Government Area Of Benue State Research Articles

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RAINFALL VARIABILITY AND MAIZE YIELD IN APA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the relationship between rainfall variability and maize yield in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The specific objectives were to analyse the trend in rainfall distribution and its impact on maize yield and to provide recommendations to improve maize productivity in the study area. Rainfall data was sourced from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological station, Oshodi, Lagos; the maize yield data was collected from the archives of Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (BNARDA). The rainfall and maize yield data for 33 years (1988-2021) were used to characterise the maize yield response to rainfall pattern (increase or decrease). Trend-line equation was used to show the trend of rainfall, while Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r) showed the degree of relationship between rainfall and maize yield. The results of the trend-line regressions showed an increase in total annual rainfall (y = 7.1873x + 1106.4) and an increase in maize yield (y = 0.0319x + 2.3239). The correlational trend chart showed a positive relationship between total annual rainfall and maize yield (r = 0.19), indicating that rainfall positively influenced yield. The study recommended that early warning weather information and climate-resilient varieties are needed to improve maize productivity. Extension services should also be provided to enhance farmers' knowledge on rainfall variability and its effects on maize yield.

An Ethical Evaluation of Savings and Cooperative Societies in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State

There a number of thrifts cooperative societies in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas which provides informal savings and investment avenues for the rural dwellers. However, there are a number of factors that affect the effectiveness of these thrifts and cooperatives such as poor and non-repayment of loans and misappropriation of funds. These challenges border on lack of ethical principles in business. Thus, one of the basic problems confronting business practice among the people of Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government is poor ethical principles in business practice. This paper therefore evaluates the ethics of savings and investment of selected thrifts and cooperative societies in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The paper adopts both primary and secondary sources of data collection and employed the descriptive and analytic methods of data analysis. Two thrifts and cooperative societies in Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs were sampled for the study. The analysis revealed that thrifts and cooperative societies have positive impact on business practice among the people. It is evident that cooperative societies exist in Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs where people save and invest monies in different businesses including farming, trading, purchase of commercial vehicles, motorcycles and in meeting other household needs. However, it was found that there are ethical challenges in managing thrifts and cooperative in Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs. These challenges are a result of poor ethical principles which are shown in the conduct of those who take loans without paying back and financial misappropriation on the part of those who own and manage such thrifts and cooperatives. The paper recommends among others that there is need to strengthen the ethical principles of integrity, financial accountability and transparency in Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Benue State for more effective business activities in the area. People borrowing money should do that with good reason and in a manner that they can repay the loans. Traditional and religious leaders should encourage people in the area to join thrifts and cooperatives, bams and adashi as ways of raising capital to start new businesses in the area.

Navigating Challenges: Herdsmen-Crop Farmers Conflict and its Effect on Yam Productivity in Benue State

The conflict between herdsmen and crop farmers in Nigeria has significantly impacted the productivity of yam farmers in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The study investigated this conflict's impact on yam farmers' productivity. Data was collected from a structured questionnaire administered to 400 households affected by the conflict. The study found that the conflict negatively impacts the productivity of yam farmers in the Logo Local Government Area. The study reveals that 67.3% of yam farmers in Benue State are male, with a mean age of 35. The majority are married, have an average household size of 11 people, and have a small-scale farm size. Their low education level may contribute to unabated conflict dynamics. The study reveals that herdsmen attacks significantly reduce the productivity of yam farmers in the study area, with a higher number of respondents producing more output before the attacks and a lower number after the attacks. The logit regression model shows that Fulani attacks, attacks by Fulani herdsmen, and technology led to significant deaths in households, reducing the labour force, destroying farmers' inputs, and instilling terror. In conclusion, the study reveals that herdsmen attacks have significantly reduced the productivity of yam farmers in the study area, affecting not only the labour force but also their inputs and livelihoods, highlighting the detrimental impact of conflict-related violence. It was recommended that the government should also provide easy access to finance for farmers affected by this conflict to recover their lost farm capital.

Social Inclusion and Justice for the Internally Displaced by the Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict in Benue State, Nigeria

Executive Summary Herdsmen-farmers conflict has displaced 1.5 million residents of Benue State, Nigeria, according to government officials. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) have lost livelihoods, farms, personal property and community infrastructure. The paper highlights the social challenges they have experienced and the response by government and international humanitarian agencies (IHAs) to their situations. Based on interviews with 12 IDPs belonging to the displaced population from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and interviews with seven humanitarian workers, the paper finds that the IDPs: • Have lost family members, neighbors, farms, churches, health centers, and means of mobility. • Cannot safely return home or access their ancestral lands. • Cannot support themselves. • Cannot attend public school or progress to a university. • Lack access to quality health care. • Live with multiple families in insecure shelters. • Cannot reliably obtain birth registration and replace other destroyed documents. • Can register their names, family relations, and former villages, but not their losses, which might lead to compensation and help them to rebuild their lives. The paper makes the following recommendations. • Registration, Effective Remedies and Access to Justice: The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (FMHA) and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) should document personal and community socio-economic losses to ascertain the extent of damage to IDPs in order to facilitate effective remedies. The Ministries of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, and UNHCR should support the IDPs by providing them with information and procedures that allow them to secure full compensation for their losses, and with safe, permanent solutions to their situations, including full integration into their host communities, safe and voluntary return home, or resettlement in a third community. • Engage IDPs as Stakeholders: The Benue State Government should ensure that BSEMA communicates to IDPs the possibilities for voluntary and dignified safe return. If return is not immediately foreseeable, BSEMA should offer IDPs the means to relocate and resettle elsewhere. • Provision of Sustainable Social Amenities: BSEMA, the FMHA, and international humanitarian agencies (IHAs) should provide sustainable healthcare, shelter, education in IDP camps, financial assistance and the means to access services outside of IDP camps. • Peace through Establishment of Ranches: Benue State Government’s Peace Commission should resolve the herdsmen-farmer conflict and restore peace by promoting peaceful co-existence between the conflicting parties. Herdsmen should be educated on the procedures for legal land acquisition for ranching, and farmers should be able to seek legal redress when their farms are damaged by grazing cattle. BSEMA and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs should also facilitate voluntary, safe and dignified return of IDPs or their resettlement in another community. • Safeguard IDP Camps: BSEMA and the Nigeria security agencies should safeguard official and unofficial IDP camps. • Inclusive Policy Implementation: The FMHA in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) should develop humanitarian response plans that are beneficial to all IDPs in Nigeria irrespective of the cause of their displacement.

Effect of External Geomorphic Process on Ushongo Hills and its Environs, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State

Effect of External Geomorphic Process on Ushongo Hills and its Environs, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State

Perceived Impact of Personality Traits on the Academic Performance of Students in Biology

The study examined the perceived impact of personality traits on the academic performance of biology students in Makurdi, a local government area of Benue State, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and two hypotheses were also formulated and tested. The research design adopted for this study was a descriptive survey design. The study sample comprises 384 students who were randomly selected from the total population of 9,748 students of the 20 government secondary schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The instruments used for data collection in this study were the Five-Factor Inventory Questionnaire (FFIQ) for personality traits and “The Biology Performance Test (BPT)” for academic performance. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while ANOVA statistics and t-tests were used to test the hypotheses at a .05 significance level. The findings revealed that there was no significant mean difference in the five personality traits of students and the personality traits of Biology students had no significant relationship with their performance in the subject. Also, there was no significant difference in the mean performance of students in each of the five personality traits based on gender. The findings further revealed no significant difference in students’ personality traits according to gender and no significant difference in the performance of students who were offered biology according to gender. This study recommends that Special attention be paid to improving the performance of students in Biology in Makurdi to strike an association between the traits. Also, male and female students should be given equal opportunities in biology since there is no gender difference in their personality traits and academic performance.

Possibility of Enhancing Students’ Academic Performance in Electrolysis Using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and 3E’s Learning Models

This research investigated the possibility of enhancing senior secondary school students’ academic performance in electrolysis using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and Exploration, Explanation and Evaluation (3E’s) learning models. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Electrolysis Performance Test (EPT) was the instrument used for data collection. Kuder-Richardson (KR-21) formula was used to test the internal consistency of EPT which yielded a reliability value of 0.91. The population was 7,152 SS2 students offering chemistry in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 143 students drawn from 3 schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed that there was significant difference in the mean academic performance of students taught Electrolysis using CPOEW, 3E’s model and discussion method [F2, 140=1943.116, P<0.05]. The study revealed that there was no significant interaction effect of treatments and gender on the mean academic performance scores of students in electrolysis [F2, 140=114.340, P<0.05]. It was recommended among others that to enhance students’ academic performance in electrolysis, serving teachers should be encouraged to use CPOEW and 3E’s learning models in teaching electrolysis.

Determinants Of Protein Consumption Among Farming Households In Otukpo Local Government Area Of Benue State, Nigeria.

The study examined the determinants of protein consumption among farming households in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 100 respondents were selected. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the study. The results of the socio-economic characteristics of respondent farming households revealed that most of the respondents were within the age range of 40 to 49 years, with the mean age of 44 years. Majority of the respondents were Christians, females and married, had a mean household size of 5 persons, no formal education, and had a mean monthly income of N200000. The results of the availability and consumption of protein food items among farming households in the study area revealed that majority of the respondents sourced their protein food items, which was fairly available from the market, spent between N 2000 and N 4000 on protein food items monthly, consumed one protein meal per day, indicated that protein foods were fairly affordable, consumed both animal and plant proteins, and believed that adults should consume more protein in the area. The results of the multiple regression analysis of the determinants of protein consumption showed that Monthly Income, Educational Level, Household Size and protein affordability were the significant factors that influenced household expenditure on protein consumption (N) per month in the study area. The results of the constraints to protein consumption in the study area revealed that unavailability/insufficiency of protein – rich foods, which might be due to the distance to the source, and high cost of raising protein rich – crops/animals were the major problems that affected protein consumption in the study area. The study therefore recommends that respondents should diversify their means of generating income to increase their income, engage in planting legumes and rearing of livestock to increase their production of protein food source, there should be increase their formal education which should improve the protein intake, Government should put in place a pricing policy to bring down prices of protein food for affordability, and family planning progamme should be emphasized to the households in order to reduce the large household size prevalent in the study area.

National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme and Socio-Economic Development in Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme on socio-economic development in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The methodology adopted for the study was survey research design with questionnaire being adopted as the instrument for data collection. A sample of 360, comprising of teachers, local farmers and vendors/cooks was used for the study. Literature was also explored for secondary data generation. The data collected were analyzed using Mean, Standard deviation and Chi-square. The Change-Model theory was adopted as a guide for theoretical framework of the study. The findings of the study revealed that, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has contributed in terms of increased enrollment of out-of-school children back to school in the area. Also, further findings revealed that, it has improved on the health status, nutrition and academic performance, as well as the reduction in absenteeism among school children. Equally, it was found that, local farmers were not given the access market to sell their produce as contained in the policy document due to hijack of the process in supply of food by politicians in the state. Finally, it revealed that, the programme even though boosted the cooking skills of vendors, the recruitment process was equally inflicted with several manners of gratification to officials of the programme. In line with these findings, the study recommended that, there is need to strengthen the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme towards creation of access market to local farmers to boost the local economy in Benue State, strengthen the recruitment process to be devoid of gratifications to officials and need for policy continuity to bring more benefits to increase socio-economic development in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

Psychological Distress and Substance Abuse as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being of Smallholder Farmers’ in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

Farmers work hard throughout the seasons to produce food and meet Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to eliminate all forms of hunger by 2030 and achieve food security. Understanding the psychological distress that smallholder farmers’ experience is critical to advancing food and nutrition security. According to research, farmers are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. Depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse were investigated as predictors of farmers’ psychological well-being in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. The study included 355 farmers from four communities in Kighir and Adem, Apir, and Adeke, chosen at random. Five hypotheses were proposed and tested.Data were gathered using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST-10), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB-18). Using Multiple Linear Regression for data analysis, results from the four-hypothesis showed that depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse all had a significant negative impact on farmers’ psychological well-being. The fifth hypothesis (β= -0.262, t= -2.637, P< 0.05 and β= -0.211, t= -2.135, P< 0.05) found that depression and stress jointly have a significant negative impact on farmers’ psychological well-being. The study recommends that the federal, state, and local governments, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, and private sector actors take immediate action to address the causes of distress in farming communities and provide farmers with access to psychological services in farming communities. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the critical need for psychological research, citing the study’s population and psychological well-being as important topics in mental health discussions.

Traditional Institutions and the Management of Communal Conflicts in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined traditional rulership institution and the management of communal conflicts in Gwer-East local Government Area, Benue State of Nigeria. The study aimed at finding out why there is a persistence of communal conflicts in the study area even with the efforts by traditional rulers to help manage them. The study pursued objectives that range from; ascertaining the relevance of the traditional rulers in communal conflict management, identifying the causes of communal conflicts, examining the effectiveness of traditional rulers in the management of communal conflicts, identifying the challenges faced by traditional rulers in the management of communal conflicts and advancing ways of ensuring the effectiveness of traditional rulers in the management of communal conflicts in the study area. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaires were used for data collection and the analyses done using simple percentage presented in tabular form. Structural functionalism was adopted for the study. The findings of the study revealed that land dispute is the major cause of communal conflicts in the local government area. Equally too, it was found out that traditional rulers have not been effective in the management of communal conflicts owing largely to the lack of cooperation from warring communities. This showed, as revealed from this finding, the lack of respect for the traditional rulership institution in the local government area. The study also revealed that sensitization and awareness campaigns for attitudinal change by community members are the major ways of enhancing the effectiveness of traditional rulers in the management of communal conflicts in the area. The study concludes that traditional rulers are relevant in communal conflicts management as they are considered traditional administrative structure for community mobilization. The study made recommendations in the light that; traditional rulers should be given additional powers other than mere advisory and assistance roles, the government should revisit community boundaries and make them clearer to curtail issues of encroachment into peoples’ lands in the area and the beef-up of check mechanisms on traditional rulers to help unfold irregularities of biased settlements, corruption and primordialism.

Effects of Farmers-Herders Conflicts on Food Security in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

The paper examined farmers-herders’ conflict and its effects on food security in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. The study adopts the Frustration-Aggression Theory which posits that aggression is an outcome of frustrating a person’s efforts towards a certain goal. Frustration caused by interference in goal-directed activity produces a ‘readiness’ for aggression which if ‘triggered’ can result in aggressive response. The data collected was through structured questionnaire and analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics. The results revealed that conflict has reduced the rate of food production which has led to loss of lives and property, displacement, poverty, and unemployment with its socio-economic consequences on sustainable development in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends that representatives of the host communities and the herdsmen should organize a public forum and part take in decision making process where issues affecting both parties are presented, and the procedure to restoring peace to most of the affected communities will be properly tackled. The process should involve all stakeholders (herdsmen and farmers) in the dispute resolution mechanism. The ranching method for cattle rearing should be properly and unanimously adopted at rearing location across the state with the herdsmen given the needed training for effective and efficient management of the ranching. Keywords: Farmers, Herders, Conflict, Food Security

Financial performance of soybean farmers in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Soybeans is versatile in usage but the yield is low. To sustain and improve its production, its financial performance, given the resource-poor status of rural farmers, is greatly important. Credit access is sine qua non in this direction. Hence, the study assessed credit access and financial performance of soybeans farmers in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 119 farmers who either had or did not have credit access. This reflects a quasi-experimental design where the treatment and control groups comprised farmers with and without credit access, respectively. Primary data were obtained with structured questionnaire and analysed with frequency distribution and financial ratios such as gross margin, operating ratio and return on investment. Independent samples ttest was used to ensure that any observed difference was due to error of randomization. Findings show that majority of the farmers lacked credit access (60.50%). The mean gross margin per hectare was significantly (p < 0.01) higher for the treatment group (N264,753.90 ± 12,597.15) than the control group (N152,412.60 ± 4,773.53). The mean return on investment per hectare was also significantly (p < 0.01) higher for the treatment group (3.06 ± 0.29) than the control group (2.13 ± 0.10). Therefore, soybean production was adjudged to be profitable and significantly influenced by credit access. It was recommended that financial institutions and the export promotion council should make credit available to soybeans farmers.

Implications of terrorism/farmers-herders conflicts on small-scale maize farmers in Agatu local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Implications of terrorism/farmers-herders conflicts on small-scale maize farmers in Agatu local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Perceived Influence of Test Anxiety on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Physics

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perceived influence of test anxiety on the academic performance of secondary school students in physics in Benue State, Nigeria. Methodology: The research utilized a descriptive survey design, with a target population of 15,060 students from government-approved secondary schools in the Obi Local Government Area of Benue State. A random sampling technique was employed to select 250 students from five secondary schools. The data collection instruments employed were the Mathematics Text Anxiety Questionnaire (MTAQ) and Mathematics Performance Text (MPT). The collected data were analyzed using measures such as means and standard deviation to address the research questions, while the analysis of variance was conducted to test the hypothesis at a significance level of 0.05. Findings: The findings indicated a significant difference in the influence of test anxiety levels exhibited by students on their average performance in physics within the secondary schools of the Obi Local Government Area in Benue State. Moreover, the results revealed a significant difference in the influence of test anxiety levels exhibited by male students on their average performance in physics in secondary schools. Significance: Similarly, a significant difference was observed in the influence of test anxiety levels exhibited by female students on their average performance in physics within secondary schools. Based on these findings, recommendations for school management are proposed.

Confirmation Of African Swine Fever Virus in Some Pigs from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Studies were undertaken to investigate and isolate African Swine Fever virus in pig in Ado local government area (LGA) of Benue state of Nigeria and this has confirmed the carrier status of the pigs in the LGA. Out of the 188 serum samples collected, 7 were obtained from the LGA and were tested using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Three samples (42.86%) were positive and 4(57.14%) were negative for the test. All the serum samples (42.86%) that were positive by ELISA were also positive by polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR). The PCR-positive pigs had higher mean WBC count, lower eosinophil and basophils count, higher mean monocytes count but the mean PCV values were not significantly different from the normal and PCR negative pigs. High mean WBC count may indicate an ongoing secondary bacterial and ASF virus infection, lower eosinophil and basophils count indicates parasitism in the pigs, higher mean monocytes count. This confirmed that pigs with demonstrable antibody should be considered as chronic carriers of the virus because it is doubtful if true recovery ever occurs. Control measures such as use of biosecurity, test and slaughter of animals that test positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) antibody with adequate compensation are suggested to eradicate the disease.

BANK CREDITS AND PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM BENUE STATE NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of bank loans on the entrepreneurial performance of women in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The study analyzed the impact of collateral requirement, financial information required by banks, and interest rate levied by banks on the entrepreneurial performance of women in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State. The study employed a survey design, and a questionnaire was used to collect data. The population of Otukpo LGA consists of 109 female business proprietors. The research employed census sampling. For data presentation and analysis, simple percentages, the mean, and the standard deviation were utilized, while regression analysis was used to test hypotheses. The study found that collateral requirement, financial information required by banks, and interest rate levied by banks have a positive effect on the performance of women entrepreneurs in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The study concludes that bank loans have a significant impact on the performance of Benue State women-owned enterprises. The study recommended that the Benue State government implement policies that facilitate SME credit.

Effect of maize production on poverty reduction among maize farmers in Makurdi local government area of Benue state, Nigeria

The study assessed the effect of maize production on poverty reduction among maize farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria using a multi-stage sampling technique to select 100 maize farmers as respondents. Data for the study were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the factors influencing production of maize in the study area revealed that farming experience (0.052) significant at 1%, off-farm income (1.35) significant at 1%, soil type (0.346) significant at 5%, rain-fed and irrigation (0.334) significant at 10% and season (0.60) significant at 1% were all positive and statistically significant which implied that they have influence on the production of maize. Most (67.0%) of the maize farmers are males with the mean age of 41.76 years. It was further revealed that most (60.0%) maize farmers in the study area are above the poverty line. On the effect of maize production to poverty reduction, the coefficient of increased income (1.05017) and improved standard of living (0.83657) were positive and significant at 10% level of probability poverty reduction among maize farmers. Contribution of maize production to income generation among maize farmers revealed that source of food (82.0%) is the major contributor to income generation in the study area. The study concluded that increased income and improved standard of living as the result of maize production reduced poverty among the maize farmers. It was therefore recommended that Government should provide irrigation, improved yield and disease resistant varieties to farmers to enhance maize production in the area.

VIBRO-ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT OF GRAIN GRINDING MACHINE FOR HEALTH RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS

Grinding machines is one of the outcomes of the agricultural sector work process mechanization aimed at reducing tedium and drudgery on the workers and improving overall productivity and production. However, the machinery drive component and mechanical energy are associated with noise and vibration, thereby inducing safety and health concerns for the operators. This study assessed and compared the vibro-acoustic characteristics caused by three different types of grinding machines; electric motor (3HP220V2800HD), diesel (R175A) and petrol (GX160) power drive engines used in grinding shops located in Wadata, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State in association with the risk factors to the work environment. The instrumentation design for the grinding machine operations vibro-acoustic characterization was a sound level meter (S844+), a vibrometer (VM-6360), a digital stopwatch (PC-396) and retractable measuring tape (B300-AG). The noise measurements were made at an average seating height of 1.5 m in the operator’s work position and the vibrations on the seat surface of the operator. The data obtained were analysed for noise and vibration occupational risk exposure following the ISO 9612 for acoustics guidelines and ISO 2372 for mechanical vibration and shock. The average mean values for the noise level and vibrations were statistically highest when the diesel power drive engine, followed by the petrol engine, while the electric motor had the least vibro-acoustic effect. In addition, the analysis of the variance test showed that the result obtained for the vibration and noise levels for the three categories of power source drive had p-values less than 0.05, indicating that they are significantly different from zero at a confidence level of 95%. The findings of this study mandated that all operators of the machinery under investigation wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

Rural Socio-Economic Impact of Arms Proliferation on Crime in Katsina-Benue State

The study investigated the rural socioeconomic impact of arms proliferation on criminality in Katsina-Ala local government, Benue state, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study, and a cross-sectional survey research design will be used to examine arms proliferation and criminality in Benue State. Area of the Study Katsina-Ala Local Government, while the sample size for the study was 400, the research uses cluster and random sampling techniques to select the study population. By simple random sampling, the names of the ten (12) council wards were written on pieces of paper, wrapped, dropped into a container and shaken thoroughly. Five (6) council wards out of the original ten (12) wards were randomly selected. The data collected through the questionnaire were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. From the findings, it was concluded from the research findings that even though arms proliferation is caused by so many factors, profitability and utilisation of small arms have been singled out as the primary cause of the unrest in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.