Impact of Selected Rural Development Programmes on Poverty Alleviation in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, Nigeria

Rural development is a veritable tool for fighting poverty and achieving economic prosperity at the grassroots level. The concept of rural development embraced by most countries connotes a process through which rural poverty is alleviated by sustained increases in the productivity and incomes of low – income workers and households. The major thrust of this study was to examine the impact of selected rural development programmes in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The area under study was purposively selected because of its agricultural potential, high proportion of farmers as well as concentration of agricultural institutions. The selection of programmes for the study was impinged on their long years of existence. The study sought to determine the number of available rural development programmes with poverty alleviation objectives in the area; assess the extent of awareness and participation of rural people in the programmes; and examine the impact of the programmes on farmers’ income, farm size, production and productivity. Multi – stage random sampling method was employed in the selection of communities and respondents. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses on socio – economic characteristics and other relevant variables from a random sample of 160 respondents comprising beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries from Ikwuano local government of Abia state, Nigeria. The results showed that the rural development programmes which had poverty alleviation objectives impacted significantly on productivity and farm income at 5 percent level of probability. Awareness was perceptibly high while participation was more in Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), with an overwhelmingly percentage representation of about 79, than in others. Programme planners and implementers are therefore urged to intensify awareness creation among rural dwellers and adopt the use of community driven development approach (CDD) in the execution of rural development projects with poverty alleviation thrust. Government, at all levels, was advised to adopt price support policy that raises income of producers.Rural Development Programme, Poverty Alleviation

Cultural Factors Influencing Use Of Sweetpotato Flour For Confectionery In Imo And Ebonyi States Of Nigeria

A study was conducted in Imo and Ebonyi states to determine the influence of cultural factors in the utilization of the sweet potato flour for confectionery. Imo and Ebonyi States were purposively selected. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from respondents. Data collected were analyzed and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, the probit model statistics was employed to determine the influence of cultural factors on utilization of the technology. Results of the analysis revealed that there was a medium level of utilization. Cultural factor such as who takes agricultural decision in the home, land inheritance, involvement of women who inherit land, and those who cultivate sweetpotato did not encourage utilization of the technology. Though culture influenced utilization it was not significant

Use of Modern Birth Control Methods Among Rural Communities in Imo State, Nigeria

This paper studied the extent of utilization of Modern Birth Control Methods (MBCM) among rural dwellers in Imo State Nigeria. Three hundred and sixty households were randomly selected and data were obtained from them with the use of questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion. The results showed that only 30% of the respondents used MBCM while 57% of them used the traditional birth control methods. The most popular modern method was the condom (24.2%). This was followed by the IUD, used by only 2.5% of the respondents. Some of the identified factors that hindered the use of MBCM included perceived negative health reaction, fear of the unknown effects, cost, spouse\'s disapproval, religious belief and inadequate information. For a better understanding and utilization of MBCM, it is recommended that adequate educational campaign should be mounted in the rural areas on the advantages of MBCM. This campaign should target the men the more because they make the major decisions on MBCM use..Keywords:Birth control. Rural communities. Utilization. MethodsAfrican Journal of Reproductive Health Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 100-10

Effect of Adoption of Improved Cassava Varieties on Farmers’ Income in Abia State, Nigeria

Cassava has for decades been cultivated as a subsistence crop by resource poor farmers in the state and unimproved planting materials had been used in the main. The study examined the effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties (TMS 30572 and NR 8082) on farmers’ income in Abia State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Ohafia zone of Abia State, Nigeria. Respondents were randomly selected from 5 out of 7 extension blocks in the zone. The 5 blocks were purposively selected because cassava cultivation is prominent in the area. Subsequently, 30 farm families were randomly selected from each of the 5 Blocks through random sampling technique to give a total of 150 respondents, which constituted the sample size for the study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, which was developed for the study. Data analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean, as well as simple regression analysis. Results showed a high level of adoption (70% and 66% for TM 30572 and NR 8082 varieties respectively) among farmers in the area. Results also revealed mean income earned by farmers in the area to be N30, 340.05 per annum. Results of the simple regression analysis showed that adoption of improved cassava varieties by farmers is positively and significantly related to adoption of improved cassava varieties at 1% level. It was recommended that the extension agency should intensify their awareness campaign on the improved cassava varieties with a view to encouraging farmers to adopt on sustained basis to enhance their income

Effective feedback mechanism in the transfer and adoption of fish technologies in south eastern Nigeria

The study was aimed at identifying effective feedback processes from fish farmers to fish research institute, fish farmers to extension and extension to fish research institute in the transfer and adoption of fish technologies in South East Geo-political zone of Nigeria. Two states in the zone (Abia and Imo) which are known for fish farming were chosen for the study. From each of the states, 60 fish farmers were selected making a total of 120 fish farmers. Furthermore, 45 extension staff were selected from each state making, this gave a total of 90 extension staff. Later 16 National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) scientists were selected. This gave a total of 226 respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the sampled fish farmers, extension officers and the fish research institute scientists. Percentages, means and frequency count were used to analyse the data collected from the study. Result of the analyses shows that farmers visit to the extension officer and use of cell phone were the only effective feedback process between farmers and extension agents. Feedback process between the extension agents and the research scientists are established only through the Monthly Technology Review Meeting. None of the communication methods was effective in maintain appropriate feedback between farmers and the research scientists.Keywords: Feedback, Adoption, Transfer, Fish, Technologies, Farmer

Studies on the male partners of couples presenting with infertility

A prospective study of 1000 males attending the infertility clinics of three tertiary health institutions was carried out, examining their spermogram, seminal fructose concentration and body mass index (BMI). The twogroups (of 500 males partners each) examined were those of queried infertile by the clinicians and those of proven fertility (fertile men with time to pregnancy (TTP) . 12 months as reference group). Questionnaires andoral interviews were administered to the patients and subjects to reveal their occupational and medical histories, health conditions, working conditions, smoking habits and lifestyles. An inverse relationship between body mass index and the total number of sperm cells per subjects was observed. There was no relationship between the seminal fructose concentration and seminal activity. The mean percentage motility of spermatozoa was found to be statistically higher in fertile subjects (87.15 } 4.66 %) than in queried infertile subjects (40.70 } 22.96 %) at P <0.05. The mean percentage sperm cell count was found to be statistically higher in fertile subjects (71.74 } 15.22x10 cells/ml) than in queried infertile subjects (23.68 } 21.07x10 cells/ml) at p < 0.05. To ensure maximum fertility potential patients presenting with infertility may be advised to reduce body weight. c 2012 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Body mass index, seminal fructose, motility, sperm cell count, morphology

Political Branding/Brand Personality and Voters’ Choice of Candidate: An Empirical Inquiry into 2015 Presidential Election in Nigeria

This article examined political branding and brand personality traits or dimensions that influence voters’ choice of candidate before and during an election. Brand personalities of the two most prominent candidates (Goodluck of PDP and Buhari of the APC) in the Nigeria 2015 presidential election were examined. A synthesis of Aaker’s five-dimension model and other brand personality models distilled from other works were used as basis for the investigation. Findings show that brand personality dimensions such as competence, credibility/sincerity, sophistication, audacity etc. are attributes that influence voters’ choice of a political candidate prior to /during election. Findings also show strong correlation between the two candidates’ brand personality dimensions but with different ratings of the scales that describe their brand dimensions. The brand personality dimensions shape the perceptual map of voters about a candidate’s suitability for electoral office or post. They are not a standalone variable in the voter choice priorities, but contribute very significantly to the choice mix of an enlightened voting public. The implication of these findings to a political marketer is to leverage on both party brand equity (PBE) and candidates’ valued personality traits in crafting result-oriented campaign strategies for candidate marketing. Keywords: Political branding, Brand, Voters Choice, Election, Political Candidat

Politics Unusual: Rethinking Nigeria Political Terrain through Political Marketing Strategies

Political marketing has been variously adapted in furtherance of party politics and marketing of government and its policies, programmes, etc. In this article political marketing is utilized as a vehicle to achieve some behaviour change among key political actors in the Nigeria political landscape. Over the years, Nigeria political terrain has been characterized by some ills such as electoral malpractice, violence, intimidations, and other forms of dark art of Machiavellian political chancery. These anomalies constitute the new political lexicon, ‘politics as usual’ which must give way for a new political order known as ‘politics unusual’ To enthrone this new political order, political marketing strategies and principles must be employed ; first to educate key political stakeholders about the dangers of playing dirty politics and perpetuating the old order of ‘politics as usual’, secondly to use political marketing as instrument for behaviour change.; and thirdly to x-ray the benefits of adopting the market-oriented party model by political parties in Nigeria and market-oriented government framework as strategies that will sustain the call for enthronement of ‘politics unusual’ and de-marketing  features of ‘politics as usual’ in the Nigeria political terrain. Keywords: Political marketing, behaviour change, communication, market-orientatio

The Chemical Constituents and Bioactivity of the seed (Fruit) extracts of Buchholzia Coriacea Engler (Capparaceae)

Buchholzia coriacea Engler (Capparaceae) is important in traditional medicine because many parts of the plant have been reported to possess therapeutic potentials. The seeds of the fruits of Buchholzia coriacea were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol respectively, and the crude extracts were analyzed using GC-MS. The result indicated presence of cyclooctasulphur, oleic acid, (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, nhexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (Z,Z)-9,12 octadecadienoic acid, 5-hydromethylfurfural, (E)- 9-octadecanoic acid, 1-methyl pyriolidine-2-carboxylic acid, undecane, palmitoleic acid, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol and methyl ester 3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid amongst other constituents. Bioactive test of the crude extracts and fractions from column chromatography showed great potential as antifungal agent than antibacterial agent, when tested against isolated fungi and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.Keywords: Buchholzia coriacea, Capparaceae, antifungal activity, bioactivity, chemical constituents, fruit