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The study examined technical efficiency of yam farmers in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria was analyzed using the stochastic frontier production model. Data were collected from 90 yam farmers selected using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and oral interview were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier production function. The maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of the stochastic frontier model production function revealed that the inputs were under-utilized the results of the socio-economic characteristics shows that yam farmers was dominated 50% by male farmers, within the range of 46- 55 years, 47% of the farmers had farm size less-than 1 hectare with at least 10 years’ experience. The technical efficiency of farmers differs substantially among the respondents, ranging between 0.325 and 0.952 with a mean economic efficiency of 0.807.

Nigeria is one of the most endowed economic countries in the African continent with abundant human and material resources that are capable of empowering and transforming the lives of youths towards sustainable socio-economic and political development. Majority of the youth population in Nigeria are living below the poverty line due to a high level of unemployment in the society. This study primarily examines the impact of Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) program for Self-Reliance and poverty alleviation in three (3) States which include: Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara state-Nigeria. Primary data was employed and data were collected through questionnaires. A total number of 534 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents using simple random technique among the beneficiaries of the various Youth Empowerment Scheme programs across the states. Four hundred and forty-two (442) respondents returned questionnaires were found to be valid for data analysis. The data collected was analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) statistics package to establish the statistical relationship between the anti-poverty program and poverty alleviation. The findings of the study showed that YES has a significant impact on the standard of living of the target beneficiaries, where youth were gainfully self-reliance and equally reduce their level of poverty status in those selected states. The study recommended for proper harmonization of efforts of all agencies towards the poverty alleviation programs in all the selected States in order to enhance effective implementation of a well-planned and concerted policy framework, and the involvement of the community members and stakeholders in the conceptualization, and implementation of programs, and lastly provision of adequate funds are all found to be very essential. KEYWORDS: impact, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, self-reliance

The geochemistry of mine products and stream sediments from Kataeregi area in North-central Nigeria was studied with the objective of environmental hazards assessment that is caused by artisanal gold mining activities through field work and laboratory analyses. The field work involves the observation of physical impact of mining on the environment and collection of representative samples along the streams, mined site and tailings within the location of study. The sediment samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The result obtained from laboratory analysis was compared with the ideal average crustal concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Field observation revealed that mining activity has impacted on the environment with land destruction, loss of vegetation and erosion of soils. Geological field mapping show the area is underlain with Migmatite-Gneiss complex, Mica Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. Results from geochemical analysis revealed that sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23ppm), Ag (2.59ppm), Hg (0.21ppm) and Mo (1.14ppm). The presence of Hg in sediments can get consumed directly or indirectly through food chain and passed on to human.