Mitigation of Land Degradation for Agricultural Space Using Agroforestry System in Chikum Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study investigate the use of agricultural land space for agroforestry system in order to mitigate farmers-herders conflicts and land degradation in Chikum local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, using data obtained from field inspection and unstructured interview administered to 200 farmers through snow – ball sampling techniques. The data analysed reveals that farmland categorisation into five groups namely: very small (<1/2 ha; 27%), small (1/2 – 5ha; 56%), medium (5.1 – 10ha; 6.5%), large (10.1 – 50 ha; 9.5%) and very large (> 50 ha; 1%), while the main crops grown are maize and rice and the main trees are cashew and mangoes, and sheep, goats, pigs and poultry dominate the animals. Data categorization revealed that all sizes of agricultural space can adopt agroforestry irrespective of the main goal of the farmers and as a result, the space allocated for crops ranges from 30 to 90%, animals from 1 to 20% and trees from 5 to 65% given room for a lot of flexibility to accommodate the farmers and herders main goal. This was possible because of the availability and adoption of fast growing economy trees and animals that occupies little space for growth and development like snails, poultry and rabbit. This study therefore proposed more enlightenment on agroforestry because of its benefits to the farmers, herders and the environment

Evaluation of Causes of Construction Material Waste: Case of River State, Nigeria

This research paper evaluates the causes of construction waste generation on building sites in Rivers State, Nigeria. The methods employed to collect data include review of relevant literature and structured questionnaire. The statistical techniques used to analyse the data collected are Mean score method, ranking method and Man-Whitney U test. The results of analysis showed that the three most important factors contributing to construction material waste generation on building sites in Rivers State, Nigeria are ‘’rework contrary to drawing and specification”, “design changes and revision” and “waste from uneconomical shapes” respectively. It was also discovered that inappropriate equipment contributed least to waste generation on site and there is little “bottle neck” in obtaining work permit by contractors in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study revealed that all the 74 factors were considered important by the respondents. The study showed that there is no significant difference between the consultants and contractors perception about the factors affecting construction waste generation on building sites in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study therefore recommended that construction stakeholders should consider the studied factors at every level of the construction processes and in their waste management plan.Key words: Building Sites, Construction Waste, Evaluation, Factors, Nigeri

Removal of the endocrine disrupter butyl benzyl phthalate from the environment

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), an aryl alkyl ester of 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, is extensively used in vinyl tiles and as a plasticizer in PVC in many commonly used products. BBP, which readily leaches from these products, is one of the most important environmental contaminants, and the increased awareness of its adverse effects on human health has led to a dramatic increase in research aimed at removing BBP from the environment via bioremediation. This review highlights recent progress in the degradation of BBP by pure and mixed bacterial cultures, fungi, and in sludge, sediment, and wastewater. Sonochemical degradation, a unique abiotic remediation technique, and photocatalytic degradation are also discussed. The degradation pathways for BBP are described, and future research directions are considered

Assessment of Ethical and Other Professional Standards in Private Medical Laboratories; Osun State Experience.

Compliance of 21 private medical laboratories in Osun State with ethical and other professional was assessed by the authors' pre and post inspection by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). Laboratory environment, personnel, equipment and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were used as indicators and the results obtained were compared. Thirteen (62 %) was found to have conformed to environmental specifications before the MLSCN's inspection. This rose to 84% and 89% a month and 6 months post MLSCN inspection respectively. Ten (48%) had the right personnel before the Council's inspection followed by 74% which dropped to 72% six months later. Fifteen (67%) laboratories had prerequisite equipment in use before the Council's inspection and this rose to 84% and 89% a month and 6 months later, respectively. Adherence to SOPs was observed to have risen from 76% baseline to 95% a month after; the value dropped to 89% 6 months after the Council's inspection. Follow-up assessment by volunteer members of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria noted a sustained improvement of professional standards in private medical laboratories till 6 months after MLSCN inspection. It is recommended that competent volunteers be engaged by the MLSCN and other stakeholders within and outside the country to continually monitor the sustenance of acceptable standards of practice by medical laboratories.Keywords: Ethics, private medical laboratory, service