Browsing by Author "Marcus, Nengak Danjuma"

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    ANALYSTS OF TREE SPECIES PREFERENCE AND REASONS AMONG COMMERCIAL CHARCOAL PRODUCERS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.
    (Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State State University Keffi, 2021-03-03) Ekpo, Salamatu Abraham; Ayuba, H.K.; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma
    Commercial charcoal production has over time become an indispensable means of livelihood among rural settlers in Nasarawa State. However, charcoal production involves woodland exploitation which contributes to deforestation. Considering the growing significance of charcoal in rural and urban livelihoods in Nasarawa Slate, this paper analysed the preference of tree species and reasons among commercial charcoal producers in Nasarawa State in view of identifying endangered species and suggesting measures to ensure sustainability of the business. The study employed descriptive survey using both qualitative and quantitative data drawn from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was administered to 450 respondents randomly sampled from cornu rcial charcoal producers drawn from 6 communities and 3 LG As of Nasarawa State. Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel and SPSS (version 23). A total of 22 tree species were identified as usable for charcoal production in the study area. Investigation into the producers ’ preference of tree species showed that eight (8) were mostly preferred out of which Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke) (57.3%), Eryt.hrina ■ senegalensis (Madri) (52.2%) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya) (49.1%) were among the top three. Marke, Kirya and Madri were the most preferred species in A/cwanga, Doma and Karu production areas respectively. High charcoal yield,"good combustion quality, high heat content of resulting charcoal, less ash production were the main reasons for their preferences. Most of the preferred tree species have been depleted to the point that they are no longer commonly found for use among commercial charcoal producers in the state. The most endangered species due to commercial charcoal production were Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke), Erythrina senegalensis (Madri) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya). However, pressure is currently on Teminalia glocosece (Baushe/Uko), Andira inermis (Gwaska), Ficus Spp (Baure), Vitellaria paradoxa (Kede) and Gardinia aqualla (Gaude) due to the difficulties in finding the endangered ones which constituted the most preferred species among producers in Nasar aw a State, it was recommended that state energy policies should incorporate a law*> recognizing charcoal as a key source of energy in the State, thereby encouraging investments in the activity of commercial charcoal producers. Furthermore, conservation plans and practical measures of replacing the extracted trees from woodlands/forests for commercial charcoal production should form the basis for license issuance for charcoal production.
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    Assessment Of Charcoal Processing Technology Used For Commercial Charcoal Production In Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-03-03) Ekpo, Salamatu Abraham; Ayuba, H.K.; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Ogah, Adamu Tanko
    Deforestation and Forest degradation is one o f the major environmental problem ravishing the world today, Charcoal production involves a wholesome dependency on the natural woodlands which contributes to deforestation, leading to the loss o f valuable resources and dangerous interference with the environment. The adverse effect of deforestation is climate change through the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. I Charcoal production reduces the bio-productivity o f ecosystems by disrupting the habitats of thousands of species, and gradually transforms forest lands into barren deserts.
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    DELAY IN SEEKING EARLY MALARIA TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN BY MOTHERS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-11-09) Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Amuga, G.A.; Tongjura, J.D.C.; Abubakar, Mahmud
    Malaria remains the leading cause of fever and child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa,but prompt access to and appropriate treatment is an important life-saving malaria control strategy. This study examined why actions for early treatment of malaria in children are delayed by mothers in Nasarawa State using four indicators: duration between when symptoms of malaria are noticed and consultation for treatment, beliefs about the seriousness of the disease, knowledge of causation and decision making process. A multi-stage systematic random technique was adopted and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 1416 respondents in six local government areas. Simple descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data. The study findings reveal that while 96.3% of the respondents believed that malaria is caused by the bite of mosquito, only 56.9% protect their children from mosquito bite which causes malaria. Slightly more than half of the mothers (54.0%) take their children suffering from malaria to a treatment centre within 24 hours. Treatment at home (91.0%) was the main decision taken y mothers when their children had malaria. About 76.9% believed that a child can die if malaria is not treated. When a child is ill with malaria, the mothers discuss it with their spouses (98.3%) and the father's decides (92.6%) treatment centre. Since mothers are likely to delay seeking for help, it may be necessary to educate them on how to recognize and treat uncomplicated malaria in children at home. This will help in restricting consultation to treatment centres only for complicated malaria cases. This strategy, which is home friendly, may considerably reduce problems of delay in treating malaria in children. The role of fathers in deciding what and when care is sought for a child suggests that they should be explicitly targeted in malaria education strategies.
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    DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN ENERGY FUELS IN NASARAWA STATE
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State State University Keffi, 2016-10-10) Abubakar, Mahmud; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma
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    GENDER RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN KWALL DISTRICT, BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-11-30) Amuga, G.A.; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Tongjura, J.D.C.; Abubakar, Mahmud
    with some risk factors usually related to water contact activities in the area. A study to determine the gender risk factors associated with schistosomiasis infection in Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau state, Nigeria was conducted. Urine and stool samples were collected from 350 inhabitants in the area and processed using the concentration methods. Information on watercontact activities of the participants were obtained by direct observation. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis in the area was 21.2%, dominated by females (22.8%) than males (19.6%). Three highrisk water contact activities were identified in this study: Agriculture (24.3%), recreation (21.7%) and domestic (20.2%). Two other factors: construction (18.7%) and other non-specific water functions (12.5%) were low-risk water contact activities in the area. The prevalence of schistosomiasis showed statistical significance between these the high-risk water contact activities in both age and gender of the participants (P<0.05). Treatment intervention through Mass Medicine Administration (MMA) using praziquantel for high risk group is recommended for the communities.
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    Population Growth and Urbanisation in Nigeria.
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-11-09) Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Abubakar, Mahmud
    This paper examines the impact of population growth on urbanization in Nigeria. The paper argues that the most basic fact about urbanization in Nigeria from the 1991 census data and projectionsis the increase in the number of urban centres all over the country. In addition, to the increase in the number of urban centres, the proportion of people living in these centres also increased tremendously.The high concentration and rapid increase of population in urban areas is both a cause and effect of the strain placed on the few and inadequate social services in the towns. An examination of the future relationship between population and urbanization strongly demonstrates the need for well articulated urban policy to guide urban growth in the country. This becomes very urgent when it is recalled that the existing cities are already facing problems of chaotic traffic congestion, unhygienic sewage disposal system, inadequate social services, environmental pollution, slums and poverty. The solution to the problems of rapid urbanization and its consequences should be approached at three levels: the rural areas, medium sized towns and the cities. The development of rural areas-through provision of amenities and by stimulating income generating activities will reduce the attractiveness of urban areas and reduce the rate of rural exodus.
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    Spatial Distribution of Commercial Charcoal Production Activities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-03-03) Ekpo, Salamatu Abraham; Ayuba, H.K.; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma
    The Contribution of wood fuel and its derivatives (charcoal) gotten from forested woodlands, to rural economics and the energy requirements of developing nations be underscored. However, the rate of dependence on savannah woodlands for commercial charcoal production (CCP) has exposed the forests to degradation. This paper assessed the spatial distribution of commercial production in Nasarawa State with the aim of enhancing availability of quantitative information about some of its key elements, such as spatial and temporal dynamics of the process.
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    SPECIES RICHNESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF BLACKFLIES (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) IN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN ZONE OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
    (Department of Zoology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2016-02-27) Tongjura, J.D.C.; Amuga, G.A.; Ombugadu, Ruth Jamila; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Ishaleku, D.; Mafuyai, H.B.
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    TREATMENT-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MOTHERS FOR CHILDHOOD MALARIA IN NASARAWA STATE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA.
    (Geography Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2014-10-02) Marcus, Nengak Danjuma
    Malaria is one of the primary causes of mortality in children under the age offive years. It is within the context of the need to understand the role of mothers in the treatment of children sufferingf rom malaria in Nasarawa state that this study was carried out to contribute towards the formulation of recommendations for tackling these problems. A multi-stage systematic random sampling technique was adopted and a pre tested structured questionnaire was administered to 1416 representative respondents from six local government areas. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the major predictors of appropriate treatment seeking-behaviour. The study findings showed that there are two groups of healthcare providers in the study area; the modern western health and the traditional healthcare practitioners. There were also those who combined traditional medicine with modem medicine. Chemists and local shops were the commonest (81.3%) sources of help when children have malaria. Mothers who were civil servants were 40.4 times more likely to prefer hospital or dispensary for treatment of childhood malaria than those who were into other occupations. Urban mothers were 35.5 times more likely to seek for treatment within 24 hours than rural mothers while mothers with high and medium knowledge of malaria prevention were 36.3 and 6.3 times respectively more likely to report the use of bed-nets than those with low knowledge of malaria prevention. Urban mothers were 3.2 times more likely to use bed-nets as a strategy to avoid malaria in children than their rural counterparts. The study concludes that since local shops/chemists are the most common source of treatment for childhood malaria in the study area, there should be a focus on improving the quality of services that they deliver, through training and effective regulations.
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    Women Participation in Renewable Natural Resources Exploitation in Nigeria
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-11-22) Abubakar, Mahmud; Marcus, Nengak Danjuma; Umar, Osu Ujih; Ibrahim, Adamu
    This study is based on secondary data obtained from several complementary sources. Data on arable land covering crop area cultivated, output and yields over time was obtained from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; GDP statistics on individual RNRs sectors were obtained from the national income accounts published by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The land use and vegetation data was obtained from the report of the World Bank-supported 1995 Nigeria Forest Resource Assessment (satellite imagery) which assessed Land use-Land Use Change between 1976/78 and 1993/95. Fuel wood data and related statistics were obtained from the Federal Department of Forestry, the FAO website and forestry outlook reports. The micro-level data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) was particularly useful for the purpose of analysing the contributions of non-wood forest products to household incomes and consumption. Probit and Logit regression using aggregate yield index (AGG)for selected crops was developed and regressed against poverty, arable land per farming population, and female literacy, among others variables. The study found that female influence contributes negatively to environment sustainability and improvement in female literacy rate is an important factor towards environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The study concludes that strategic actions needed for sound environmental management require a holistic, multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach hence women's participation and leadership are essential to every aspect of that approach.