Long-Term Effects of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on Reproductive Physiology and Behavior

It is well established that, over the course of development, hormones shape the vertebrate brain such that sex specific physiology and behaviors emerge. Much of this occurs in discrete developmental windows that span gestation through the prenatal period, although it is now becoming clear that at least some of this process continues through puberty. Perturbation of this developmental progression can permanently alter the capacity for reproductive success. Wildlife studies have revealed that exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), either naturally occurring or man made, can profoundly alter reproductive physiology and ultimately impact entire populations. Laboratory studies in rodents and other species have elucidated some of the mechanisms by which this occurs and strongly indicate that humans are also vulnerable to disruption. Use of hormonally active compounds in human medicine has also unfortunately revealed that the developing fetus can be exposed to and affected by endocrine disruptors, and that it might take decades for adverse effects to manifest. Research within the field of environmental endocrine disruption has also contributed to the general understanding of how early life experiences can alter reproductive physiology and behavior through non-genomic, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation. These types of effects have the potential to impact future generations if the germ line is affected. This review provides an overview of how exposure to EDCs, particularly those that interfere with estrogen action, impacts reproductive physiology and behaviors in vertebrates

Infrastructural Vandalism in Nigerian Cities: The Case of Osogbo, Osun State.

Vandalism of infrastructural facilities is a persistent social problem in all the major Nigerian urban centres today. Despite the inadequacy in infrastructural provision, the available facilities have been consistently vandalized by criminals and mob. This has undoubtedly strained the limited resources of the governments at federal, state and local levels. This paper examines the nature, types, location and costs of vandalism as well as identifying the various actors involved in vandalism of infrastructural facilities in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State, Nigeria. Questionnaires and interview scheduled were used in eliciting information from the residents of the city and the concerned security agency. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data obtained. The paper revealed a preponderance of male teenagers engaging in vandalism. Also, water pipelines, electricity cables, electrical transformers and telecommunication equipment are more vandalized than other facilities. This has cost the governments and the communities, substantial resources to effect the replacement of repair of the vandalized infrastructure. The paper recommends adequate security to be spearheaded by the inhabitants themselves for the facilities. Provision of employment opportunities to effectively engage the youths of the city is equally considered necessary. Keywords: Vandalism; infrastructural facilities; vandals; electricity cables; water pipeline

Climate Change,Urban Degreening and Flooding in Nigerian Cities:Reducing Vulnerability Through Polycentric Planning and Urban Greeenery Strategy(PPUGS)

This paper uses the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to analyse the missing links in attempts to address the problems of flooding in Nigerian cities. Previous flooding and the recent ones have been attributed to heavy downpour, blockage of water channels and drainages, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building of houses along channels. Areas that are neglected but pertinent to flood mitigation include: (1) degreening activities that remove green cover; (2) paving of open spaces with asphalt and concrete that accentuate storm water volume as percolation is reduced; and (3) unpaved surfaces that generate debris and silts that cause siltation and sedimentation of Atlantic Ocean and Lagoon with the consequence of rising sea level and coastal flooding. The paper reports the findings of longitudinal studies on causative factors of urban flooding. The studies commenced in Ile-Ife and Ibadan in 1997, conducted in Lagos in 1998-2000 and 2011 and in Ibadan in 2011 and 2012. The paper identified gaps between and among the stakeholders in environmentalism and ecosystemic balance at state and local levels. Indications from Ile-Ife, Lagos and Ibadan show that the three cities are experiencing degreening activities. For example, in Ile-Ife and Lagos, the green areas account for the least proportions, 24.1% and 27% of open spaces around buildings respectively, while 75.9% and 73.0% of the available open spaces are either paved or unpaved with the problem of heat radiation that demands additional energy for operating artificial cooling system and consequently increased global warming. In addition, degreening activities cause flooding. As more and more land is urbanised, and trees and grasses are replaced by asphalt and concrete, rainwater has less chance to be absorbed. Thus, storm water rushes down the streets while areas that were never flooded are now routinely under water. Other studies in Lagos show that: (i) there is an increase in the rate of sedimentation and sea level rise (ii) rainstorms in the city have become more intense and urban flooding will be more severe. Floods have devastated many parts of Lagos and Ibadan leading to loss of several lives and property and the displacement of several people. Statistics confirms that between 2011 and 2012, more than 150 billion naira (about $1 billion) was lost in Lagos, while 2,105 buildings were flooded in Ibadan with property damaged estimated in billions of Naira. As a result, the Lagos and Oyo States‟ Governments spent several millions of Naira on relief to the victims. This paper raises some fundamental questions on the roles of stakeholders (scholars, public officials, practitioners, professionals and citizens) within the built environment in designing strategies at mitigating urban flooding. This paper considered it imperative for the adoption of pragmatic and problem-solving strategies that can help in mitigating flooding in Lagos and Ibadan. Consequently, the paper designs an African Polycentric Urban Greenery Model (APUGM) that can be applied to addressing the challenges of flooding in the two cities. The paper emphasizes, among other considerations, the use of traducture in reaching the grassroots for solution to the recurrent challenges of flooding. The paper also designs strategies that Lagos and Oyo states‟ governments could adopt for the depopulation of the two cities – Lagos and Ibadan respectively through de-urbanisation, de-migration and re-migration

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

Slum Settlements Regeneration in Lagos Mega-city: an Overview of a Waterfront Makoko Community

Urban degradation is caused principally by urbanization process, however, most of the environmental problems in Lagos suburbs result largely from its unplanned landuses, swampy nature of built areas and weak development control. Other critical problems that bother minds also include lack of open space, poor management of flood channels and substandard housing. This paper discuses the possible intervention strategies in the regeneration effort of Makoko - a submerged residential enclave located in Yaba local government area of Lagos. The research method which is both narrative and statistically descriptive in nature enables the author engage in a detailed literature study of the chronological development of Lagos with view to determining how the mega city came about the current level of degenerating infrastructural facilities. The study found that the principle of cooperative leadership by government at all levels is fundamental to making important difference in qualitative development controls of the study area. It however concluded that the duo role of the public and traditional power structure of the community leaders must be involved in the conception and implementation of Makoko’s environmental planning programmes

Slum Settlements Regeneration in Lagos Mega-city: an Overview of a Waterfront Makoko Community

Urban degradation is caused principally by urbanization process, however, most of the environmental problems in Lagos suburbs result largely from its unplanned landuses, swampy nature of built areas and weak development control. Other critical problems that bother minds also include lack of open space, poor management of flood channels and substandard housing. This paper discuses the possible intervention strategies in the regeneration effort of Makoko - a submerged residential enclave located in Yaba local government area of Lagos. The research method which is both narrative and statistically descriptive in nature enables the author engage in a detailed literature study of the chronological development of Lagos with view to determining how the mega city came about the current level of degenerating infrastructural facilities. The study found that the principle of cooperative leadership by government at all levels is fundamental to making important difference in qualitative development controls of the study area. It however concluded that the duo role of the public and traditional power structure of the community leaders must be involved in the conception and implementation of Makoko’s environmental planning programmes

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

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

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.

Development of Multilevel Distributed Database Architecture for Solving (GSM) Centralized Database Accessing Problem in Nigeria

Telecommunication is the basis of economic and political growth of any society. Since the advent of GSM in Nigeria, different operator have been battling with diverse challenges which erupted as a result of GSM growth and increased in number of GSM users. These challenges result in calls delay and poor quality of service which can be link to central database system. In this research work, a multilevel distributed database architecture for GSM network in Nigeria was developed and propose. It explores the use of the analytical model and numerical calling process algorithms for each location. The call arrival rate traffic to a database system is determine using mapping process ranging from state to region and finally to the center. Keywords: key Communication, Architecture, multi-level, centralized, networ