Agronomic performance of elite drought tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under natural disease inoculation in the rainforest of Nigeria.

The tropical rainforest agroecology is highly vulnerable to a myriad of plant disease infections and the likelihood that farmers would adopt a new maize cultivar largely depends on its resistance to the common diseases. In the present study, a set of newly developed single cross drought tolerant maize hybrids were evaluated under natural disease inoculation and their performance for grain yield, breeder’s traits, and response to infections by four cosmopolitan foliar diseases were assessed. A trial comprising 96 experimental hybrids and 4 hybrid checks were planted over two rainy seasons at Ikenne using a 10 x 10 triple-­‐lattice design. Hybrids differed significantly (p < 0.0001) for grain yield and other measured traits. Significant hybrid x year interaction was also observed for all traits except plant aspect. Ranking of mean grain yields of hybrids between the two years revealed moderate but highly significant correlation (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001). All measured traits except curvularia were negatively and significantly correlated (r = -­‐0.16 to -­‐0.58, p < 0.0001) with grain yield. Mean grain yields ranged between 2,282 and 6,132 kg ha-­‐1 with a trial mean of 4,509 kg ha-­­‐1. The top five yielders exceeded the best drought tolerant check (M1026-­‐7; 5,485 kg ha-­­‐1) by a least 2 standard errors whereas the top 20 hybrids produced significantly higher yields than the best commercial check (Oba 98; 4,150 kg ha-­­‐1) and had mostly favorable scores for the breeder’s traits and response to foliar disease infections. Promising high yielding and drought tolerant hybrids that have appreciable resistance to common foliar diseases can be selected among the tested genotypes

BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION IN METROPOLITAN KANO, NIGERIA

Kano metropolitan area is witnessing increasing population growth with transportation problems that has continued to pose serious mobility crisis of ever-increasing congestions on her roads. With growing inadequacy of public transport services, benefits of efficient planning for sustainable transportation system for a city like Kano cannot be overemphasized. This research assessed the likely challenges and opportunities of proposed Bus Rapid Transit Operations in Kano Metropolis. Through quantitative data survey and analysis, the study revealed that Kano metropolis public transport are commonly used by the low-income city residents and often fall short of demands. Although, the Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) has been managing traffic problems in the metropolis, introducing BRT can further accelerate successful realization of the goals of 21st urban transport services that can become model for similar cities in Nigeria and beyond. Even though Kano is ancient city, it is anticipated that there would be little challenges in the introduction, building and operations of the proposed BRT in regards to structural construction and similar road expansion exercise. Generally low-income level of the city residents and the equallylow revenue base of the state are also issues that, although, important but, can hardly derail the present and future prospects of the project. We concluded that, just as the pre-colonial Trans-Sahara trades and the 20th century north-south movements were aided by camels and trains for the city of Kano, this same ancient city is yet on the verge of receiving another veritable impetus of urban and regional economic development in this 21st century of urbanization through the BRT

Effects of Housing Facilities on Residents’ Satisfaction in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

The importance of facilities in the proper functioning of any building cannot be overemphasized. The demand for accommodation is the demand for all components and facilities that can enhance the desired satisfaction of the occupants. This study therefore, aims at examining the effects of facilities on residents‟ satisfaction in Osogbo focusing on Isale-Odo and Alekuwodo areas with a view to explaining the importance of adequate facilities in housing units. The study administered structured questionnaires on 250 residents from each of the selected areas using stratified random sampling. Data collected were analysed through frequency distribution and relative satisfaction index method to ascertain the extent by which residents are satisfied with the quantum and state of facilities provided within the residential neighbourhoods. The study found that residents in Alekuwodo are more satisfied with their environment based on the facilities provided but not so in Isale Osun. Total rehabilitation of areas with substandard housing and no facilities by the concerned government is among others recommended in order to improve and promote neighbourhood health and prospectsKey Words: housing, facilities, residents, satisfaction, Oshogb

Bleaching of Palm Oil by Activated Local Bentonite and Kaolin Clay from Afashio, Edo-Nigeria

The bleaching potential of Afashio kaolin (AFK), from Edo state in Nigeria, for removal of pigments from palm oil was investigated in comparison with that of local bentonite (BN). Both AFK and BN were activated by acid treatment. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of adsorbent dosage (2 – 8 %), contact time (0 – 1.5 hr) and temperature (60 – 90oC) on pigment adsorption. Four adsorption isotherms were used to model the equilibrium data for both adsorbents (AFK and BN), namely Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Redlich-Peterson models. The Sips model provides the best correlation and adsorption occurred in monolayer. Kinetic adsorption data were analyzed using the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and intraparticle diffusion models. The regression results showed that the adsorption kinetics was more accurately represented by the pseudo-first order kinetic model. Intraparticle diffusion studies reveals that pore diffusion is the controlling mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters, ?G, ?H and ?S, were calculated as a function of both temperature and adsorbent dosage. The values of enthalpy change were positive and greater than 40 kJ/mol in all cases, indicating that the bleaching process is endothermic and chemisorption in nature. The results suggest that AFK could be employed as low-cost alternative for removal of pigments from vegetable oil though BN is better. Keywords: Afashio kaolin, bentonite, bleaching, equilibrium isotherms, kinetic models

Assessment of Urban Infrastructure Quality and User Satisfaction in Low Income Residential Neighbourhoods in Minna, Nigeria

This study assessed urban infrastructure quality and the level of user satisfaction with urban infrastructure in low income residential neighbourhoods in Minna, Nigeria. Five (5) neighbourhoods were selected for the study, and a total of 250 housing units were sampled. Questionnaire was administered on households that fell within the sample and used to retrieve relevant data. This was followed with an observatory study of the entire study area. Simple descriptive statistic, frequency distribution, Kruskal wallis (H) test, Pearson's correlation, and Relative satisfaction index (RSI) were used to analyse collected data at different levels in the research. Analyse-it ® v4.5 statistical software for Microsoft excel was used to carry out all statistical analysis. Seven (7) components of urban infrastructure were identified to sustain residential properties in the study area and the varied conditions of each of these infrastructure was presented. The overall quality of urban infrastructure was established based on cumulative weighted scores of respondents rating of urban infrastructure quality in their respective neighbourhoods. Total weighted scores of 600 and below signified a general poor quality of urban infrastructure in the affected areas. A correlation coefficient of 0.853 indicates a strong positive relationship between drainage conditions and the condition of access roads, among others, while low RSI for access roads (1.972), drainage systems (1.456), waste disposal (1.712), security (2.632), water supply (1.372), electricity supply (1.52), and neighbourhood cleanliness (1.688) indicate a very low level of user satisfaction with urban infrastructure in the study area. Over 50% of respondents described the management of urban infrastructure in their neighbourhoods as being poor. The study recommend that efforts by the concerned authorities should be intensified towards the provision and proper management of urban infrastructure in urban areas.Keywords: Infrastructure quality, residential neighbourhood, urban infrastructure, usersatisfactio

Analysis of Environmental and Economic Effects of Kiri Dam, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This research was an attempt to study the consequences of dam construction in Nigeria This was expedient because such projects are known to be characterised by array of disasters that ensued their construction Satellite images captured before and after the dam in 1976 and 2014 respectively were subjected to image processing techniques so as to assess the likely changes in environmental variables of the area This was supplemented by 250 questionnaires administered in settlements along the riverbank to elicit information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the people Additionally field observations and informal interviews were conducted to probe further into details of information required Results show that natural vegetation has decreased by 63 This has led to chains of environmental problems including soil erosion loss of biodiversity and pollution The other land use cover types experienced increase with water body accounting for the highest value of 54 7 owing to dam in the reservoir The hitherto common crops of the area such as maize guinea corn have been replaced with cash crops like cotton and potato etc some of which are foreign to the area This coupled with inundation of farmlands by dam water has constituted undesirable impacts on the livelihood of the local farmers Unfortunately the dam water meant for irrigation farming and fishing has not been utilized maximally Instead the presence of the water has led to emergence of lifethreatening animals and birds It was recommended that the local farmers be provided with appropriate fishing and irrigation facilities to enable them take advantage of the dam Vast hectares of lands lying fallowed should be utilized to ensure food securit

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Studies on Three Major Dams in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The bacteriological and physicochemical properties of public water supply system in Ekiti State, Nigeria were analyzed, using treated and untreated water samples from selected dams. The antibiotic sensitivity of 140 E.coli (as water indicator) isolated was evaluated using microbiological standard methods. The plasmid profile of 20 selected resistant isolates was done using agarose gel electrophoresis method. The coliform and E. coli count were apparently high with average range of 28.6x102 to 39.8x103CFU/ml and 13.0x102 to 8.4x103CFU/ml respectively. Though less than 3% of the isolated E. coli was sensitive to ofloxacin, nalixidic acid and nitrofurantoin, only 24(17.1%) was resistant to amoxicillin. Among the multidrug resistant isolates about 92.9% were resistant to at least four antibiotics while 7.0% were resistant to all the eight antibiotics used. Out of 20 MDR isolates selected, only one (1) showed absence of plasmid as other harbored plasmids ranging from 1 to 4. The size of the plasmids in kilobase pair ranged between 2.03 and 3.13. The physicochemical properties and mineral content of the water samples were all within WHO permissible limits with pH range of (7.40-7.80) and temperature range of (27.5-28.0)0C. The occurrence of plasmid-mediated multidrug resistant E. coli in a public water supply system in rural community heightens public health concern as discussed in this work. Keywords:Ureje, Ero, Egbe, multidrug resistance, plasmid mediated, physicochemica

Analysis of Environmental and Economic Effects of Kiri Dam, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This research was an attempt to study the consequences of dam construction in Nigeria This was expedient because such projects are known to be characterised by array of disasters that ensued their construction Satellite images captured before and after the dam in 1976 and 2014 respectively were subjected to image processing techniques so as to assess the likely changes in environmental variables of the area This was supplemented by 250 questionnaires administered in settlements along the riverbank to elicit information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the people Additionally field observations and informal interviews were conducted to probe further into details of information required Results show that natural vegetation has decreased by 63 This has led to chains of environmental problems including soil erosion loss of biodiversity and pollution The other land use cover types experienced increase with water body accounting for the highest value of 54 7 owing to dam in the reservoir The hitherto common crops of the area such as maize guinea corn have been replaced with cash crops like cotton and potato etc some of which are foreign to the area This coupled with inundation of farmlands by dam water has constituted undesirable impacts on the livelihood of the local farmers Unfortunately the dam water meant for irrigation farming and fishing has not been utilized maximally Instead the presence of the water has led to emergence of lifethreatening animals and birds It was recommended that the local farmers be provided with appropriate fishing and irrigation facilities to enable them take advantage of the dam Vast hectares of lands lying fallowed should be utilized to ensure food securit

Human Capital Development and Poverty in Nigeria, 1960 - 2009: An Econometric Assessment

This study examined the relationship between human capital development and poverty in Nigeria using data spanning 1960-2009. The human capital development variable was measured using conventional variables i.e. education and health, with government expenditures on education and health being used as the proxies. Other variables on  communication, transportation and utility were used as control. A readily available poverty measure, gross domestic product per capita was used to capture poverty status. This is based on the fact that poverty is mostly measured in monetary terms captured by income or consumption per capita or household in the absence of direct primary data observation. After carrying out the diagnostic tests, the cointegration analysis carried out proved that, to some extent, a cointegrating relationship exists between the poverty measure and human capital development indicators. However, the Granger causality estimation results show that both education and health expenditures are fundamental in reducing poverty level based on the uni-directional causality while no causality runs from poverty status to the indicators. Keywords: Poverty, Human Capital Development, Cointegration, Granger Causalit

lnvestment in Education and lnclusive Growth: Any Relationship for Nigeria?

Until recently,.Jhe last decade has witnessed massive economic growth in Nigeria, but the literature has proved that the growth has not been inclusive in nature. This is because, in spite of the level of growth recorded overtime, the poverty rate is still very high. This study investigates the relationship between human capital (education) and inclusive growth in Nigeria between the sample period of 1981 to 2013. The Johansen co-integration me_thod and Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) were adopted. The result reveals that human capital has a positive and significant long run relationship with inclusive growth in Nigeria. While, it showed a negative and significant relationship for public capital expenditure on education and a negative, it was not having significant relationship with public recurrent expenditure and education. The study however suggest that, f or the Nigerian economy to maximise the benefits from human capital and public expenditure on education, the government must initiate policies that will drive not only quantity and quality education, but that is all inclusive, so OJ to create more employment opportunities. An increase in employment will therefore increase income and standard ofliving, which will in tum reduce poverty and inequality