JOURNAL
  journal

THE CARDINAL POINT
Journal of the Institute of Certified Geographers of Nigeria.
Issue 1. Vol.1 November, 2008.
ISSN: 2006-5884

 

GEOMATIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
By
Solomon Kogi
Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya
P.M.B. 1024, Kafanchan, Kaduna State
Abstract
This paper examines the introduction and development of Geomatic education in Nigeria. It has been found that Geomatic education is a metamorphosis from surveying to the integration of surveying techniques and its applications with modern methods of Global Positioning System (GPS), Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Geomatic education is offered in Universities, Colleges of Education, Monotechnics and Polytechnics and Technical Colleges. It is also available for apprenticeship and on the job training. The problems of Geomatic education include lack of facilities, poor funding and dearth of qualified teachers. If the government can promulgate a clear policy, provide adequate funding for training and purchase modern equipments and provision of facilities, provide career guidance at the post primary level, the prospects of Geomatic education would be greatly enhanced. For full details, click here to subscribe

TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA:
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
By
Marcellinus Zirra
Station Manager, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kaduna
e-mail: Zirramarcell@yahoo.com
Abstract
The study assessed development of rail transportation in Nigeria and made appropriate recommendations in improving the performance of our rail system. The Nigerian Railway Corporation was an asset to the nation during much of the colonial era but has since become a liability as far as its financial performance from passengers and freight services are concerned. This Write up investigates a number of reasons responsible for the steady ineffectiveness of the Corporation from the Onset of the teething period and prescribed proposals for alleviating these problems. The government and most Authorities concern are aware of these multifarious problems which are gradually ruining the existence of the Corporation. From the outset till 1995 the corporation has witnessed fifteen (15) Committees, Commissions, Studies or tribunals set up to investigate her problems but none of these reports have seen the light of day. For full details, click here to subscribe

URBAN CIVIL CONFLICTS AND POPULATION REDISTRIBUTION IN KADUNA METROPOLIS:
A CASE STUDY
By
L.O. Enukora
Associate Professor, Dept of Geography, Nigerian Defence Academy NDA
P.M.B 2109
Kaduna
Abstract
This paper explains the problem of managing full- blown, urban civil conflicts in Nigeria using the, Ethno-religious violence in Kaduna metropolis in 2000 as a case study. It employed the field survey approach, characterized by observation, instrumentation, and measurement and mapping to uncover a binary formation, namely, the conventional and the spontaneous, in the management process. It went on to demonstrate that the application of the conventional system to the management of Kaduna ethno-religious violence had mixed results: the rapid response approach was evidently flawed while the recovery and mitigation exercises were found successful and commendable. The spontaneous process, characterized by population redistribution and areal differentiation, was shown to be novel, responsive and practical but, nonetheless, fraught with dangers. Based on the findings, the paper made recommendations to the stakeholders on ways and means of managing ethnic and religious violence. For full details, click here to subscribe
APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND GIS FOR MONITORING AND MAPPING OF AFAKA FOREST RESERVE OF NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA
By
Maisamari J.I. Akinyemi O., Mannir S. I. and Guyitson P.g..
Department of Forestry
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, P.M.B. 2273 Afaka, Kaduna, Nigeria
saacmaisamari@yahoo.com

Abstract
Forests are ecological as well as socio-economic resource. Objective, timely and accurate forest information is one of the preconditions for robust conservation and management plans. The problem concerned in the study area is the assessment of the forest spatial growth with a savannah encroachment of the forest. This paper is therefore an attempt to evaluate, map and monitor changes taking place in Afaka forest reserves of North Western Nigeria over a 17 year period as well as to have a systematic understanding of the forest trend base in the area. A subset of 38151.0 hectares was carved out from the Landsat TM of 1987 and Nigeria-sat 1 of 2004. A total of 20 training samples were identified through field survey. On screen classification was used as a method for change detection. Based on the Maximum Likelihood algorithm, land use/cover types were assessed and identified. The results show that shrub/savanna declined and was converted to afforestation with an increase of 52.83% between 1987 and 2004 at the rate of 20.22 annually, while built up increased by 3.90%, farmland and open land decreased by 9.70% and 33.57% respectively within the same period. ILWIS 3.3a software was used to carry out “on screen” classification of forest and land use classes. Under this classification, there was a spatial growth rate of 81 % increase from the conversion of shrub/savannah into afforestation in the study area. A profound need for digital mapping of our forest reserve at regional and local levels are recommended to aid Government and researchers in physical planning and environmental management for sustainable development.Keywords: Afforestation, Forest Reserve, Remote Sensing, GIS, LULC, Image Classification. For full details, click here to subscribe


LAND MANAGEMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA:
ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
By Adamu Dabo Sambo
No 1 Junaidu Yahaya Road, Off GGSS Kawo Road Kaduna Nigeria
Fax/Tel: 234-62-3164730
Mobile 08037030279, RC 334661
Email: info@palmasmabera.com
INTRODUCTION
As the process whereby Urban Centers develop is commonly referred to as urbanization (I), the process itself is characterized by several changes, notable among them are: increase in population, increase in physical development i.e. Buildings and Infrastructure, increase in Social and Economic activities.
Urban centers in Nigeria usually develop gradually over time from small settlement to large settlement to small town then to urban center e.g. Ibadan (2) which started as a traditional political settlement as well as a small trading center, later became a focal center of politics and trade between regions and later developed in a large urban center.
Urban centers in Nigeria (3) have characteristics, each peculiar in several ways due to the historical development of the centers. Basically we shall take two perspectives in looking at the characteristics of urban centers in Nigeria. For full details, click here to subscribe

AN EXAMINATION OF THE RAINFALL AND DISCHARGE TREND OF RIVER
KADUNA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
By
Folorunsho, Joseph Olaniyi
Geography Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Tel: 080336411562, 08056311986. E-mail:funshojoseph@yahoo.com
Abstract
The study seeks to examine the annual rainfall – discharge trend of river Kaduna. Both parameters were subjected to a ‘smoothing operation’ i.e. a time series analysis of five and ten year running mean in order to authenticate the rainfall effects on the discharge. The discharge trend was found to be following the same downward trend as that of the rainfall, though with just little but intermittent variance, which is still a reflection of the basin characteristics, particularly that of the rainfall within the catchment area. This will have serious implications for municipal water supply if nothing is done urgently, in view of the growing population of Kaduna city and particularly with no dam across the river water at the metropolis. For full details, click here to subscribe. For full details, click here to subscribe

editor 
Terdoo Fanen, ACG
Editor

Editorial Note
It is a dream come true to have this first edition of the journal of the Institute of Certified Geographers of Nigeria published. Over the few years of the existence of the institute, we have nursed a dream to have a journal that will not only be academic based but will draw from both academicians and practitioners in the field of environment.

Today, this dream is fulfilled. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the CARDINAL POINT Journal.
This edition presents works carried out by both academicians and practitioners in the environmental arena. The aim is to point out to both the public and private sectors of the economy those environmental issues that need serious attention in order to achieve sustainable development and also encourage further research into those environmental issues that might arise in the future. To this end, the board of CARDINAL POINT is highly committed.

Finally, I like to express my profound gratitude to all members of the CARDINAL POINT interim committee for their commitment to this cause. Also, I like to thank all who contributed to this edition for the quality to their papers. We accept responsibility of any unspotted error that may have occurred during the editing process. We also welcome suggestions on how to improve on the quality of this journal. It is our hope that readers will find this material helpful.
Terdoo Fanen
Interim Editor