Toxic effect of Raphia vinifera on fish leech (Piscicola geometra)

This study examines acute toxicity of Raphia vinifera on fish leech, Piscicola geometra. The leeches with a mean total length of (TL) 4.2+1.0cm were exposed to various concentrations of both crude powdered and ethanolic extracts of the botanical. Median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined with static-renewal tests using logarithmic and arithmetic graphic methods. The LC50 (for 96 hours of crude powdered (aqueous) extracts of the botanical on Piscicola geometra was 1.10 ppm arithmetically and 1.14ppm logarithmically. The 95% confidence limits was 0.10ppm arithmetically and 0.12ppm logarithmically. The LC50 of ethanolic extract of the poison at 96-h was 0.5ppm arithmetically and 0.48ppm logarithmically. The 95% confidence limits were less than 0.10ppm. The use of extracts of R. vinifera in the control of leeches in fish ponds is discusse

Strategies for the establishment of profitable fish farms in Nigeria

Cost projections for the establishment of a fish farm in Nigeria was conducted. It is shown that fish farming should be a lucrative venture. However, many private fish farms are not making the desired profits because of a variety of problems. Besides managerial incompetence, availability of fingerlings for stocking in the ponds is shown to be a serious handicap to the success of investments in a fish farm. It is suggested that where the funds are available, each farm should be equipped with facilities for raising its needs of fingerlings. Since useful capital would be involved and knowledgeable experts to run the hatcheries are few, it is recommended that fish farms within a state or adjacent states should combine to establish viable cooperative hatcherie

Effects of food practical on students skills acquisition in selected tertiary institutions, Ogun State, Nigeria

The study examined the effects of Food Practical on students’ skill acquisition in selected tertiary institutions in Ogun State. The study focused on Home Economics Students from Tai Solarin University, Ijegun, Ijebu – Ode and Home and Hotel  Management Students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro respectively. Two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of  significance. The study was a quasi-experimental at research which employed the pre-test, post-test control group design. The population was made up of three  hundred (300) level Home Economics Students in 2014/2015 session and 138 samples were purposively selected. They are grouped into two experimental and control groups: Students from Tai Solarin University (69) and the Control group students from Olabisi Onabanjo University (69). The two groups were subjected to post – test for two weeks. Questionnaire and Evaluation Instrument for practical were used. The data collected were analyzed using Mean, Standard Deviation and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The F value results of the study revealed that the two null hypotheses were rejected. Findings showed that respondents from  control group had better skill acquisition competencies compared to the  experimental group. It also revealed that there was a significant difference in the performance of respondents from middle, low and high socio-economic backgrounds. In conclusion, it is very important to expose students to food practical for skill acquisition.Keywords: Effect, Food Practical, Skills acquisition & tertiary institutions

The Contributions Of Nigeria Women Towards National Development

This paper examine the contributions of Nigeria Women towards National Development. It gives the detrimental effects which the colonialism have had on the status of Nigerian women. The challenges of women contributions to the development of the Nigerian nation are highlighted. And ameliorating these challenges recommendations are made which among others include the proper education of women, formation of more women, business cooperatives, enlightment campaigns in secondary and tertiary institutions as well as granting women their constitutional rights to effective participation in the affairs of the country

Rental Analysis of Residential Properties in Close Proximity to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

This research analyzed the rental values of residential properties within the neighbourhood of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). It examined among others the relationship between students’ population off-campus and the rental values of proximate residential properties, and the factors that influence the rental values of residential properties within the neighbourhood of the institution. The data for the study was collected through structured questionnaires from twenty (20) registered Practicing Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Akure and from the Student Affairs Division of FUTA. The data collected were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics (Weighted Mean Scores and frequency tables and graph) and Inferential Statistics (Correlation Coefficient). The study revealed that the major factors often discovered from relevant literature to determine rental values of residential properties such as facilities and condition of repairs among others were the least ranked within the neighbourhood of FUTA. The study also revealed that there was a positive relationship between the population of students of FUTA living in the private rented sector and rental values of selected residential properties over the years. This indicates that demand pressure from students and residents contribute immensely to the changes in rental values within the area. It is therefore recommended that government and higher educational institutions should be encouraged to make a clear and definite statement concerning the provision of on-campus accommodation. Also, likely impacts of higher educational institutions on local rental market should be integral to the establishment and expansion plans of every higher institution. Keywords: Higher Educational institution, Proximity, Residential Property, Rental Values

Perspectives of Students on Private Hostel Facilities in Proximity to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

This study examined students’ perspectives on private hostel facilities, focusing on selected private hostels within Federal University of Technology environs, with a view to ensuring the functionality and optimal performance of the facilities in the hostel. The targeted population of this research consists of the private hostels around south gate of Federal University of Technology and its environs. Data was obtained through the distribution of structured questionnaires. A total number of two hundred and eighty one (281) questionnaires were administered and (234) representing 83.27% of the questionnaires were retrieved. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (relative importance index and weighted mean score). Results of the data obtained revealed that internet connectivity and electricity were the most needed facilities in the hostels with mean scores of 4.6410 and 4.4701 respectively. Privacy and length of lease were the major factors that influenced students’ decision to reside in private hostels. The research further revealed that students were highly satisfied with security, road network, waste disposal system but were dissatisfied with common room, electricity, internet connectivity and laundry facilities. The research recommended and concluded that facilities in private hostels need to be improved upon. This will greatly improve the comfortability of the students and influence their academic performance positively.

Sensory attributes and consumption of melon-soybean soup blends with Indian spinach vegetables in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria

The study investigated the sensory attributes of melon-soybean soup with Indian spinach vegetables which was observed to be poorly accepted in consumption. Descriptive research design and sensory evaluation was used. The study population comprised three hundred and fifty students from 100-500 level with a sample size of 40 respondents that were randomly selected from each level. Ratios of melon and soya beans 20:80, 40: 60, 60: 40, 100:0 50:50, and 80:20 was used for the sensory evaluation .The samples were given to the panelist and the results were analyzed using 9-point hedonic scale. A well-structured questionnaire was also used to assess the level of acceptability and consumption of the soups; the data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at (p<0.05) level.The findings revealed that the control, melon 100% soup had the highest acceptability in terms of colour, aroma, texture and general acceptability. The use of melon and soya bean soup blend is acceptable up to 60% inclusion level. The result obtained shows that there are no setbacks in the acceptability and consumption of melon-soybean soup with Indian spinach vegetables in Nigeria. It is recommended that Soya beans products should be included in the melon and soya beans soup blend to improve acceptability and consumption in Nigeria.Keyword: Assessment, Soybeans, Sensory Qualities, Vegetable, Nutrition, Acceptabilit

Effect of farmer-herdsmen conflict on poverty status of farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of farmer-herdsmen conflict on poverty status of crop farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data was used for the study and a three stage sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the respondents. A structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of extracting needed information from 110 crop farming households selected for the study. The data collected were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) Index, and Tobit regression model. The result of prevalence of poverty among the farming households, who experienced conflict and those who didn’t in the study area, was 19.23% and 10.34%, while the intensity of poverty was 1.38 and 0.99%, respectively. The severity of poverty, which measures the extent of poverty, shows poverty was more severe among the poor who experienced conflict with a poverty index of 0.0002 than the poor who didn’t experienced conflict, who had index of 0.0001. The Tobit regression model, which measured the effects of farmer-herdsmen conflict on poverty status of the farming household, indicates that the likelihood of being poor were more with large farming households, noneducated farming household heads, small farm size, low farm income households, low off-farm income and occurrence of conflict. The study therefore recommends that governments should designate some areas for the herdsmen as grazing field and also establish grazing reserves and communities in all the states, so as to reduce farmers-herdsmen conflict

Chemical constituents and antimicrobial properties of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn)

The chemical composition of the leave extracts of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn) of the family Euphorbiaceae from Nigeria was analyzed by GC-MS. The extracts were also examined for their potential to inhibit the growth of clinical isolates following standard procedure. The major compounds identified in the hexane extract are a flavonoid, flavone 4’,5,7-triethoxy-3,3’,6- trimethoxy (20.23%) and a triterpenoid 17-(1,5-Dimethylhexyl)-6-hydroxy-5-methylestr-9-en-3-yl acetate (19.02%) while bufalin (18.71%) and tetratetracontane (12.91%) were the major compounds detected in the methanol extract. Steroidal triterpenoids are the major compounds present in the extracts as it accounted for 47% of the total detectable content in the hexane extract and 52% in the methanol extract. The steroidal triterpenoids which exist primarily as acetate in the hexane extract include cycloeucalenyl acetate, ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3-ol acetate, macdougallin, 17-(1,5-Dimethylhexyl)-6-hydroxy-5-methylestr-9-en-3-yl acetate, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol while the methanol extract contains 6,7-epoxypregn-4-ene-9,11,18-triol-3,20-dione, 11,18-diacetate, bufalin, olean-13(18)-ene, methyl ursolate, barringenol R1 and 7,8- epoxylanostan-11-ol,3-acetoxy. Hexane extract of the plant exhibited antifungal activity on Candida albicans while methanol extract revealed significant antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at all concentrations of the extract between 12.5 and 100 mg/mL, the activity being comparable to the standard antibacterial drug, Oxacillin. The leaves of Phyllanthus amarus is a potential source of steroidal triterpenoids which could serve as biomarker for the plant species. The extracts of the plant may also serve as a natural source of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of some microbial infections.Keywords: Phyllathus amarus, antimicrobial, phytochemicals, leaf extract

STUDIES ON THE ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTICORROSIVE PROPERTIES OF SYNTHESIZED HYBRID POLYURETHANE COMPOSITES FROM CASTOR SEED OIL

Castor seed oil (Ricinus communis) is a prominent feed stock towards the generation of renewable materials for industrial production. The reach presence of ricinoleic fatty acid at 87.5% provides pendant hydroxyl functional groups, which is an essential site for chemical formulations. This paper presents the synthesis, characterization, and evaluations on antibacterial and anticorrosive activities of synthesized hybrid composites from Ricinus communis seed oil. N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy ethyl)-12-hydroxy Ricinus communis oil fatty amide (HERCA) was synthesized via aminolysis polyol formation route. Upon reacting HERCA with succinic acid at a high temperature of about 145 ºC, a polyesteramide (RCPEA) was formed. This ester product undergoes urethanation and subsequently interfaced with modified hybrid material. The synthesized composites were characterized using spectroscopic methods such as FTIR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. Selected physicochemical parameters were also carried out on the products. Coating performance on cured resins was examined