Hazardous Waste Management: An African Overview

Hazardous waste materials and their management are of prime importance to society. This article gives an overview of the current practices that relate to hazardous waste management. It looks at issues concerning the transboundary or international movement of harmful materials from industrialized nations to the developing and emerging world. This study has shown that Africa, most notably Nigeria, has become a dumping ground for hazardous waste materials as a result of the high importation of scrap computers and electronic devices into the country. The public health hazards, such as birth deficiencies, cancers, and even infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B and C, respectively, have been traced to the improper management of these waste materials. The review highlights a few models on hazardous waste management as developed by previous literature, which gives a hierarchy, ranging from source reduction, recycling, and landfill options. Studies reveal that hazardous waste management in Africa must revolve around wealth creation, economic, and environmental sustainability. The study provided evidence that the recycling option has high potentials in the areas of energy recovery. The data collected show South Africa to be the most advanced in the African continent in the field of hazardous waste management. For a sustainable environment, keen attention must be paid to hazardous waste management globally

Economic Analysis of Wastewater Reuse in Covenant University

Wastewater reuse is a vital technique to supplement existing water resources for both developing and developed nations. However, the economic research into the design and implementation of a wastewater reuse scheme is required in order to determine the feasibility of any wastewater reuse project from an economic stand point. There are numerous benefits of wastewater recycling. However, these benefits are often not evaluated due to several factors. Nevertheless, the valuation of these benefits is required to justify investment decisions. This research uses cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the benefits of implementing a wastewater reuse scheme in a university community. The investment decision is influenced by the result obtained from the cost benefit analysis calculation. The result of the Net Present Value of this research showed that, the University could recoup its initial investments and also realize huge profits implementing a wastewater reuse scheme. Meaning that the research is or would be feasible financially. This research also shows that with the use of constructed wetland, an extensive method of wastewater treatment, the energy costs accrued per year by the University community would be reduced by millions of naira. Furthermore, the environmental and social benefits of the projects were also considered to complete an economic analysis. The results showed that there are significant environmental and social benefits which includes sustainable groundwater withdrawal, the avoidance of land subsidence and corporate social responsibility. Keywords: Wastewater, reuse, Valuation, Expenditur

Some Quality Indices of Gnetum Africanum (Afang) Leaves as Affected by Drying Methods

Gnetum africanum is a tropical plant with origin in the rain forest of Nigeria and contains valuable nutrients but susceptible to speedy spoilage due to its high moisture content. This necessitates its preservation, through drying, as it is not readily available for consumers in parts of Nigeria where it is not grown. This research, therefore, was carried out to evaluate the effect of three drying methods (solar drying, sun drying and oven drying) on some quality indices of Gnetum africanum leaves with a view to determine the most appropriate drying method for maximum nutrient retention. Fresh Gnetum africanum leaves were obtained from the local market, defoliated, washed, drained and sliced. The sliced vegetable was divided to four portions of 200g each. With the initial properties of the fresh vegetable (sample A) determined, samples B, C and, D were subjected to solar, sun and oven drying respectively. The properties evaluated were analyzed and the results showed that sun dried vegetable (sample C) had the least overall quality retention. Moreover, solar dried vegetable (sample B) had the highest quality retention in terms of protein (3.92%), fat content (6.67%) and carotene (6.10IU) while oven dried one (sample D) had the highest quality retention of crude fiber (0.63%), ash content (7.87%), carbohydrate (72.49%) and sensory properties (taste, colour, aroma and texture). These results indicated that drying, especially solar and oven drying can be used to preserve Gnetum africanum leaves with considerable retention in its nutritional and sensory properties

Hypoglycemic Effect of Gongronema latifolia Extracts in Rats

Phytochemistry and hypoglycemic effect of the water and Ethanolic Extracts of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium were screened for. The extracts were Soxhlet extracted and phytochemically screened. Three tolerated doses were estimated from acute toxicity studies and orally administered to three groups of 10 rats per group, daily for 21 days. After treatments, rats of groups 1 to 3 were sacrificed and blood samples collected for glucose analysis and was compared to control group 4. Phytochemistry reveals that, both extracts of the plant contain predominant amount of Saponins and Polyphenols among other phytochemicals. Glucose analysis shows dose related reduction in the blood glucose levels compared to control. The polyphenols content of the plant extracts could cause the hypoglycemic effect observed, suggesting insulin-like activity which justifies the use of the plant leaf in the management of diabetic Mellitus in Nigeria herbal medicine. Keywords: Phytochemistry, phytopharmacology, hypoglycemia, extracts, Gongronema latifoliu

A study of the M235T variant of the angiotensinogen gene and hypertension in a sample population of Calabar and Uyo, Nigeria

AbstractA common molecular variant of the angiotensinogen gene had been reported to predispose some ethnic groups to hypertension. This case–control study was designed to determine the frequency and association of the angiotensinogen M235T allele with hypertension in residents of Calabar and Uyo cities, south–south Nigeria.The study involved 1308 subjects, 612 patients and 696 controls. The M235T variant was investigated using an allele specific polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic digestion to determine allele frequencies. Hypertensinogenic factors such as dietary habits, physical activity, smoking and drinking habits were assessed using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data obtained.The M235T allele frequency was high (0.94 for hypertensives and 0.96 for controls) though it was not associated with hypertension status. The odds ratio for hypertension was 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.39–1.06) there were no significant differences between the genotype frequency of hypertensives and controls. By multiple regression, Hypertension was observed to be associated with age and was a predictor for systolic blood pressure in both patient r2=0.359; p<0.05 and control groups r2=0.26.Age and body mass index were predictors for diastolic blood pressure in the control group, r2=0.28.Although the frequency of the M235T variant was high, it was not a significant risk factor for hypertension in the study population

Determination of volume of wastewater generated in a university campus

The development of wastewater reuse schemes has been greatly slowed down by the lack of adequate wastewater generation data. Most data sources on wastewater generation provided by international organizations are mere estimates ofa nation’swastewater generation pattern and can only go a long way in explaining the wastewater situation of that nation. Intensive wastewater reuse schemes for futuristic purposes would require collection and storage of wastewater data for effective planning. This study identifies and closes that gap in a University campus where there is a high demand of water for daily use. Flowrates of wastewater being discharged into the environment was determined over a period of time using a standard weir and a level measuring tool. From this, the volume of wastewater generated was calculated. The results show that about 1,529,288 liters of wastewater was generated daily in the University campus. From this value, the water consumption rate of the university community was estimated to be 1,911,610 liters of water daily. From these findings, the wastewater generated within the Covenant University campus could be sufficient for agricultural, urban and other municipal reuse schemes. The environmental, economic and public health benefits from wastewater recycling are enormous and thus more attention must be given to its generation, treatment, disposal and reuse

Determination of volume of wastewater generated in a university campus

The development of wastewater reuse schemes has been greatly slowed down by the lack of adequate wastewater generation data. Most data sources on wastewater generation provided by international organizations are mere estimates ofa nation’swastewater generation pattern and can only go a long way in explaining the wastewater situation of that nation. Intensive wastewater reuse schemes for futuristic purposes would require collection and storage of wastewater data for effective planning. This study identifies and closes that gap in a University campus where there is a high demand of water for daily use. Flowrates of wastewater being discharged into the environment was determined over a period of time using a standard weir and a level measuring tool. From this, the volume of wastewater generated was calculated. The results show that about 1,529,288 liters of wastewater was generated daily in the University campus. From this value, the water consumption rate of the university community was estimated to be 1,911,610 liters of water daily. From these findings, the wastewater generated within the Covenant University campus could be sufficient for agricultural, urban and other municipal reuse schemes. The environmental, economic and public health benefits from wastewater recycling are enormous and thus more attention must be given to its generation, treatment, disposal and reus

Factors Influencing Fertilizer Use Intensity among Small Holder Crop Farmers in Abak Agricultural Zone in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study analyzes factors that influenced fertilizer use intensity among arable crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 150 arable crop farmers in the zone. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze data collected. The result reveals that majority of farmers were getting old and there is low social capital accumulation among arable crop farmers. Also, age, gender, household size, farm size, perceived price of fertilizer, value of farm output, extension agent visit, number of goats and sheep own by farmers, and decision to own poultry by farmers as well as the distance to fertilizer selling point are significant factors affecting fertilizer use intensity among arable crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone in Akwa Ibom state. The study recommends that Akwa Ibom state government should further subsidize the price of fertilizer to make fertilizer more affordable to small holder farmers. In addition, arable crop farming households in the state should be sensitized on the current method of family planning as this would help to reduce non-farm cost and help increase fertilizer procurement. Furthermore, the extension unit of the state ministry of Agriculture should be strengthened to educate arable crop farmers more on fertilizer usage. Keywords: Fertilizer, Crop, arable, farmer, production, Akwa Ibo

The Battle of Sugar Imports and Domestic Sugar Production in Nigeria: Roles of Political, Policies, and Economic Environments

The study examined roles of political and economic environments on sugar import demand from 1965 to 2014 in Nigeria. Time series data were obtained from FAO, Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics as well as World Bank. Augmented Dickey-Fuller-GLS unit root test showed that all series were integrated of order one. The long-run and short-run elasticity of sugar import demand were determined using techniques of co-integration and error correction models. The trend in sugar import revealed an average positive exponential growth rate of about 3.49% from 1965 to 2014. The empirical results revealed that, the long run import demand function of sugar responded negatively to the agro based capacity utilization rate, nominal exchange rate, real GDP and domestic price of sugar; whereas, it reacted positively to period of civilian rule, domestic production and per capita income. The symmetric adjustment coefficient of sugar import demand to a long run equilibrium stood at 33.26% per annum. In the short run, sugar import had a significant negative and inelastic relationship with the external reserves; while it has significant positive inelastic association with the world price of sugar. To improve domestic sugar production; it is recommended that, the Nigeria government should designed programmes and incentives to boost agro industrial capacity utilization in the country. Market determines nominal exchange rate should prevail in the economy, such that import demand will based on equilibrium market exchange rate and not subsidize or regulated rate. The country should regulate its foreign reserve policy by setting a threshold, above which excess deposit should be plough back to the domestic economy inform of investments rather than support excessive importation. Civilian regime in Nigeria should strive to reduce corruption and ensured policy tight from conceptualization to implementation

Integrated water resources management in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment