Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Research Articles

Shift from Traditional to Modern Building Concepts and Designs in Ringim Town: A Comparative Study of Aesthetics, Values, Functions and Durability

This study is part of an Undergraduate Project for the award of “B.Tech (Hons) Building Technology Education” at the “Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University”, Bauchi State, Nigeria, and is aimed to identify the contrasts between Traditional and Modern Buildings in Ringim Town, Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria, with respect to their “Purposes, Durability, Aesthetics and Values. The study's subjects were the residents of Ringim Town, with 88 respondents drawn from ten cohorts of young people (under 40) and Adults (over 40) living in the Katutu, Galadanchi, Walawa, Majiyawar-Gari, and Marakawa Quarters. In order to better understand the shift from traditional to modern building concepts and designs in Ringim, the study used a quantitative approach, specifically a structured questionnaire that focused on groups of youths and adults and asked questions about functions, durability, aesthetics, and values. The answers to the research questions were analyzed using the simple mean and standard deviation. The study's conclusions showed that while traditional buildings in Ringim had greater fire, acoustic, and thermal insulation, they also have poor water resistance, to name a few drawbacks. It is advised that experts in the fields of Architecture, Town planning, and Construction, among others, pay attention to the indigenous Design theory, Technology, Artisanship, and Craftsmanship connected to the emergence of Traditional Building. Additionally, recommendations indicated that, for comparative purposes, comparable studies had to be carried out at other tiers of educational establishments, such as Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities, as well as in other parts of the State and Nation.

Shift from Traditional to Modern Building Concepts and Designs in Ringim Town: A Comparative Study of Aesthetics, Values, Functions and Durability

This study is part of an Undergraduate Project for the award of “B.Tech (Hons) Building Technology Education” at the “Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University”, Bauchi State, Nigeria, and is aimed to identify the contrasts between Traditional and Modern Buildings in Ringim Town, Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria, with respect to their “Purposes, Durability, Aesthetics and Values. The study's subjects were the residents of Ringim Town, with 88 respondents drawn from ten cohorts of young people (under 40) and Adults (over 40) living in the Katutu, Galadanchi, Walawa, Majiyawar-Gari, and Marakawa Quarters. In order to better understand the shift from traditional to modern building concepts and designs in Ringim, the study used a quantitative approach, specifically a structured questionnaire that focused on groups of youths and adults and asked questions about functions, durability, aesthetics, and values. The answers to the research questions were analyzed using the simple mean and standard deviation. The study's conclusions showed that while traditional buildings in Ringim had greater fire, acoustic, and thermal insulation, they also have poor water resistance, to name a few drawbacks. It is advised that experts in the fields of Architecture, Town planning, and Construction, among others, pay attention to the indigenous Design theory, Technology, Artisanship, and Craftsmanship connected to the emergence of Traditional Building. Additionally, recommendations indicated that, for comparative purposes, comparable studies had to be carried out at other tiers of educational establishments, such as Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities, as well as in other parts of the State and Nation.

Serum Vitamin D Level and Severity of Adult Allergic Rhinitis at a Tertiary Hospital in Northeast Nigeria

Abstract Context: Recent studies have reported abnormal levels of serum vitamin D in patients with allergic rhinitis. This linkage has not been demonstrated in our environment, northeast Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the levels of serum vitamin D and correlate them with disease severity in patients with allergic rhinitis in a tertiary hospital in northeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study of patients with allergic rhinitis who attended ear, nose, and throat and the respiratory medicine clinics of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria, from January 2022 to May 2023. Data collected from participants included demographic information, clinical findings, and disease severity graded as mild–moderate or severe based on the allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma WHO 2008 classification. Serum vitamin D levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The study recruited 61 participants, of whom 39 (63.9%) were women. The mean age (±SD) was 38.66 ± 14.34 years, while the mean serum vitamin D levels (±SD) was 36.65 ± 15.54 ng/ml. Thirteen (21.3%) participants had insufficient serum vitamin D levels below 24 ng/ml, whereas 48 (78.7%) had sufficient serum vitamin D levels of 24–80 ng/ml. There were statistically significant differences between mild and moderate–severe allergic rhinitis with respect to vitamin D level (mean ± SD, 26.73 ± 17.96 vs 38.84 ± 14.24, respectively, 95% CI: −22.06 to −2.16, P = 0.018). There was a significantly positive relationship between serum vitamin D and the severity of allergic rhinitis (χ2 = 8.839, P = 0.003). Conclusion: The majority of patients had sufficient levels of serum vitamin D. Higher serum vitamin D was associated with higher severity of allergic rhinitis.

Effects of phosphorus and zinc levels on total soluble carbohydrate and crude protein in grain of cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp) grown in Bauchi, Nigeria

Two field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, between 2006 and 2007 to study the effects of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 kg P/ha) and zinc levels (0, 2.5, 5 kg Zn/ha) on Total Soluble Carbohydrate and Crude Protein of six cowpea varieties namely: IT90K 277, IT93455 1, IT89KD 288, IT97K 568 18, IT90K 82 2 and Kanannado. The objectives of these experiments were to determine which levels of P, Zn and the various interactions of P, Zn, and year that had produced the highest total soluble carbohydrate (TSC) and crude protein (CP) on the grain contents of the cowpea varieties studied and to determine the best varieties in terms of TSC and CP upon the application of these nutrients (P and Zn) in Bauchi, Nigeria. The results revealed that increased levels of P from P0 to P50 significantly increased the CP and TSC contents of the cowpea grains. Similarly, higher Zn levels (2.5 and 5 kgha-1) were observed to have significant effects on TSC and CP contents of the cowpea grains. Interactions of P and Zn were equally observed to significantly affect TSC and CP contents of the cowpea grains. Of all the six (6) cowpea varieties, Kanannado recorded the highest TSC and CP in the cowpea grains. With regard to year, 2006 recorded the highest CP while 2007 had the highest TSC. Higher levels of P and Zn or their associations were recommended for improving TSC and CP contents of the cowpea grains, with emphasis on Kanannado for Bauchi farmers.

Cesarean section at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, northeast Nigeria: a 3-year retrospective review

Cesarean section at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, northeast Nigeria: a 3-year retrospective review

Occupant’s Thermal Perception in Mixed-mode Office Buildings of the Tropical Climate

Thermal comfort and energy consumption in office buildings is a global critical concern. This study investigated this challenge in the Faculty of Environmental Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria. Through a field survey and physical environment measurements. The study explored occupant perceptions of thermal comfort and satisfaction. It evaluated the thermal comfort and satisfaction of occupants in a mixed-mode office building, focusing on potential discrepancies between perceived comfort and internationally recommended standards. Despite air temperatures falling outside the PMV model's comfort range, high thermal comfort, and satisfaction levels were reported by the respondents. These findings align with other studies in Nigeria, suggesting adaptation and acclimatization to local conditions. The study further examined the relationship between thermal comfort and occupant satisfaction. The result revealed a moderate positive association, suggesting increased thermal comfort leads to higher satisfaction among occupants. While thermal comfort explained 25% of the variance in satisfaction scores. Finally, the study suggests the localization of comfort standards, improved mixed-mode system performance, and encouraging evidence-based design interventions that will ultimately benefit both occupants and the environment.

Assessment of satisfaction with contributory pension scheme among retired staff of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria

The new contributory pension scheme (CPS) was introduced by the Pension Reform Act, 2004 reviewed in 2014.The reform became necessary in order alleviate the constraints of Defined Pension Scheme in Nigeria. Evidently the old pension scheme became operationally unsustainable due to deficit funding, weak administrative structure, frequent increase in salary etc. To this end the new contributory pension scheme was introduced in 2004 making it mandatory for both employees and employers to contribute a certain percentage into retirement savings account of individual prospective retiree. This is with a view to build in confidence among retirees of the safety and immediate payment of their benefit. The study intends to assess the satisfaction of contributory pension scheme among retired staff of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. The data for the study were generated from primary and secondary sources. The instruments of the primary data collection used were questionnaire and interview, while secondary sources made use of reports, books, magazines, gazettes, journals, research theses and dissertations and the internet. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Questionnaires were distributed on a sample of 107 respondents selected from the population of the study through simple random sampling techniques to test the hypotheses. Chi square analysis tests result revealed that, compliance with the contributory pension scheme significantly improved prompt payment of lump sum benefits and implementation of CPS has significantly improved easy and timely access to pension benefits in RSA by retirees in ATBU and FPTB. However, it was recommended among other things that, PENCOM should ensure the achievement of a competitive return on investment through strong policies that will bring good investment and sustained output growth required to guarantee higher RSA growth and pension payment of retirees to improve the living standard of retirees. PENCOM should ensure close supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of PFA’s in order to achieve efficiency in pension system. This will ensure transparency and continue promptness in payments, which are major setback of the old scheme.

Effects of different NPK levels on growth and seed yield of sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L) varieties in Bauchi, Nigeria

Sesame is an important oil seed crop which is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics of the world but farmers in the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria seldom apply fertilizers to the crop. Trials were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons at the Research Farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to study the effects of different levels of NPK on the growth and seed yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Bauchi. The experiment was laid out in split plot design consisting of four levels of NPK and 8 varieties of sesame, giving a total of 32 treatment combinations. The varieties were kept in the main plot while NPK levels were assigned to subplots. The parameters assessed include plant height, number of leaves, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, stem diameter, internode length, dry matter, leaf area, days to 75% flowering and maturity, number of capsules, number of seeds per capsule, number of seeds per locule, one thousand seed weight and seed yield. Results showed significant difference (p< 0.05) on growth, yield and yield attributes of sesame in both years. The different grain yield responses were associated with the differences in NPK levels. Sesame seed yield increased linearly from the application of 75 kg NPK ha-1, 100 kg NPK ha-1 to 125 kg NPK ha-1.

Mediating Role of Office Furniture on the Relationship between On- the-Job Training and Intrinsic Motivation on Employee Performance

Globally, the management of an organization has always found it difficult to manage employee performance; therefore, the main goal of every business organization is to develop operational strategies to inspire each employee to succeed and provide quality work performance, as well as raise the organizational competency level. This research investigates the mediating role of office furniture on the relationship between on-the-job training and intrinsic motivation on employee performance. The populations of this research are the members of the non-academic staff of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria. Two hundred and seventy-nine structured questionnaires were administered to the selected staff sample to measure the respondents' opinions. Responses received were analyzed using SMART-PLS 4 to examine the measurement and structural models. The findings reveal that office furniture significantly mediates the relationship between on-the-job training and employee performance (? = 0.158, t-value = 3.124 and p<0.002). The findings further reveal that office furniture significantly mediates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and employee performance with (? = 0.306, t-value =4.875 and p<0.000). The findings of this study can provide insights for organizational leaders in understanding the significance of office furniture in enhancing employee performance; by recognizing the mediating role of office furniture, managers can strategize on creating conducive work environment that optimizes employee performance. On-The-Job Training, Intrinsic Motivation, Office Furniture and Employee Performance.

Effects of supplementing <i>Masakwa</i> creamy white sorghum with selected synthetic enzymes on the performance and cost benefit of broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi to investigate the growth performance and cost benefit of broiler chickens fed Masakwa creamy white sorghum supplemented with three selected synthetic enzymes: Natuzyme, Maxigrain and Phytase. Five experimental diets were formula ted for the broiler chickens at both the starter ( 23% CP ) and finisher ( 20% CP ) phases labeled as Diets 1: maize control, Diet 2: sorghum without enzyme, Diet 3: sorghum supplemented with Natuzyme, Diet 4: sorghum supplemented with Maxigrain and Diet 5: sorghum supplemented with Phytase. Three hundred (300) broiler unsexed “Marshal” chicks were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments with four replications each and 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period of eight weeks. Results showed that at the starter phase, daily feed intake (49.23-60.26g), daily weight gain (23.11-32.28g) and feed conversion ratio(1.87-2.13g); at the finisher (101.11-146.29g; 30.01-69.07g and 2.12-3.37), and the overall phases (75.17-103.22g; 26.57-50.68g and 2.00-2.75) were significantly (P<0.05) different across the treatments. The best performance was obtained on maize diet closely followed by enzyme supplemented sorghum based diets, while the least was observed in unsupplemented sorghum diet. Based on the cost benefit analysis, Diet 1 (maize based diet) had the cheapest feed cost while the highest value was on Diet 2 (unsupplemented sorghum diet) for all the phases. It can therefore be concluded that Masakwa sorghum supplemented with different enzymes can be used in broiler chicken diets for better performance in comparism with the unsupplemented sorghum diet. It is economical to supplement Masakwa sorghum variety with any of the synthetic enzyme because the feed cost ₦/kg gain is lower than the values on unsupplemented sorghum diet.

Patient Satisfaction with Quality of Nursing Services at Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD) of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is an essential tool in measuring the quality of health care services; as it gives an idea of the staff's progress towards patients' desires and is found to be useful in measuring patients' expectations. The study aimed to assess patient's level of satisfaction with the quality of nursing services they had received at the surgical outpatient department of ATBUTH Bauchi, Bauchi state, Nigeria.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted at the surgical outpatient department (SOPD) of ATBUTH, Bauchi, using a SERVQUAL questionnaire.
 Results: The result from the study shows that 110 (56.4%) of the respondents were males, while 85 (43.6%) respondents were females. and their ages ranged from 33 to 37 years. The majority 50 (25.6%) of the respondents were business people. The variation in socio-demographic characteristics of patients was found to affect satisfaction by 27.5% among patients receiving care in SOPD ATBUTH, with p<0.05. The patients' levels of satisfaction differed between the different nursing services but were overall satisfied with the services they received.
 Conclusion: The level of satisfaction of patients revealed by the grand mean score (4.11) shows that the respondents generally agree that they were satisfied with the care they received. The study concludes that overall, the patients were satisfied with the quality of nursing services they had received in the S.O.P.D of ATBUTH but recommended an investment in modern technologies and training by the hospital management to help improve the quality of these services.

Influence of selected grass mulches on soil physical properties under sprinkler irrigation system

Mulching is a vital agricultural practice that affects soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and overall soil health. Three grass mulching materials (Gamba (Andropogon Gayanus), Jema (Chrysopogan Zizanioides) and Kachala (Typha Angustifolia)) at four mulching depths (0, 5, 10 and 15 cm) were examined to assess their effects on soil moisture content, temperature, bulk density and porosity. The study was conducted on onion plots irrigated with sprinkler system at a constant operating pressure (100 kPa). The study was carried out at the irrigation field laboratory of the Yelwa campus of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 23. The results indicated a significant combined impact of mulch type and depth on all studied parameters, except for bulk density. Results showed that Kachala grass, particularly at 15 cm depth, demonstrated superior moisture retention capabilities with 16.8% moisture content, leading to optimal soil moisture levels for plant growth. While the lowest soil moisture (8.81%) was conserved under the control (Un-mulched plot). Soil temperature recorded beneath the mulch was lowest (19.1oC) under 10 cm Kachala grass, while the highest (28.0 oC) was recorded under 15 cm Gamba grass. Highest soil bulk density (1.78 g/cm3) was recorded under the control, while 15 cm depth of Kachala grass gave the lowest (1.5 g/cm3) value of bulk density. The highest value of soil porosity (46.8%) was observed under 15 cm Kachala grass and the lowest (34.2%) was observed under the control. In conclusion, grass mulching has a positive effect on soil physical properties under sprinkler irrigation system in the fadama areas of Bauchi, Nigeria.

Factors Influencing Academic Performance of Nursing Students in Nursing Institutions in Bauchi State, Nigeria

The study is on Factors influencing Academic Performance of Nursing Students in Nursing Institutions in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The specific purposes of the study were to identify factors influencing academic performance of nursing students in nursing and measures to address factors influencing academic performance in nursing institutions in Bauchi State Nigeria. The design for this study was the descriptive survey. The population was 387 students and teachers of Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences, Bauchi State and College of Nursing Sciences Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi State and all was used as sample for this study. The instrument for data collection is a 48 item structured questionnaire designed to elicit responses to answer the research questions that guided the study. The instrument was validated by three experts in terms of face validity while test re-test was use to establish the reliability coefficient of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of 0.84. Data for the study were personally collected by the researcher and 3 trained research assistants while demographic information was analyzed using frequencie and percentage while mean statistics was employed to analyzed the data relating to research questions 1and 2. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendation were made: the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should plan and solicit budget for provision of relevant, adequate and updated standardized, technological instructional materials that will be effectively utilized both in classroom and clinical areas teaching, There is a need for Continuous Professional Development through capacity building workshops to enhance teaching ability among less skilled employed nurses among others

Assess Trends in Academic Performance in the Nursing Education in Nursing Institutions in Bauchi State Nigeria

The study is to assess trends in academic performance in the nursing education in nursing institutions in Bauchi State Nigeria. The specific purposes of the study were to examine trends in academic performance in the nursing education in nursing institutions in Bauchi State Nigeria,and to identify factors influencing academic performance of nursing students in nursing institutions in Bauchi State Nigeria. The design used for this study was the descriptive surveyresearch. The population was 387 students and teachers of Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences, Bauchi State and College of Nursing Sciences Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi State and all was used as sample for this study. The instrument for data collection is a structured questionnaire designed to elicit responses to answer the research questions that guided the study. The instrument was validated by three experts in terms of face validity while test re-test was use to establish the reliability coefficient of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of 0.84. Data for the study were personally collected by the researchers and 3 research assistants while frequencies and mean statistics was employed to analyzed the data relating to research questions. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendation were made: the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should plan and solicit budget for provision of relevant, adequate and updated standardized, technological instructional materials that will be effectively utilized both in classroom and clinical areas teaching, There is a need for Continuous Professional Development through capacity building workshops to enhance teaching ability among less skilled employed nurses among others.

Evaluate Factors Associated With Hospital Triage Decision Making At Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching, Hospital, Bauchi

Evaluate Factors Associated With Hospital Triage Decision Making At Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching, Hospital, Bauchi

Effects of Phosphorus and Zinc on Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) of Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp) Varieties Grown in Bauchi, Nigeria

Plant growth analysis is today studied as it relates to change in capture and efficiency in the use of resources rather than as it relates to relative growth rate in the past. Net assimilation rate (NAR) is the rate of increase in dry matter over unit area of leaf, which represented a measurement of excess of photosynthesis overrespiratory losses of dry matter. Two field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, North Eastern, Nigeria, between 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 kg P/ha) and zinc levels (0, 2.5, 5 kg Zn/ha) on NAR of six cowpea varieties namely: IT90K 277, IT93 455 1, IT89KD 288, IT97K 568 18, IT90K 82 2 and Kanannado. Results obtained showed that NAR was not significantly influenced by P and Zn levels and therefore, 0 kg ha1 SSP and Zn rate produced the highest NAR than higher levels. Neither applications of each of P and Zn at higher levels or their interactions, nor did year or variety were found to have significant effects on NAR; but rather NAR is being determined by number of factors such as nutrient supply, photosynthesis rate, etc and these are never fixed or constant and hence a particular factor e.g., nutrient (P or Zn) cannot dictate NAR alone.

Pectinase Production from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Orange Peels and Maize Cobs as Substrate for Solid-State Fermentation

Background of the Study: Degradation of wastes especially fruit waste is important because these wastes accumulate in the environment. The fruit wastes can be used to biosynthesize pectinase enzyme at a cheaper rate due its numerous industrial applications. The ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to degrade these wastes to produce pectinase enzyme was exploited.
 Aim: The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize Saccharomyces cerevisiae and study the optimal conditions needed for pectinase production on the orange peel with maize cobs and study the effectiveness of the enzymes produced in the extraction of orange juice.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria, between August to September 2021.
 Methodology: Soil samples from the orange seller stand was collected, serial dilution method was used to reduce the solution to a more usable concentration, and the samples were streaked on Yeast Peptone Dextrose Agar (YPDA). The plates were incubated for 3 to 9 days at 28+- oC. The isolated yeast was identified based on the morphological and biochemical test, the isolates were inoculated on the prepared fermentation media under different optimal conditions. The crude enzyme were extracted, and the extracts were tested for pectinase activity using the dinitrosalicylic reagent (DNS) method for the presence of reducing sugar. The resulting pectinase was determined to effectively extract juice from orange mash.
 Results: Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed relatively pectinase hydrolysis using orange peels and maize cobs as substrate by solid-state fermentation under predetermined optimum fermentation conditions. Optimization for the pectinase production was done by altering the conditions for the production medium. Pectinase activity of (2.81 + 2.31 ug/ml) was observed at 72hr of incubation at 35oC.
 Conclusion: The study demonstrates that orange peel and maize cob can be successfully used to induce the production of pectinase using Saccharomyces cerevisiae under solid-state fermentation.

Stool or blood culture? A search for a gold standard for isolation of salmonella typhi from patients with clinical symptoms of enteric fever in Bauchi state tertiary hospital

Introduction: Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) infection is endemic in Nigeria. In recent time, blood culture and stool were the most common diagnostic means of confirming salmonella infection in humans, since it is based on culture for isolation, identification among others. Although, there is lack of reliable and standard method of culture for its isolation. This study aimed to determine the gold standard between blood and stool for the cultural isolation of S. typhi. Methods: The study used laboratory-based cross-sectional study; patients who presented symptoms of enteric fever visiting Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) during the period of the study were recruited. Informed consent of volunteers and guardians were obtained and in addition confidentially of the results were ensured. A total of 150 patients samples were collected and cultured including adults and children. The bacterial isolated were identified by gram’s reaction and biochemical characteristics. Result: Out of 150 samples examined, 7 (4.1%) tested positive for S. typhi comprising of 5(71.4%) culture from blood and 2(28.6%) culture from stool. The result of this study shows a significant mean difference (t-value = 2.95, p-value = 0.026) between Blood culture and stool culture at 5% level of significance. The culture from blood was found to be more sensitive than the culture from stool. It is therefore recommended gold standard for S. typhi isolation. Conclusion: The study revealed cultures from blood specimen’s yielded highest number of S.typhi isolates when related to culture from stool samples. Therefore, culture from blood sample should be of priority in the isolation of S. typhi for easy identification of the bacteria. Culture from blood sample remains the gold standard method for isolation of S. typhi when it comes to blood or stool sample.

Influence of Phosphorus and Zinc Application on Leaf Area Ratio (LAR) of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Varieties in the Scrub Savanna of Nigeria

Currently there is increasing attention to evaluate the possible Relative Growth Rate (RGR) of plant species, and to evaluate whether the disparities are principally caused by structural or by physiological characters. Leaf area ratio (LAR) of plant is defined as leaf area per unit total plant biomass and net assimilation rate. Phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zn) are the most important factors affecting LAR of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Two field trials were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, North Eastern, Nigeria, between 2006 and 2007. The experiments consisted of fifty-four (54) treatments consisting of six varieties by three SSP levels by three Zinc levels. The objective of this study was to examine whether there are disparities in the LAR of cowpea varieties at different P and Zn levels or none? Bauchi is located at 100 22’, N latitude and 900 47’ E longitude at about 109.45m above sea level. Results indicated that year, varieties, P and Zn were found to have significant (P<0.05) effect on LAR. Kanannado recorded the highest LAR than other five varieties. The differences in LAR observed in the varieties may be attributed to the differences in phenotypes and climatic factors such as rainfall, sunshine and availability of nutrients. The increase in LAR indicated an encouraging influence on crop growth rate, dry matter and yield. Application of SSP at 50kgha-1 to Kanannado and IT89KD-288 was observed to be more valuable for enhancement of LAR and hence recommended for growers in the study area.

Correlational analysis of parental occupation on students’ agripreneurial competency skills and choice of agribusiness after graduation in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria

The broad objective of the study is to determine the relationship of parental occupation on students’ agripreneurial competency skills and choice of agribusiness after graduation. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 196 final year agricultural technology students of 2018/2019 session of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa university, Bauchi. The sample size for the study was one hundred (100) students that were randomly selected. A self-developed questionnaire was designed and administered for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three lecturers from the Faculty of Technology Education and Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. The Alpha Cronbach’s reliability coefficient was 89.56% which was highly reliable. Data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. The frequency result indicated that majority of the students do not possess agribusiness skills. There was a significant association between parental occupation and agribusiness competency skills possessed by the students, i.e., students’ whose parents are civil-servants wants to be civil-servants and students whose parents are full-time farmers does want to be farmers.