Development of Web-based Interactive Map Using Object-Oriented Programming Concept

The program incorporates an interactive map which responds to origin and destination selection, by analyzing the relative positions of both locations and creating real-time routes on the road network to display to the user the required path from the origin to the destination and the approximate distance/time required. System design is based on the Model- View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, and the application has been developed using Adobe Flash CS3 (with ActionScrip

Challenges of Slum Upgrading in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria

Environmental decay in a city is essentially caused by rapid urbanization and the mismatch in the provision and maintenance of housing and infrastructure. This study examined challenges of slum upgrading in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study aims to examine slum areas and their living conditions, and finding out the most critical and problematic zone of the slums Two sources (primary and secondary) of data were utilized in the study: The study population for this study was the residents of Diobu and Waterside in Port Harcourt, River State. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data appropriately. Findings established that 11.3% acquired primary education, 29.0% have secondary education, and 14.0% had NCE, 21.0% had both HND and degree and 3.8% had no formal education. Findings showed that 31.7% of the residents were owners of the building while 68.2% were living in rented apartments. Findings revealed that 40.9% of the respondents have bad drainage system which would lead to dirty environment and 6.5% having very good drainage system. The study concluded that majority of building structures in the study area are old that existed for decades without maintenance and the surrounding environment very poor due to neglect

The Conundrum of Human Trafficking in Africa

This chapter explores the nature, extent and mystification of human trafficking in Africa. While human trafficking is an age-long, border-less crime of global proportion, its current form and dimensions have enormous negativity on the human race (generally), and pose enormous threats to peace and security on the African continent (specifically). Such consternation has engendered various stakeholders to introduce policy measures to curb the spread; however, rather than diminishing, it is ever increasing. From a positional standpoint, using document analysis, this chapter provides a synopsis of human trafficking in Africa, in recent times, and offers suggestions on pragmatic steps that could help address both the demand and supply end of this illicit criminal enterprise in twenty-first (21st) century Africa

Planning a Functional City Centre in a Physiographic Constrained Landscape: A Case Study of Lokoja, Nigeria

The city centre planning and redevelopment in developing cities, the location, function and physical form of such cities notwithstanding often remain the hardest planning proposal to be accomplished by any planning endeavour. The magnitude of this problem has been linked to the origin and locations of many settlements especially those associated with poor relief environment which later poses numerous planning challenges such as malfunctioning of such cities’ central area planning. This study therefore aims at planning a more viable and functional 'city centre' that befit the ever growing and physically distorted Lokoja town which existing central area is currently undermining the physical need of the inhabitants. Moreover, in the face of physical environmental challenge, there must be a good choice of locating a befitting site for its central area development. In the literature, it is evident that there are different concepts worldwide in the development of this centre hence copying from one style of design may not really work else where because of many peculiarities. Methodologically, the study employs detailed land-use studies, traffics survey and other social research analytical tool to propose a better choice of alternative site for the central area development. The researchers conceived a ‘pedestrian precinct principle’ for the central areas that is being anticipated and concludes that the fiscal resources or funding of the central area plan implementation be sourced possibly from either urban development bank or directly from central government

REWORKING TRADITIONAL FUND RAISING INSTITUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISION: A REVIEW OF NIGERIAN AND KENYAN CASE-STUDIES

Traditional fundraising institutions such as Esusu Cooperatives in South-West Nigeria and the Harambee system in Kenya have been a vital source of capital formation for low income earners. This paper examines traditional and contemporary funding systems, and proposes alternative strategies for addressing funding challenges that confront low-income earners, by reviewing existing literature related to funding systems in Nigeria and Kenya. Harambee schemes have been successfully deployed in the education sector in Kenya, and similarly, many models of the credit and thrift cooperatives that exist in Nigeria (particularly those based on the Esusu system), have provided improved access to loans and credit for low income earners. It is argued that the advantages of these traditional schemes which rely fundamentally on community collaboration can be successfully utilised in the delivery of housing projects. In conclusion, the financial benefits enjoyed in the Esusu and Harambee systems can be successfully harnessed in the delivery of small and medium-sized housing schemes via housing cooperatives and other finance institutions in urban locations, by focusing on loan default minimization and elimination of collaterals

Schematic Structure of National Data Harmonization System for Identity Management

Imagine a web-application in which a user can query varieties of information about an individual (like name, age, state of origin, driver’s license number, national identification number, etc.). This information would be stored on different databases, each having its own schema. Often times, these resources are replicated in different locations and on different platforms. Hence, the need for data harmonization or integration. Data harmonization addresses this issue by considering these external resources as materialized views over a virtual mediated schema resulting in “virtual data integration”. When mediated schema is queried, the solution transforms the result into appropriate queries over the various and existing data sources. This paper focuses on data harmonization that cuts across different governmental database and incorporating them all into a centralized view and this is possible as a result of development and implementation of a webbased databank application

Assessment of Promotions of Compressed Stabilized Laterite Bricks in Predicting its Acceptability for Housing

Compressed Stabilized Laterite Bricks (CSLBs) has been canvassed as a viable alternative to sandcrete blocks due to its affordability and sustainability. However, it has not been widely accepted and used for housing construction as a result of certain inhibitors based on peoples’ perception. This paper examined the correlation between promotions (one of the inhibitors) of CSLBs in the prediction of its acceptability by the urban populace in Lagos State, Nigeria. Ibeju- Lekki Local Government Area was purposively selected for this study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 180 randomly selected respondents out of which 139 questionnaires were validly completed. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics models. Results of the analysis revealed that adequate promotions of CSLBs will significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influence its acceptability by the urban populace. In addition, low cost implication and high aspiration for home ownership were identified as other factors that significantly affected acceptability of CSLBs. It is recommended that public awareness campaign and education by government and stakeholders in the building industry is the key to acceptability of CSLBs for housing construction.

ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OTA,OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Vocational education is a vital tool for economic development. The Federal Government, in 2011, launched the Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC) which requires that all senior secondary school students be trained in one vocational subject. This study examines the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational education in secondary schools in Ado-Odo Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. It aims to highlight the factors that affect and influence the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational training as well as identify ways through which these attitudes can be improved. The study employs the use of questionnaires distributed to 200 students and 60 teachers in four secondary schools in Adodo-Ota LGA. The results show that students and teachers recognize the importance of vocational education. The study recommends that students be provided with modern day equipment to encourage students’ engagement in vocational subjects. The curriculum for the teaching of vocational subjects should be comprehensive, standardized and enforced in all secondary schools to ensure that students acquire all the skills they need to practice the vocation(s). These will improve vocational education and the attainment of its goals in secondary schools

Effects of Urbanisation on Lagos Wetlands

The study considered the effects of urbanisation on Lagos wetlands. Exploratory approach was employed in carrying out the study. The study established that urbanisation in the metropolis results from influx from the rural areas which had resulted in the quest for more spaces to provide accommodation or employment for the teaming population. Primary causes of wetland loss in Lagos Metropolis are human activities which include incessant sand filling and conversion of wetland environment to economic uses (construction) and perennial flooding that are common and regular occurrences in the metropolis. These had resulted into direct habitat loss, suspended solids additions, hydrologic changes, altered water quality, increase runoff volumes, diminished infiltration; reduce stream base flows and groundwater supplies, prolonging dry periods to mention just a few. The study therefore recommends that human activities (both individuals and government) should be reduced while efforts should be on those activities that encourage wetland conservation and preservation. Also focus should be shifted from the immediate benefits derived from wetland conversion to future/sustainable benefits derivable from proper wetland managemen

ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Vocational education is a vital tool for economic development. The Federal Government, in 2011,launched the Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC) which requires that all senior secondary school students be trained in one vocational subject. This study examines the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational education in secondary schools in Ado-Odo Local Government,Ogun State, Nigeria. It aims to highlight the factors that affect and influence the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational training as well as identify ways through which these attitudes can be improved. The study employs the use of questionnaires distributed to 200 students and 60 teachers in four secondary schools in Adodo-Ota LGA. The results show that students and teachers recognize the importance of vocational education. The study recommends that students be provided with modern day equipment to encourage students’ engagement in vocational subjects. The curriculum for the teaching of vocational subjects should be comprehensive, standardized and enforced in all secondary schools to ensure that students acquire all the skills they need to practice the vocation(s). These will improve vocational education and the attainment of its goals in secondary schools