Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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Geographic Information System-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Flood Risk Zones in Madagali, Adamawa State, Nigeria
No full textThe main purpose of this research was to apply geospatial methods to map flood risk zones within Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State of Nigeria towards developing enhanced measures for flood risk mitigation. Core variables assessed included topographic elevation, land use/land cover dynamics, rainfall variability, and characteristics of the drainage network. The study combined Landsat 8 satellite images, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and rainfall data using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with a weighted overlay method to assess flood susceptibility in the study area. The results indicate that approximately 35% of the study area is situated within high to very high flood risk categories, predominantly low-lying areas subject to intensive land-use patterns and variability in rainfall distributions. The vulnerability assessments undertaken in this study revealed distinct classifications such as: 18.53% of areas exhibit low vulnerability, 30.50% moderate vulnerability, 52.8% high vulnerability, and 60.7% very high vulnerability. In conclusion, the geospatial methods applied in this study provide evidence-based insights for policymakers thereby, supporting effective flood risk management and enhancing community resilience within Madagali Local Government Area. Key recommendations emerging from this study underscore the need for stakeholders to pursue afforestation interventions, river channel maintenance, development of contextually appropriate hydraulic infrastructure, and drainage infrastructure near Madara Mountain which can serve dual purposes of flood mitigation and dry-season agricultural water storage.  
Identification and Mapping of Urban Road Networks Using Support Vector Machine Classification with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Benin City, Nigeria
No full textUrban expansion has created significant challenges in transportation planning, infrastructure management, and spatial analysis, particularly in developing cities. This study explores the application of Support Vector Machine (SVM) for the identification and mapping of urban road networks from high-resolution remotely sensed UAV imagery in parts of Benin City, Nigeria. The SVM algorithm, trained using a Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel, was developed to classify road features from UAV images. Results demonstrated that SVM provided high classification accuracy and effectively distinguished road features from surrounding land uses, confirming its potential for scalable urban mapping solutions. The results were validated using reference data thereby yielding an overall classification accuracy of 89.7% with particularly robust performance in delineating major thoroughfares, clearly visible in the eastern portion of the study area where the primary arterial road exhibits clean, continuous vectorization and a Kappa coefficient of 0.85. The clear delineation of the primary road network (width > 8m) achieves 93.4% accuracy (σ = 2.1), while the more fragmented appearance of secondary roads in the central portion of the image corresponds to the lower accuracy rate of 85.7% (σ = 3.2). The mapped road network demonstrated strong correspondence with existing road infrastructure, including both major and minor roads, highlighting the capability of the SVM approach in delineating complex urban features. This study demonstrates the applicability of machine learning techniques in urban road mapping and provides a cost-effective, scalable solution for updating spatial road databases, particularly in developing urban environments with limited geospatial resources. The findings support informed urban planning and infrastructure development initiatives in Benin City and similar urban centers across sub-Saharan Africa
Tree species composition and diversity across three forest reserves in Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textForest reserves play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem stability, yet increasing exploitation threatens their ecological integrity. Tree species composition and diversity were assessed at Ijaye, Osho, and Onigambari forest reserves, Oyo State, Nigeria. A systematic sampling design was employed, and two lines transect, each 1000 m long and separated by 500m. Four temporary sample plots of 20×40m sizes were laid along each transect at 250m intervals. Diameter at breast height was measured from each of the trees in each plot; this was used to compute basal area, relative frequency, and relative dominance, and habitat occupancy was obtained and compared. Shannon-Weiner and species evenness indices were used to assess tree species diversity and abundance. The result shows that a total of 206 different tree species from six (6) families were encountered in Ijaye forest reserve, 177 trees from 12 families for Osho Forest reserve, while 189 trees from 17 families were encountered at Onigambari forest reserve. Shannon-Weiner values obtained were 1.95, 2.69, and 3.20 for Ijaye, Osho, and Onigambari forest reserves, while species evenness indices were 0.74, 0.91, and 0.88 for Ijaiye, Osho, and Onigambari forest reserves. Out of 36 tree species encountered in the three forest reserves, only 8 species had regeneration potential >1, which is regarded as low regeneration potential. The study concluded that exploitation has affected species diversity in the ecosystem and subsequently the roles of trees in environmental conservation are affected. Implementing silvicultural treatments is therefore recommended in order to improve species growth and facilitate natural regeneration
Repeatability of linear body measurements and principal components of body size in crossbred Nigerian local chickens
No full textThe study aimed at estimating the repeatability of growth traits and principal components of body size (PC1) of crossbred Nigerian local chickens using 5 biweekly records. A total of 123, 49, 116, 137, 42, and 64 chickens of Isa Brown × frizzle feathered (IB×F), Isa Brown × naked neck (IB×Na), Isa Brown × normal feathered (IB×N), frizzled feathered × Isa Brown (F×IB), naked neck × Isa Brown (Na×IB), and normal feathered × Isa Brown (N×IB) genotypes, respectively, were produced at day-old in 12 hatches. Data were taken on body weight (BWT), linear body measurements, and PC1 at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks from each individual. The repeatability of body weight (0.27 to 0.49) for the six genotypes was moderately high. Repeatability of PC1 (0.54) was only high in the IB×F genotype. Repeatability of the linear body measurements was high (0.49-0.67), especially in IB×N and N×IB genotypes. The expected relative genetic gain indicated that fewer than 5 records were enough to estimate the repeatability of these traits. It was concluded that considerable genetic improvement in the lifetime average body size of IB×N, N×IB and IB×F genotypes could be realized using fewer than 5 records of the growth traits and PC1 with high repeatability estimates as selection criteria
Influence of elevation and wood specific gravity on tree structure in a Nigerian university forest
No full textElevation and wood specific gravity variables are used to understand forest growth and its various responses to climate. Despite this, the relationship among various forest structures, wood specific gravity, and elevation remains poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of elevation and wood specific gravity on the tree structure of a natural forest in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. Using a line transect, fifteen plots of 50 m x 50 m were alternately laid at 50 m intervals on three transects. Diameter at breast height (DBH, cm), tree total height (TH, m), and elevation (elev., m) were measured, while basal area (BA, m2) and wood specific gravity (WSG g/cm3) were derived. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression. Six (6) regression models were fitted and evaluated using the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj.R2) and standard error of estimate (SEE). Results revealed that Dst had a mean and standard error of 49.0±1.80. Elevation (81.7±0.33), WSG, and BA had 0.51±0.01 and 0.14±0.01, respectively. The highest number (136) of trees was observed in the elevation class of 76-85, 86-95 had 32 trees, and <75 had the lowest (1). Elevation class (76-85) had the highest number (26) of species distribution, 86-95 had 16, and <75 had the lowest (1) number. From evaluation results, models 2 and 3 had the same and highest Adj.R2 and lowest SEE values of 0.87 and 0.08 and were selected. This study concludes that elevation and WSG influenced tree species distributions and structure. Therefore, it is recommended for further research using a larger forest area
Carbon sequestration potentials of selected tree species in University of Maiduguri campus, Maiduguri, Nigeria
No full textThis study evaluated the carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration potential of three species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Khaya senegalensis, and Syzygium cumini) at the University of Maiduguri Campus, using systematic random sampling across six transects. Data were collected using non-destructive methods to estimate biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration. Data on diameter, stem height, and age were compared with ANOVA. The annual CO₂ sequestration was correlated with DBH, height, and age. Results revealed significant interspecies variation: Khaya senegalensis sequestered the most carbon (359.69 kg) and CO₂ (1318.70 kg), whereas Syzygium cumini sequestered 94.54kg of carbon and 34.66 kg of CO₂/year as against Eucalyptus camaldulensis, which captured 161.70 kg of carbon and 16.94 kg of CO₂/year. Correlation analysis showed diameter as the strongest predictor of biomass and carbon sequestration, followed by stem height; tree age exhibited no consistent relationship. These findings highlight the critical role of species selection and structural traits in optimizing carbon capture while positioning Khaya senegalensis as a key species for climate mitigation in semi-arid regions. Further investigation into age-related sequestration dynamics is recommended to enhance long-term agroforestry strategies
An Appraisal of Justice Approach to Islamic Property Inheritance: The Right of The Deceased and the Heirs
No full textThe concept of justice is sacrosanct in Islamic Law. This is why Muslims are enjoined to be just and fair in all areas of their lives. The fact that Islam is an all-encompassing religion makes it leave no matter unaddressed, whether on marriage, divorce, custody of children, inheritance, finance, or source of livelihood, amongst others. Property inheritance is an aspect that requires special attention and expertise due to the complexities involved. This paper aims to unravel the concept of property inheritance in line with the stipulations of Islamic Law and how strict adherence to these stipulations will help attain justice for both the heirs and the deceased. This paper finds that balancing the rights of the deceased and heirs in property inheritance is vital. Hence, attention must be paid to details in property sharing. To appropriately address the topic of discourse, this study utilises a doctrinal approach to explore the primary sources of Islamic Law, that is, relevant verses of the Qur\u27an on the subject and Hadith and opinions of respectable scholars and journal articles. This paper further submits that both the heirs and the deceased deserve justice regarding property inheritance, leaving no one to be left uncatered for. As a matter of importance, practical recommendations that can be implemented to balance the rights of the deceased and heirs in Islamic property inheritances are meticulously highlighte
Canonical Administrative Act: Essential Elements and Validity
No full textThis essay examined the nature, essential elements, criteria for the validity of administrative act, and recourse against administrative act, within the framework of canon law A canonical administrative act is a juridical act issued by an executive ecclesiastical authority through which a provision is made for individual cases. It refers to a wide range of activities in the application of law to particular situation, resolution of controversy or provision made for common good. Through a doctrinal and jurisprudential lens, the study draws on canonical sources to elucidate how the Church ensures both juridical certainty and pastoral equity. The paper ultimately argued that the structural integrity and legitimacy of administrative acts are not only legal necessities but also expressions of the Church’s commitment to justice, order, and pastoral care within its hierarchical governance. The conclusion offers insights into current challenges and potential developments in the interpretation and application of administrative acts in canonical practice. The methodology adopted in the study is doctrinal while the approach is expository – analytica
BREAKING THE LINEAGE: MODELLING THE TRANSMUTATION OF ECONOMIC TRAUMA THROUGH GENERATIONAL MORAL DISRUPTION AND SPIRITUAL REALIGNMENT
No full textEconomic trauma, shaped by histories of colonization, structural inequality, and generationalpoverty, often persists across lineages through psychological, economic, and cultural mechanisms.This study proposes a novel agent-based model simulating seven generations of family agents withdynamic traits—conformity, spiritual openness, economic status, and stress—to examine how “moralbreaks” (ethically grounded disruptions in inherited trauma patterns) can enable transgenerationalhealing. Drawing from existential philosophy, systems theory, and behavioural psychology, the modelformalizes moral break as a threshold-based function triggered by stress and spiritual openness.Mixed-methods triangulation with interview narratives and ethnographic cases reinforces theinternal validity of this mechanism. Results show that when spiritual openness is present, agents whoundergo moral breaks demonstrate accelerated economic recovery and reduced psychological stress,with compounded benefits for subsequent generations. However, trauma levels show non-lineartrends, particularly under systemic shocks, indicating both model limitations and real-worldparallels. The findings underscore the importance of culturally rooted, spiritually integrativeinterventions in breaking cycles of economic trauma
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STIGMATIZATION ON STUDENTS PURSUING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IN NASARAWA LGA, NASARAWA STATE
No full textThis study examines the psychological effects of stigmatization on students pursuing vocational education in secondary schools within Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The objective was to assess how stigma related to vocational education influences students\u27 self-esteem, emotional well-being, and academic motivation. A sample of 120 students was selected from six secondary schools offering vocational education programs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that measured perceived stigmatization, self-esteem, emotional well-being, and academic motivation. The analysis revealed that students who perceived higher levels of stigmatization exhibited significantly lower self-esteem and emotional well-being, as well as reduced academic motivation. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a strong negative relationship between perceived stigmatization and both self-esteem and emotional well-being. Furthermore, t-tests indicated gender differences in stigmatization, with male students reporting higher levels of stigma and lower self-esteem than their female counterparts. The findings suggest that stigmatization of vocational education is a significant psychological barrier, affecting the mental health and educational outcomes of students. The study concludes by recommending targeted interventions, including educational reforms, enhanced counseling services, and gender-sensitive approaches, to mitigate the negative effects of stigma and promote a more inclusive educational environment