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This study is a descriptive research survey which sought to determine the extent social studies curricula of Nigerian Universities are equipped with good governance leadership orientation for achieving effective nation building. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was 324 students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the 2017/2018 session offering social studies. There was no sampling as the manageable population was entirely used for the study. The researchers constructed questionnaire was administered on the respondents, after experts validation and a satisfactory reliability co-efficient value of 0.77 was obtained. The data collected were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions. The findings were that to a high extent social studies curricula of Nigerian are not integrated with enough courses to inculcate leadership qualities for good governance directed at achieving effective nation building in Nigeria. The study exposed leadership qualities needed to be incorporated into social studies curricula. It revealed the challenges of improving social studies curricula as follows: slow revision of curricula, non integration of emerging issues, Government non aggressive support of curriculum revision, and that ICT and community resources are less adequately used in teaching social studies. The study further showed how obstacles confronting social studies curricula revision can be addressed and the gains of reformed social studies curricula. The study majorly recommended the introduction of more courses on good leadership governance among others. Based on the findings of the study, conclusion and relevant recommendations were further made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state, Nigeria has been experiencing a slow rate of development. Based on this therefore, this work was designed to investigate the drivers of socio-economic and cultural factors militating against rural development in Nsukka Local Government Area. A purposeful sampling was used to select one hundred (100) respondents in each of the five rural Villages, making it a total of 500 respondents. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data was represented using simple percentages, charts, and Chi-square. of the 500 questionnaires shared, 483 were correctly and completely filled and analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that traditional belief system, gender segregation, land use system, mismanagement of project funds, poor execution of projects and non-involvement of community members in planning and execution of rural development projects constitute some of the drivers of socio-economic and cultural factors militating against rural development in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state, Nigeria. The result also showed that there was a statistically significant relationship (P <.033) between respondents’ level of education and participation in rural development. Finally it was recommended that rural people should learn to welcome and harness development despite their cultural belief system and there should be a collaborative effort of the government and the people, more especially the youths in planning and implementation of rural development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) are broad spectrum ß-lactam degrading enzymes with the „last resort antibiotics', carbapenems, in their hydrolytic spectrum. Their emergence and rapid global spread have become a threat to the antibiotics armamentarium. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of carbapenem non-susceptible Escherichia. coli isolates harbouring MBL enzymes in major meat sources within Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 250 randomized non-duplicate rectal swab samples of birds and cattle at different poultry and ranches, as well as meat vendors' tables were cultured for E. coli isolates. Susceptibility of the properly characterized E. coli isolates to carbapenems and other commonly administered antibiotics was evaluated using disk diffusion method according to Clinical & Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) 2018 guideline. MBL production and Multiple Antibiotics Resistance (MAR) Index of the isolates were determined using standard formula and Combined Disc Test (CDT) technique respectively. A total of 138 E. coli were identified, out of which 57% (n = 78) were resistant to carbapenems, while 60% (n = 47) of the carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates were phenotypically confirmed as MBLs-producers. Their MAR Indices and level of resistance to other antibiotics ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 and 20 to 100% respectively. The work identified high levels of carbapenem resistance mediated by MBL enzymes in meat sources among occupants of Nsukka metropolis, necessitating an urgent need for sensitization of livestock and meat handlers, as well as the institutionalization and implementation of proper infection control measures to contain their spread. Further molecular studies are also needed for the full characterization of other carbapenem resistance mechanisms that could be associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Many underutilized wild fruits offer potential novel sources of macro- and micro-nutrients, as well as health-promoting antioxidants and phytochemicals. However, these benefits are not fully harnessed due to limited information on their composition. Dika fruit is one of such underutilized wild fruits. This study was carried out to analyze juice samples processed from dika fruit for nutrient and non-nutrient contents, as well as for their sensory attributes. Materials and methods. Fruits harvested from rural communities in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria were washed and divided into two portions. The skin of one portion was peeled off and sliced into small pieces (2 cm) (PDJ), while the other portion was sliced (2 cm) with the peel (UPDJ). Each portion was liquefied with a high-speed Kenwood kitchen blender, filtered through a clean muslin cloth and evaluated for proximate, mineral, vitamin, phytochemical and anti-nutrient contents. A 9-point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory properties of the juices. The data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science, version 21 and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results. The UPDJ had significantly (p < 0.05) higher carbohydrate (15.75%), protein (4.72%), fat (2.65%) and ash (0.47%) contents than PDJ. No significant difference existed in both vitamin and mineral contents of the two samples except for zinc, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the PDJ. Phytochemicals and anti-nutrients were significantly (p < 0.05) more numerous in the UPDJ than PDJ. The PDJ was rated higher than the UPDJ in all sensory attributes. Conclusion. The juice samples contain appreciable amounts of carbohydrate, vitamin C, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides. The anti-nutrients were within acceptable levels. Dika fruit is locally available and could be incorporated into meals to promote good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]