Perceived effect of improving labour condition and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study assessed perceived effect of improving labour conditions and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria through personal observation and interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty-two (52) staff of the Park. Majority (98%) of park staff agreed that improving working conditions is a necessary tool for employees’ commitment and loyalty in the service and 77% agreed that park authority play an important role towards improving working conditions and making on the job training accessible for the staffs. Most (75%) respondents acknowledged that the new salary (the most important working condition for job efficiency in the study area) is expressively satisfactory while majority (71.15%) also show their enthusiasm towards mode of dressing (use of paramilitary uniform) as they agreed that it bestowed more respect and honour to them in the society. Other areas of improved practices that are considerably satisfactory are training and development, promotion process and relationship with managers. However, only few respondents were pleased with current situation of safety at work, retirement plan and medical insurance though it is perceived from the study that medical insurance and relationship with managers are not too vital for job efficiency in the study area. Respondents further agreed that recent paramilitary training adopted in the National Park Service increases the employees’ morale since paramilitary training will improve employee physical fitness and confidence (4.23±1.26) as well as individual and organizational competences (4.06±1.03). From the study, there is high (70%) consensus that improving working conditions and paramilitary training has positive effect on job efficiency in the study area hence; there is improvement in the organization achievement.Keywords: Employee, Job Efficiency, Job Satisfaction, Labour Condition, Paramilitar

Heavy metals in Bushmeat from New-Bussa and its environs, Nigeria

Bushmeat have provided complimentary protein for human population across the world over the centuries. This study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in bushmeats in New Bussa and its environs. Three carcass of bush meat (Kobus kob (Kob), Tragelaphus scriptus (Bushbuck) and Sylvicapra grimmia (Duiker)) were sourced from the study area. The carcass was digested and concentrations of nine heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Co and Cd) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results obtained for the heavy metal analysis were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship in the samples. The heavy metal concentration in muscle tissues of the selected bushmeat revealed that zinc with 815.00±13.00 mg/kg in Kob was the highest mean value of all meat samples, followed by Iron (479.00±10.00 mg/kg) in Duiker while Pb level in Bushbuck 213.00±3.00 mg/kg is outrageously the highest. Copper, Chromium and Nickel did not exceed the permissible limits as set by FEPA/WHO. The concentration pattern of heavy metals in bush meat show that Sylvicapra grimmia and Tragelaphus scriptus had the same pattern of Zn>Fe>Pb>Cr>Mn>Cu>Co>Ni>Cd concentration while Kobus kob pattern of  association is Zn>Fe>Cr>Pb>Ni>Cu>Co>Cd>Mn. The comparative study of the heavy metal concentrations revealed that Zinc (Zn) recorded the highest frequency, followed by Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb). This study has shown that high level of Pb in the samples from the study area is a matter of concern in bush meat consumption in the study area; hence people should be warned of impending danger in the consumption of heavy metals contaminated bush meat. Keywords: Bushmeat, heavy metals, concentration, toxicity, contaminate

Acceptability and Constraint of Snail Meat as Source of Animal Protein among Inhabitants of Lafia Metropolis, Nassarawa State Nigeria

This study examined the acceptability of snail as source of protein among inhabitants of Lafia metropolis of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty questionnaire were administer to the respondents and the data was analyze through descriptive statistics. The socio demographic characteristics of respondent’s shows that males had the highest percentage (74.2%) while 25.8% were female and age group 28-37 recorded the highest (40.8%). Majority (54.2%) of the respondents are unmarried while 45.8% are married with majority of them having an tertiary qualification The major occupation of the respondents shows that majority (32.5%) are civil servants, followed by 26.7% which are students and the least are hunter with 4.2%. Majority (55.8%) of the respondents are Muslim while 44.2% were Christian. The finding revealed that majority of the respondents are willing to buy and eat snail meat with mean value 3.99. The constraints associated with consumption of Snail meats showed that cost (Price) of snail meat scores the highest mean value of 4.12 and I do not eat Snails because my people do not eat it is the least with a mean value of 3.98. The Preference of Snails meat compared to meat from other animal sources revealed that beef recorded the highest (1.63 mean value), followed by Fish with mean value of 1.57 and Snail meat is the least with mean value of 1.26. This study recommend that awareness creation on the nutritional benefits of Snail meat consumption is necessary to enlist more consumer