Category: Vol.2/No.4/2020

Martina Angbiandoo Amande, PhD
Department of Educational Psychology,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
Robert Ter Mnaorga
Department of Educational Psychology,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
Dorcas A. Yajir
Department of Educational Psychology,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.

Abstract
This investigation assesses depression among HIV/AIDS patients in some selected hospitals in Makurdi township(Federal Medical Centre, General Hospital North Bank and Bishop Murray Medical Centre). A total of 2,885 respondents constitute the population for the study. However, a sample size of 310 was representatively used, out of which 129 were male whereas 181 were female. They were aged between 20-61 years. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the participants. Hamilton rating scale for depression was adopted as an instrument for data collection. The result generated indicates that: there is a significant difference in the level of depression between inpatients and outpatients: hence HIV/AIDS inpatients were significantly more depressed than their outpatient counterparts [t(df=308)=7.25,P=0.1]. Also, female HIV/AIDS patients were significantly more depressed than their male counterparts (t(df=308)=4.45,p.<01). Nevertheless, the result further indicates that depression is more prevalent in illiterates and the unemployed than in the literate and employed HIV patients. Lastly, it was also found that, 64% of the patients were depressed ranging from mild to severe level, thereby resulting to low quality of life, increased health challenges and poor adherence to treatment. The researchers therefore, recommend that, HIV/AIDS patients need to be assessed, treated and counseled properly against depression early enough in order to avert its dangers. Also, that government at all levels should imbibe routine screening for better clinical results.

KEYWORDS: DEPRESSION, HIV/AIDS, INPATIENTS, OUTPATIENTS, HOSPITALS, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Dorothy Medondo Unom
¬Department of French,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
Email: [email protected]
Aondongu Nyon
Department of Tiv Language Studies
College of Education, Katsina-Ala
Email: [email protected]
Abraham Vearumun Kaa
Department of Tiv Language Studies
College of Education, Katsina-Ala
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
With a plethora of languages, Nigeria is a linguistic paradise of sorts. This linguistic variety could make Nigeria a modern Babel. No one knows exactly how many languages exist in Nigeria but estimates put the figure at somewhere between 400-450 languages. English is the official language in Nigeria and had enjoyed this unrivalled status alone until the Abacha administration made French a second official language in the mid 1990s. Both are exogenous languages taught as second languages. Three Languages of Wider Communication (LWC) or Dominant Languages (DL) Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba are designated “national languages”. The rest of the indigenous languages have the status of “minority languages” – Non-Dominant Languages (NDL). There are feelings in some quarters that an indigenous language should be used as an official language for the purpose of integration. In a multilingual setting such as ours, which of these myriad of languages should be selected is a topic for unending debate with no consensus, not before, not now. This paper fingers politics, or better still, politicisation, as being responsible for this lingering debate on the choice of an indigenous Nigerian language as an official language – a lingua franca. The paper favours a more inclusive language policy that recognizes the importance of the indigenous languages in special domains of the lives of the people.

KEYWORDS: LANGUAGE, POLITICS, NATIONAL LANGUAGE, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE, LANGUAGE PLANNING, CHOICE

Moses Shishi Uzer
Department of English and Literary Studies,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala Benue State.
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
This paper focuses on the Marxist tradition as it examines and brings out Marxian issues in the African novel which emanate from the continuing socio-economic crises in Africa, instigated by Western capitalists and imperialists. It showcases the efforts made by African literary scholars towards the liberation of Africa from the claws and shackles of imperialism even as it deals with colonialism and neo-colonialism in all its virulent manifestations. The paper selects novels from West, East and South African regions to demonstrate clearly the evil of capitalism and also supports the views of the proletariat while condemning the bourgeois philosophy and ideology which are based largely on exploitation. It concludes that for society to be classless and egalitarian, the proletariat must revolt and seize power from the capitalists to ensure equal distribution of resources for the benefit of all.

KEY WORDS: AFRICAN NOVEL, MARXISM, SOCIALISM

Ukeyima Nicholas Pever
Registry Department
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev (AOCAY),
Gboko – Benue State
Email: [email protected]
Luper Nongo
Registry Department
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev (AOCAY),
Gboko – Benue State
Email: [email protected]
Joseph Terdue Tyosar
College Library,
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev (Aocay),
Gboko – Benue State
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
This study is a conceptual, as well as a theoretical inquiry into the phenomenon of godfatherism as it relates to Nigerian politics and national development. By looking at the character of the phenomenon over the years, the article observes that it has come to assume two contradictory yet important dimensions. Therefore, the phenomenon can be either negatively or positively conceived depending on the perspective from which one is looking at it. Overall, the paper submits that the negative (malevolent) dimensions of politics of godfatherism dominate political practice in Nigeria. The paper recommends ethical revolution of the masses in terms of participation in selection and election of political leaders, political education of the masses by the academia, teachers, community leaders, etc., among others, as ways of reducing the prevalence of politics of godfatherism in Nigeria.

KEY WORDS: DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS, GODFATHERISM, IMPLICATION

Zacharia T. Laagye, PhD
Department of Biology,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State

Abstract
This study investigated the effect of orally administered Goko herbal cleansing mixture on the haematological parameters of 30 adult female wistar rats that weighed between 160g to 180g. The rats were randomly selected into three groups; group A (control) and group B and C (experimental groups) having 10 rats each. The control group received no treatment whereas the rats in experimental groups B and C were treated with 100 ml and 200 ml of the mixture given in divided does of 10 ml and 20 ml respectively for 30 days. At the end of the treatment period the rats were sacrificed, blood samples taken and hematological parameters determined. The mean red blood cell count (RBC) and haematocrit level (HCT) of rats in the experimental groups significantly decreased compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). The mean haemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular concentration (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of the experimental groups were significantly higher than the control group. Similarly, the mean white blood cell (WBC) count of the experimental groups increased significantly compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes of the experimental and control groups. The mean platelet counts of the experimental groups were significantly higher compared to the control group.

KEY WORDS: HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, GOKO HERBAL MEDICINE, WISTAR RATS

Aaron Tsambelumun Alaanyi
Department of Integrated Science,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala,
Benue State.
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
A preliminary phytochemical screening of Citrullus colocynthis belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae was carried out to establish its medicinal values. The crude leafs and stem extract was examined for antimicrobial potentialities against fungi and bacteria. The aerial parts of the plant were tested for chemical composition using standard procedures and it showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, proteins, fixed oils, glycosides and saponins. The plant material was subjected to successive soxhlet extraction using methanol solvent. The extracts were evaluated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Trichophyton sp strains. The methanol and distilled water extracts showed significant activity against all test organisms. The results obtained in the study suggest that Citrullus colocynthis can be used in treating Tinea cruris a disease caused by trichophyton rubrum.

KEYWORDS: CITRILLUS COLOCYNTHIS, TINEA CRURIS, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIMICROBIAL, MEDICINAL PLANT

Caroline Nyigbem Igbo-Uchi, PhD
Department of Geography
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

Clara Torkwase Iyortyer
Department of Geography
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria.
Email: iyortyerclara@ gmail.com

Abstract
The contributions of air transportation to the Nigerian socio-economic and political growth have been so significant that attention needs to be drawn to its development in terms of safety and its sustainability. In order for safety to be ensured, the impact of meteorological hazards on flight operations should be checked and adequately addressed. Data was obtained from the various federal aviation offices. Descriptive statistics of total, means, and percentages were employed to analyze the data. The paper therefore, educates and enlightens the aviation stakeholders and the general public on the implications of meteorological hazards such as thick dust haze, wind shear, thunderstorm/lightning, among others, on the performance of aircraft, as well as aircraft disasters recorded that were connected to these meteorological hazards. The paper concludes that to avert this ugly trend for the aviation industry, meteorological hazards that hampered efficient and effective flight operations must be adequately addressed in order to strive for and achieve meaningful and sustainable development in Nigeria.

KEY WORDS: AIR TRANSPORTATION, METEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS, SAFETY, NIGERIA.

Philip Iorheghem Iorja
Department of Home and Rural Economics,
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture,
Yandev, Benue State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]
Nguumbur Clara Atshehe
ISIEN Rock Innovation Institute Gboko,
Km 4, Yandev- Gboko Bye pass,
Gboko North, Benue State, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study was based on traditional cloth weaving as a means of earning a living among the Tiv. The study has five objectives, among which is to determine the influence of traditional cloth weaving on the earning and living condition of the people of Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. The study was to determine the various methods or techniques of traditional cloth weaving among the Vandeikya people; to identify the materials used for traditional cloth weaving among the people; to find out the various prospects associated with the traditional cloth weaving industry in the study area; and to identify some challenges and problems associated with traditional cloth weaving in the study area so as to meet the needs of the people. The population was made up of 250 people who specialize in traditional cloth weaving. A sample size of 140 respondents was selected from the population. Purposive sampling method was used for the study. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire. Simple frequency and percentages were used for data analysis. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made from the study.
KEY WORDS: TRADITIONAL CLOTH, WEAVING, EARNING, LIVING, INDUSTRY