Contribution of apiculture in social and economic development of Nigeria

There is urgent need to rescue Nigerian economy from deluge of crisis it is been confronted with atthe present time. To achieve this, it is pivotal to explore various potentials available in the country to solve her problem. Therefore, this paper examines the potential of apiculture industry in social and economic development of the nation. Hive products such as beewax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly are known to have contributed largely to the economic development of advanced countries like China, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Hungary, Australia and Canada. While the practice provides job opportunities for people of all classes, it also boosts productivity of other agricultural crops. Honey from Nigeria will command higher demand and prices in the world market for its medicinal and antimicrobial qualities, thereby serving as a good foreign exchange commodity in international market. As part of its contribution to economic growth, apiculture is a good source of income for beekeepers, it involves the use of little land. It empowers small scale farmers and also does not damage the environment. The paper also stressed that apiculture is not only important for generating income, it also curbs against rural migration. Apiculture protects the environment and also an important non-timber forest product

Perceptions of secondary school students on forestry and environmental science education in Oyo-State, Nigeria

Forestry and Environmental Science education have become inevitable in Nigerian schools considering the numerous environmental problems encountered daily in almost all the states within the country, hence the need for this study. This study assessed the perception of secondary school students on Forestry and Environmental Science Education in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and forty copies of questionnaire were administered to the students in the study area. The student’s average perception ofForestry and Science Environmental Education was quite impressive because majority (95.9%, 99.2%) of the students in government and private schools respectively agreed with that protection of the environment is important. Majority (89.1%, 73.1%) of the students in private and government schools were knowledgeable about the environmental issues in Oyo state. Some perceived benefits of forest such as Tree roots helps in absorbing surface water and Forest creates job opportunities for people with a mean score of 1.73 and 1.62were ranked 1st and 2nd respectively. The regression analysis result shows that students’ knowledge of environmental issues has contributed significantly to their perception of Forestry and Environmental Education. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore concluded that majority of the students have high level of knowledge about environmental issues in Oyo state although they were not satisfied with the current state of environment in the state. The study recommends that more orientation and re-orientationprograms on the issue of environmental protection are needed in schools in Oyo State. Keywords: Perception, Environmental schools education, Forestry, Environmental problems, Secondary student

Pest status of termites on different Eucalyptus species in Afaka, Nigeria

Eucalyptus is one of the exotic tree species used for fuel wood and utility pole purposes in Northern Nigeria. The early stages of its plantation establishment face the challenges of insect attack, especially the subterranean termites. The pest status of termites on Eucalyptus tree species is a prerequisite for effective management strategies. This study assessed the pest status of termites on four Eucalyptus tree species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus tereticornis in Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The four Eucalyptus species were planted in the field in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. Seedling mortality counts were taken at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplanting. Mortality data were subjected ANOVA and significant means were separated using Tukey’s HSD (p = 0.05). The results showed that lower significant seedling mortality (9.66 ± 5.3%) was observed in E. camaldulensis at 1 month after transplanting. Seedling mortalities within a period of 1 – 12 months after transplanting ranged from 9.66±5.43 – 74.65±8.97%, 34.29±4.80 - 66.87±1.72%, 27.32±2.08 - 61.24±5.85% and 18.01±3.05 - 63.61±2.49% in E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora, E. cloeziana and E. tereticornis, respectively. It is therefore concluded from this study that the first year of Eucalyptus plantation establishment is critical for termite infestation and requires a prompt decision to embark on termite management strategies

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Potential benefits of insects in alleviating the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy

This paper reviews areas of entomology that can be harnessed to boost the country’s economy through job creation and foreign exchange earnings and on the long run ameliorate the adverse effects of the current global pandemic on the Nigerian economy. Products from apiculture such as honey and other hive products are known to have contributed largely to the economic development of advanced country like China producing 120,845,000kg selling $235,314.29k, New Zealand (8,438,700kg selling$230,182.52k) , Argentina (63,521,900kg selling $142,086.24k), Germany (26,317,300kg selling$138,680.91k) and European Union (20,236,500kg selling $133.307.87k). While the venture provides job opportunities for people of all classes, it also boosts productivity of other agricultural crops. The potential of sericulture to reduce rate of unemployment in Nigeria and also to contribute significantly to foreign exchange earnings as obtainable in sericulturally developed Asian countries was also unraveled. In conclusion, the paper intended to draw attention of government, policy makers and other stakeholders to potentials embedded in apiculture and sericulture with the aim of exploring them to assuage the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on Nigeria economy, especially in the present time

Relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support and Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients Attending General Outpatient Clinic in Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, Nigeria

Background: Despite many approaches to control hypertension, a lot of people still experience challenges keeping their Blood Pressure (BP) under control, and because the condition requires life - long treatment, many patients will need additional effort from their spouses. The spouse shares intimacy with patient and is the chief source of social support that provides fi nancial assistance, reminds and encourages medication use, shows concern and interest by discussing issues related to the disease. Therefore, exploring the relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support (PSSS) and BP control will help the physician and other stakeholders harness the gains of this association to achieving BP control, prevent complications and death associated with hypertension. Objective: To identify the relationship between perceived spousal social support and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a hospital - based cross - sectional study carried out between June and August 2016 among 298 hypertensive patients aged 18 and 65 years attending GOPC of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti. Collection of data was done using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, blood pressure measurement and 4-point Likert Social Support questionnaire to measure the perceived spousal social support. Data was analysed using SPSS IBM version 17.0. Results: Mean age of respondents was 56.0 ± 8.5 years and seventy percent were females with male to female ratio of 1:2.3. Less than half of the respondents, 47.7% and about half of the respondents, 50.3% achieved BP control and demonstrated strong PSSS respectively. There was statistically signifi cant relationship between PSSS and BP control (χ2 = 27.05, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Social support perceived by participants positively infl uenced their BP control. Family Physicians and other health care providers should therefore determine and enhance the level of this support and encourage spouses to provide this support for their partners who have hypertension or those having diffi culty controlling their BP despite the appropriate use their medications