Giwa Local Government Area Research Articles

Influence of topography on pedologic forms of iron in basement complex soils of Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Influence of topography on pedologic forms of iron in basement complex soils of Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

OPEN DEFECATION AS A CHALLENGE TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN GIWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Open defecation is a threat to public and environmental health, it affects the occurrence and spread of mainly communicable diseases. This study examines the compliance of people to Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and challenges of the program to reduce the existence of open defecation in Giwa Local Government Area (LGA). The study employed the use of questionnaire and structured interview as a source of data. Descriptive statistics and thematic framework were used for the analysis while charts and themes were used to present the findings. Results revealed that majority (56%) of the respondents were satisfied with the level of how community complied with the program. The findings also revealed that majority (31.30%) of the respondent’s considered poverty as the greatest challenge to the success of the program. Some of the key informants were also of the view that CLTS is highly applicable towards reduction in the rate of open defecation in the area. Therefore, the study recommends the provision of incentive to the people that will reduce the rate of poverty for the successful implementation of the program

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and its determinants among household heads of a rural community in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness remains one of the important strategies for reducing maternal mortality. One of its important components is knowledge of obstetric danger signs (KODS). The KODS is as important to men as it is to women, especially in African countries where majority of the household heads are men and are the major decision makers. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the KODS among the household heads of Nasarawan Buhari, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study was conducted among 104 household heads (or their representatives) of Nasarawan Buhari, Giwa Local Government Area Kaduna State, Nigeria, from April 15 to May 10, 2019. Data were collected using pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25 (2017). Results: Majority of the respondents were aged between 40 and 49 years, with a mean age of 40 ± 12.6 years. The overall KODS was poor (70.2%). After controlling for confounders, the only determinant of good KODS was the age of respondents. Household heads older than 30 years were more likely to have good KODS than those younger than 30 years (odds ratio 1.04, 1.001–1.07). Conclusion: The overall KODS among the respondents was poor, while the age of respondents was a determinant of having good KODS. The Authority of Giwa Local Government Area Council (LGC) of Kaduna State should design and implement a program aimed at educating the household heads in the LGC.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Thesium viride Hill (Santalaceae)

Background: Thesium viride is commonly called 'Huntu' in Hausa. It is a hemi-parasite subshrub from the family Santalaceae. The aerial part of the plant is used in the treatment of jaundice, liver enlargement, splenomegaly and ulcers. Despite its uses in diseases that may be attributed to free radical there was no studies to evaluate of the antioxidant activity. The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 70% aqueous ethanol extract of T. viride (AETV) and its fractions; ethyl acetate (ETV), butanol (BTV) and aqueous (ATV). Methods: The plant was collected at Karaukarau, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and was identified and authenticated at the Herbarium Unit of the Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University. The aerial part of the plant collected was air dried under the shade and powdered. It was macerated with 70% aqueous ethanol and a portion of the extract was successively fractionated using ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. The free radical scavenging activity of the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), reducing power of ferricyanide ion (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the phosphomolybdenum method and the estimation of total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents have been determined for all studied extracts/fractions by spectrophotometric methods. Results: Both TP (155.47 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g ± 10.32 mg GAE/g) and TF contents (103.29 mg quercetin equivalent [QE]/g ± 4.43 mg QE/g) were determined to be highest in ETV. The DPPH free radical, FRAP assays and TAC showed a concentration dependent activity with ETV exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity as determined by all the methods. Using Pearson'scorrelation analysis between the values of FRAP-TAC (R2 = -0.91) at p < 0.05 indicates the viability of the two models for evaluating antioxidants from T. viride. Conclusion: The antioxidant evaluation based on the models used in this study revealed that AETV and especially the ETV possess antioxidant activity. 

The Contribution of Staff Discipline and Promotion on the Development of Giwa Local Government Area

The study assessed the Effects of Discipline on Staff Performance in Local Government. The study was conducted in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The study is a qualitative research method. Four research objectives were stated with four correspondent research questions and three assumptions. The instrument used for collecting data for the study was focus group discussion. Data were collected from respondents drawn from Giwa Local Government Area. Data collected were analyzed qualitatively. The study revealed that lack of discipline in the Local Government is sine qua non to the failures in the achievement of the desire, designed goals and objectives of Local Government and as such noted that Giwa Local Government should see discipline as an integral part of staff performance. The first finding showed that, Kaduna State Government through the adaptation of APER (Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports) has conditioned and discipline the staff as those discipline are partially promoted. The study also revealed that discipline has contributed to the development of Giwa Local Government as such recommends that certain incentives should be provided to energize the commitment of the disciplined staff so as to satisfactorily perform their assigned jobs in the Local Government Area.

An Assessment of Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State (2005-2010)

This paper assesses the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State so as to determine the state of instructional materials and infrastructural facilities. This study was informed by the concern over quality of these instructional materials and infrastructural facilities in public schools in Giwa Local Government Area. The primary data was sourced through interview and personal observation, while secondary data was gathered from official publications. Data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study revealed that the UBE programme has not significantly enhanced the quality of instructional materials and infrastructural facilities in Giwa Local Government. The study suggested inter alia, an increase in the percentage contributions of concerned agencies towards instructional materials and more attention should be given to infrastructural facilities such as libraries and school walls. The study concludes that although UBE has produced positive results within the period under study, if more efforts were put in place, the educational system will get the desired boost not just in Giwa Local Government but Nigeria as whole.

DRAUGHT ANIMAL POWER UTILIZATION ON SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Asurvey on draught animal power (DAP) use on small holder farms in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State was conducted during the 1988/89 farming season. A purposive sampling technique was utilized where all the 25 household heads who owned and used draught animals were sample. Structured questionnaire schedule was developed and used for data collection. The findings revealed that majority (88%) of the respondents were between the 20 and 29 years of age. While majority (92%) of the respondents started with a pair of work animals, only 4% started with two pairs. White Fulani (Bunaji) cattle was the popular breed among the respondents. The animal were used for achieving three different agricultural tasks. The constraints associated with animal power utilization include unavailability and high cost of implements, scarcity of feed during the dry season and animal disease.

ECONOMICS OF TRADITIONAL CATTLE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

A survey to determine the economics of traditional cattle production among agropastoralists was carried out in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The survey covered 75 agropastoral households grouped into three categories viz: CI, CII and CIII for livestock activities and two groups GP1 and GP2 for cropping activities. The analytical framework used in the study include simple gross margin and multiple regression analysesResults of the study indicated that 66.67% of the respondents have lived in the study area for up to five years. Total variable cost (TVC) varied with the size of herd. TVC averaged N958.72/LU for CI, N818.48/LU for CII and N561.29/LU for CIII. The agropastoralits were making some profit in both livestock and cropping actiVities. Gross margin/LU averaged N967.28/LU N1,118.93/LU and N1,344.93/LU for farmers in CI, CII and CIII, respectively. The gross margins in cropping activities were N372.24/ha for GP1 and N480.18/ha for GP2. Inputs identified in cattle production were relevant in explaining variations in output. There was a decreasing return to scale in cattle production. There was also an inverse relationship between unit cost of production and size of herd. The above results indicated that a substantial increase in the income of the farmers was possible. This could be achieved through integrated crop/livestock productionproper herd management and adequate provision of supplementary feed for dry season cattle production.

Determinants of Farmer’s Attitude to Plant Agro-forestry Trees in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Agro-forestry trees enhance food and nutrition security, increase income and help solve land management problems. This study assessed the determinants of farmer’s attitude to plant agro-forestry trees in Giwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. Six (6) districts were purposively selected from the eight (8) districts in Giwa LGA. Two villages were randomly selected from each district to give a total of twelve (12) villages. Ten agroforestry farmers were selected from each village to make a total of 120 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics - Chi- square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and regression analysis. The results revealed that the mean age was 40.12 years. Chi-square analysis showed that age (χ2=18.487, P=0.001), educational level (χ2=9.656, P=0.04) were significant to farmersꞌ attitude. PPMC showed that income (r=0.181, p=0.049), membership in organization (r=0.214, P=0.02) were significant to farmersꞌ attitude. Regression analysis showed that years of experience (β=0.330, P=0.001) and constraints (β=0.246, P=0.11) were the determinants of farmers attitude. Farmers (59%) have unfavourable attitude towards tree planting. It was concluded that age group, educational level, income and membership in organization are very important and paramount in enhancing planting of agroforestry trees while years of experience and constraints faced by farmers were major determinants of famer’s attitude to planting agro-forestry trees.

Childhood Malaria Prevention and Treatment Options: A Study in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State – Nigeria

Malaria is among the major public health issues in Nigeria. Although various preventive and treatment techniques have been adopted by people in different locations, the disease remains a big concern among households in areas where its transmission is endemic. This study on childhood malaria prevention and treatment options utilized quantitative and qualitative data collected among mothers of under five children, household heads and health workers. Findings revealed that despite the divergent views about malaria causation, 66.7% of respondents attributed malaria to mosquito, 53.3% claimed that children under five are the most vulnerable to the scourge and further revealed that the majority of mothers in the study area used Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) for prevention, the incidence of malaria during the survey was less than 50%. Though different treatment options were available in the area hospital was the most common option for malaria treatment among the people. The study concluded that modern preventive technique (ITN) was used for malaria prevention despite its low coverage among children; malaria treatment expenses were the major challenge identified by the respondents.

Farm Households Livelihood Diversification and Poverty Alleviation in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of livelihood diversification on poverty alleviation in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study utilized primary data collected through a questionnaire administered to 100 respondents selected using purposive and random sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, the FGT poverty model and Tobit regression model. The result of FGT poverty model revealed that the incidence of poverty among the farming households was 30%, and this implies that 70% of the farm households were non-poor. The result of the Tobit regression showed that livelihood diversification was significant at 1% probability level and was negatively related to the poverty level of the farmers. This implies that a farming household head who engages in a number of livelihood activities has a lower likelihood of being poor. This is on the premise that increase in the number of livelihood activities increases the income of the farmers and invariably their purchasing power and welfare. It is recommended that awareness and skills acquisition training programmes should be established at the grass root by the local government authority to ensure that farmers are not only practising farming as their only means of livelihood but also a wide range of income generating activities to improve their well being.

Women’s Participation in Natural Resource Conservations in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Women’s Participation in Natural Resource Conservations in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Urinary iodine levels, goiter rates and intelligence quotient in primary school children in Giwa Local Government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Iodine deficiency can cause brain damage and/or cognitive impairment in children. It is preventable and of public health concern. After sixteen years of universal salt iodization in Nigeria, we undertook this study in north-western Nigeria to determine: prevalence of iodine deficiency in school children, any relationship between iodine deficiency, goiter and intelligence quotient and iodine content of table salt from their households. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of school children aged 6-12 years. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Enrolled children had physical examination and anthropometric measurements. Presence of goiter was clinically assessed using criteria jointly recommended by WHO, UNICEF and ICCIDD. Intelligence quotient was assessed using the Draw-A-Man test. Specimen of urine was obtained from each child and table salt specimen from their homes. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyze urinary iodine in μg/L. Iodine content of salt was semi-quantitatively analyzed. Results: A total of 544 children were studied. Their mean age (±1SD) was 9.5 ± 2.0 years. Median urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level was 148 μg/L. Forty-seven (8.6%) children had goiter. Three hundred and seventy- six (69.1%) children had normal body build. Of 118 (21.7%) children with adequate iodine status, 18 (15.3%) were stunted; a similar proportion in iodine deficient children. One hundred and thirty-four (57.0%) of 235 iodine-deficient children and 67 (56.8%) of 118 iodine-sufficient children had normal Intelligence Quotient. All household table salts contained iodine. Conclusion: There was no relationship between nutritional status and Iodine status; iodine status and intelligence quotient in study children.

Rural household fuel energy transition: Evidence from Giwa LGA Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rural household access to clean and affordable modern energy is critical to improving living standards in developing countries. Rural households in northern Nigeria in particular, are almost entirely dependent on fuelwood for their basic cooking needs. This has adverse effects on households' health, their productivity and environmental degradation. This paper analyzes the effect of households' socio-economic characteristics on choice of cooking fuel. A multinomial logit (MNL) model was used to estimate the determinants of fuel choice in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data analysis shows that the patterns of fuel usage are consistent with the ‘energy stacking’ theory as fuelwood are often used alongside modern fuels, and majority of the households depend largely on fuelwood as its principal cooking fuel. Modern fuels thus have failed to displace traditional fuelwood. Empirical results of MNL model shows that household head's age, educational attainment, household size, income, type of dwelling unit, the duration of food cooked and price of fuelwood are statistically significant factors influencing households' choice of cooking fuel. Implications for regional and national fuel policies are discussed.

Socioeconomic analysis of the food security status of maize farming households in giwa local government area of kaduna state, nigeria

his study specifically examined the food security status of the maize farming households, their perception on the contribution of maize farming to their households food security status and the determinants of the food security status of the maize farming households in the study area. Primary data collected from a sample size of 100 maize farming households were employed in the study and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics, food security index and logit regression. The result showed that 54% of the maize farming households was food secure while 46% were food insecure. The maize farming households perceived maize farming to be important in contributing to their household food security. The factors significant in influencing food security in the study area were household size, household income, farming experience, association, extension, education and farm size. It was recommended that farmers should adopt proper maize farming management practices aimed at high intensity of maize production which will serve as maize production offers an opportunity for increasing household food security.

NATIONAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME (NAPEP) AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF GIWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

The study aims at analyzing the framework of NAPEP inorder to ascertain the impact of the programme on the people of Giwa local government area of Kaduna State as it affects the wellbeing of the people in improving their standard of living vis-a-vis poverty eradication. Purposeful and simple random sampling technique was used to sample 220 respondents in the study area. Data was collected from the respondents using the interview schedule and a total of 179 questionnaires were used for the analysis. The principal results of the study reveal the failure of poverty alleviation programmes with special reference to NAPEP in Giwa local government area. Hence this study therefore recommends that NAPEP as an agency of the government with the sole aim of coordinating all poverty alleviation efforts in the country should work in harmony with other ministries and agencies that are stakeholders in the fight against poverty; the provision of credit facilities and skills training should be one of the central focus in poverty eradication and Government should adopt a holistic approach to poverty alleviation in the country.

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Hybrid Maize In Giwa Local Government Area Of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in Nigerian agriculture. The crop occupies a crucial place than other cereal crops since it is used as food, feed, fodder and other industrial raw material. The aim of this study is to identify the socio-economic factors that influence farmers’ decision to adopt hybrid maize in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state, Nigeria using the farm household survey data collected from 160 maize farmers in October- December 2009 for the cropping year 2009-10. This paper presents the results of an empirical application of maximum likelihood estimate of Logit Model to determine the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of hybrid maize. The results indicates that the mean predicted probability of technology adoption was Age (X 1 ) (P 5 ) (p 6 ) (p 7 ) (P DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v7i1.4064 JAS 2012 7(1): 23-32

Economic Advantage of Hybrid Maize over Open- Pollinated Maize in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State

Economic Advantage of Hybrid Maize over Open- Pollinated Maize in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State

Efficiency of Resource Use in Hybrid and Open-Pollinated Maize Production in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crop in Nigerian agriculture. The crop occupies a crucial place than other cereal crops since it is used as food, feed, fodder and other industrial raw material. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study on the productivity of hybrid and open-pollinated maize, with the participation of farmers in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state. Precisely, it evaluated the current hybrid and open-pollinated maize production technologies by describing their major socioeconomic factors, and most importantly identifying the economic difference between hybrid and open-pollinated maize, using the farm survey data collected from 160 maize farming communities in October- December for the cropping year 2009-'10. The result of analysis of resource use efficiency of hybrid and open- pollinated maize showed that all resources were inefficiently utilized because the ratios were not equal to one. The resource use efficiency of hybrid and open pollinated maize production in the study area was computed from Efficiency ratio r i.e., the ratio of MVP (Marginal Value Product) and MFC (Marginal Factor Cost). The ratio indicates that sampled farmers underutilized fertilizer and insecticides. The efficiency ratio for seeds, labour and herbicides were less than one showing that the sampled farmers over-utilized seeds, labour and herbicides on the farms. This study suggested the need to bring more area under hybrid maize cultivation. Furthermore, there is need for special training, seminars, field demonstrations and technical support for the maize farmers. As most of the communities had no formal education, the extension program should be intended to the less educated farmers. In addition, the credit facility particularly the procedure for loan should be made simple to improve hybrid and open-pollinated maize production in the study area. Research Article

Economic Advantage of Hybrid Maize over Open-Pollinated Maize in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State

This research intends to carry out a comparative study, on the yield of hybrid and open-pollinated maize, with the involvement of farmers in Giwa local government area of Kaduna state. Specifically, it evaluated existing hybrid and open-pollinated maize production technologies by unfolding their most important socio-economic factors, by notably identifying the beneficial distinction between hybrid and open-pollinated maize, with the farm survey data collected from 160 maize farming communities in October-December 2009 for the cropping year 2009-10. Descriptive Statistics; Gross-Margin Analysis were the analytical tools employed for achieving the aim of this study. The average yield per hectare obtained by hybrid maize farmers was 2240.6Kg and 1261.04Kg for open pollinated maize respectively. Hybrid maize and open pollinated maize farmers obtained gross margin US$ 389.29 and US$195.31 per hectare respectively. Z-test was used to test the profitability of hybrid maize versus open-pollinated maize and the result revealed that hybrid maize production was more profitable and the difference was statistically significant at 1% level of significance. As most of the communities had no formal education, the extension program should be targeted to the less educated farmers. This study recommends that credit capability principally the process for obtaining loan ought to be made easy to perk up hybrid and open-pollinated maize production in the study area.