Southern Kaduna Research Articles

ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL IN SOUTHERN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Solid waste comprises all specks of dirt discarded which are unwanted be human as well as harmful to our environment. There is a rapid increase in the generation and disposal of solid waste such as refuse, garbages, dry leaves, old irons aluminum and many more. The southern Kaduna is a region with rapid growth in population. The rise in the per capita income of the individual increases the rate of their consumption. The rate of population growth also escalates the disposal of solid waste. The human health is in danger of communicable diseases, air and waterborne diseases because of the reckless disposal of solid waste in Southern Kaduna; (Sanga, Jemaa and Kaura Local Government area). The public sector participation is low which increases refuse dumpsite that affects the environment. The blockage of the street by the heap of refuse, the bad smile or odour, the groundwater contamination and spoil soil structure and it affluent. The use of statistical methods of correlation analysis proves that there is a significant relationship between public participation and waste dumping in the study area. About 330 samples of respondents were taken and the result of 0.97 correlation of weekly waste disposal, 0.96 correlation of monthly disposal and 0.98 correlation coefficient of annual solid waste disposal waste was obtained.

Evaluation of Service-Quality Dimensions during Antenatal care in Primary Health Care Centers, Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Nigeria

Shortage of qualified health care providers, weak health systems characterized by deficiencies of functioning equipment and essential medications, attitude of health workers as well as a range of physical, cultural, and financial barriers have been implicated for inaccessibility of quality care to many women. Poor acceptance of antenatal care is due to pervasive poverty, subordinate role of women, low literacy levels and the non-existent social systems in most developing countries. A cross-sectional, descriptive research design was used and a total of 296 respondents (pregnant women) who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting the required facilities and sample were selected in proportion with the inflow of clients in the facilities. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaires adapted from Parasuraman etal (1988) and mean of 2.5 was used to ascertain satisfaction on the Likert scales. PHCs in southern Kaduna Senatorial district arevery accessible to the Clients (2.574±0.540) both financially and geographically as well as the opening hours of the clinics. The Clients have full confidence in the health care givers (2.977±0.483). Clients were satisfied with the level of empathy exhibited by the health care givers toward them during antenatal care (3.346±0.688) and that PHCs Centres' care was reliable (3.017±0.346). The mean score (3.043±0.375) shows satisfaction with the responsiveness of the Health care givers to the need of the Clients' during ANC. Clients were satisfied with the general appearance of the health facilities (3.103±0.364). 
 Keywords: Evaluation, Service, Quality, Dimensions, Antenatal

Transformational Development: Empowering Christian Widows in Northern Nigeria

Abstract Several developmental ventures have been used to empower African widows. Such development programs address the economic and social dimensions of the plight of African widows. However, most of these development initiatives tend to ignore religion in the development process. This article will argue that religion is pertinent towards empowering Christian widows in northern Nigeria. A case study of a non-profit initiative in a southern Kaduna village demonstrates that religion is necessary for empowering Christian widows in northern Nigeria. I explore the important role religion plays within Africa, and specifically in northern Nigeria. My assumption is that the wise use of religion to empower Christian widows is effective. I suggest that the implication for the wise use of religion to empower Christian widows would ensure that Christian widows draw from the religious sentiments towards personal and social transformation.

Soil Fertility under Different Farmland Management Practices for Sustainable Crop Production in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria

This study assessed the fertility status of the soils under different Farm Management Practices (FMPs) in southern Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 25 composite soil samples were collected at 0-20cm soil depth from three locations under the different FMPs in Katugal, Madakiya, Kurmin Sara, Mailafiya and Zankam. The soil samples were analysed using standard laboratory procedures. Simple proportion and percentages were adopted in analysing and summarizing the data. The study revealed that, 56% and 44% of the soils belongs to sandy loam and loam textural classes respectively. These soil textural classes are considered good for the cultivation of maize, guinea corn, millet and ginger in this area. More than 80% of the soil’s bulk densities are within 1.0–1.30gcm-3 threshold, available water holding capacity fell in 0-50mm/m. Similarly, electrical conductivity is >1.0ds/m, while total nitrogen content in 76% fell in 0.10–0.20kg/ha, threshold value. More than 80% of the pH falls within 5.0 and 6.8 in the area. The micronutrients contents are within normal threshold values except zinc and manganese in two of the FMPs. Both microbial biomass nitrogen and soil basal respiration are within the fertility threshold range >1.10% and >2.0% which are considered normal for plant growth. 72% of the organic matter content is <2.6%, while cation exchange capacity of <12.0cmol/kg, phosphorus <8mg kg-1 and microbial biomass carbon (0-10%) in the soils were outside the normal fertility threshold range. The study recommended the use of animal dung, compost, inorganic fertilizers, crop residue as soil conditioners, and liming to improve pH condition to enhance and sustain the fertility of the soils.

Ideologies and Impoliteness Strategies in Online Ethno-Religious Conflict Among Nigerians

Nigeria is a multilingual country comprising peoples of different ethnic, political and religious inclinations, hence the incessant ethno-religious conflicts that lace her trajectory. Different scholarly works have examined ethno-religious conflict in the Nigerian space from the religious, sociological, historical and political perspectives. However, little attention has been given to the phenomenon from the linguistic perspective. This study, therefore, drawing inputs from van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Culpeper’s Impoliteness Theory, investigates how Nigerians deploy language in engaging in ethno-religious conflict as evident in their online comments on issues of national interest in the country. Different online comments and reactions of Nigerians to four recent national issues – Apostle Suleman’s alleged ‘sex scandal’, the Southern Kaduna killings in Kaduna, the Yoruba-Hausa crisis in Ife, Osun State, and the issues surrounding the arrest, detention and clamour for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a strong agitator for the Biafra State, as reported by three online platforms, Sahara Reporters, Vanguard Newspaper and Nairaland.com are purposively selected as data for this study. The findings of the study reveal elements of they (them) versus we (us) ideology and different forms of impoliteness strategies permeate the discourse of online ethno-religious conflict among Nigerians. This is a development that portends a bad omen for the continued peace and unity of the country.

Readdressing the ethno-religious conflicts in southern Kaduna, Nigeria in the Light of Abraham-Lot Narrative (Genesis 13:1-18)

This article examines ethno-religious conflict in southern Kaduna and its negative impacts on development in the region. Several efforts have been made by the government and organisations to stop these reoccurring conflicts, however, the conflict continues to aggravate. It is the objective of this article to look at the factors encouraging this negative phenomenon, through the Abraham-Lot narrative (Gen. 13:1-18). It is really unfortunate that the conflicts in southern Kaduna, which are mainly between Muslims and Christians, have claimed thousands of lives and rendered so many homeless. Data were drawn mainly from secondary sources of information, with the adoption of the descriptive phenomenological method of research. It was discovered that fight for political and religious superiority between Muslims and Christians is the sustaining factor. As part of recommendations, adherents of religious and ethnic groups should ensure fairness in resolving any conflict situationKeywords: Southern Kaduna, Muslims and Christians, Ethnic groups, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Mediation

Genocide, Oppression, Ambivalence: Online Narratives of Identity and Religion in Postcolonial Nigeria

<p class="p1">Digital media platforms have emerged as important socio-cultural sites that enable the engagement of historical and contemporary contestations around religion and identity against the background of ethnoreligious conflicts and social tensions in Nigeria. The post-election violence of 2011 and subsequent mass killings of mostly Christians in rural Southern Kaduna saw the emergence of several online groups and practices contesting these, and other forms of oppression and violence (real or imagined) in Southern Kaduna. This article details a study that applied a postcolonial perspective to analyse the content of one such online forum. It identified two dominant narratives on the forum. In the first, users represent Southern Kaduna Christians as oppressed and experiencing genocide; and in the second, forum users reveal an ambivalence of admiration and revulsion in the ways they construct the identity, religion and privileges of Hausa-Fulani Muslims, viewed as the oppressor. The study also shows that forum users were more likely to be critical of religion during conversations about preferences regarding political candidates and elections. I argue, among other things, that the self-descriptions of Southern Kaduna people as oppressed and endangered, are more than mere descriptions of experiences but can also be viewed as forms of identity. Thus, to better understand peoples such as Southern Kaduna and their experiences in the context of social conflicts, their identities need to be analyzed beyond the usual limited focus on religion and ethnicity.

Geotourism and Mining Heritage: a Potential Gold Mine for Central Nigeria

Abstract The potential for geotourism and mining heritage of some landscapes in parts of Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa and Kwara states in central Nigeria were studied and compiled. The result show that geological endowments range from insalbergs, flood basalts and dome structures, which presents natural landscape for tourism. The quartzite ridges of the Oreke area in Ilorin host the Owu Falls of 120m cascading waters, the Kafanchan flood basalts that flowed extensively from the Kagoro hills with extensive columnar jointing creating the prestigious water falls of over 30m all present versed potential for geotourism. Mining activity around the Jos Plateau (Bassa, Jos, Bukuru, Barakin Ladi and Bokkos areas), southern Kaduna (Godogodo and Jagindi) create landscapes that if properly beautified can become tourist landmarks. Adopting and harnessing these landscapes can boost and provide alternative revenue for the affected central.

Resolving the Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict in Southern Kaduna through Sustainable Land Management Practise

Resolving the Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict in Southern Kaduna through Sustainable Land Management Practise

Analysis of Malnutrition and Associated Factors among Under Five Years in Kaura Local Government, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study was intended to apply statistical analysis to determine malnutrition and associated factors among under- five years in Kaura Local Government Area of southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. Malnutrition remains a public health problem in developing countries like Nigeria. The study involved 150 children drawn using multi-stage sampling was adopted. Observation for edema, emaciation, sunken eyes, dehydrated skin, tin grey hair and protruding abdomen was done. Stunting, Underweight and wasting were determined using the WHO child growth standards. The classification of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was done using weight-for-age with or without edema. Children between 80-60% without edema were considered underweight, 80-60% with edema is Kwashiorkor and less than 60% with edema is Marasmic-Kwashiorkor while less than 60% without edema is Marasmus. Questionnaire, Weighing scale and a length board was used in the collection of data. Data was analyzed using Chi-squared and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 47.33%, 8.67% and 25.33% respectively. About 18.67% were diagnosed with various forms of protein energy malnutrition and is most common among male children (27.4%), younger children (31%) between (0-11 months) and children having mothers with no formal education (20%). Marasmus was the most common form of protein energy malnutrition (65.38%). Age of Child, Gender and maternal Educational status have influence on Malnutrition. At (p=0.05) the relationship between malnutrition and age of baby, gender with mothers education was statistically significant.

Religion, ethnicity and citizenship: demands for territorial self-determination in southern Kaduna, Nigeria

This article analyses the ‘politics of scale’ of how identity is linked to territory in the quest for self-determination by actors on the Christian side of the ethno-religious conflict in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Ethnic and political relations are framed with reference to scale, such as ‘the local’ and ‘the regional’, in ways that support claims for territorial control on an ethnic and religious basis. The experience of lack of access to the state is seen to be grounded in community identities. Furthermore, the state relates to citizens through religious and neo-customary authorities as a way to localise authority. This is connected to an idea that neo-customary institutions represent ‘the local’. It is argued in this article that these institutions are just as entangled in various constructions of scale as the state.

Colonialism by proxy: Hausa imperial agents and Middle Belt consciousness in Nigeria

Acknowledgements Introduction: Understanding Native Alien Sub-colonialism and its Legacies 1. The Hausa-Caliphate Imaginary and Ideological Foundations of Proxy Colonialism 2. Zazzau and Southern Kaduna in Precolonial and Colonial Times 3. Emirate Maneuvers and Pagan Resistance in the Plateau-Nasarawa Basin 4. Hausa Colonial Agency in the Benue Valley 5. Fulani Expansion and Sub-colonial Rule in Early Colonial Adamawa Province 6. Non-Muslim Revolt Against Fulani Rule in Adamawa 7. Middle Belt Self-Determination and Caliphate Political Resurgence in the Transition to National Independence Conclusion: Sub-colonialism, Ethnicity, and Memory Chronology Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Production Efficiency and Constraints Among Small Scale Farmers in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is mostly grown in southern Kaduna Sate, the traditional home of ginger in Nigeria. Its production was boosted with the aim of generating internal trade for the people and improved foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria. However, ginger yields in Nigeria are comparatively very low; and this is ascribed to various factors such as poor agronomic practices, unimproved varieties, laborious farming, harvesting and processing operations amongst others. It is against this background that this study carried out to examine the production, constraints and efficiency of production amongst the predominantly poor, rural farmers in the ginger production areas of southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Results showed that, the elasticity of production, farm size (1.21), ginger seed (2.19), fertilizer (0.06) and labor (0.09) are positive and had a significant effect on ginger production in the study area. The estimated coefficient of age (0.004), farming experience (-0.003), education (-0.02) and ginger variety (-0.28) were significant; while that of household size (0.007) was not significant. The fore-most problems affecting ginger production are risk and uncertainties (81.56%), inadequate supply of fertilizer (80.31%), lack of modern farm equipment (76.25%), and lack of credit facilities (74.1%). The technical efficiency of ginger farmers ranged between 0.74 and 1.00; with a mean technical efficiency of 0.82. On the whole, this result suggests that the technical efficiency in ginger production in the area could be further increased by 18% through better use of available resources, given the current state of technology. It can be concluded that specific factors such as age, household size, year of farming experience, and the narrow gene pool (variety) of ginger planted, contributed positively to the technical and allocative efficiencies of ginger producers in the region. Ginger farmers could be said to be inefficient in the use of resources and/ or were under-utilizing their resources/input. Evidently, they can still use more resources to increase the output of ginger. Without a doubt, addressing these technical deficiencies and/ or inefficiencies could, in effect, boost ginger production, with the concomitant multiplier effect of increasing the profitability of the entire enterprise and up-liftment of the socio-economic living conditions of these predominantly, low technology base and resource poor farmers of the Southern Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Proximate, Antinutrients and Mineral Composition of Raw and Processed (Boiled and Roasted) Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds from Southern Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria.

This research was aimed at evaluating the proximate composition, level of anti-nutrients, and the mineral composition of raw and processed Sphenostylis stenocarpa seeds and at examining the effect of processing on the parameters. From the proximate composition analysis, the ash content showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the processed and unprocessed (raw) samples. However, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the levels of moisture, crude lipid, nitrogen-free extract, gross energy, true protein, and crude fiber between the processed and unprocessed S. stenocarpa. Analyses of the antinutrient composition show that the processed S. stenocarpa registered significant reduction in levels of hydrogen cyanide, trypsin inhibitor, phytate, oxalate, and tannins compared to the unprocessed. Evaluation of the mineral composition showed that the level of sodium, calcium, and potassium was high in both the processed and unprocessed sample (150–400 mg/100 g). However, the level of iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium was low in both processed and unprocessed samples (2–45 mg/100 g). The correlation analysis showed that tannins and oxalate affected the levels of ash and nitrogen-free extract of processed and unprocessed seeds. These results suggest that the consumption of S. stenocarpa will go a long way in reducing the level of malnutrition in northern Nigeria.

Market Analysis of Cattle in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study on the market analysis of cattle in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State was carried out in particular to examine the existing market channels, quantifies market costs and margins, and assesses opportunities for producers to access markets. A cross sectional survey of 79 traders (35 producers, 19 primary traders, 24 secondary traders) involved in the selling and/or buying of cattle was conducted in Kachia, Jaba and Kagarko Local governments' cattle markets. A simple random selection was done in the markets to select traders. The structure, conduct and performance approach was used to analyze the various market channels. The determination of prices by traders was assessed based on the availability of market information. Results reveal two market channels through which cattle flow from the producer to the terminal market. Market information was available, sourced from fellow traders, showing trust among the traders. A Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient (G) results of both primary traders and secondary traders showed highly concentrated markets while primary producers made more profits than the other traders involved in the cattle market.

Identity, Language and Religious Contestation among Peoples of Southern Kaduna (1987 – 2005)

Identity, Language and Religious Contestation among Peoples of Southern Kaduna (1987 – 2005)

Women's involvement in agriculture in northern and southern Kaduna State, Nigeria

The position of women in meeting the challenges of agricultural development cannot be overemphasized. Women make a significant contribution to food production and processing, but men seem to take more of the farm decisions and control the productive resources. Full participation of women is required to increase agricultural productivity; which can only be achieved when women are perceived as subjects of development. Towards this end, a study was conducted in Kaduna State of Nigeria with a random sample of 230 women to examine the status of women's involvement in the agricultural sector. Data were collected by administering a structured questionnaire to the women. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics and the logit regression model. It was observed that women had a low rate of involvement in farm decisions (41.53%) and could not adequately access productive resources (11.25%). The satisfaction derived from agriculture by the women was low and significantly related to the size of household farm and share of the farm income that reached them.

Species diversity, abundance and seasonal occurrence of some biting flies in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria

A survey of biting dipterans was conducted in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State between November 2000 and October 2001. Fifteen species of biting flies were caught in two families, Tabanidae and Muscidae distributed in the following 4 genera: Tabanus 10, Haematopota 2, Chrysops 1 and Stomoxys 2. The genus Stomoxys represented by Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus and S. nigra Macquart had the highest abundance (62.5%), followed by the Tabanus (34.6%), Haematopota (1.8%) and Chrysops (1.1%). Generally, more flies were collected during the wet (1431; 85.1%) than the dry season (250; 14.9%) with some species occurring all year round. The widespread presence of haematophagous dipterans in the study area suggest that they could be playing a greater role in disease transmissions than previously thought. Optimum temperatures that stimulate rapid reproduction appear to fall between mean temperatures of 22.8-24.1°C. The species showed a general increase in relative abundance during the wet season and a decline in the dry season. No new country record was found. African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol. 8(2) 2005: 113-118

Effect of planting date on severity of frogeye leaf spot and grain yield of soybeans

The influence of soybean ( Glycine max) planting date on seasonal epidemics of frogeye leaf spot caused by Cercospora sojina and on grain yield, was evaluated during the 1991 and 1992 cropping seasons. Two susceptible (Samsoy 1 and TGx 849-313D) and one resistant (TGx 996-26E) soybean cultivars were used in field trials at Zonkwa, in the southern Kaduna state of Nigeria. Four field plantings were made at 14-day intervals from late May to mid0July. For each planting date, half the plots received foliar applications of benomyl at R 1 and R 3 growth stages, and the other half was untreated. Frogeye disease severity ratings were taken for all plots at R 4 to R 5 growth stages, and grain yield for each plot was measured at harvest. There was a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in disease severity between the first and third plantings on the two susceptible cultivars in 1991, and on TGx 849-313D only in 1992. Corresponding yield reductions for the two susceptible cultivars averaged 13 and 31% for the treated and untreated plots, respectively, with each 2-week delay beyond the first planting date in 1991, and 5 and 6%, respectively, in 1992. There was no significant difference in disease among all treatments on the resistant cultivar, TGx 996-26E. Under Nigerian conditions, an increase in frogeye leaf spot severity can be expected with delayed planting of soybean after 1 June, and this can result in a corresponding loss of crop yield.

Conversion to Christianity: A Bajju Case Study

Within a 55-year period, most Bajju (Kaje) of southern Kaduna State in northern Nigeria converted to Christianity. This research identifies factors that contributed to this widespread adoption of Christianity, including political, religious, sociological, and personal factors. Lack of political representation throughout the British colonial era and the imposition of Native Authority administration formed the context within which conversion occurred. While this structure of the administrative context tended to be oppressive to the non-Muslim ethnic groups, including the Bajju, from a Bajju perspective their widespread conversion to Christianity was a profoundly religious movement.