Taraba State University

ObjectivesSubstance abuse among adolescents is a major concern not only in developing countries but also worldwide. Datura metel (D. metel), commonly known as Datura or Devil’s Trumpet, is a plant containing several toxic compounds, including alkaloids (such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine). However, consuming D. metel or its derivatives can significantly impact the brain, though its mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of D. metel and alcohol cocktail on the hepato-prefrontal-cortical axis.MethodsThirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into five groups (A–E). Group A received distilled water, Group B received 300 mg/kg of D. metel, and Group C received 700 mg/kg of alcohol. Group D received 300 mg/kg of D. metel + 700 mg/kg of alcohol, while Group E received 150 mg/kg of D. metel + 350 mg/kg of alcohol. Tissues from the liver and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were collected for morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical studies.ResultsThere was a significant increase in body weight in control group A compared to other experimental groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a mild attenuation in the cytoarchitecture of the liver and PFC with increased necrosis, apoptosis, vacuolation, and neuronal death in experimental groups compared to control group A. Increased microglial activity was observed in groups B–E, whereas group A showed normal neuronal arrangement with the NeuN antibody compared to experimental groups. Serum liver function biomarkers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase) were statistically significantly higher in Groups C and D when compared to Group A.ConclusionCombined D. metel and alcohol negatively impact the liver and PFC of experimental rats.

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.

The use of language is open to every human who is privileged to acquire the ability to produce meaningful sounds. However, linguists (pragmatists) are saddled with the responsibility of carrying out analysis of human utterances with the aim of discovering the acts performed in the utterances. “An analysis of Igala proverbs in Awo speech community” is a well-researched paper aimed at achieving pragmatic analysis of some selected Igala proverbs collected from the Awo speech community, guided by the following objectives: to identify contextual uses of Igala proverbsand to analyze the contextual meaning of the Igala proverbs. The paper adopted a non-participant instrument to generate its data, complemented with both primary and secondary sources of data collection, through which twenty-five data points were generated and analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach. It anchors on Austin’s Illocutionary Act and Searle's Conversational Implicature theories coded as “pragma IACI”. The findings of the research include the following, among others: the interpretation/meaning of Igala proverbs changes depending on the context in which the proverb is applied. More than one proverb can be used to explain an idea, and an Igala proverb can be used for warning/advice, educating/informing, and recommending that. Further research on pragmatics should be carried out with more concentration on language users’ socio-cultural reality, among other recommendations.

Background: Substance abuse among adolescents is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern due to its association with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and behavioral problems. Schools provide an important platform for promoting mental health awareness and preventing substance use among students. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding students’ awareness of substance abuse and its mental health implications in secondary schools in Taraba State, Nigeria. Aim: This study assessed mental health promotion and awareness regarding substance abuse among students of Salihu Dogo Secondary School, Jalingo, Taraba State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted and a sample of 320 valid responses were analyzed. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants across different class levels. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire titled Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Awareness Questionnaire (MHPSAAQ). Data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages and chi-square test of association. Results: Findings revealed mixed levels of awareness among students. While 95.0% acknowledged that substance abuse poses mental health risks, only 34.4% recognized that substance abuse can directly affect mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, 61.9% believed substance abuse does not affect academic performance. A majority of respondents (70.3%) perceived adolescents as more vulnerable to substance abuse, and 89.1% identified peer influence as a key contributing factor. Although 98.4% of students reported awareness of school resources and 96.6% had received classroom education on substance abuse and mental health, 91.2% felt that the available information was insufficient. Notably, 97.2% expressed willingness to participate in school-based substance abuse prevention programs. Chi-square test revealed significant associations between age and awareness, and between gender and awareness levels, suggesting the need for tailored interventions. Conclusion: Despite high exposure to substance abuse education, important knowledge gaps remain among students regarding the mental health consequences of substance use. Strengthening comprehensive school-based mental health promotion programs and improving the quality of substance abuse education are essential to enhance awareness and reduce risk behaviors among adolescents.

This paper explores the survival strategies adopted by black South Africans in Peter Abrahams’ Mine Boy. The paper highlights the lived experiences of native South Africans during the Apartheid era, highlighting how these strategies reflect broader themes of identity, race, and resilience. The analysis employs a qualitative methodological approach, drawing on Frantz Fanon’s theories on colonialism and Apartheid, to contextualize the novel’s depiction of survival strategies. A comparative analysis is further used to highlight the disparities between the living conditions of natives and Europeans during apartheid. Fanon’s insights into the psychological and social impacts of colonial rule provide a lens through which the characters’ struggles and survival mechanisms in Mine Boy are interpreted. The analysis reveals that black South Africans, stripped of their property and livelihoods, resorted to various coping strategies such as drunkenness, prostitution, and other vices to endure their harsh realities. The findings emphasize the novel’s portrayal of the resilience of the native population in the face of systemic adversity and highlight the importance of cultural preservation amidst pervasive oppression.

The global education landscape is transforming, with African nations playing a key role in international academic exchanges. However, future trends in African student mobility remain unclear. This study employs statistical, deep learning, and ensemble forecasting models to analyze migration patterns across regions: Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Western Europe, South and West Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arab States. Historical data reveals regional variations, with North America and Western Europe as top destinations, while East Asia, the Pacific, and the Arab States see rising enrollments. Intra-regional mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa highlights regional academic collaborations. These insights help institutions and policymakers anticipate trends, refine recruitment strategies, and enhance access to global education for African students, fostering knowledge exchange, skill development, and international collaboration.

Back ground: HBV in pregnancy is relatively more difficult to manage. The pooled prevalence rates of HBV among pregnant women in Africa was reported as 5.89%. and 6.77%.in the year,2024. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors to HBV infection among pregnant women in Jalingo. Settings and Design: It was an experimental design whereby an invitro diagnostic assay was carried out on the participants. The questionnaire was utilized to obtain information on the demographic characteristics and risk factors to HBV among the participants. The participants were recruited by simple random sampling. Method: A self structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, socio-economic and health risk factors to HBV among pregnant women who consented to participate in the study. Observing aseptic techniques, 5ml of blood was collected and HBV was detected using the in vitro diagnostic assay. Results: The mean age of the 200 participants was 28.33 years, the minimum and maximum were respectively 16 and 42 years with the standard deviation of 5.69years and mode,30 years. The prevalence of HBV among the pregnant women was10% with the age group 18-22 having the highest prevalence (11.11%) as well as those who were in their second trimester (10.33%) and the single ladies (12%) and secondary school leavers (10.8%). Conclusion: Blood transfusion, needle prick, tribal marks, exchange of needles, educational level, occupation and annual income influence the prevalence of HBV. Therefore, there is the need to enlighten the women on the risk factors to HBV. Also, it is necessary for every/female to be vaccinated.

Intestinal aging is characterized by a gradual decline in epithelial renewal capacity, barrier function, immune balance, and metabolic regulation, often accompanied by shifts in gut microbial composition. Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are vital microbial-host metabolites that support intestinal cell growth, autophagy, immune modulation, and mucosal repair. With advancing age, both host-derived and microbiota-mediated polyamine production declines, contributing to intestinal dysfunction and heightened vulnerability to inflammation and age-related disorders. This review explores the diet-microbiota-polyamine axis as a key biological framework influencing intestinal aging. It aims to integrate evidence on how dietary components and functional foods shape gut microbial ecology and, in turn, regulate microbial polyamine biosynthetic pathways that impact intestinal health. The review highlights major microbial contributors to polyamine metabolism, particularly lactic acid bacteria, and outlines mechanistic pathways linking polyamines to epithelial regeneration, inflammatory control, and gut barrier maintenance. It further discusses how age-associated dysbiosis disrupts these interactions and evaluates nutritional and microbial-based strategies such as fermented foods, prebiotics, and probiotics that may enhance polyamine availability and restore gut homeostasis. From the standpoint of food microbiology and human physiology, this synthesis underscores the translational potential of targeting microbial polyamine production through diet-based interventions. This article presents a narrative review synthesizing experimental, animal, and emerging human evidence on microbial and dietary polyamines in intestinal aging. In conclusion, modulating the diet-microbiota-polyamine axis represents a promising strategy to promote healthy intestinal aging, meriting deeper mechanistic exploration and validation through clinical studies.

This study investigates the consequences of blasphemy accusations on inter‑religious harmony in Adamawa State, Nigeria—a region marked by a dual secular‑Sharia legal system and frequent mob violence linked to religious insults . The research aims to (i) quantify the frequency and nature of accusations, (ii) identify the underlying drivers, (iii) evaluate existing conflict-resolution mechanisms, and (iv) propose strategies for fostering tolerance and cooperation between Christians and Muslims. A qualitative case‑study approach was adopted. Data were gathered through 40‑60 in‑depth interviews, focus‑group discussions, and a systematic review of media reports and legal documents. Instruments were validated by experts and pre-tested, yielding high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.85) and strong inter‑rater reliability (0.82). Key findings reveal that verbal statements (40 %) and social‑media posts (33 %) dominate accusations, leading to heightened tension (62.5 %) and occasional violence (25 %). Major contributors include social-media misinformation, low religious literacy, misinterpretation of texts, personal vendettas, and resource-based disputes. Existing mechanisms such as inter-faith dialogue forums and religious-leaders’ councils show modest promise, whereas community mediation centers and government interventions are viewed as largely ineffective. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder strategy combining robust legal reforms, targeted education, regulated digital spaces, and sustained inter-faith engagement is essential to curb blasphemy‑driven violence and nurture lasting peace in Adamawa State. It is recommended that we strengthen and expand inter-faith platforms, integrate civic-education programs in schools, enact clearer blasphemy statutes that meet international standards, and empower civil‑society actors to monitor and respond to incitement, thereby creating a resilient environment for inter‑religious cooperation. Implementing these steps together would provide structured spaces for dialogue, equip young people with the knowledge to respect diverse beliefs, align national legislation with global human-rights norms, and ensure that NGOs have the mandate and resources to act swiftly against hate‑driven violence.

Nigeria’s political history reflects a delicate balance between its northern and southern regions in the struggle for national leadership and equitable governance. Although the 1999 Constitution recognizes one indivisible country and guarantees every citizen equal rights to participation, informal power-sharing arrangements have emerged to maintain stability and prevent domination by any particular region. The long-standing rotation of the presidency between the North and South was conceived as a mechanism for fairness and inclusivity, yet internal divisions, especially within the southern bloc—between the South-West and South-East—have continued to distort the effectiveness of this arrangement. This paper examines the dynamics of power sharing and rotation within the Nigerian political system, emphasizing the need for understanding, reconciliation, and cooperation between the southern subregions to achieve true transformation. Using a qualitative historical approach supported by constitutional provisions, party structures, and scholarly literature, the study explores how elite rivalry and lack of coordinated dialogue undermine southern unity and, consequently, national cohesion. Findings reveal that while the North-South power rotation has provided a temporary political balance, persistent mistrust among southern elites fuels disunity and marginalization. The paper argues that sustainable democracy in Nigeria demands structured dialogue, equitable representation, and a spirit of mutual accommodation among all regions. It recommends constitutional reinforcement of power-sharing principles, elite cooperation, and a collective national consciousness anchored on justice and inclusivity.