China-Africa Relations: The Northern Nigerian Textile Industry

This project takes a critical look into China’s policy in Africa. The work assesses the significance and challenges of China-Africa cooperation focusing on Nigeria. The paper argued that analyzing the nexus between Beijing and Africa should not center on China’s investments and financial aid. Instead, it should reflect on the competitive hedge China enjoys through these investments in terms of direct access to each market sector of the African economy, and it impacts on local businesses. The study examines the impacts of China’s approach on the textile industry in Kano and Kaduna states in northern Nigeria, to provide an insight into China’s endgame in Africa. The study used descriptive statistics and qualitative research methods to analyze the data. Analyses revealed that China’s influence in Africa connects to its generous loans on infrastructures. Beijing’s financial help and the China-Africa development cooperation forum open African markets to the Chinese to engage and explore, resulting in China becoming the primary source of manufacturing products in Africa, such as textiles, clothing, and footwear. Data shows that over ninety percent (90%) materials in Kano and Kaduna markets came from China. The study advanced that the Nigerian government trade policy contributed to the influx of Chinese fabrics into northern Nigeria. The decision to rescind the ban on importing textiles in 2010 maximized access for foreign materials to penetrate Kano and Kaduna markets when most home factories are barely functioning. This move plays well for the textile producers in China. With Nigeria being one of the China export destinations in Africa, less barrier provides direct retail transactions in places like Kano and Kaduna, where an informal market system synonymous with developing countries exists. However, this study was unable to access statistical data the shows the direct implication of the influx of Chinese textiles on the level of unemployment in northern Nigeria, a limitation to this project. This study believes portraying China as help to Africa may not reflect China’s interest in the continent. The work concluded that African leaders need to set their priorities through trade and economy policies that are well defined

An Assessment of the Determinants of Moringa Cultivation among Small-Scale Famers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The current rate of micronutrient malnutrition which afflicts over two billion people worldwide calls for a paradigm shift to approaches aimed at linking agricultural production to improved human health, and livelihood. Recent findings indicate the potentials of Moringa tree value-chain development in achieving a sustainable agriculture-agriculture not only aimed at economic prosperity, but equally at nutritional security of small-scale farming households. However, an understanding of factors that influence the cultivation of this crop is important. This study examined the determinants of cultivation of Moringa crop by small-scale farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It also highlighted the level of awareness of the benefits of the crop among respondents. The study utilized questionnaire to collect data from 150 arable crop farmers through a 3-stage sampling technique. Binary logistic regression model was used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that 47% of the respondents are aware of the nutritional benefits of the crop and 37.3% grow Moringa on their farms. Furthermore, awareness of crop benefits (p=0.021), farming experience (p=0.063), membership of cooperative society (p=0.07) and the growing of other permanent crops (p=0.001); are the significant factors affecting the cultivation of Moringa crop in the study area. The study recommends the promotion of adequate enlightenment as regards the benefits of Moringa. It also encouraged the utilization of cooperative societies in enhancing value-addition to the Moringa crop. Keywords: sustainable agriculture, micronutrient malnutrition, cultivation, Moring

Haematological and hepatic indices of cockerels fed treated dietary Blighia sapida seeds

Ninety-six day old Lairier cockerel chicks were used in an experiment to evaluate the after effects of detoxifying (soaking, boiling, addition of riboflavin and glycine to antagonize hypoglycins) dietary Blighia sapida (ackee apple) seed meal, BSSM. Blood chemistry, haematology, liver morphology indices which dietary BSSM influenced and reflected in the performance characteristics of the cockerels investigated in a single-factor experimental design experiment were assessed. Results showed that the residual phytotoxins of BSSM, hypoglycins A & B with their metabolite MCPA at 17.50% inclusion of the processed BSSM in diets elicited reduction in glucose, protein, albumin, globulin while elevating blood cholesterol, creatinine, urea,total and conjugated bilirubin relative to the reference diet (p <0.05).Dietary BSSM similarly increased the transaminase activities of AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT including ACP (p < 0.05). BSSM based diets also caused significant reduction in PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb as well as MCV, MCH and MCHC similar to the results obtained on WBC differential counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes in comparison with the conventional diet (p < 0.05). Histopathological examinations on the liver samples revealed that the control diet presented livers that were normal in tissue morphology without inflammation or haemorrhage while the photomicrographs of the liver samples of cockerels fed treated dietary BSSM at 17.50% inclusion showed morphological patterns indicating severe distortion suggesting evidence of haemorrhage and inflammation with numerous blood cells occupying the available hepatic sinuses. The poor results recorded on the biochemical, haematological and morphological parameters were reflected in performance characteristics as reduced feed intake, weight gain, growth rate, feed efficiency and high mortality were obtained on diets containing BSSM compared with the orthodox diet (p < 0.05). Findings of this experiment indicated that for optimum results, processed BSSM be included in diets below the 17.50% level considered high for the birds in this study

Epistaxis in Ido Ekiti, Nigeria: A 5-year review of causes, treatment and outcome

Background: Epistax is a common otorhinolaryngological emergencies worldwide. This study determined the pattern, causes/risk factors, treatment and outcome of nasal bleeding in Ido Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients managed for epistaxis in the Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria, from January 2005 to December 2010. Information on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation and management of epistaxis was obtained from the hospital medical records . Results: A total number of 69 patients with epistaxis were seen out of which 57 with complete data was studied. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1. Their ages ranged from 2 to 81 years, with a mean age of 44.1 years ± 20.9 SD. There were bimodal peak age groups at 21-30 and 61-70 years. Idiopathic causes of epistaxis accounted for 42.1% followed by trauma, associated hypertension, tumors, septicemia and anticoagulant therapy. The right nasal cavity was involved in 57.9%. Anterior bleeding accounted for 43 (75.4%). Majority of our patients were managed with anterior nasal packing. Surgical measures carried out included resection/clearance of nasal tumors. About 8.8% of patients had blood transfusion. Conclusion: Idiopathic and trauma from road traffic injuries were the most common causes/risk factors for epistaxis in this study. Majority of our patients were managed conservatively with anterior nasal packing

Epistaxis in Ido Ekiti, Nigeria: A 5-year review of causes, treatment and outcome

Background: Epistax is a common otorhinolaryngological emergencies worldwide. This study determined the pattern, causes/risk factors, treatment and outcome of nasal bleeding in Ido Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients managed for epistaxis in the Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria, from January 2005 to December 2010. Information on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation and management of epistaxis was obtained from the hospital medical records . Results: A total number of 69 patients with epistaxis were seen out of which 57 with complete data was studied. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1. Their ages ranged from 2 to 81 years, with a mean age of 44.1 years ± 20.9 SD. There were bimodal peak age groups at 21-30 and 61-70 years. Idiopathic causes of epistaxis accounted for 42.1% followed by trauma, associated hypertension, tumors, septicemia and anticoagulant therapy. The right nasal cavity was involved in 57.9%. Anterior bleeding accounted for 43 (75.4%). Majority of our patients were managed with anterior nasal packing. Surgical measures carried out included resection/clearance of nasal tumors. About 8.8% of patients had blood transfusion. Conclusion: Idiopathic and trauma from road traffi c injuries were the most common causes/risk factors for epistaxis in this study. Majority of our patients were managed conservatively with anterior nasal packing

Comparative Effect on the Utilization of Moringa Oleifera Seed Meal in Local and Exotic Chickens

The study aimed at determining the nutrigenetic effect of Moringa oleifera (MOSM) on obesity, liver and kidney function parameter of broilers and local chicken. Moringa oleifera has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. A total of 96 broiler chickens and 96 local chickens were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups. Each group contained 24 birds (8 birds per replicate in 3 replicates) each for both genotypes of chicken in a factorial layout within a completely randomized design such that birds in each genotype were randomly allocated to four diets (control diet contained 0% MOSM and 5%, 10% and 15% graded levels of MOSM as diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively). Obesity was determined through weekly measurement of body weight and body mass index (BMI). Serum total cholesterol, kidney and liver functioning parameters were determined at week 8 by analyzing for creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP. Broilers exhibited higher creatinine, total cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP but no significant difference (P0.05). Broilers exhibited significantly higher (p0.05) BMI than YENLC. G* Ed interactions were observed at age 8 weeks. MOSM resulted in significantly higher (P0.05) BMI in birds fed 10% MOSM at week 8. Increasing levels of MOSM also yielded reduction in the level of total cholesterol for both genotypes. There was no significant (P0.05) interaction between genotype and MOSM utilization by the chickens and BMI at week 8, cholesterol, creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP. Thus, dietary intervention through the inclusion of MOSM is effective in lowering heart disease risk through lowering of adiposity (BMI) and cholesterolaemia and it has little or no toxic effect as AST and ALP were not significantly affected