizopus oryzae ( 2.3%). The pathogenicity test indicated that all the fungal isolates were pathogenic on cassava tubers.The fungus M. hiemalis is the most pathogenic followed by F. oxysporum and the least was recorded by R. oryzae. Therefore, it would be concluded that there is relationship between soilborne fungi and incidence of postharvest rots of cassava tubers

Suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami: Implications for Rule of Law, Judicial Independence and Constitutionalism

The suspension of Justice Ayo Salami, President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) opened a new dimension in the Nigerian judiciary; it is the first of its kind at that level. The National Judicial Council (NJC) initiated the suspension and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria endorsed it. The paper is concerned with implications of the suspension for the rule of law, constitutionalism and judicial independence. The paper argues that the suspension was unconstitutional for procedural irregularity and further reveals that the mechanisms provided by the constitution to guarantee judicial independence are inadequate and ineffective. It also shows that the much-needed independence of judiciary from the political branches in particular, to a greater extent, depends on internal independence which again largely depends on the leadership of the judiciary and the National Judicial Council. This invariably suggests that for there to be independence from the political branches and internal interference there must be a courageous, just, fearless and pro-active leadership of the judiciary and a more independent Judicial Council, and calls for an amendment to the constitution in that direction

LIMIT ANALYSIS APPROACH FOR THE SEISMIC VULNERABILITY REDUCTION OF MASONRY TOWERS THROUGH STRENGTHENING WITH TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE MATERIALS

The paper investigates the possibility and the effectiveness of reducing the seismic vulnerability of masonry towers by means of composite materials and traditional steel bands. Masonry towers are very widespread in Italy, both as bell towers for churches and defense towers in medieval cities and castles. Masonry material, presenting low mechanical properties, is not suitable to withstand significant tensile and compression stresses induced by earthquake loading. The slenderness of these structures is another factor that can reduce the bearing capacity when significant stresses are present in specific structural parts. The seismic vulnerability of masonry towers is very high, as a consequence of both poor material properties in tension and high compression levels at the base of the structure. Moreover, Italy is characterized by a high potential risk to be stricken by moderate/high seismic events, as experienced in the last decades. In such a situation, the seismic upgrading of masonry towers could appear rather important. Seismic upgrading by introducing both traditional steel bars and composite materials as strips or rebars is analyzed in detail for different towers. Based on some a priori assumed failure modes (one proposed by Heyman), simplified models from a limit analysis approach are here discussed and used to define the most suitable retrofitting solution. The retrofitting possibilities consist of: a) horizontal hooping rings; b) vertical pre-stressed tie rods; c) vertical composite strips. A simplified straightforward relationship is found between the retrofitting requirements and seismic hazard. The procedure is applied for a wide range of geometrical properties and appears to be fast and reliable