Kaduna State Research Articles

Perception of Service Providers on The Implementation of Inclusive Education in Kaduna State.

Perception of Service Providers on The Implementation of Inclusive Education in Kaduna State.

Socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics and molecular confirmation of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> detected from pregnant women attending Kawo General Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria

Trichomoniasis is a widespread Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) that can have detrimental consequences, including infection of the skin, endometrium, Bartholin glands, and fallopian tubes and ovaries (the adnexa of the uterus). This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) and T. vaginalis from vaginal swabs of pregnant patients attending Kawo general hospital in Kaduna state. A total of 250 high vaginal swab samples were randomly taken from consenting pregnant women attending antenatal. Structured questionnaires were used to collect participant demographic and medical data. Samples were analysed by wet mount preparation and T. vaginalis positive samples were confirmed using Polymerase Chains Reaction (PCR). Out of the 250 pregnant women that were examined, 24 (9.6%) were positive for T. vaginalis infection. T. vaginalis was detected more in age group 20-25 (9.4%), and among women of third trimester stage (11.4%). T. vaginalis infection was significantly associated with age, gravidation, education and occupation. Among the 24 pregnant women that tested positive for T. vaginalis infection, only 2 (8.0%) were without symptoms associated with vaginal trichomoniasis, while the remaining 22 (92.0%) presented symptoms such as vaginal odour (20%), itching and discomfort (32%) and greenish yellow vaginal discharge (92%). Molecular analysis confirmed 1 positive case out of the 5 samples randomly analysed. Trichomoniasis transmission to newborn infants could be avoided with better personal cleanliness, screening, and treatment for pregnant women who are affected.

Detection and antibiogram of bacterial contaminants in some commonly consumed indigenous street vended foods in Kasua Central Market in Kaduna North, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Some indigenous ready-to-eat foods, due to its affordability and availability serve as a major alternative to restaurants and high profiled eateries in developing countries. The hygiene standard of these foods is a critical point that needs to be considered due to microbial contamination by potential pathogens. A triplicate of three different food samples: Fura, Nunu, and Tuwo were collected and analysed to determine their microbiological safety. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard methods while antibiotic sensitivity test and multiple drug resistance pattern were carried out. The isolated bacteria: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella 100yphi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter sp. While fungal isolates include: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus. oryzae and Penicillium sp. Salmonella sp. was observed to be resistant to 70% of the antibiotics while both Klebsiella sp. And Enterobacter sp. exhibited resistance to 60% of the tested antibiotics. S. aureus had the least resistance to about 30% of the tested Gram-positive antibiotics. Out of all the tested antibiotics, only Tarivid was observed to be effective against all the Gram-negative bacterial isolates, while Reflacine and Ciprofloxacine were effective against 80% of them. The presence of coliform bacteria in the sampled foods raise a great concern about the safety of the street vended foods in the sampled region in Nigeria. The microbiologically low quality of the vended ready-to-eat foods assayed in this study might have resulted from a relatively low level of hygiene observed by the vendors, as well as absence of regulatory body or hygiene codes to guide the street food vendors. From the results of this study, efforts should be intensified by all concerned to make sure that the safety of people remains paramount in the ways the vended foods are produced and distributed.

Outbreak Of Fowlpox In Commercial Brown Pullets Previously Vaccinated With Fowlpox Vaccine In Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Fowlpox is a contagious viral disease of poultry, ranked as the third most important cause of mortality in Nigerian indigenous chickens. The present study confirms an outbreak of fowlpox in a flock of 500 Isa brown, 11-weeks-old pullets in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The pullets were managed under deep litter system and previously vaccinated with live attenuated vaccine (ABIC biological laboratories Ltd. Israel) at 8-weeks old. They had gross lesions suggestive of cutaneous fowlpox on skin of the head region with 58% morbidity but persistent low mortality rate of 13.8%. Fowlpox virus was isolated from the cutaneous lesions using chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) inoculation in 9 to 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs based on the presence of opaque-white pock lesions, then confirmed by Agar Gel Immuno Diffusion test using homologous known fowlpox virus (antigen) and antisera. Specific antibodies to fowlpox virus were quantified from the sera of the chickens using an indirect ELISA (Abbkine, Inc, China). The case was managed using; Intramuscular injection of oxytetracycline (TLA), topical applications of oxytetracycline spray as well as oral administrations of Doxygen® and vitamins. Apparently healthy chickens were revaccinated against fowlpox and the pen was thoroughly cleaned, washed, and disinfected. This report had shown an occurrence of vaccine failure, alongside a promising management option and highlighted the significance of vaccination with strict biosecurity measures in the control of fowlpox in Nigeria.

Advances in filarial hydrocelectomy reporting in Uganda and Nigeria

IntroductionSurgery for hydrocele is part of the WHO recommended essential package of care for people affected by Lymphatic filariasis (LF). In Uganda and Nigeria, LF programme support for hydrocele surgery began in 2017. In 2021 the two programmes adopted a newly developed smartphone-based application to monitor hydrocele surgery and outcome. The application, referred to as the Hydrocele Tracker, gathers information on surgical registration, preoperative information, intraoperative information, postoperative information and follow-up evaluations. It was developed to improve supervision, understand surgical outcomes and reasons for complications, improve reporting and improve data quality for Ministries of Health with active LF programmes.MethodsHydrocele patient information was collected between October 2021 and May 2023 in Uganda (Lango sub-region, 9 districts) and March 2021 - September 2022 in Nigeria (Benue, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kogi States). Additionally patient feedback surveys were undertaken to elicit patient experience and satisfaction with the hydrocele surgery.ResultsPatient data from 2,911 records in the Hydrocele Tracker are presented.DiscussionThe discussion highlights the implications of the data for LF programming, the value of digitisation and approaches to address data quality.

Tourism and Economic Development of Splash Park in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Tourism and Economic Development of Splash Park in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria

EFFECT OF INPUT USE EFFICIENCY OF RICE PRODUCTION AMONG BENEFICIARIES AND NON-BENEFICIARIES OF ANCHOR BORROWERS’ PROGRAMME IN KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

This study investigates the effect of input use efficiency of rice production among beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries of Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor borrowers’ programme (ABP) in Kaduna State. Multistage sampling procedure include the purposive selection of the three Local Government Areas (LGAs): Kaduna South, Chukun, and Igabi where rice production is prominence in the state; two communities was randomly selected from each of the three selected LGAs to give a total of six selected communities. Finally, 110 each of upland rice farmers who were RIFAN and NON-RIFAN member beneficiaries of ABP were randomly selected from the targeted communities. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model were used in analyzing data collected for the study area. The findings revealed that there were no significant differences between the socio-economic characteristics of both categories of farmers. Findings revealed that beneficiaries of ABP technical efficiency scores ranged from 0.71 and 1.00 with an average of 0.91. The scores for their allocative and economic efficiency ranged from 0.62 - 0.99 and 0.44 - 0.99 with an average of 0.93 and 0.85, respectively. While for the non-beneficiary rice farmer of the ABP, technical efficiency scores ranged from 0.52 and 0.89 with an average of 0.81. The scores for their allocative and economic efficiency ranged from 0.57 – 0.97 and 0.39 - 0.72 with an average of 0.76 and 0.65, respectively. From the finding it can be concluded that the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies for of both beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries were below the frontier of one. The three most critical constraints for beneficiary and non-beneficiary were lack and poor extension services, high cost of inputs, and untimeliness of inputs distribution for beneficiary, and insufficient planting seeds for non-beneficiary. It is therefore recommended that government at the federal, state and local government levels should provide adequate extension services to rice farmers and also rice farmers should be encouraged by the extension agents to join and participate in cooperative societies so that Government and NGOs can easily reach out to them through this medium.

ASSESSMENT OF ANCHOR BORROWER PROGRAM AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN KAURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed Anchor Borrower Program (ABP) among maize farmers in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques consisting purposive and random sampling was used in selection of 157 farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that maize farmers were age range of 30-39 with an average age of 41 years. It also revealed that (74.2%) of the farmers were male. The result further shows that majority (73.5%) of the farmers were married with an average of 22 years of farming experience. The result further reveals that majority (87.4%) of the farmers took farming as a major occupation. It also showed that 34.4% maize farmers had attended tertiary education as their level of education. Majority (89.56%) of the farmers acquired their land through inheritance, while majority (64.9%) of the farmers had farm size of 2.5 to 4 hectares with an average farm size of 2.5 hectares. Result further shows that 31.4% of the farmers acquired their loan through uptakers and 29.6% of them acquired their input through Bank of Agriculture. The results also revealed that majority (87.4%) of maize farmers had increase in income after using the loan. The results of regression analysis revealed that R2 was 0.365 meaning that 36.5% of the variation in the dependent variable was explained by the independent or explanatory variables included in the model. The coefficient of age and marital status has a negative and significant at a P<0.01 level of probability, farm size and land tenure had a positive coefficient and highly significant at P<0.01. The major constraints affecting farmers in anchor borrower programme were fluctuating of price, cumbersome process or stringent process, distance from financial institution, high Family expenditure and low productivity due to harsh weather condition. The study concluded that ABP enhanced the output and income of maize farmers in study area. Based on the finding, it is recommended that, all stringent conditions attached to access to loan for agricultural production should be removed, ABP facilitators should ensure timely disbursement of funds and input before planting commences.

A Critical Evaluation of the Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Trees in Specific Regions within Kaduna State Nigeria

This research evaluated the capacity of trees to store carbon in two specific locations, namely Gamji Park and Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna State. This was done by conducting field measurements, and observations. To facilitate measurement, the research area was partitioned into quadrants. A grand total of 1555 trees were quantified, with 775 trees found in Gamji Park and 780 trees at Kaduna Polytechnic. A non-destructive approach was used, whereby the measurement of tree height and diameter at breast height was conducted without the need for tree felling. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of trees with a diameter at breast height of at least 5cm were measured in each plot. The pantropical allometric equations were used to determine the carbon stock and the quantity of carbon dioxide sequestered by the plants. A total of 6875.4 Megatons/ha of carbon dioxide (CO2) was calculated to be sequestered by trees in the two research locations. The tree species Eucalyptus tereticornis and Magnifera indica had a much greater capacity for sequestration in comparison to the other trees that were examined. The Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to examine the association between tree parameters and carbon sequestration. The correlation coefficients for height and DBH were 0.934 and 0.979, respectively. These results suggest a positive relationship between tree parameters, specifically tree height and DBH, and carbon sequestration. Notably, DBH exhibited a stronger correlation compared to other parameters. A statistically significant difference in the tree parameters was observed, as shown by a p-value of less than 0.05.

Geospatial Analysis of Archaeological Sites in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria has rich and diverse archaeological heritage. The research employed geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, to analyze and document the archaeological sites in Ikara. The research aims to assess the Geospatial distribution of Archaeological sites in the study area by mapping to locate the Archaeological sites in the study area, determine the pattern of distribution of the Archaeological sites and examine the finds and features in the sites. The research employed a mixed-method approach that combines field surveys, archival research, and geospatial analysis. The research findings show fifteen (15) archaeological sites dispersedly distributed across the Eight (8) wards in the study area with Ikara ward having the highest number of archaeological sites. Also, the dominant cultural materials across the sites are finds in forms of potsherds and features in form of House foundation. The cultural remains on the Archaeological sites are House foundations, mounds, granary, potsherds, iron slag, open grave, stone tools and grinding stones. Based on the findings, dispersed pattern of the Archaeological sites in the study area was deduced from the data collected especially at the southern part of the area of study where the sites are found to be most concentrated. Base on the research findings, it is recommended that further research shall be undertaken using GIS and Remote Sensing Technology for effective Archaeological site discovery, management and preservation.

Digital technology in maize nutrient management research in northern Nigeria amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a life threatening and spreads wildly with physical human contact. Physical distancing is recommended by health experts to prevent the spread; thus, agronomic research has to be designed in conformity to this preventive standard during the pandemic. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate the reliability of using digital tools in nutrient management research amid the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Nigeria. Fifty extension agents (EAs) were selected across 15 LGAs of Kaduna and Kano states. The EAs were trained on how to generate fertilizer recommendation using an android mobile phone-based nutrient expert (NE), to measure farmers’ field sizes using UTM Area measure mobile phone app, and open data kit to record, submit and aggregate data during the exercise. Each EA covered 50 farms, where two nutrient management practices—one determined by the farmers: farmer fertilizer practice (FFP), and the other generated using the NE were evaluated. Results show that around 90% of the farmers have an average field size of 1.13 ha. All selected farmers used improved maize varieties for planting, among which 21% been able to use the exact recommended or lower seed rate. Use of inorganic fertilizer was 33% higher than the average recommended NE rate, while average yield of the NE fields was 48% higher than for the FFP. The results of this study indicate that yield can be improved with site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) extension approach. The SSNM using digital tools as the NE seem promising and befits to agronomic research in northern Nigeria amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demystifying Barriers to and Drivers of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice – A Cross-Sectional Study Among Mothers & Caregivers of Children Under 5 in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This study presents findings from a cross-sectional survey conducted among mothers and caregivers of children under 5 in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Out of the 1647 collected questionnaires, 77.5% were validated for analysis. Results reveal that 53.3% of the women were aged 20-29 years, with older adolescent mothers (18-19 years) comprising 7.8%. The majority were married (97.8%), and over two-thirds had at least primary education (69.5%). While 54.5% identified as housewives, 28.7% engaged in petty trading, and 12.3% pursued farming full-time. Table 2 in the appendix indicates good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices, with 88.4% knowing breastfeeding should start immediately after birth. However, EBF prevalence was only 33.3%, higher among women with more than secondary education (43.2%) and those aged 20-29 years (35.4%). Positive perceptions toward EBF were evident, but misconceptions persisted, impacting practice. Social norms influenced some contradictory behaviors, such as early introduction of water (51%).

Hindrances Of Geography Teachers Ict Competence In Public Secondary Schools In Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State Nigeria

The study investigated the Hindrances of Geography teachers ICT Competence in Public Secondary Schools Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State. The researcher deployed descriptive survey research using 40 Geography Teachers as study Sample and two questionnaires as research instruments. First Questionnaire: level of ICT competence among Geography Teachers (LOGTIC) with face validity index 72.2 Content validity index 0.74 and reliability coefficient 0.81. Second Questionnaire: Hindrances of Geography Teachers ICT Competence Questionnaire (HGTICQ) face validity index 83.6 content validity index 0.77 and reliability coefficient 0.71. Data collected analyzed using frequency and percentage. The study found out that: the percentage of male geography ICT competence teacher are more than the female and the factors that hider geography teachers both affects the male and female geography teachers ICT competence for teaching geography in public senior secondary schools. The researcher recommended among others: Government should create awareness of the danger of lack ICT knowledge and skills in schools to the entire public. Training and retraining of teachers to be good and update their ICT knowledge and skills, and Government should take the lead in eradicating all forms of factors hindering teachers ICT competence in public secondary schools, by among others providing good electricity power supply, basic infrastructures and good maintenance and management techniques.

Mental Health Burden and Facilitators Among Frontline Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the frontline healthcare providers faced significant mental health stressors. Previous pandemics have revealed the need for psychosocial support and healthy coping mechanisms to mitigate mental health risks. The study aimed to assess psychological impact and supportive mechanisms experienced by frontline healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in Kaduna State. This study involved 38 frontline healthcare providers mainly from Kaduna State Infectious Disease Treatment Center. Participants' mental health burden was captured through Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Mental health facilitators were assessed through six tools: Ten-Item Values Inventory, healthy defense section of the Defense Style Questionnaire, Existential Anxiety Questionnaire, Brief Resilience Scale, Oslo Social Support Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index. The mean age of the study participants was 35.5 ± 6.6 years, with the majority being males (68.4%) and doctors (39.5%). More than a quarter of the participants showed appreciable symptoms of depression and anxiety. Psychosocial facilitators such as moral values, openness to change, self-transcendence, sublimation, anticipation, and humor scored above average for more than half of the participants. Most participants demonstrated moderate resilience and social support, with few experiencing sleep challenges. Comparisons of variables indicated "openness to change" was significantly higher among males, whereas symptoms of depression and anxiety were associated with higher levels of existential concerns and sleep challenges. Our study finds that Nigerian frontline health workers experienced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identified specific facilitators linked to gender and psychological burdens, informing the need for tailored support interventions.

Impact of Principals' Managerial Strategies on Universal Basic Education in Junior Secondary Schools in Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Kaduna State

This study investigated the impact of principals' managerial strategies on Universal Basic Education in Junior Secondary Schools in Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Kaduna State. The study was guided by two research objectives and questions, employing a descriptive survey research design. The population under consideration comprised 5,593 respondents, from which a random sample of 375 individuals was selected. Data collection was conducted through the utilization of a questionnaire. Analysis of the research questions was performed using mean and standard deviation. The study findings unveiled a significant impact of funding on the practical implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program in junior secondary schools within Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Kaduna State, among other discoveries. Based on the study's findings, several recommendations were proposed, including fostering synergy between government bodies and school authorities to ensure enhanced funding and adequate instructional materials to effectively implement the UBE program in the Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Kaduna State.

Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention Campaign on Knowledge and Attitudes towards COVID-19 and Vaccines among Senior Secondary School Students in Kaduna State

The study investigated the effectiveness of an Educational Intervention Campaign on Knowledge and Attitude towards COVID-19 and Vaccines among Senior Secondary School Students in Kaduna state. The study was anchored on three objectives three research questions and three hypotheses were postulated in line with the stated objectives. Relevant literature was reviewed on the key variables for this study. The study adopted a pre-and post-intervention study design to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention campaign on knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 and its vaccines among the respondents. The population for this study consists of senior secondary school students in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A sample of 50 senior secondary school students from four selected secondary schools in the state was used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a pre-post intervention survey questionnaire, a multiple-choice objective test question with four sections: General information, knowledge assessment, attitude assessment, and additional information. Five modules were developed by the researchers covering an introduction to COVID-19, symptoms and transmission, prevention measures, COVID-19 vaccines, and benefits of vaccines. The instrument was validated by one professor and two chief lecturers, and its reliability was tested using a test/retest method. Data was collected through the administration of pre-tests and post-tests. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the bio-data of the respondents, while mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Kruskal Wallis was also used to test all the hypotheses at a 0.05% level of significance on the knowledge and attitude of the respondents. The findings showed a significant difference in knowledge of COVID-19 and its vaccines by subjects after their exposition to educational intervention. However, the subjects did not differ significantly in their attitude towards COVID-19 and its vaccines before and after the educational intervention. The study concluded that significant differences observed in knowledge levels before and after the campaign underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives in enhancing understanding and acceptance of vaccines, as emphasized by previous research. Recommendations were made to include the development of targeted educational campaigns by the government that address specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions identified among senior secondary school students, utilization of diverse communication channels and interactive learning methods to effectively engage students.

Proliferations of Gated Communities and the Fear of Crimes: An Empirical Study of Some Select Gated Communities in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government Areas, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Gated communities are becoming increasingly popular in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. The objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for the proliferation of gated communities, and their safety and security. The study adopted the Defensible Space Theory. This article which is an empirical endeavour used the qualitative method in collecting and analysing data. In-depth interviews were conducted to elicit primary data. Key findings of the study revealed that the proliferation of gated communities was a result of the high level of insecurity and the quest for a secure community. The study further discovered that informants interviewed in the gated communities feel safe and secure against all forms of criminal activities. The study recommends that the Kaduna State government should design a policy that will make gated communities a residential development pattern in urban areas like Zaria and Sabon Gari.

Contamination of Keys with Parasite Eggs/Cysts within Ahmadu Bello University (Samaru Campus), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Infections caused by intestinal parasites are widespread causing significant problems in individuals and have become a public health menace. The prevailing environmental factors alongside contamination of various objects with different stages of parasites aids the fast distribution and infection of various species of parasites. The prevalence of parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts on keys used for door locks and other similar locks was investigated within the Samaru Campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. One hundred and four (104) key sets were collected and examined, one set at a time using the formol-saline sedimentation technique. Seven parasites comprising of Coccidian oocysts 11(10.6%), Cryptosporadium spp 3(2.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides 1(1.0%), Toxocara spp 1(1.0%), Strongyloides spp 2(1.9%), Schistosoma mansoni 1(1.0%), Mites 2(1.9%) and a mixed contamination of A. lumbricoides and Toxocara spp 1(1.0%) were identified. Chi-square was used to analyze data and among the risk factors tested, keys that are few in a bunch are seen to have the highest prevalence of contamination with parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts, which were also statistically significant (P=0.03346). The findings of this study show that different parasites of public health occur on keys, therefore, it can be concluded that the keys can serve as channels through which parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts can be disseminated; and should be disinfected appropriately and often.

Hierarchical and Non- Hierarchical Cluster Classification of Precipitation Time Series Data in Nigeria

Precipitation is highly unpredictable over space and time, and is an indicator for climate change. The present work classified average yearly precipitation over the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria into various groups. The hierarchical and non- hierarchical (k-means) cluster method was used in the classification of 37- years precipitation data (1984-2020). The results showed that six major clusters were formed. The Precipitation across the 36 states and the FCT in Nigeria can be classified as Light precipitation for Sokoto, Borno, Kastina, Yobe and Kano States; Moderate precipitation for Kebbi, Zamfara, Dutse, Yola, Gombe and Bauchi States; Heavy precipitation for Kaduna, Plateau, Kwara, Taraba, Nassarawa, Benue and Kogi States; Very Heavy precipitation for Osun, Ogun, FCT, Ekiti, Niger and Lagos States; Shower for Edo, Abia, Delta, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ondo and Oyo States and lastly, Heavy Shower for Akwaibom, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River States.. The rangs of precipitation based on the six classification are 1.5-1.8mm (Light precipitation), 1.9-2.7mm (Moderate precipitation), 2.8-3.6mm (Heavy precipitation), 3.7-4.3mm (Very Heavy precipitation), 4.4-5.4mm (Shower) and greater than 5.5mm (Heavy Shower). The hierarchical cluster method performed better than the non- hierarchical (k-means) cluster method in structuring the precipitation data and shaping it into groups (clusters) such that observations within the same group are more similar than those in different groups. The results of this study can contribute to a better understanding of the climate condition of the36 States and the FCT in Nigeria.

Incidence of Citrus tristeza virus in Zaria and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Citrus tristeza disease is among the most devastating diseases of citrus worldwide. To ascertain the occurrence of the causal agent, Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Zaria and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, samples were collected from four citrus orchards in September during the 2022 wet season. A total of sixty samples (n=60) were collected randomly comprising of both symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves, fifteen (n=15) from each field. The commonest symptoms observed included, yellowing of leaves, cupping, and leave vein clearing. Double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) was employed in the detection of the virus from the leaves collected. The result shows the presence of the virus in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) with an incidence of 6.67% each. This study is the first to report the presence of CTV in Zaria and Giwa LGAs of Kaduna State. Thus, indicating the spread of the viral disease in the country-despite its low incidence- after it was first reported from the Southern part of Nigeria. This calls for an intensive survey to delineate the extent of the viral incidence in the country and embark on enlightenment campaigns for citrus farmers.