Estimation of Poverty among Rural Farming Households in Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of the farming households in Delta State, Nigeria with a view to isolating those that affect poverty. It determined the expenditure pattern of the people and subsequently estimated their poverty level. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire while secondary data were sourced from various ministries and extra ministerial departments in Delta state. The data were analysed using head count index, poverty gap index, percentages, means and frequency distribution. The results revealed that 70% of the respondents were poor based on the poverty line drawn at two-thirds mean monthly expenditure of N5010, while the remaining 30% were not poor. The estimated average monthly additional income required to bring an average poor person up to the poverty line is N2105. The major factors aggravating poverty in the study area were low level of education, low income, small farm size and inadequate social infrastructures. It is suggested that income of farming households should be augmented through government assistance to farmers in form of subsidization of farm inputs and provision of functional and effective social amenities. Keywords: Poverty, Standard of Living, Poverty Gap, Basic Needs, Household

Bank Reform And Economic Growth In Nigeria

This paper examines bank sector reform and its effect on economic growth in Nigeria. The author ex-rays recent bank reform measures by the monetary authority, central Bank of Nigeria Annual report and National Bureau of statistics. The use of regression analysis was engaged on to determine the relationship between gross domestic product and Bank reform and the findings reveals that Bank reform improves economic growth in Nigeria. He further recommended that credit to private sector should be mentored for proper implementation

Authorship of books and gender sensitivity: A Case study of NCAM Library collections

Gender imbalances is not just reflected in education from the surface level, but more narrowly, highly established and sensitive in book publishing. This paper examines the level of gender imbalances and sensitivity in book publishing using NCAM library collection as a case study. The researchers used 446 textbooks with 802 authors to establish the difference in the number of male authors in comparison with that of female authors in textbook publishing. Recommendation on how to bridge the gap in gender imbalances relating to book publishing and education as a whole are also given

Nitrogen mineralization dynamics of different valuable organic amendments commonly used in agriculture

Sustainable agriculture requires the careful optimization of the use of organic amendments to improve soil fertility while minimizing any harmful environmental effects. To understand the events that occur in soil after the addition of different organic amendments, we evaluated the nitrogen (N) mineralization dynamics in soil after adding organic amendments, and evaluated changes in the microbial population. The four organic amendments were fresh dairy cattle manure, fresh white clover, vegetable, fruit, and yard waste compost, and poplar tree compost. The N mineralization potential of each organic amendment was determined by analyzing total mineral nitrogen during a 97-day laboratory incubation experiment. Soils amended with clover released 240 mu g N g(-1) soil during the 97-day incubation, more than twice as much as that released from soils amended with manure or composts (76-100 mu g N g(-1) soil). At the end of the incubation, the net N mineralization in clover-amended soils was 54%, more than five times higher than that in soils amended with composts or manure (4%-9%). Nitrogen was mineralized faster in clover-amended soil (1.056 mu g N g(-1) soil day(-1)) than in soil amended with composts (0.361-0.417 mu g N g(-1) soil day(-1)). The microbial biomass carbon content was higher in clover-amended soil than in the soils amended with manure or composts. We monitored changes in the microbial population in amended soils by a phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. On day 97, there were higher concentrations of total PLFAs in soils with organic amendments (e.g., 14.41 nmol g(-1) in clover-amended soil) than in control soil without amendments (9.84 nmol g(-1)). Bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative), actinomycetes, and fungi were more abundant in clover-amended soils than soils amended with manure or composts. The N mineralization potential varied among the four organic amendments. Therefore, the timing of application and the type of organic amendment should be matched to the nutrient needs of the crop

Knowledge, perception and utilization of biofortified cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) in selected rural areas in Nigeria

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in Nigeria. Staple crops are targeted by biofortification efforts because they possess low micronutrient density and are consumed in large quantities by a large proportion of poor households. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, perception and utilization of biofortified cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato in selected Local government Areas in Abia and Imo States. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. A total of 710 respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit the required information. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (correlation) analysis. Socio-demographic data revealed a preponderance of females, married, well-educated and working-class respondents. Monthly income above ₦29,000 (US$ 70.54) and household size of 4-6 members were reported in 53.5% and 48.6% of the respondents. Study results further revealed that some (34.9%) of the respondents had good knowledge, while 46.1% and 19.0% had an average and poor knowledge of biofortified staples, respectively. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes and biofortified cassava were purchased at least once monthly by 73.7% of the respondents, however 16.5% and 27.5% of the respondents consumed these biofortified staples on a daily and weekly basis. Low positive perception towards the consumption (27.5%), benefits (39.6%) and barriers (16.9%) of utilizing studied biofortified staples was reported. A positive correlation was observed betweenrespondents’ knowledge of biofortified staples and their benefits perception (p = 0.003), purchase (p =0.001) and consumption (p= 0.001) frequency. Therefore, while a good number of the respondents were fairly knowledgeable about the studied biofortified staples, it significantly influenced the perception and utilization of these staples, despite being reportedly low. Therefore, increased sensitization, price subsidy and availability of these biofortified staples will help improve their acceptance and utilization among rural households

Handedness and Footedness in Footballers in Jos, Nigeria

This study was carried out to compare handedness and footedness in a sample of 50 footballers in Jos, Nigeria and also to determine if any significant relationship exists between handedness of the footballers and that of their first degree relatives. 25 self-professed right handed and 25 self professed left handed were randomly selected from various teams in Jos and compared on preference measures. Their ages range between 18 -35 years. All information was obtained using a standard questionnaire and the data generated analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that 84% of right handed footballers were also right footed, 4% were left footed, and 12% were mixed footed with no particular foot preference. Of the 25 left handed footballers, 28% were right footed while 72% were left footed. This shows that the left handed footballers were significantly less lateralized than the right handed footballers. Statistical analysis showed that the observed difference between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). The results showed that the incidence of left handedness was significantly higher among the male siblings of the left handed footballers. This study also showed that lateral preference between right handedness and left handedness is not significant and there was possibility of genetic factor involvement in the occurrence of left handedness among males.Keywords: Handedness, footedness, footballers, Jo

Verbruikersbeskerming in die banksektor : vergelyking tussen die kodes van bankpraktyk van Suid-Afrika en Nigerie

Die toename in komplekse finansiële produkte en dienste wat deur banke gelewer word vereis veral sedert die 2008 Wêreldwye Finansiële Krisis groter fokus op verbruikersbeskerming in die banksektor. In hierdie konteks kan vrywillige industriekodes belangrike rol speel om verbruikersbeskerming te verbeter deur in eenvoudige, toeganklike taal verbruikersregte en -verpligtinge uiteen te sit wat andersins dikwels oor aantal tegniese stukke wetgewing versprei is. Volgens die Wêreldbank is die Suid- Afrikaanse Kode van Bankpraktyk gepaste maatstaf waarteen ander sodanige kodes gemeet kan word. Die doel van hierdie bespreking is om die Kodes van Bankpraktyk in Suid-Afrika en Nigerië te vergelyk ten einde te bepaal in watter opsigte die Nigeriese Kode hervorm kan word ten einde meer omvangryke beskerming te verleen aan Nigeriese verbruikers wat gebruik maak van produkte en dienste wat deur banke gebied word.Ellinger, Lomnicka and Hare Modern banking law (2011) 124.http://www.lexisnexis.co.zaam2019Mercantile La