Explore the vast range of titles available.

Ending poverty in all its forms and in all places by 2030 is number one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in less than a decade to the time set for actualizing this goal, poverty is still pervasive in Nigeria and more endemic among farmers in rural areas. Entrepreneurship is seen as a veritable tool to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in some developing countries including Nigeria. Howbeit, little is known about the relationship between farmers' entrepreneurial competencies and poverty. Thus, this study examined the effects of farmers' entrepreneurial competencies on household poverty status in rural areas of Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 272 farm households, with at least a member who was engaged in at least one other means of livelihood (enterprise). Data were collected between February and March 2019 and analysed with descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Foster, Greer, and Thorbecke (FGT) weighted poverty indices and probit regression at p = 0.05. At a daily poverty line of $1.90 (₦684.00) per capita, 55.15% of the households were poor. The findings indicate that poverty among farm households varied with their level of entrepreneurial competencies. Perseverance competence significantly increased household poverty, while social competence reduced it. The findings suggest poverty reduction strategies that come directly from farmers' own initiative and their resilience which is rural focused regardless of other challenges that may exist.

This study examined the effects of social capital on food security status of microcredit households in Ekiti-state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting the sample for the study. The data for the study were collected by using a well-structured questionnaire from three hundred and eighty-six microcredit households in Ekiti-state. The data were analysed using descriptive, Foster, Greer and Thorbecke measure and probit regression model. The result showed that the average age of the sampled heads of households was 47.3years. Average years of formal education and size of households in the study area were about 6.8 years and 7 persons respectively. The results of the social capital dimensions in the study area showed that the average membership density index was 37.25% while decision making participation index was 61.44%. Heterogeneity and meeting attendance indices were 52.89% and 45.02% respectively. Cash and labour indices were 40.42% and 21.18% respectively. The mean social capital value was 12.10%. The results of the probit regression showed that age, age squared, household size, occupation, years of formal education, membership density, decision making participation, meeting attendance and heterogeneity indices of households significantly influenced food security. The use of instrumental variables led to an increase in the value of adjusted R2 from 0.3760 to 0.3996 relative to the use of the real social capital index. It is recommended that policy that will make households (particularly food insecure ones) participate in associations should be formulated.

Data were collected on the prevalence of pneumo-enteritis among 895 sheep reared on the semi-Intensive system at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research (OAUTR) farm, Ile-Ife and 317 sheep brought from the free range for sale at Ile-Ife Sheep and Goat (ISG) market between the periods of December 1986 to October 1993 and November to October 1993 respectively. At OAUTR farm, 39.51% of the sheep were affected with pneumo-enteritis; 78.13% of the treated sheep (32 in number) recovered while 6.26% mortality was obtained. At ISG market 33.10% of the sheep were affected. The disease was more prevalent during the dry seasons (November to March) at OAUTR farm (9.96%) and ISG market (69.33%) than what obtained during the rainy season (April to October) at the two locations (8.08% and21.90% respectively). The incidence of the disease was higher among sheep at ISG market than those at OAUTR farm. Bacteriological examination of nasal swabs from infected sheep revealed the presence of Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Streptococci spp. and Coccobacillia bacteria. Prompt treatment of infected sheep elicited recovery. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Markets and improved market access are critical for improving urban incomes, particularly in Africa. Despite this, participation of farmers in domestic and regional markets in southwest Nigeria remains low due to a range of constraints. One of the limiting constraints faced by farmers is linked to poor market access. This paper analyses the determinants of commercialization of urban vegetable farming in southwest Nigeria. Primary data were collected for the purpose of this study using structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the study. Oyo and Lagos states were randomly selected from the six states in the southwest Nigeria. The next stage was random selection of two urban Local Government Areas from the selected states. Two hundred and thirty (230) vegetable farmers were randomly selected from both states. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Tobit model. Mean age and household size of farmers in the area was 41.9 years and six members respectively. Vegetable farmers are smallholders with average farm size of 0.05ha. Average market participation index of urban vegetable farmers was 0.73. Result of Tobit regression showed that age, age squared, farm size, membership of association, years of education, distance to market, heterogeneity index, cost of fertilizer, cost of chemicals and decision making index influenced extent of commercialization. Social capital significantly affects market participation. The study recommends that governments, non-governmental organizations and other development partners should take a pro-active role in facilitating the formation of smallholder vegetable farmer's organizations and linking then to markets.

Echocardiography remains a key noninvasive cardiac investigative tool in the management of patients, especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the indications for transthoracic echocardiography and spectrum of cardiac disease found in patients referred to our cardiac unit for echocardiography. A prospective two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous, and color-flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was done using the transthoracic approach in 2501 patients over an eight-year period. Univariate data analysis was performed for mean age, gender, clinical indications, and diagnoses. The subject age range was less than 12 months to 97 years (mean 52.39 years). There were 1352 (54.06%) males and 1149 (45.94%) females. The most common indication for echocardiography was hypertension (52.1%) followed by congestive cardiac failure (13.9%). Others were for screening (6.1%), arrhythmias (5%), cerebrovascular disease (5%), chest pain (3.3%), chronic kidney disease (3.2%), congenital heart disease (2.6%), cardiomyopathy (1.8%), rheumatic heart disease (1.7%), diabetes mellitus (1.3%), thyrocardiac disease (1.2%), ischemic heart disease (1.2%), and pericardial disease (1.1%). The echocardiographic diagnosis was hypertensive heart disease in 59.4% of subjects and normal in 14.1%. Other echocardiographic diagnoses included rheumatic heart disease (3.1%), congenital heart disease (2.1%), cardiomyopathy (1.7%), pericardial disease (1.1%), and ischemic heart disease (0.1%). Hypertension and its cardiac complications is the most common echocardiographic indication and diagnosis at our unit.