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

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

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

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

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

INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS AND USE OF E-RESOURCES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN NIGERIA IN RELATION TO KUHLTHAU’S MODEL OF INFORMATION SEARCH PROCESS (ISP)

ABSTRACT The study investigated the level of information literacy skills and use of EIRs through the application of Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP) by undergraduate students of Federal Universities in Nigeria and developed a conceptual model framework to represent the findings. The study adopted the principles of positivist assumptions using Cross-Sectional survey and a Two-Stage Cluster sampling technique on a sampled 2,402 undergraduate students. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics. The study found out that the Model is effective to this study as it describes the information search process from the perspective of the user which developed a principle of uncertainty that initiates the process of information seeking. The findings revealed that undergraduate students have adequate knowledge about information literacy program (mean=4.0) and are aware of a programs that teach users about how to use e-resources in seeking for information to increase self awareness (mean=4.3). The study found out that ICT facilities enable undergraduate students acquire more information (90.3%) and have adequate knowledge about information literacy program and search terminologies (1,034/51.2%) which initiate the search process. The general conclusion of the research is that undergraduate students have adequate information literacy skills but experience heightened uncertainty with inconsistent information that requires construction and interpretation. The study recommended that librarians need to re-evaluate their roles and be more active in the task of inculcating the principles of information literacy and apply its various aspects in appropriate situations for the promotion of information literacy programs. Keywords: Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process, e-Resources, Information Search Process, Literacy Skills, Undergraduate Student

EFFECTS OF DEMONSTRATION AND LECTURE METHODS OF TEACHING APICULTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF AGRIC STUDENTS IN ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

A study was conducted using two (2) sets of 400 levels students to determine the effects of a combined demonstrationand lecture methods of teaching apiculture on one hand, and lecture method on another, on performance of learnersin the Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, Nigeria. Data were collected byobservation of students’ scores, and personal verification of records/files to obtain information on age, gender andqualification at admission of both sets of students, whereas cost of instructional materials were determined throughthe Departmental Store Invoice (DSI). Descriptive statistics, computed cost components and correlation analyseswere employed in the analyses of the data. Results revealed that while majority (52.00%) of the ConventionalStudents (CS) fell within the age range of 20-25 years, a larger proportion of the Sasakawa Students (SS) werewithin 31-35 years. Gender-wise, males accounted for the bulk of the students with 68.00% and 78.26% for CS andSS, respectively. In spite of the fact that Lecture Method (LM) had lower cost implication, it was found to be moreefficient as a method of instruction among the students than a combined Demonstration and Lecture Methods(DLM). The male students slightly (0.456) performed better than their female (0.246) counterparts, with bothcoefficients significant at P<0.05. Its concluded that the application of LM of instruction was slightly more efficientthan a combined DLM among the agriculture students of ADSU. Also, the male students were found to performslightly better than the females. While the DLM could be more appropriate at primary and secondary schools, theLM is being recommended at tertiary level based on the findings of this study

LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AND INCOME: A CASE STUDY OF COMMUNITIES RESIDENT ALONG THE KIRI DAM, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This research analysed livelihood diversifi cation and income in resident communities along the Kiri Dam, Adamawa state, Nigeria. The specifi c objectives of the study were: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, assess the level of livelihood diversifi cation of the respondents, analyse income of the respondents, identify factors associated with varying levels of income, and identify constraints to livelihood diversifi cation in the area. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 120 respondents from the study area. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results showed that the majority of the respondents were male (78%), married (76%), educated (70%), below 60 years of age (93%) and employed in agricultural activities (83%). The Simpson index of diversifi cation shows that 43% of the respondents diversify at an average level. The majority (60%) of the respondents&rsquo; annual income is over &#8358; 200,000. The ordinary least square estimation shows that age, marital status, education, irrigation activities, fi shing, farm size and level of diversifi cation aff ect income level in the area. The main constraints to diversifi ed livelihood in the area were a lack of basic social infrastructure, a hippopotamus menace and fl ooding. The study recommended the provision of social infrastructure and the control of hippopotamuses.&nbsp