A call to strengthen eco-innovation using indigenous resources and waste products

Waste is often taken for granted, as a broad category, which encompasses materials we no longer need. Another category of waste would be local resources that we have hitherto not found use for. Although waste management has always existed, recent studies seem to suggest that waste management needs to be addressed principally in poorer countries, given that since the 1970s the developed world has promoted techniques and policies to tackle waste (Jgensen, 2013) and has also advanced innovative measures and practices often associated with green ideas and care for the environment. However, waste management associated with indigenous practices have long been in existence in Africa. For example, according to Solomon et al. (2016) the old use of ash and recycled material to make the soil fertile among indigenous groups in Liberia and Ghana, West Africa, has been ignored (Salim et. al., 2018). The concept of innovation refers to a broad guiding principle that mobilizes science and technology in the service of the goals of national development. Today as a favourite concept eco-innovation is developing new ideas, promoting new operations, products, and processes to protect the environment, thus obtaining environmental sustainability. Worldwide, eco-innovation is one of the leading strategies to promote resource and energy efficiency and create a low carbon society. Some of the articles published in this regular edition support the eco-innovation principle, which imagines resources with a life cycle perspective, they consider all phases of the product life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials through material processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, repair and maintenance to disposal or re-use. From the outcome of the publications in this edition, it is recommended that eco-innovative research should be fostered through strategic investment in exploiting local resources and waste products for home grown solutions to sustainable development challenges. This provides opportunities to improve resource management and ensure the reuse of waste or prevent waste by developing indigenous resources

Bridging the science-society-policy interface for transformational knowledge translation in Africa

Science generates solutions for the benefit of the society: creating new knowledge, improving education, and increasing the quality of lives. It is therefore important that African scientists focuses on generating inputs for policy and institutional innovations as well as technology-based innovations to catalyse, support, and accelerate systems and systemic transformations. Also, Government decisions and legislations should ideally be guided by latest scientific knowledge. However, science culture; how a society understands and uses scientific knowledge is still at its infancy in most part of Africa. A country’s science culture determines the scope of impact that the scientific enterprise can have in terms of improving lives and advancing development. A study in this edition titled “approaches to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of knowledge translation platforms in low- and middle-income Countries” reported that generally, translating knowledge from research to practice takes a very long time. To this end, science communities ought to commit to enhanced collaboration among different disciplines of sciences in particular social sciences, natural sciences, and health-related sciences. Also, public understanding and engagement with science, and citizen participation is essential for research evidence uptake. Scientists must endeavour to make their research relevant and comprehensible to society (citizens and policymakers)

Rast i senzorni pokazatelji afričkog soma (Clarias gariepinus) hranjenog subletalnom dozom ekstrakta lišća nima (azadirahte) i njegovi antibakterijski učinci

The antibacterial effects of Neem leaf, the growth performance and sensory qualities of African catfish fed with Neem leaf inclusion were investigated in this study. Ninety (90) post-juvenile Clarias gariepinus (42.40 ± 2.50 g) were used. Experimental groups in triplicate were exposed bi-weekly to 3.5% and 7% LC50 of Neem leaves aqueous extract infused in commercial floating feed for four weeks, while the control group was exposed to untreated feed. The whole body length and weight of randomly sampled fish were taken for organo-somatic indices. Gills and skin samples were collected for bacteriological screening, while fish muscles were prepared for sensory acceptability tests. Mean feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by Neem leaf in the three treatment concentrations with an insignificant difference between the treated groups, but it was higher than in the control group. Mean weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the Neem fed fish than the control but insignificant the differences between treatment doses were insignificant, while the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the Neem fed groups compared to the control, but the difference was insignificant between the treatment doses. All groups were apparently healthy looking with 100% survival. There was a considerable reduction in total bacterial count in both the gills and skin with the increase in Neem concentration. Micrococci spp. and Bacillus subtilis were not isolated in the gills but were present in the skin, while E. coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens were not suppressed in the skin. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in all the sensory parameters across all groups. The inclusion of Neem leaf extract was shown to have a high antibacterial effect coupled with excellent growth performance and general acceptability of fish tissue.U ovom su radu istraženi antibakterijski učinci lišća nima, kao i rast i senzorni pokazatelji afričkog soma (Clarias gariepinus) hranjenog ovim lišćem. Upotrijebljeno je 90 odraslih afričkih somova (42,40 ± 2,50 g). Pokusna je skupina izložena tijekom dva tjedna 3,5 % i 7 % LC50 vodenom ekstraktu lišća nima dodanog u komercijalnu hranu tijekom četiri tjedna, dok je kontrolna skupina hranjena netretiranom hranom. Određena je tjelesna dužina i masa nasumično odabranih riba za provjeru organoleptičkih pokazatelja. Škrge i uzorci kože prikupljeni su za bakteriološku analizu, dok su uzorci mišića pripremljeni za senzornu analizu. Prosječna konzumacija hrane bila je pod znakovitim utjecajem (P < 0,05) lišća nima, neovisno o koncentraciji, u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Prosječan prirast bio je znakovito viši (P < 0,05) u riba hranjenih lišćem nima u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu, dok je konverzija hrane bila znakovito niža (P < 0,05) u skupini hranjenoj lišćem nima, neovisno o dozi. Ribe u svim skupinama bile su naizgled zdrave uz 100%-tno preživljenje. Utvrđen je zamjetan pad brojnosti ukupnih bakterija u škrgama i na koži s porastom koncentracije lišća nima. Bakterije Micrococci spp. i Bacillus subtilis nisu izolirane iz škrga, ali su utvrđene u koži, kao i E. coli i Pseudomonas fluorescens. Nisu utvrđene znakovite razlike senzornih pokazatelja. Dodatak lišća nima ima visok antibakterijski učinak praćen odličnim pokazateljima rasta te općom prihvatljivošću tkiva ribe za konzumaciju

Community engagement and compliance monitoring of COVID-19 safety protocols: innovative approach combining indigenous practice and GIS technology in Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: One of the major challenges that has driven the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide is the burden of enforcing the preventive measures required to contain the pandemic. Enforcement of COVID-19 precautionary behaviour should not be homogenous; every country needs to be creative to ensure that humane considerations guide all decisions during the extraordinary experience that COVID-19 pandemic portends. The model of self-policing is acceptable and maintained principally because the citizens of any communities operate, recognize, and accept them as preferred alternatives to the official models of policing for enforcement. Hence the approach presented in this paper, which deployed existing indigenous alternative systems in ensuring compliance with COVID-19 precautionary behaviour. This article therefore documents the unique approach deployed for the containment of COVID-19 in Oyo State, Nigeria. Objective: This intervention was designed to explore established indigenous alternative systems and models of control, justice, law, security, and enforcement in Nigeria. Additionally, geographic information system (GIS) technology and investigative journalism was used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Method: The method employed was community conversation; a method of increasing inclusive, community-based engagement harnessing the expertise and motivation of key stakeholders. The community conversations were convened after the pattern of a traditional Town-hall meeting. Community conversations were organized as a qualitative framework focusing on deploying the indigenous practice of self-policing associated with Nigerias trade unions and aims to inform COVID-19 preventive behaviour at the community level. Geographical information system technology was used to develop COVID-19 Containment Compliance Citizens Reporter App. The App was developed using ESRI ArcGIS online platform to crowd source public feedback on compliance or contravention of COVID-19 protocols. Social media platforms were also deployed for monitoring and evaluation of the intervention post townhall meeting. Results: The establishment of a State-wide Containment response network provided the required inroad for advocacy and deployment of state-wide community conversation framework in the different communities comprising diverse ethnic groups, religious leaders, market leaders, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and so on. Testimonials from the various communities showed that the people have embraced the self-policing strategy and the network system was effective with good outcomes in terms of response to decontamination, containment, and advocacy. The COVID-19 Containment Compliance Citizens Reporter App, investigative reporting by mass media were highly effective tools for monitoring and evaluation of the outcome of the intervention as well as possible evidence for melting out incentive and disincentive measures as necessary. This approach is a template, which could be adapted and replicated in other parts of Nigeria and other African societies with similar structures, demographics, and indigenous practices

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates From Diseased Clarias gariepinus From Selected Ibadan And Ikorodu Farms

This study was carried out to isolate, characterise and identify bacteria from diseased Clarias gariepinusand also assess the occurrence of resistance to antimicrobial in isolated bacteria. Samples of diseased African Catfish were collected for a period of six weeks from consenting farms in Ibadan and Ikorodu in Nigeria and examined for clinical signs of disease. Pond water samples along with organs such as gills, skin, intestine, kidney and lungs from these fish were analyzed microbiologically using differential and selective media. Bacteria enumeration, identification and biochemical characterization were carried out and the physiochemical parameters of the water samples determined. All isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test using the standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The total bacterial load for the organs ranged between 3.0 x 104 (lungs sample) and 6.0 x 107cfu/g (gill sample). The gills had the highest average total bacterial count, while lungs had the least. Morphologically unique bacterial isolates obtained included Salmonella (14 isolates), Pseudomonas (4 isolates), Aeromonas (2 isolates), Edwardsiella (3 isolates) and Shigella (3 isolates). These isolates displayed antibiotic resistance profile to the following: Ceftazidime (38%), Cefuroxime (77%), Gentamicin (37%), Cefixime (73%), Ofloxacin (23%), Augmentin (66%), Nitrofurantoin (58%) and Ciprofloxacin (15%). Two Salmonella isolates had multi-drug resistance pattern. This study showed that indiscriminate use of unlicensed or unapproved antibiotics for aquaculture portends significant hazards to public health therefore disease prevention is preferable through good culture and health management to ensure optimum yields and wholesome products

Determinants of Work-Related Risks among Veterinary Clinical Students in South West Nigeria

Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals, including students, to hazards associated with animal contact. To describe workplace health and safety status and risk factors associated with hazards among veterinary clinical students in South West Nigeria, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Data on demographics, health and safety (HS) status, work-related hazards, healthcare facilities, and immunisation history were obtained. Of 167 students recruited, 100 (60.2%) were males, and >77.1% fell within the age group of 21–25 years. Many participants (77.0%) reported the lack of active HS committee. Exposures to various physical hazards (PHs) such as needlestick injuries (NSIs, 41.5%), animal scratches (42.0%), animal kicks (33.0%), falls/slips (25.0%), and, less frequently, animal bites (13.8%) were reported. Allergies (35.9%) and acute gastrointestinal infection (25.6%) mainly after contact with dogs presented with parvoviral enteritis were reported. For chemical hazards, 27.8% and 29.0% of participants indicated having had eye burn and choke on exposure to formalin. No adequate immunisation against either tetanus, rabies, or both was provided (<18%). An association between accommodation type and students’ level of health and safety training was observed (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.241–0.897, p=0.02), and frequencies of student contact with various animal types were strongly associated with exposures to different physical and biological risks (p<0.05). This study revealed poor health and safety training, practices, and increased exposure of students to a wide range of hazards. Therefore, the development of mitigation programmes in veterinary schools becomes critical to safeguard students’ wellbeing

A multi-state survey of farm-level preparedness towards African swine fever outbreak in Nigeria

Outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have severe economic implications for Nigeria and result in significant loss of livelihoods. The non-availability of vaccines makes biosecurity the reliable key to reducing ASF outbreaks. This study evaluated preparedness for ASF outbreaks at the farm level among 247 pig farmers randomly selected from Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Kwara, and Oyo states. We categorized each pig farmer's ASF preparedness rating (ASF - PR) as "poor", "moderate", and "satisfactory" based on their score on an 11-item scale. Finally, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between the socio-demographic variables and farm-level ASF preparedness. The awareness of ASF among pig farmers was very high (87.9%, n = 217). Most farmers knew the clinical signs of the disease, the modes of transmission of ASF, and correctly identified the risk factors. They also considered the need for thorough cleaning and disinfection of piggeries (87.1%, n = 189), tightened biosecurity (85.7%, n = 186), culling all ASF-affected pigs (77.9%, n = 169) as well as the ban on the transport of pigs and their products (49.8%, n = 108) as very important in ASF control. Conversely, 27.6%, (n = 60) of the farmers thought ASF could affect humans, 12% (n = 27) of them openly discarded the carcasses of dead pigs, and there was a high antibiotic usage. Most of the pig farmers used antibiotics as prophylaxis (63.6%, n = 157), chemotherapeutics (66.4%, n = 164), growth promoters (15.4%, n = 38), and wrongly so, 13% (n = 32) of them thought that antibiotics could be used to prevent and treat ASF. At the farm level, two-thirds (68.8%, n = 170) of the farmers had strict movement restrictions, and 48.6% (n = 120) routinely quarantine new pigs before introduction into their herd. Across the five states, 36% (n = 89) of the farmers had witnessed sudden death with signs consistent with ASF amongst their pigs and only 10.1% (n = 27) had confirmatory ASF diagnosis. The mean score for the farm-level ASF-PR was 6.95 & PLUSMN; 2.7. Approximately onequarter of the 247 pig farmers had satisfactory ASF - PR that might help to prevent the incursion of ASF into their farms. Most farmers had moderate ASF - PR (59.5%, n = 147) whereas 17% (n = 42) had very poor ASF-PR and were most prone to an ASF outbreak. Of the sociodemographic variables, only age was significantly associated with farm-level ASF preparedness as older pig farmers especially those aged between 50 and 59 years (OR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.10, 21.22; p = 0.037) were more likely to have satisfactory ASF - PR than the others. Our findings showed pig farmers were not adequately prepared and the next ASF outbreak could pose more significant threat to pig populations across Nigeria. Government should urgently establish minimum biosecurity measures and improve its ASF surveillance mechanisms for commercial and backyard pig production.Peer reviewe