The ecology of edible mushrooms of the Nigerian savannah: Towards their optimal exploitation

Objective: The objectives of this study was to identify the various  microhabitats in which edible mushrooms grow; to identify their fruiting pattern time; and to relate the findings to their optimal exploitation in a  Nigerian savannah.Methodology and Results: The mushrooms were collected at the onset to  the end of the rainy season. Mushrooms at different stages of growth were handpicked; photographed at different resolutions and their microhabitats and the month in which they were found was recorded. Species identification was archived by carefully examining the attributes of the sporocarps such as colour, shape, size, texture of the cap; and presence or absence of gills, etc. T-Test and Diversity Indices were conducted on the data. Thirty-one (31) different edible mushroom species were found in the study area. They largely belong to the families of Agaricaceae, Lyophyllaceae and  Polyporaceae. They are found in 18 different microhabitats, which includeArable Lands; Fallow lands; soils around dead Tree Stumps; Woods; and 14 different living tree species. The highest species richness (15) and species diversity (Shannon Diversity index, SDI: 2.54) was found underParkia biglobosa tree. The second was Tamarindus indica, having 8 species with 1.95 SDI; followed by Decaying Wood where 6 different mushroom species were recorded with SDI of 1.57. Collectively, the exotic trees habited 8 mushroom species, while the indigenous trees habited 18, which was significantly (p-value = 0.0001) different. Decaying Wood has the highest peculiar species, which was 5; Fallow have 4 species; followed by Parkia biglobosa that has 3 species. Out of the total 31 species 21 were found in the year 2016 and 24 in 2017, while only13 species were found in both 2016 and 2017, but the difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.961).Conclusion and Application of results: The study area is rich in diverse edible mushroom species, which comprises mostly of those species belonging to the family Agaricaceae, Lyophyllaceae and Polyporaceae. Themicrohabitats of these mushrooms include arable lands currently under cultivation; abandoned fallow lands; soils around dead tree stumps; decaying woods; and 14 different living tree species. The result of this study has important information that can be an indispensable guide for proper exploitation of edible mushrooms in this region and elsewhere.Keywords: Arable; Bauchi; Edible; Fallow; Microhabitat; Mushroom; Parkia biglobosa; Savannah Woo

Application of the Big6 Skills Model and Information Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Students on the Use of Electronic Resources in Nigerian Universities

The study aimed at determining the information literacy skills on the use of e-resources by undergraduate students using the Big6 information literacy skills Model. Quantitative research methodology was used, and a total 2,484 sample using Sloven’s formula was obtained from a population of 61,804 undergraduate students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the undergraduate students were aware of the information literacy programmes in the Universities (mean=3.87) and possess the necessary information literacy skills to utilize e-resources (mean=3.45). Applying the constructs of the Big6 information literacy skills Model revealed that undergraduate students possess the ability to identify the exact information problem needed to solve problem with clear synthesis and evaluative strategies. Based on the 6 stages in the Big6 information literacy skills Model, the study concluded that student information literacy skills are satisfactory. The study provided a modification of the Big6 information literacy skills model which can be used to inculcate knowledge as well as self-assessment. Based on the findings, the study recommends university management to improve the content of the information literacy programs in order to inculcate the wherewithal of getting relevant, adequate and up to-date information from e-resources

Effect of Financial Regulations on Accountability of Some Selected Public Organizations in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has implemented reforms to combat corruption and promote public accountability in public service. The Federal Government Financial Regulations aim to achieve this by promoting transparency and accountability. This study examines the impact of financial regulations on accountability, focusing on compliance with internal audit reviews and the enforcement of sanctions for breaches resulting in government losses. The study uses primary data from interviews with staff at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and National Airspace Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and quantitative data collection. Results show that strict compliance with internal audit reviews significantly improves accountability in the area, leading to public trust in financial transactions. Additionally, strict enforcement of sanctions on breaches resulting in government losses also enhances accountability. The study suggests regularly providing a detailed internal audit review time table to staff and unit heads for proper preparation. Prompt reporting of anomalies is crucial. Top leadership should outline consequences for non-observance and strengthen internal controls to ensure checks and balances in audit reviews. Lastly, the study suggests imposing stiffer sanctions on breaches causing government losses to deter erring staff and strictly based on financial regulations

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Poverty in Nigeria and its Gender Differentials

Poverty reduction is one of the greatest challenges facing international community and it is an invaluable requirement for sustainable development. This study was conducted to empirically examine the influence of socioeconomic as well as demographic variables on households’ vulnerability to social exclusion or deprivation with more emphasis on gender inequality. The study employed binary probit regression analysis of poverty as well as Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to examine factors responsible for inequality with respect to socio-economic fortunes among Nigerian households. Evidence from the study revealed that socio-demographic variables as well as labor characteristics are strong determinants of poverty in the country, and the findings confirmed to the theoretical propositions on causes of poverty. However, empirical results from the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition show that female headed households are more disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic deprivation than the male headed households. The study concluded by presenting concluding remarks and policy implications for policymakers toward poverty reduction in Nigeria

SOCIO - ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLDS FUEL CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA

Attainment of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is one of the goals for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing data and statistic suggest that high proportion of households in less developed countries heavily rely on solid fuels for domestic requirements. Also, recent data revealed that in Nigeria over 70 percent of households depend on fuel wood for cooking which indicate the task ahead of policy makers in the country for ensuring access to efficient sources of energy before the expiration of sustainable development goals. In this study we empirically examined socio-economic factors that influence households’ likelihood of energy consumption in Nigeria. In order to achieve our specific objectives, we adopt 2013 demographic health survey dataset for Nigeria and multinomial logistic regression was conducted in analyzing the factors affecting households’ decision for energy demand. Evidence from the study revealed that demographic characteristics, economic status, public awareness and social variables are strong determinants of households’ energy choice in the country and conformed to the propositions of “Energy Ladder Hypothesis”. We concluded by presenting concluding remarks and policy implications for decision making toward ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and efficient energy in Nigeria

Investigating the impact of property characteristics, cost of living, and environmental factors on rental prices in Baidoa’s climate-affected real estate market: a hybrid approach using hedonic regression and neural networks

IntroductionUnderstanding the determinants of residential rental prices is crucial for policymakers, investors, and real estate practitioners. This study investigates the influence of property value, property characteristics, cost of living, political stability, essential services, and environmental factors on rental prices in Baidoa city. Additionally, the research compares different modeling approaches to enhance rental price forecasting.MethodsA dual-method approach was employed, integrating hedonic regression analysis and artificial neural network (ANN) models to analyze rental values. The dataset includes key variables such as the number of bedrooms, essential services, cost of living, and environmental conditions. The predictive performance and interpretability of both models were assessed to determine their effectiveness in rental price estimation.ResultsThe findings reveal that rental prices are significantly influenced by the number of bedrooms, essential services (e.g., electricity), cost of living, and environmental conditions. However, political stability and displacement did not exhibit significant effects. While hedonic regression provided clear, interpretable insights into direct predictors, ANN models captured nonlinear interactions and demonstrated superior prediction accuracy. Nevertheless, the ANN model exhibited mixed performance, with 53% of cases underperforming and 47% exceeding predictions, highlighting the need for improved precision in forecasting.DiscussionThe study emphasizes the importance of a mixed-method approach in rental price forecasting. Policymakers should integrate econometric and machine learning models to refine housing policies and ensure fair market regulations. Investors and property owners can leverage these findings to optimize rental pricing strategies, while real estate practitioners can benefit from data-driven decision-making. This research contributes to the real estate valuation literature by bridging traditional econometric analysis with advanced machine learning techniques. The study validates the applicability of hedonic pricing and information asymmetry theories within an emerging market context, offering a more comprehensive understanding of rental price determinants

BIODEGRADATION OF DIESEL AND CRUDE OIL USING Corynebacterium sp AND Lysinobacillus fusiformis 5B STIMULATED WITH BIOSURFACTANT, BIOCHAR AND IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

Petroleum oil and its processing product are the most common anthropogenic contaminants. It contains many compounds that pose a significant risk for the environment and human health and have cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. This study was conducted to determine diesel biodegradation using Corynebacterium xerosis and crude oil using Lysinibacillus fusiformis 5B stimulated with biochar, biosurfactant, and iron oxide nanoparticle. The isolate was grown on a minimal salt medium (MSM) with diesel and crude oil as the carbon source. The test organisms were screened for the ability to utilise diesel and crude oil as sole carbon and energy source by inoculation into MSM containing 0.4 g/L of NH4Cl, 1.2 g/L of KH2PO4, 1.8 g/L of K2HPO4.3H2O, and trace amounts of 0.2 g/L of MgSO4.7H2O, 0.01 g/L of FeSO4.7H2O and 0.01 g/L of NaCl. The biodegradation studies were done using five conical flasks collectively with MSM (18 mL), isolate (2 mL), biochar (100 mg), crude oil (2 mL), biosurfactant (100 mg), and Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONp)7 (100 mg). A control was set up without the isolate. The biodegradation was observed for 20 days, and the rate of biodegradation was determined by the weight loss method at 5 days interval. The colony-forming unit also determined microbial growth. The test organisms could utilise diesel and crude oil as their carbon source. The highest percentage biodegradation for Corynebacterium species was obtained on day 20 (86%). The un-inoculated control had 12 %. There was a gradual increase in the counts of the isolate from 4 × 106 CFU ml-1 (day 0) to 192 ×106 CFU ml-1 (day 20), Lysinobacillus fusiformis 5B gave an increase in biodegradation from 15.25 % at day 0 to 36.95 % at day 20. At the same time, the control had 12.15 % and 35.05 %, respectively. The microbial count also increased from 1.8x105 CFU/mL at day 0 to 3.8x105 CFU/mL at day 20. This study showed that Corynebacterium sp could utilise diesel, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis 5B utilised crude oil, which can be used to biodegrade petroleum-contaminated environments

FARMER’S PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN MAIZE PRODUCING AREA OF NORTHERN, NIGERIA

This study was designed to found farmers’ perception on climate change and weather changeability using farmers’ demographic information to analyze gender exertion with education level in maize producing areas of the northern region, and its impacts on crop yields. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample size of 400 households. Information was composed from heads of households using a questionnaire and the data obtained were analyzed using statistical analysis. The results showed that farmers perceived climate change and weather variability correctly. The result of the independent-sample t-test on-farmers’ perception about climate change and farming status shows that there was a significant difference in perception of climate change between farmers and non-farmers. chi-square cross-tabulation also demonstrated that there is a significant association between farmers’ level of perception of climate change and gender. Lastly, the study outcome indicates that there was no significant difference in farmers’ perception based on the educational level of the farmers. These findings will be used by both institutions and government in formulating policies and funding for better maize production and agricultural practice in genera</jats:p

Macroeconomic Stability and Inclusive Growth in Nigeria: A Cointegration Approach

The strategy of Inclusive growth is a newly introduced concept in Development economics that emerged in late 2000s out of the gross failure of traditional growth models to deal with the contemporaneity of high economic growth on one hand, and soaring poverty, inequality and unemployment on the other hand particularly in the developing world. Ever since, it has dominated policy-making framework in the world. This study sets out to examine the inclusiveness of growth in Nigeria and the role of macroeconomic stability to spur inclusive growth and development in Nigeria using the data for the period of 1960-2012. Due to lack of a standard measure of inclusive growth, an index of inclusive growth has been constructed using 23 agricultural, economic, education, environmental and health variables while applying Principal Component Analysis and Human Development Index formula. Econometric approaches of Johansen Cointegration testing and Vector Error Correction Model have been employed further to test the long run relationship between macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth in Nigeria. Our findings come up with three stylized facts: firstly, there is a long run relationship between all the regressors and inclusive growth; secondly macroeconomic stability has a significant impact on inclusive growth as GDPV and INV revealed an inverse relationship between them and inclusive growth. Lastly, TOP, FDI, C-GDP and GFC have negative impacts on inclusive growth. Hence the recommendation that there should be committed and sincere efforts towards diversifying the economy so as to contain the volatility by reducing the dominance of oil sector in the economy. Moreover, a macroeconomic policy targeting moderate inflation should be formulated just to make the economy stable and favorable for inclusive growth.</jats:p