Background: Newborn morbidity and mortality have remained unacceptably high in developing countries despite consistent efforts at controlling  the scourge. Unlike in developed countries where neonatal mortality rate ranges between 1 and 5 per 1000 live births, average neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria is 36 per 1000 live births. The majority of the causes of death are largely preventable with timely low cost interventions. This study was structured to determine the pattern of morbidity and mortality amongst babies admitted in the Special Care Baby Unit of Madonna hospital Makurdi, Nigeria.Methods: The records of neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) over a tenyear period (2005-2015) were retrospectively reviewed. Information obtained included the sex, age at admission, gestational age, birth weight, reasons for admission and outcome of treatment.Results: A total of 1,121 babies were admitted during the period under review. The male female ratio was 1.2:1.The majority of the babies were aged between 2-7 days with a mean 6.17.+ 7.01 The mean weight on admission was 2807+907g. Neonatal sepsis, jaundice, low birth weight and birthasphyxia were the most common morbidities. The overall mortalityrate was 14.1%; however, proportionate mortality due to low birth weight was highest (26.4%), followed by tetanus (23.5%), asphyxia (20.8%), Respiratory tract infection (13.8%), meningitis (13.3%), sepsis (10.3%), jaundice (9.6%), and diarhoea (4.0%)Conclusion: Neonatal mortality rate in the study was high. The major causes of admission are preventable. Strengthening perinatal care, emergency obstetric care services and neonatal resuscitation skills are necessary to reduce the neonatal mortality. Key words: Neonate, Morbidity, Mortality, Nigeria

The burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality remains a major health challenge, and contributes to deaths among children under the age of five years especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to report the pattern of diseases and outcomes of neonatal admission over a three-year period. This retrospective study was conducted in the Special Care Baby Unit from January 2013 to December 2015. Data of all the patients admitted to the unit during the study period was analyzed for sex, gestational age, weight, duration of stay, diagnosis on admission, age at admission, outcome and causes of death. A total of 505 patients were admitted during the study period, 310(61.4%) were males and 195(38.6%) were females. There were 374(74.1%) term babies while 111(22.0%) preterm and 20(4.0%) were post term. Low birth weight accounted for 134(30.5%) of all the patients. The commonest cause of neonatal admission was sepsis 40.8%, followed by jaundice 21.0 %, and prematurity 14.1 %. Of the total admissions 86.3% were successfully treated and discharged, 4.2% discharged against medical advice and 9.5 % died. Neonatal deaths were commonly associated with birth asphyxia 31.3 %, followed by neonatal sepsis 27.1% and prematurity 25.0%. Majority (44.6%) of the infants were admitted on the second to seventh day of life. Improving antenatal services, delivery services and neonatal care will help to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The total reflection of socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural awareness of a people could be appraised from their theatrical overtures. Taking a perspective on our indigenous traditional theatres from the primitive era to the present creative status and its intended reflection into the future, the paper explores the theatrical yardsticks as contained in Oje’nmeho cultural festival of Awume people of Idoma extraction of Benue State, Nigeria and its reflective impacts on the socio-political and socio-economic aspirations of the people. In conclusion, it therefore also takes a cogent overview of the possibilities of preserving and sustaining this theatrical antecedent for the purpose of its continuous existence as well as societal transformation. Keywords - Culture and Empowerment, Oje’nmeho, socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural awareness