Kwararafa University

This study evaluated the proximate, vitamin, and mineral composition of alternative feeds formulated from fermented maize cob and black soldier fly (BSF) larvae composite for fish and poultry. Four feed formulations were developed using varying proportions of fermented maize cob powder and BSF larvae flour: 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10, with commercial feed as a control. The raw materials and composite feeds were analysed using standard AOAC methods. Results showed that BSF larvae contained significantly higher protein (29.30%), fat (8.97%), ash (12.18%), and fiber (8.50%) compared to maize cob. The composite feeds exhibited protein content ranging from 13.48-27.00%, with the 60/40 formulation achieving the highest protein level. Moisture content ranged from 21.42-27.53%, indicating the need for additional drying to enhance storage stability. Vitamin analysis revealed that BSF larvae were rich in vitamin B2 (11.93 mg/100g) and B6 (0.91 mg/100g), while vitamins A and E were absent in all samples. The vitamin C content was extremely low across all samples, ranging from (0.01-0.34)mg/100g. Mineral composition showed BSF as an excellent source of iron (7.75 mg/100g), zinc (1.87 mg/100g), Sodium (128.62 mg/100g), and Potassium (464.92 mg/100g), lead content ranged from 0.05mg/100g in sample 80/20 to 0.2mg/100g in maize cob powder (MCP). The 60/40 formulation demonstrated an optimal nutritional profile for high-protein-requiring species, suggesting that fermented maize cob-BSF composites represent viable, sustainable alternatives to conventional feeds. This analysis was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and Turkish test was used to compare the means.

This schematic review examines the intricate nexus between climate change and microbial disease patterns in Nigeria, analyzing the public health implications and necessary policy responses. Climate-driven environmental changes—including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events—are fundamentally reshaping Nigeria's disease ecology, exacerbating vulnerabilities in a population already burdened by existing health challenges . The review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating how climate factors influence the geographic distribution, transmission dynamics, and severity of major microbial diseases including vector-borne (malaria, dengue), waterborne (cholera, typhoid), zoonotic (Lassa fever), and respiratory infections . Nigeria's adaptation deficits, characterized by weak health systems, inadequate surveillance, and fragmented governance, critically undermine resilience to these climate-amplified microbial threats. The analysis reveals that the most severe impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including rural communities, urban slum dwellers, women, and children, who face compounded risks from socioeconomic inequities and limited access to healthcare . The review proposes a comprehensive policy framework emphasizing climate-resilient health infrastructure, integrated surveillance systems, strengthened water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) programs, and intersectoral governance approaches. These recommendations highlight the urgent need for Nigeria-specific adaptations of global climate-health strategies, supported by sustainable financing and community-centered interventions . By translating scientific evidence into actionable policy, Nigeria can build more resilient public health systems capable of addressing the escalating microbial threats intensified by climate change.

There have been speculative debates and assumptions on the causes, implications, and proper sanctions for Yahoo-Plus, primarily from academic, non-academic, and media writers. These discussions are valuable as they highlight the dangers of Yahoo-Plus and propose solutions. However, none have conducted a detailed study from the offenders' perspectives. Deviating from conventional approaches, this study examines the narrative accounts, feelings, and perceptions of Yahoo-Plus offenders in Enugu and Abakaliki Correctional Centers, Nigeria. Yahoo-Plus, defined as a hybrid cybercrime involving ritual violence (e.g., human sacrifice) to enhance online fraud success, represents a disturbing evolution in criminal behavior. Using in-depth interviews, the study explores the sociocultural and psychological drivers of Yahoo-Plus based on offenders’ interpretative meanings. A cross-sectional research design and snowball sampling technique were employed to select a sample of 42 from a population of 67 convicted and awaiting-trial inmates. Findings confirm that Yahoo-Plus is deeply entrenched in Nigeria and is increasing, driven by the utilitarian culture of modern society that prioritizes material acquisition and wealth. Based on these findings, the study calls for urgent policy measures to address social exclusion and poverty, create meaningful employment opportunities for youth, and reorient societal values through structured educational reforms. This approach aims to address the sociocultural disorientation fueling Yahoo-Plus while advocating for balanced, evidence-based policy interventions.

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Waltheria indica leaves on haematology profile of rabbit buck. The study lasted a period of 8 weeks. A total of 36 mixed breed grower male rabbits with an initial body weight of 1.17±0.07 kg and were fed with commercial feed (Top feed), the rabbit was assigned to 6 treatments at random in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated thrice (two bucks per replicate). The factors were; the extract processing method (cold and hot extraction) and the levels of inclusion of the extract (T1 [0 ml], T2 [0.5 ml] and T3 [1.0 ml]). The treatment combinations used were C x T1, C x T2, C x T3, H x T1, H x T2 and H x T3. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using R statistical packages and significant different means were separated using Duncan’s new multiple range test. Results of this experiment showed a higher and significant (p < 0.05) effect of the extract amount was observed in the WBC, HB, MCV and PCV concentration for rabbits fed 0.5 ml and 1.0 ml extract compared to the control (0 ml extract). The interaction gave rise to effect on the mean corpuscular volume (H x T2 was lowest compared to others) and packed cell volume (C x T3) is higher. Therefore, this study concluded that it will be ideal to recommend hot extract, 0.5 ml or Hot x 1.0 ml aqueous leaves extract of Waltheria indica for the proper functioning of the blood haematology of rabbit buck.

The experiment was conducted on two experimental farms located in Ardo-Kola and Donga Local Government Areas of Taraba State Nigeria, from May to July 2024 cropping season. The experiment was a field trial conducted across the two Local Government Areas of Taraba State, where okra is grown in large quantities. The aim of the experiment is to evaluate the growth and yield parameters of the four varieties of okra, namely Doguwayarwuri, Yar-balle, Kumboso and Clemsom spineless grown in the two locations. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) of four treatments replicate four times. Seeds were planted at a spacing of 50 cm (R XR) and 30 cm (P XP) and 3 seeds were planted per hole and later thinned to one seedling after germination. There were four rows with six plants per row and a total of 24 plants were accommodated in each plot. The area of each plot is 1.8 m x 2 m whereas the experimental area was 10.2 m x 13 m. Similarly, spacing of 50 cm in between blocks was maintained. To measure growth and yield parameters, four plants were selected, one from each row to study the different parameters. The four varieties of okra grown in both Ardo Kola and Donga showed high growth and yield parameters for the 2024 cropping season. The days to emergence was day 5 as the highest while day 4 was the lowest at two locations. For 50% flowering the lowest was at day 41 in Kumboso while the lowest was at day 37 in Yar-balle. Highest height was observed in Doguwa yarwuri with 98.2 cm. number of pods were observed more in Doguwayarwuri with 15 pods per plant compare to the other varieties. The number of seeds were higher in kumboso with 62.0 against 42.0 in Doguwayarwuri. The variety kumboso recorded the highest diameter of 5.50 cm compare with Doguwayarwuri with 2.80 cm as the lowest among the three varieties. Okra is an important vegetable in the study area as is been consume by most households in the study areas and also serve as a source of income for most households. Yield(tons/hac) is more in kumboso with 4.50 tons/hac. Farmers are encouraged to cultivate the kumboso variety is for the purpose of yield.

This study investigated the effects of inquiry-based learning (IBL) on the physics achievement of senior secondary II students in Wukari Metropolis, Taraba State. The study adopted a pre-test post-test non-equivalent control group design. Data were collected in order to answer four research questions and test four hypotheses. The sample comprised senior secondary II Physics students (male =55 and female =65 ) drawn from the population of Physics students in Wukari Metropolis. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select two (2) schools from the twenty (20) schools in Wukari Metropolis, and an intact arm of SS II from each of the sampled schools was used. The schools were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The instruments used for data collection was A 20-items Physics Achievement Test (PAT) developed by the researcher. The resulting data were collated and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and ANCOVA. The finding revealed that students taught with inquiry-based learning achieved better results than students taught using the traditional method. There is a significant difference between the mean Physics achievement scores (F(1,117)=50.354, p=0.000, two-tailed) of students taught with IBL and those taught using the traditional method. There is no significant difference in the mean Physics achievement scores of male and female students taught with inquiry based method (F(1,57)=0.296, p=0.589, two-tailed). Based on the sequels to the findings, it is concluded that using inquiry-based learning in teaching increases students' engagement and participation, thereby increasing achievement. It’s recommended that the Ministry of Education should mount periodic training sessions for teachers on the effective utilization of inquiry-based learning in teaching.

Global economic volatility, driven by factors such as market fluctuations and inflation, presents significant challenges to governance and stability. Nigeria, like many other developing nations, relies heavily on oil exports, which increases its vulnerability to shifts in global prices. This study examines the effectiveness of the policies adopted by Nigeria, a developing nation, to address economic volatility, with a focus on adaptive public administration and long-term resilience. This study used a quantitative approach with survey data collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires of 500 civil servants in Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected on policy effectiveness, adaptive governance and economic outcomes. Purposive sampling was used to ensure that the participants had at least five years of experience in civil service. The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. Over 80% of the respondents viewed the government’s policy response as ineffective in addressing current economic volatility. More than 70% believe that the current Nigerian government's policies have no long-term potential, while 73. 8% think that this administration is unable to establish the solid basis necessary for economic development. In developing countries like Nigeria, where President Tinubu's administration has failed to address issues like inflation, unemployment, and energy shortages and has had difficulty stabilizing the economy, strategic leadership and adaptive public administration are essential for overcoming economic challenges. In addition, the government should concentrate on reducing its reliance on oil and prioritize diversifying the economy while also addressing structural issues to improve economic stability.

Youth drug abuse in Nigeria has emerged as both a public health crisis and a threat to national stability, with prevalence rates far above global averages. In Wukari Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, empirical findings reveal that drug abuse among youths is closely linked to poverty, unemployment, inadequate prevention training, and the absence of a deliberate education policy aimed at curbing substance use. This paper philosophically and empirically interrogates these findings, situating them within John Dewey’s democratic education, Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, and Amartya Sen’s capability approach. Drawing on a mixedmethods study of 500 youths aged 15–29 in Wukari, the study found that over 40% reported lifetime use of psychoactive substances, often connected to violence and conflict. The paper advances an “ESD-Plus” (Education for Sustainable Development + Evidence-Based Prevention) model, proposing an integrative approach that combines school-based prevention, vocational capability-building, and community peace education. It concludes by recommending policy realignment between Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan (2021–2025), the National Policy on Education (2013), and UNESCO’s ESD 2030 framework. Education, reconceptualized as liberation, habit-formation, and capability expansion, is presented as the most effective means of reclaiming the future for Wukari’s youth and beyond.