Sustainable tourism and cultural landscape management: the case of Idanre Hill, Ondo State, Nigeria

Idanre rural community has increasingly attracted both domestic and international tourists be- cause of the natural and cultural landscape, and the historic heritage found in the area of Ondo state, Nigeria. This is in part due to the development projects in the form of building and maintaining tourists’ facilities at Idanre Hill supported by the Ondo state government. Managing tourism development in a sustainable way in Idanre becomes imperative in order to maintain the cultural and natural environment. The paper aims to understand how issues of sustainability are being conceptualised by the tourism officials responsible for managing the attraction, and how they incorporate sustainability issues into their tourism development and management plans. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were used to gain insights into these issues. The research suggests ways in which the Ministry of Tourism in the state can improve their strategic plans for the sustainable management of Idanre Hill

Governance and community participation in the Nigerian tourism sector: a stakeholder analysis.

The efficacy of the governance processes by which tourism policies and plans are made is vital to tourism development. Tourism governance has, for some time now, been conceptualised as a participatory process that should involve a meaningful dialogue amongst a diverse group of stakeholders. However, empirical research that investigates the institutional contexts within which community participation and empowerment practices play out in tourism development is limited. This thesis set out to examine the process of tourism governance, and consequently local community participation and empowerment, in tourism planning. It examines how stakeholders in the tourism governance process communicate and interact. The research adopts a mixed methods approach. It first established a general picture of the current situation in tourism policy and planning through an extensive Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). After that, interviews were conducted to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of the extent to which tourism governance processes allow local community participation and empowerment. From this, key constraints were identified. The results from the IPA revealed that the problem in tourism policy and planning in Nigeria is pervasive and relates to governance in general rather than to specific features or policies only. It was found that the decision-making is driven mainly by the federal and state governments. The communication and interaction among stakeholders at all levels was limited. The local level institutions are not empowered to function as participating partners in any meaningful sense. As a result, limited empowerment (political, economic, psychological and social) was experienced by community members. This thesis reveals that certain principles of governance – trust, awareness, transparency and accountability - related to political culture, are critical to the question at hand. Based on these findings, the research made some broad and provisional strategic recommendations related to: creating awareness amongst the local community of the industry and its possibilities; and empowering the Local Government Tourism institutions to play a proactive, and substantial role in tourism governance. The thesis, therefore, seeks to contribute towards the discussion on tourism governance, community participation and empowerment. It makes conceptual, methodological and policy related contributions

Effects of variation in water content, clay fraction and sodium carbonate additions on the synthetic moulding properties of Igbokoda clay and silica sand

Loto, C.A. and Adebayo, H., 1990. Effects of variation in water content, clay fraction and sodium carbonate additions on the synthetic moulding properties of Igbokoda clay and silica sand. Appl. Clay Sci., 5: 165-181. In this investigation, the Igbokoda pure silica sand is characterised and used as a base sand for the Igbokoda clay- sand mixture in an attempt to develop an efficient synthetic moulding sand. The mechanical properties of the clay-sand-water mixture were determined. The effect of additions ofNa2C03 to the moulding sand was examined with particular attention to its influence on mechanical properties of the synthetic moulding sand. The fineness number, screen bulk fraction, total coarse fraction and the total fine fraction of Igbokoda silica sand were found to be within the range that could give good mouldable properties. The values obtained for the green compressive strength, the dry compressive strength, the green and dry shear strengths, collapsibility and toughness indicate that Igbokoda clay has good values as a binder for synthetic moulding sand. In general, the addition of Na2C03 gives improved properties to the moulding sand though with a tendency towards impaired collapsibility values

Nutritional Qualities of Three Medicinal Plant Parts (Xylopia aethiopica, Blighia sapida and Parinari polyandra) commonly used by Pregnant Women in the Western Part of Nigeria

The nutritional potentials of three medicinal plant parts used by pregnant women in the western part of Nigeria Parinari polyandra, Blighia sapida and Xylopia aethiopica were evaluated through their proximate compositions as well as percentage mineral elements composition. Blighia sapida was high in crude fibre (44.09±2.20%) compared with Parinari polyandra and Xylopia aethiopica that were 4.21±1.10% and 12.14±0.70% respectively. Moisture contents of Xylopia aethiopica and Blighia sapida were 16.04±1.25% and 10.17±2.60% respectively while that of Parinari polyandra was 30.65±5.02%. The total ash contents of Parinari polyandra, Blighia sapida and Xylopia aethiopica were 2.53±1.20%, 3.66±1.20% and 4.37±0.85% respectively. The total fat of Xylopia aethiopica, Blighia sapida and Parinari polyandra were 9.55±2.10%, 1.25±0.20% and 0.53±0.15% respectively while the total protein of Blighia sapida, Xylopia aethiopica and Parinari polyandra were 2.1±0.25%, 2.1±0.20% and 7.09±0.20% respectively. The total carbohydrate of Xylopia aethiopica was 55.80±4.26%, that of Parinari polyandra was 54.27±3.20% and that of Blighia sapida was 39.45±2.20%. Xylopia aethiopica can be a good source of magnesium (2.236±0.095), phosphorus (0.620±0.04) and potassium (0.510±0.04) as the amount of these mineral elements were higher than that of the other plant parts with the exception of Parinari polyandra having 0.690±0.11% phosphorus. Blighia sapida is also a good source of phosphorus (0.400±0.20), magnesium (0.430±0.20) and calcium (0.348±0.15). Other mineral elements detected in reasonable amounts were calcium, zinc and sodium. Further tests revealed that heavy metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium were not detected. The results of this research indicated that the three plants parts have nutritional qualities that could provide the users with additional nutrients

DEMOGRAPHIC VARAIBLES AS THE DETERMINANT OF HOME CHORES AMONG MARRIED COUPLES IN SELECTED TOWNS IN EKITI STATE

This research focuses on the demographic variables as the determinant of home chores among married couples in selected towns in Ekiti state. The main objective of the study is to primarily investigate if demographic characteristics of couples are strong enough to determine carrying out home chores among the people of Ekiti. This study is exploratory in nature and was carried out purposively in selected urban areas like Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Aramoko and Igede. A total number of 400 respondents were drawn. However, only 394 (98.5%) of the questionnaires were dully filled and it was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The quantitative data was presented in tables, frequency and percentages. The results showed that most of the respondents (29.9%) were between the age of 37-47 years, (50.3%) were female, (45.2%) had B.Sc/HND, (32.0%) were civil servants, (55.8%) earn between N20,000-N60,000 monthly, (44.2%) of the respondents had family size of 4-6 members, (74.1%) of the couples were monogamy while (49.2%) had between 3-4 children. On home chores respondents were familiar with, laundry work which was mostly known (69.5%) while (39.6%) respondents had little familiarity with babysitting. In respect to home chores statistics shows that (71.6%) respondents basically arrange and organize home while (48.2%) rarely babysit. In respect to whether demographic variables of the respondents determine a set of home chores which married couples engage in, there was a thin line between the responses provided by the respondents. About 45.7% of the respondents said yes while 45.2% said no to the above assertion. This research recommends that married couples should help themselves in doing or carrying out any form of home chores irrespective of their religion or cultural differences. This would invariably foster and sustain peace among the couples. The study concluded that socio-demographic variables do not determine the type, set and volume of home chores couples in Ekiti state engage in at any point in time

Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters of albino Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats for 16 days. The extract did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). The concentration of the platelets was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 1000 mg/kg body weight, while white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased at 500 mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT, total protein, glucose and creatinine while urea was significantly increased. While the extract significantly increased the lung, brain and liver-body weights, the kidney, heart, testis, spleen and epididymis-body weights were not significantly affected. The result suggests that the leaf extract of C. albidum contains antiplatelet and hypoglycemic properties and exhibited selective organ toxicity to the rats

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT RATES OF JATHROPHA (Jathropha curcas) SEED CAKE ON THE GROWTH OF AMARANTHUS CAUDATUS

A field experiment was conducted at Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria to evaluate the performance of different rates of Jathropha seed cake on the growth and yield of Amaranthus caudatus. The five treatments tested were; 3 Jathropha seed cake application rates (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 t/ha), NPK at 100kg N/ha and control. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and fresh weight were taken. The results (p<0.05) indicated that application of Jathropha seed cake at 2.5 t/ha produced taller plants more profuse leaves and higher shoot fresh weight compared to NPK or the control treatment. In conclusion, Jathropha seed cake at 2.5 t/ha could be good alternatives to NPK fertilizer in raising leafy vegetable

The use and economic benefits of fibres from sisal hemp (Agave sisalana) leaves as supporting ropes for fishing gear

Sisal hemp (Agave sisalana) leaves were harvested and processed using the beating and decomposition methods. The fibres obtained were washed, dried and finally spurned in to cordage of about 4mm diameter 39 pieces of ropes, each measuring 2 meters were altogether spurned. 30 pieces of these ropes were immersed in water for a period of 24 weeks, 6 were placed in a shaded and airily place and 3 were used for the head and footling of gillnet, sinker line of cast net and the main line of long line. Every other week, the ropes in water and air were tested for its breaking strength using an improved 50kg spring balance. At the end of the experiment, it was found the immersed ropes maintained a tensile strength of over 50kg/F for the first 18 weeks, thereafter; there was a gradual weekly reduction in the strength until the 23rd week when the tensile strength was less than 1kg/F. The cost benefit analysis showed that about 5,3146 tons processed fibers could be obtained fro 1ha. capable of being spenced in to 528300m of 4mm diameter cordage. This paper finally recommended the growth of sisal hemp plants by fisher folks so that there will be constant stock for intermittent harvesting for rope spurnin

Investigation on Pleurotus ferulae potential for the sorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution

Pleurotus ferulae obtained from rotten tree was collected, washed, dried, ground and sieved to appropriate particle size. Infra-red spectrometry was used to determine functional groups on the biomass while biosorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution was studied using the biomass in a batch system. The effect of pH (1-7.5), temperature (30-50 oC), biomass dosage of 0.5-4 g and initial metal concentration (20-300 mg/L) was studied. Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics consideration were evaluated from the studied parameters to evaluate the adsorption potential of the biomass. The functional groups on the dried P. ferulae were:  –OH, –NH, –COO− and –C–O. In the batch experiments maximum biosorption was observed at initial pH of 3.0, temperature of 30 oC and at the initial metal concentration of 100 mg/L. A contact time 20 min was sufficient for quantitative sorption of lead. It was observed that pseudo second order rate expression fit the experimental data and equilibrium analysis showed that the biosorption process followed Langmuir model. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the process was exothermic and ∆Go was negative showing spontaneity of the process within the studied temperature. KEY WORDS: Biosorption, Pb(II), Pleurotus ferulae, Biomass Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2013, 27(1), 25-34.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v27i1.

Implication of Future Carbon Dioxide Injection on Selected Niger-Delta Reservoir Rocks and Fluids

Mitigation against increasing carbon dioxide, CO2, in the atmosphere is uppermost in environmental research due to its negative effects and the most effective approach is in the area of underground carbon storage. In this research, a model was developed to study the possible alteration of porosity and permeability during CO2 injection to Kwale sandstone reservoir, Kwale shales, Imeri oil sand and Ota Kaolinitic clay. The proposed model combined the Timur model irreducible water saturation equation and the Coates-Dumanoir permeability equation, to describe CO2 injection influence on the Kwale reservoir permeability. The proposed model gave permeability values ranging from 0.06 milliDarcy to 92.46 milliDarcy for the Kwale sandstones and shale; 2.01 to 10.2 milliDarcy for Imeri oil sand and 1.8 to 10.2 milliDarcy for Ota Kaolinitic clay samples. In comparison, the Timur model gave permeability values from 0.0 to 634 milliDarcy; Tixier values range from 0.0 to 10053 milliDarcy; Coates-Dumanoir gave values of 6.68 - 8550 milliDarcy while Aigbedion gave values ranging from -3.7 to 5.94 milliDarcy. The published Kwale sands permeability ranges from 0.8 to 87 milliDarcy. During this research it was discovered that the injection of CO2 into Kwale sandstones resulted in an increase in the porosity of the sandstone, which is an indication of possible reaction between the injected CO2 and the formation. This made the Kwale sandstone formation a potential CO2 storage reservoir. It was concluded that the black Kwale shale lacked storage integrity as the stored gas may migrate to nearby reservoirs. The grey shale is recommended for CO2 storage as there was observed increase in porosity which is an indication of possible reaction with the CO2 to form new minerals which will make the gas to remain underground. Imeri oil sand formation is too porous and is recommended, with reservation, as a potential CO2 storage reservoir. The Ota Kaolinitic clay with its moderate initial porosity and reducing porosity with CO2 injection is a potential storage reservoir for CO2. It was observed that there is no single equation to describe the permeability variation with time for the samples considered but the permeability is a second degree polynomial in time and porosity immediately after injection but has an exponential relationship with the time/porosity after some days of injection. Moreover, research was conducted on the possible leakage of the stored CO2 to a nearby formation being drilled or produced. It was observed that this leakage will create drilling problems due to its side effect on the properties of the drilling mud and the oil in place. CO2 leakage into a nearby producing reservoir will affect the property of the producing oil negatively and there may be need for further treatment of the crude at the surfac