Josiah’s reform as a model for religious and political rebranding in Nigeria

The call for rebranding the society at the national level confirms the level of moral decay in Nigeria. The multi-dimensional moral problems and crises are seen in every sector of the nation. This has accounted for various forms of evil being committed by people in the nation. Unfortunately, those in the religious sector are not immune to these evils. In fact, some of these atrocities are directly or indirectly connected with religious leaders. Therefore, this paper examines the Biblical Josiah and his reforms as a model for religious and political rebranding in Nigeria. This is with a view to highlighting some principles that would help us as a nation in our rebranding campaign. A historical method is adopted. Thus, Josiah’s model of rebranding remains a yardstick for all religious and political leaders in Nigeria if the rebranding project will yield fruit

Assessment of Atmospheric Metal Depositions in the Industrial Areas of the Southwest of Nigeria

Industrial wastes and discharges have been reported to cause environmental pollution. Lagos and Ogun states house many industries which are assumed to have impacted the states. It is in respect of these that the atmospheric metal deposit of Lagos and Ogun industrial areas, southwest Nigeria were assessed to determine the extent of air pollution of these areas. 100 moss samples were collected from the industrial areas of these two states and were digested using Nordic guidelines and the As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu and Ag contents determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometeric method. Data generated were statistically analysed with Analysis of Variance and the means separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test. It was found that Ogun state was more polluted with Cd, Ni and Cu, Lagos state had more of Pb while the Cr, Ag and As concentrations of the two areas were statistically the same. Moreover, the concentrations of Ag, As and Cr were less than 1mg/l while those of Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb were less than 10mg/l. These metals contributed differently to the pollution of the study areas. It was further found that the highest concentrations of Pb (9.16mg/l), Ag (0.07mg/l), Cr (0.32mg/l) were found in Mile 2, Ojota and Mile 2 respectively in Lagos while the least concentrations were found in Aiyepe, Ogun state. In the same vein, the highest concentration of As (0.31mg/l), Ni (98.32mg/l), Cu (7.76mg/l) and Cd (8.70mg/l) were recorded in Agbara, Attan-tta, Sagamu and Aiyepe respectively, all in Ogun state. The least values were found in Aiyepe (0.04mg/l), Ikeja (6.54mg/l), Mile 2 (5.83mg/l) and Ojota (1.85mg/l) respectively. However, all these heavy metals were present in concentrations greater than the recommended limits of Federal Environmental Protection Agency and European Communities and this suggest that the study areas are highly polluted. It is hoped that the results of this study would inform the Government and the citizens of the study areas that their environments are polluted with heavy metals. This would certainly help in taking proactive steps that will help to reduce the pollution load.Keywords: Air quality, biomonitors, anthropogenic, environment, passive biomonitoring, exudate

Assessment of heavy metal contents of Lycopersicum esculentum mill. (tomato) and Capsicum chinense l. (pepper) irrigated with treated and untreated detergent and soap wastewaters

Tomato and pepper are staple and common vegetables consumed by all classes of Nigerian populace. Due to high consumption rate of these vegetables, they are cultivated all year round in many localities including the peri-urban cities. The problem of freshwater scarcity in peri-urbancities and the northern part of Nigeria has made peasant farmers in these areas to resolve to the use of wastewaters for irrigation with no knowledge of their status and safety. Therefore, the level of heavy metal contents in Lycopersicum esculentum and Capsicum chinense grown in the Screen House of the University of Ilorin, North-central Nigeria were studied using treated and untreated detergent and soap wastewaters. Fallowed soils collected from the University Botanical Garden, homogenized and packed into planting bags were used for the experiment. Viable seeds of Lycopersicum esculentum and Capsicum chinense were sown in 10 planting bags for each crop and irrigated with 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 40% Treated and Untreated wastewaters. After 12WAP, leaf samples of Lycopersicum esculentum and Capsicum chinense were collected, air-dried, digested and the digests were analyzed for Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) by Atomic Absorption  Spectrophotometry. It was evident that there was prevalence of heavy metals in the wastewaters particularly the untreated wastewater and the content of the heavy metals were concentration-dependent in theleaves of the test crops. It is therefore imperative to inform and enlighten the local farmers and the consumers on the danger of using such water for irrigation of agricultural crops in order to ensure safety

Heavy Metals Concentration in Rhizosphere and Tissues of Smooth Pigweed (A. hybridus) and Bush Okra (C. olitorius) cultivated on an Abandoned Dumpsite

The study assessed the concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd in rhizosphere and tissues of A. hybridus and C. olitorius grown on a dumpsite converted to farmland by plant and 0-15 cm depth soil samples which were air-dried, digested and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Some physiochemical parameters that affect transport of soil nutrients into plant tissues were analysed using standard methods. The pH of the rhizosphere soil of C. olitorius was 6.71 and the soil of A. hybridus was slightly alkaline in nature with pH 7.75. The rhizosphere of A. hybridus had the highest concentration of Pb (123.20±90.04 mg/kg) and Cd (0.63±0.63 mg/kg) while Cr was highest in the rhizosphere of C. olitorius (36.57±8.61 mg/kg). The result showed total and bioavailable metal concentrations in the soils were in the order of Pb > Cr > Cd. The order of metal uptake varied with vegetable crop. Metal concentration in tissues of A. hybridus followed the order of Pb > Cr > Cd while C. olitorius was Cr > Pb > Cd. Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cr exceeded the maximum permissible limit in soil and within allowable limit in the tissue. C. olitorius had transfer factor (TF) < 1 for Cd, Pb and Cr. A. hybridus had similar transfer factor except for Cr with TF > 1. The study concluded that the dumpsite converted to farmland is highly contaminated with Pb, Cr, and Cd and highly accumulated by the vegetables.Keywords: Heavy metals, dumpsite, Transfer factor, vegetables

Influence of Tree Characters and Climate on Litter Characteristics in Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel

Litter production and decomposition rates have great importance inmaintaining the fertility of the soil. The study was carried out to determine the relationship tree characters (girth size, canopy radius, tree height, leaf area and number of primary branches), litter production and quality, and climatic variables among stands of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel growing in University of Ilorin campus. Twelve trees of different girth sizes were selected and their physiognomic characters measured. Litter samples(leaves and twigs) were collected from the stands on monthly basis  (January to May) using 1 m2 traps. The collected litters were air-dried, ground and analysed for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium using standard methods. Rainfall and temperature data were collected during the sampling months. Girth size range was 0.32 – 0.67 m. Tree height range was 13.90 – 31.81 m. Primary branches range was 3 - 16, crown radii was 2.5 - 5.2 m and leaflet area between 24.62 cm2 and 90.90 cm2. Higher leaf litter was recorded in January and February, but twigs were more in the other months. Leaf and twig litters positively  correlated with girth size (r = 0.572 and 0.614 respectively), but the formeralso correlated with crown radii (r = 0.834). Carbon, calcium and  magnesium contents in leaves and twigs were lower in May compared to January, but reverse trend were observed for nitrogen and phosphorus. The number of rain (rainy days) negatively correlated with total monthly litter (r = -0.291). The study concluded that climatic conditions influence tree characters, which in turn affect litterfall and nutrient returns to the soil. ©JASE

Evaluation of the comparative efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine and artesunate-amodiaquine-chlorpheniramine (Artemoclo™) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria in Nigerian children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL), artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artesunate-amodiaquine-chlorpheniramine (AQC) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria among Southwest Nigerian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty children aged 6 months to 14 years with acute uncomplicated malaria were randomized to AL (n = 53), ASAQ (n = 53), or AQC (n = 54). Enrollees were seen daily on days 0-3 and then on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 for clinical and parasitological evaluations. Paired samples of genomic DNA at enrolment and at the time of recurrent parasitaemia were genotyped using nested PCR to distinguish between reinfection and recrudescence. Detailed haematological and biochemical evaluations were carried out in a subset of enrollees on days 0, 7 and 28 as part of a safety evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 160 children, 144 (90%) completed the study. The mean fever clearance times and parasite clearance times for AL, ASAQ and AQC were comparable (p = 0.94 and p = 0.122, respectively). On day 14, the adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) for AL and AQC was 100% and for ASAQ it was 90% (p = 0.39). The PCR-uncorrected results on days 28 and 42 and the ACPR-corrected results on day 42 were similar for all drugs (p = 0.62 and p = 0.56, respectively). AQC resulted in the best parasite clearance and haematological recovery on day 2 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.018, respectively). Biochemical parameters were not adversely affected by the three artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and these were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The three ACTs were efficacious and safe, but AQC resulted in a better haematological recovery on day 2 and higher cure rates throughout the study period

Influence of Tree Characters and Climate on Litter Characteristics in Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel

Litter production and decomposition rates have great importance in maintaining the fertility of the soil. The study was carried out to determine the relationship tree characters (girth size, canopy radius, tree height, leaf area and number of primary branches), litter production and quality, and climatic variables among stands of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel growing in University of Ilorin campus. Twelve trees of different girth sizes were selected and their physiognomic characters measured. Litter samples (leaves and twigs) were collected from the stands on monthly basis (January to May) using 1 m2 traps. The collected litters were air-dried, ground and analysed for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium using standard methods. Rainfall and temperature data were collected during the sampling months. Girth size range was 0.32 \u2013 0.67 m. Tree height range was 13.90 \u2013 31.81 m. Primary branches range was 3 - 16, crown radii was 2.5 - 5.2 m and leaflet area between 24.62 cm2 and 90.90 cm2. Higher leaf litter was recorded in January and February, but twigs were more in the other months. Leaf and twig litters positively correlated with girth size (r = 0.572 and 0.614 respectively), but the former also correlated with crown radii (r = 0.834). Carbon, calcium and magnesium contents in leaves and twigs were lower in May compared to January, but reverse trend were observed for nitrogen and phosphorus. The number of rain (rainy days) negatively correlated with total monthly litter (r = -0.291). The study concluded that climatic conditions influence tree characters, which in turn affect litterfall and nutrient returns to the soil

Heavy Metal Uptake Responses in Plants Grown on Crude Oil-Polluted Soils as Prospects for Phytoremediation

The demand and utilization of petroleum products have re-energized its exploration and exploitation globally and this upsurge in world production, refining and distribution of petroleum products have brought with it various problems of environmental pollution, which have effects on the ecosystems. Twenty (24) polyethylene pots each containing 7 kg of sandy loam soil mixed with 50 ml of crude oil, were arranged in the Botanical garden of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, to assess their ability to phytoextract heavy metals in Crude oil-polluted soil. Seeds of Amaranthus hybridus L., Tithonia diversifolia , Abelmoschus esculentus L. and Zea mays were sown in polyethylene containers containing 7 kg of contaminated or Control soil. The containers were arranged in a complete randomized design. Plants were left to grow for two months with regular watering. Plants were harvested, separated into roots and shoots and oven-dried to constant weight. The experimental plants have been able to reduce the concentration of Cu in both soils by about 45% to 85%, Cr in the soil by 92.08% to 96.72%, as the residual concentration varied between 66.00 mg/kg and 99.00 mg/kg, Cd in the soil was reduced to 4.00 mg/kg and 17 mg/kg which represented 96.8% and 86.4% reduction. Tithonia had the highest Pb reduction in crude oil-polluted soil. Ni concentration was reduced by 85.84% by Tithonia planted in crude oil-polluted soil, 94.59% by Amaranthus hybridus planted in Control soil. These show that all the test plants were good phytoextractors of the metals

Acquired ventricular septal defect: A rare sequel of blunt chest trauma in a 7‑year‑old boy

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac lesion encountered worldwide. Only very rarely is it acquired, and causation through blunt injury in a child is extremely rare. A previously healthy 7‑year‑old boy suffered blunt chest trauma while at play. He presented 11 days later with features of acute congestive cardiac failure. Two‑dimensional echocardiographic examination revealed a mid‑muscular VSD. The connection between the defect and the trauma was not initially appreciated. Facilities for required urgent open‑heart surgery were not available. Cardiac failure was refractory to antifailure therapy. His clinical condition steadily worsened, and he succumbed after 20 days on admission. We conclude that a diagnosis of traumatic VSD, though rare, should be considered in any previously well child presenting in acute congestive cardiac failure following blunt trauma to the chest. Any such patient should undergo careful echocardiographic evaluation. There is an urgent need for facilities for open‑heart surgery to be more readily available and accessible in Nigeria.Key words: Acquired ventricular septal defect, traumatic ventricular septal defect, blunt chest injury, cardiac failure, echocardiograph