SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND PROFITABILITY OF YAM PRODUCTION IN IPAO-EKITI, NIGERIA

Ugwumba, C.O.A. and Omojola, J.T.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam

 E-mail: veecel326@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study examined the economics of yam production in Ipao-Ekiti, Nigeria. It made use of data obtained through the administration of copies well structured interview instruments to 70 respondents selected by purposive and random sampling methods. Both parametric and non-parametric statistical tools were used to analyse the data. Majority (61.42%) of the respondents were educated male youths of 49 years and below. Net production income was statistically and significantly determined by gender, farm size, educational level, farming experience and cost of production, and weakly determined by age, marital status and household size. Gross Margin was N3,418,560;  net farm income N3,299,710; and net return on investment 0.92, implying a profitable enterprise. Production was most seriously constrained by high cost of labour, and poor market price of product. Policy to boost production and maximize profit must be channelled towards measures that would combat the identified problems such as the provision of soft loans to the farmers and introduction of price control measures.

Keywords: Socio-economic determinant, profitability, yam production, Ipao-Ekiti, Nigeria.

ECONOMIC FACTORS AS CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agric. Economics/Extension

University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Anambra State University

E-mail: Victorokeke67@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion is the wearing away of the land by rainfall, wind and ice or other agents including such processes as gravitational creep. The survey carried out with structured questionnaires identified various economic causes of erosion like construction factor, ruralization, deforestation etc as causes of soil erosion in Anambra State. The study recommends for control of erosion biological and engineering measures, formation of cooperatives societies and massive enlightenment campaigns and putting legislative measures in place.   

PREVALENCE OF BABESIA OVIS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

*Biu, A. A¹., Ibrahim,A., I.,²Kumshe, H.A.³ and Ahmed, T.B⁴

^1&4Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri

^2&3Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

An investigation to confirm the prevalence of caprine babesiosis between January and November 2002 in Maiduguri revealed that out of the  one hundred and thirty (130) Giemsa-stained blood films of goats examined 6 (4.6%) were found infected with Babesia ovis. Also of the seventy – seven (77) males and fifty- three (53) females examined the prevalence rates were 3.9% and 5.7% respectively. Sixty –two (62) young (≤ 6 months) goats examined had a prevalence of 2.2%, while the sixty –eight adult (> 6 months) goats examined had 5.9% infection rate. Among the breeds examined thirty (30) Sokoto red had a prevalence of 6.7%, while twenty (20) Kano brown and eight (80) Borno white had 5.0% and 3.8% respectively. The mean ± SD packed cell volume (PCV%) of the goats examined based on their sex and age showed that Babesia infected male and female goats had 19.5± 9.2 and 22.5± 10.6, while infected young and adult goats had 19.0± 12.7 and 22.0± 5.7 respectively. There was an indication of anaemia for some of Babesia infected goats.

Keywords: Prevalence, Babesia ovis, Goats, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

DISTRIBUTION OF METALS IN SOME SELECTED JEWELRIES USED IN NIGERIA

Wuritka, E. G.

Industrial Design Programme

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

ABSTRACT

The crave for exoticity through the use of jewelries has led to the exposure of man to the danger of absorbing toxic metals.  Six commonly won jewelries were investigated to determine their metal distribution using XRF-Spectromatric technique.  Copper, Ni, Fe, Cr, were present in all the jewelries considered with Zn and Ca present in all except gold and copper respectively. The Percent (% ) copper metal in all jewelries range from (4.19-93.2).  Ni range from 0.03-35.60%, Fe, 0.21-2.78% and Cr 0.07-0.99%.  The zinc level range from 0.85-33.00% and calcium 0.01-0.73%. Lead (9.71%) was found to be present in nickel-silver jewelry.  These metals can be easily leached and be absorbed by human body through sweat.  The presence of these metals in jewelries may pose serious health hazards to man.

THE EFFECT OF FAULTS UNDER DEREGULATED POWER SYSTEM

¹Okpeki U. Kazeem and ²Oyetola J. Babatunde

¹Department of Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering, Delta State University, Oleh

²Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Lagos State Polytechnic Lagos

email:omakazeem@yahoo.com

 ABSTRACT

In this paper, the analysis of faults under deregulated power system is emphasized Vis-a- Vis as it affects the power system parameters. The interactive power system analysis (IPSA) program is employed and taken in two parts, deregulated system under fault and fault under deregulated system. Faults that occur in any power system are the same whether the system is regulated or deregulated. The three phase fault is analyzed although it rarely occurs, others are line-to-line, line-to line-earth and line-to- earth faults, all known as unsymmetrical faults. From the simulation analysis, fault currents are higher and voltage drops on lines are reduced. However, in a deregulated power system, the responsibility for fault management and control is decentralized. Also deregulated are the various units, generation, transmission and distribution. The resultant effect is that the entire system is better equipped for real-time enhanced fault localization and isolation in the event of fault occurrence. And this gives rooms for investors to come in.

Keyword: symmetrical faults, unsymmetrical faults, open conductor faults. Failure of insulation, thermal failure.

PRODUCTION, COMPOSITION AND USES OF ALOE VERA (L.) BURM F.

Janet O. Alegbejo

Department of Paediatrics

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Aloe vera (L.) or Indian aloe is an ancient crop and is cultivated as a cash crop. The dried exudate contains many chemical compounds which when activated have several medicinal uses.The American continent supplies about 60% to the world market, while the main producers are Mexico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Asia (China and Thailand) and Australia produce the remainder of the internationally traded product. Although it has many uses, it may also have possible side effects such as production of allergic reactions when applied on the skin. Future research needs are also discussed.

THE RELEVANCE OF RADIATION SHIELDING

Ude Ajah, Victoria N.

Department of Industrial Physics

Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

e-mail: vakadujah45@yahoo.com

THE POTENTIALS OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT VOANDZEIA SUBTERRANEA (L.) VERDC) IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

*Mshelia, J. S¹; Sajo, A. A.² and Simon, S. Y.²

¹Department of Agriculture, Coll. of Edu. Sci. & Technology, Borno State.

²Department of Crop Production and Horticulture School of Agric. & Agric. Technology

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola

* jessesila@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

There is much concern about sustainable food security in Nigeria and the world over. The government is trying all means possible to meet up people’s need in food supply. This paper, highlight the potentials of Bambara groundnuts (Voandzea subterranean (L) Verdc.) in achieving this objective. The crop has the ability to perform well on poor soils, with even less management, besides it is highly nutritive with good quality protein compared to other plant proteins. The paper identified areas of improvement needed as agronomic practices, breeding for higher yield, increased digestibility and processing qualities.

Keywords: Bambara Groundnut, Sustainable, Food Security.

THE QUALITY CONTROL MEASURE OF ASPHALT MIX DESIGN AS

SOLUTION TO PAVEMENT FAILURE

 Salihu Andaa Yunusa and Abubakar Muhammad Ahmadu

Department of Civil Engineering

Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

ABSTRACT

This paper covered major aspect of asphalt mix design analysis, as the quality control measure of asphalt production, using British Method of Asphalt mix design procedure. It is aimed in highlighting the important of designed Asphalts as compared to ordinary mixed Asphalt in Asphalt production, for any pavement structural work. This is to analysis the merit of designed and control Asphalt product as required by BS 594, T49 and BS 4691, in Asphalt and Bitumen requirement. It equally include the whole laboratory test analysis, to determine the physical and geotechnical properties of the materials needed for the mix design, in order to attain the required data for the design procedure,  in accordance to the parent material types and location and to control specific density of the designed  Asphalt, that will be suitable, adoptable, durable, economical, workable and generally safe for the pavement structural design objective of the weather condition in any specified locality. This is equally aimed at controlling the rate of structure pavement failure in Nigeria as a Nation before the design age, on this note, major factors that may lead to structural pavement failure, were generally treated. The design covered both Asphaltic Binder course of 60mm thick and Asphaltic wearing course of 40mm as flexible pavement with Bitumen viscosity of 60/70. Basically the extraction of the design to determine, the Bitumen content (B.C), sieve analysis, stability, flow and void Ratio were equally include in accordance with British stand as the control measure. All individual result of the design mix were adequately   presented. These have shown that generally Asphalt mix design is necessary, as measure of quality control of Asphalt both on Binder course and wearing course. Also it is very important to note, that in any pavement structure as part of Civil Engineering Project on road Transportation, either surface  dressing and any other classis of flexible pavement, for Government and Individual, Design and Control should be applicable to maintain standard and control pavement failure.