APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD FOR GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION IN A SEDIMENTARY TERRAIN. A CASE STUDY OF ILARA-REMO, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

A geophysical evaluation using Electrical Resistivity method for groundwater exploration at Ilara-Remo, southwestern Nigeria was carried out. The investigation involved the utilization of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique with schlumberger electrode array system. The studied area is located within the sedimentary basin (Dahomey basin) of southwestern Nigeria, ferrigenous sandstone was found to be the major rock type in the study area. The data acquired from the ten (10) VES stations were interpreted using the partial curve matching method and computer assisted iteration technique. The VES results of the data revealed three to five layers which include the topsoil, clayey/sandy clay, clayey sand, conglomeratic sandstones and sandstones/wet sands with resistivity values ranging from 133.3-1305.6Ωm, 41.6-1924.5 Ωm, 488.4-9658.3 Ωm, and 164.1-8095.6 Ωm. The sanstones/ wet sands constitute the main aquifer units. From the overall results the studied area can be classified as prolific zones for groundwater development

The Relevance of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) In Agroforestry Practices

This paper x-rays the relevance of ICTs in Agroforestry practices. Existing areas of applications such as forest andenvironmental management, specie identification and research publications are identified. The paper also looked into futurepossible usage of ICT and concludes that while the application of ICTs to Agroforestry practices in the 21st century is oftremendous importance it is important to know that there are still more areas where ICT would be applicable in Agroforestrywhich are yet to be discoveredKeywords – ICTs, Agroforestry, Applications, Fuzzy Logic, Environmental management

Response of broiler birds fed diets containing varying levels of dried watermelon rind at finisher phase

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate growth performance and nutrient digestibility of experimental diets formulated with dried watermelon rind to replace wheat offal, fed to broiler chickens at finisher phase. One hundred and fifty day-old “ROSS 360” broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of thirty (30) birds per treatment. Each treatment was replicated three times with ten birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) arrangement. Five experimental diets containing dried watermelon rind at varying levels of replacement were formulated and designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with replacement levels of 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % respectively. Initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed itake, feed conversion ration and apeparent digestibility of crude proten, fibre, ash and nitrogen free extract were measured. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences among the treatment groups for all the growth parameters except for feed conversion ratio. Final weight ranged from 1223.33 to 1305.19 g; while daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio ranged from 89.46 to 97.95 g, 35.26 to 38.25 g and 2.35 to 2.78, respectively.. The nutrient digestibility indicates significant (p<0.05) difference in crude fibre, ash, ether extract and NFE, while that of crude protein, dry matter and total digestible nutrient were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Crude protein, dry matter and TDN ranges between 67.47 % to 69.15 %, 79.10 % to 80.72 and 74.35 to 78.68 respectively. The study concluded that 25 % replacement of wheat offal with dried watermelon rind can be effective for optimal growth performance and complete replacement for fibre and energy requirement in producing broiler chickens without compromising performance or any deleterious effect

Assessment of Occupational Satisfaction on Performance among Employees of a Forest Resources Management Institution in Nigeria

An organization usually sees an average worker as the source of quality and productivity gains. The study examined the impact of  occupational satisfaction on performance among employees of a Forest Resources Management institution in Nigeria using a  structured questionnaire for data collection. The data analysis from the study revealed that employee’s level of education enhanced job satisfaction. Furthermore, chi-square results showed that there was no significant relationship (p>0.05) between personal characteristics and their satisfaction level. In addition, correlation results showed that there was a significant relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance. Thus, the study recommends that organizations should intensify efforts in the area of non-financial rewards as a means of influencing greater performance from the employees as well as getting more employee commitment to the organization. Keywords: Assessment, Employee Performance, Occupational Satisfaction, Organizatio

Economic implications of pastoralists -farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farming in North Central Nigeria

This study examines the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria. The  conflicts have reached an alarming rate in recent times as examined. It has not only led to social disorder but has also left an unfortunate indelible mark on the agroforestry farmers in terms of their productivity. The study examines the pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts in north central Nigeria with regard to the economic implication the conflicts specifically have on the agroforestry farmers as well as their productivity in general. North Central Nigeria was purposely selected for the study because of the severity of the prevailing conflicts between the farmers and the pastoralists (Abugu and Onuba, 2015). Out of the six states that make up the North Central in Nigeria, three (3) states: Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were purposely chosen being the most affected states (Abugu et. al., 2015). ne hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were prepared and administered to the selected agroforestry farmers within the region. The questionnaires solicited for the following information: demographic characteristics of the respondents, causes of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, economic implication of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, frequency of conflict, among others. Keywords: Economic Implication, Pastoralist, Farmers, Conflic

Perception of farmers on agroforestry systems adoption in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed farmers’ characteristic variables and perception towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Multistage Sampling Technique was used for the study. Five Wards which include Ijaye /Ojedeji, Ajibade/Alabata/Elekuru,  Akinyele/Isabiyi/Irepodun, Ojo Emo/Moniya and Ojoo/Ajibode/Laniba were randomly selected from the Local Government Area. Ajeja, Alabata, Akinyele, Moniya and Idowu oko areas were selected from each of the Wards, respectively while ten (10) farmers were selected from each of these areas. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions as well as correlational studies were used to analyse the collected data. 34 % of the respondents were involved in the practice of agroforestry according to the study. The correlation (r value) at (p< 0.01) also shows that there is a significant association between respondents’ characteristic variables such as age, educational and marital status and adoption of agroforestry practices, while age, sex, marital and educational status are significant on agroforestry perception. It is recommended that awareness  on benefits of agroforestry should be raised in order to create needed awareness and its importance, adequate technical supports should be  provided for farmers interested in practicing agroforestry and also the efficient use of available farmlands of all types of landholders should be  ensured. Keywords: Farmers’ characteristic variables; Perception; Adoption; Agroforestry practices

Carcass yield and haematological indices of broiler chickens fed diets containing varying levels of dried watermelon rind (DWMR)

150 day old unsex broiler chicks were used for the experiment to determine the effect of replacement of wheat offal with dried  watermelon rind on the carcass yield and haematological indices of broiler birds. The chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments with each treatment having three replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Carcass yield and haematological indices were conducted in a completely randomized design comprising five dietary treatments such that T1 was served as the control, T2 were fed 25% DWMR replacement, T3 had 50 % DWMR, T4 had 75 % DWMR and T5 were given 100 % DWMR. At the end of the eight weeks, three birds from each dietary group were sacrificed to estimate the dressing yield and relative weight of organs (liver, heart and gizzard) while blood was collected for haematology and serum biochemistry analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Replacement of wheat offal with DWMR significantly (p<0.05) improved the thigh, back, heart and lungs characteristics whereas it did not significantly (p>0.05) influenced the live weight, slaughter weight, eviscerated weight and other primal cut parts. RBC and MCHC were significantly (p<0.05) affected. It can be concluded from this study that DWMR can be included in broiler chickens diet with no negative effect on the carcass characteristics and serum indices

Impact of pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farmers’ psychology and agricultural production in north central Nigeria

The study examined the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria with regard to its impact on the psychology and productivity of agroforestry farmers. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were reported to be the most affected by farmer- pastoralist conflicts in North Central Nigeria, they were therefore purposively selected for the study. The local governments that are most affected by the conflicts were also selected in each state. 25% of agroforestry farmers in each of the selected local government were randomly selected for the study. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) well-structured questionnaires were administered to farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage while the correlation coefficient (r) was used to draw inferences between the variables of the hypotheses. The study found out that 29% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-40, 75.6% were male, 69.8% were married, 37.2% had secondary education and majority of them (83.8%) were Christians. Also, 67.8% of them take farming as their main occupation. 40% of them has 6-10 acres of farm size. The Spearman’s rho correlation analysis revealed that demographics characteristics [age (r= -0.341; p= 0.000) education status (r= 0.200; p= 0.008) and household size (r= 0.151; p= 0.042)] of the respondents significantly correlated with the impact the conflict had on respondents’ psychology. The correlation coefficient (R)) showed that frequency of conflict is significantly related to respondents’ agricultural loss (r=0.183; p=0.025) and that the conflicts impact on respondents’ psychology is significantly correlated with their agricultural productiity (r=0.1357; p=0.034)

An audit of the diagnosis and reporting of soft tissue sarcomas at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Background: The effective management of patients with cancer is predicated on the right diagnoses and other relevant parameters included in the pathology report. This is particularly important in soft tissue pathology where arriving at the right diagnosis is often challenging. The aim of this study, therefore, was to perform an audit of sarcoma diagnosis and reporting in our institution.Methods: Slides of soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed in our institution over a 5‑year period were reviewed with specialist soft tissue pathologists. Ancillary immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization were performed where necessary. The contents of the reports were assessed using a diagnostic checklist developed by the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology.Results: Fifty‑five of the 62 patients studied (88.7%) were correctly identified as sarcomas. However, the correct diagnoses were made in only 27 patients (43.6%). Kaposi sarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were the most recognized sarcomas, while leiomyosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor were the least recognized sarcomas. The most reported parameters included the histologic type (100%) and size (89.7%), while the percentage of necrosis (0%) and the stage (0%) were the least reported parameters.Conclusion: A pattern based approach is important for the accurate diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas. Some essential prognostic parameters and information needed for management were not included in the histopathology reports. The adoption of a structured reporting format and multidisciplinary team meetings will help to ensure the inclusion of such important information in the pathology report.Keywords: Audit, LUTH, soft tissue sarcoma