Effects of Fadama III Project on the Income of Dry Season Rice Farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The effects of Fadama III project to the improvement in the income of participating dry season rice farmers inSokoto state was studied. Population of the study comprised of all dry season rice farmers in Sokoto state. Purposivesampling was used to select six Local Government Areas. Purposive sampling was used to ensure the selection ofLGAs with outstanding potentials in the cultivation of dry season crops. Random sampling technique was used toselect 20 project participants and 12 non-project participants from each of the selected LGAs. Descriptive statisticsand gross margin analysis were used for data analysis. Findings of the study revealed that Majority of projectbeneficiaries (71.30%) and non-project beneficiaries (63.38%) did not attain any form of formal education. Cost oflabour (family and hired) dominated the production cost for both the project beneficiaries and non-projectbeneficiaries. Result of the gross margin analysis showed that the project participants made more profit (N319,459.44 Per Hectatre) in dry season rice production compared to N270, 334.61 Per Hectare earned by non-projectparticipants. It was recommended that the Fadama III project should as much as possible expand their area ofoperation so that more farmers can benefit from their services

Influence of locally sourced additives on neem plant organic fertilizer quality in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Neem samples (Neem fruit, Neem Cake and oil) were prepared using locally sourced materials, the Neem oil was obtained during the caking, while the Neem fruit was simply air-dried. The results showed that all the Neem samples contained: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium considerable for fertilizer production but Neem fruit has the highest percentage of Nitrogen 3.3%, Phosphorous 4.1% and potassium 3.8% while the oil has the least content of 1.1% Nitrogen, 2.0% Phosphorous and 1.1% potassium. Additives were introduced in the production to enhance the quality of the fertilizer such as limestone to neutralize the soil, poultry liter as supplement of the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content of the fertilizer, Rock phosphate to standardize the phosphorous content of the soil and to retain the soil texture and composition.Keywords: Neem fruit, Neem cake, Neem seed, Rock phosphate, Organic fertilize

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health and Suicidal Ideation in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Employees' mental health and well-being are a growing concern as countries grapple with heightened mental ill-health and suicide rates, with the construction industry ranking in the top five. Drawing from the context of a developing country, particularly Nigeria, data were collected using mixed methods (i.e., survey and postsurvey interview). The study investigated mental health among 382 construction personnel. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) scales were employed in assessing mental health. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation were 55.1%, 16%, 9.8% among supervisors, 72%, 36.9%, and 15.3%, respectively, among tradesmen. Univariate logistic regression revealed that years of experience and organizational structure influence mental health. Multiple logistic regression showed that risk factors for mental ill-health include nature of work, little relationship with colleagues, job insecurity, occupational injury, low income, and unsatisfactory living conditions. The findings from this study will assist in intervention building and policy-making within the construction industry of Nigeria and globally

Groundwater quality in shallow unconfined sedimentary aquifers in Bida, Nigeria

A study on the water quality of unconfined shallow aquifers was conducted with the aim of assessing physicochemical and bacteriological contamination of groundwater as a result of poor design of water and sanitation facilities in Bida, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a grid-based approach on wells, boreholes, surface water and households. The water has a high Total Dissolved Solids. Slightly acidic pH and mean distance of wells to waste disposal facilities is 12m. Chemical parameters that occur in high concentrations are sulphates, chlorides, nitrates and sodium and total coliform is very high. Contamination of deeper sources of water from the dug wells is both lateral and vertical with contamination plume spreading to better planned areas. Surface water has the least contamination and is proposed for water supply. Sanitation facilities should be upgraded from pit to ventilated improved pit latrines

Sero Prevalence of Brucellosis in Goat in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract: Serum samples were collected from goats slaughtered at the Sokoto metropolis abattoir and were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) and the Competitive Elisa (complisa) for brucellosis. A seroprevalence of 22.93% was recorded. The female had more prevalence (28.35%) than the male while the age band of 13-24 months had the highest prevalence of 22.46% Sokoto red was the breed with the highest prevalence of 34.12% while the hot season had the highest prevalence of 28.57%. Due to the zoonotic implications of the disease, there is the urgent need to consider the vaccination of small ruminants against brucellosis in addition to other recommendations suggested

Frequency Distribution and Association of some Morpho- and Physiological Traits in Patients with Lung Diseases in Kosova

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of specific phenotypes in patients with lung diseases as well as their eventual association withthe risk of developing lung diseases. For this purpose 2777 patients with lung diseases and 2778 healthy individuals from all over Kosova were examined for the appearance of the following selected phenotypes: ear lobe free (ELF)/ ear lobe attached, normal chin (NC)/cleft chin, tongue roller (TR)/non roller, hand clasping right thumb over (HC)/ hand clasping left thumb over, righthanded (RH)/lefthanded. In addition, the blood group from ABO system and the presence or absence of the Rhesus factor as phenotypical markers were observed. The results obtained show significant differences between control and lung disease patients for NC (P≤0.05) and TR (P≤0.005) as well as for blood groups AB (P≤0.05) and O (P≤0.005). These results point to eventually increased levels of genetic load as a result of the increased homozygosity in some gene loci causing an increased frequency of some recessive phenotypes in patients with lung diseases. Together with the specific associations observed, these preliminary findings could serve as a basis for further in depth investigations with respect to the types of lung diseases, occupational exposure and dietary habits, and thus is expected to contribute to an understanding of predispositions and susceptibility to lung diseases

Local Rice Production Trend Analyses and Consumption in Benue State, Nigeria: 1980 – 2016

The research examined local rice production trends and factors inhibiting the consumption of local rice from 1980 to 2016 in Benue State. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire in Benue State, while secondary data were obtained from Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA) in 2017. Multistage random sampling method was employed in selecting respondents. Primary data were collected from one hundred and fifty six (156) respondents. Descriptive statistics, Z – test, Growth model and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance were used for the analysis. The results revealed that from 1980 to 2016, a total of 9.5mt of local rice was produced in Benue State. The result also shows that the respondents were all married (99%), with household size of 1 - 10 persons (95%) and mean household size of about 8 persons. The result further indicated that majority of respondents’ attained tertiary school level. The result also shows that the respondents had low income (40.3%).  The mean quantity of local rice production was 257,333.06mt per year. The instantaneous growth trends of local rice production and price were 0.00122 and 0.01103, and compound growth rate as 3.72 and 3.76 respectively. The result also indicated that many of the respondents were above the age of 41 years (49%) with the mean age of 47 and all respondents male. The presence of stones, poor aroma, impure rice and broken grain were some of the factors inhibiting consumption of local rice in Benue State. The study recommended that the policies that focus on increasing growth rate of local rice in Benue State should be intensified. Breeders and Scientists should make effort in breeding rice with aroma. The processors of local rice should use modern processing mills like rice polisher and des-stoners to mill quality local rice that will be acceptable to consumers

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Determinants of Acceptance among Healthcare Workers, Academics and Tertiary Students in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of human deaths, prompting the rapid development and regulatory approval of several vaccines. Although Nigeria implemented a COVID-19 vaccination program on 15 March 2021, low vaccine acceptance remains a major chal-lenge. To provide insight on factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH), we conducted a national survey among healthcare workers, academics, and tertiary students, between 1 September 2021 and 31 December 2021. We fitted a logistic regression model to the data and exam-ined factors associated with VH to support targeted health awareness campaigns to address public