Community Greening in Pre and Post Climate Change Knowledge Era in Third World Cities: Case study of Lagos, Nigeria

This paper reviewed the efforts of the government in community greening during pre and post climate change era in third world cities using Lagos, Nigeria as a case study. This was with a view of understanding the importance green space as a measure of adaptation to climate change in recent years in the study area. The study reviewed secondary data on provision of green space in purposively selected scheme and master plan that pre-date climate change era. Primary data in the form of field observation of the location and size of green space initiated within the city in the post climate change knowledge era, particularly in the last past five (5) years were also considered. The study further reviewed contemporary law and policies of the government as an approach to community greening in the city during the pre-climate change era.Finding revealed that the government is keener toward the provision and maintenance of green space in the study area during the post climate change era than during the pre-climate change era. Within the past six years, 14 public parks and 128 landscape garden were created and maintained in the city. Nineteen (19) of these public parks and garden covers a total land area of 314409.43m2 (77.69 acres). Furthermore, an agency was established for the sole aim of promoting or increasing green area in the city. A fine of N50,000 ($318.5) or one year imprisonment is attached to felling of these trees. There was also massive tree planting exercise, between 2009 and 2010, when about 300,000 trees were planted across the city. The study recommended that the use of hard landscaping element around buildings should be discouraged and appropriate authorities should involve the available local associations and non-governmental organizations (NGO) in all their environmental programmes. It concluded that environmental benefits of providing green space should be given utmost priorities because of the importance of greening the environment during this post climate knowledge eraKey Words: Community, Cities, Greening, Climate Change and Third Worl

A Multivariate Analysis of Factors Influencing Green Space Provision in Residential Neighbourhood of Sub-Saharan African Cities

This research examines factors that influence the level of conformity to green space provision. Primary data was collected for three (3) types of residential neighbourhoods: Federal, State and Private. Reconnaissance survey revealed there are 8, 19 and 12 residential neighbourhoods respectively for Federal, State and Private. Ten (10%) of each were selected and thus, 1, 2, and 1 was selected for the Federal, State and Privately owned residential neighbourhoods. The total number of questionnaire that was administered on the household heads in the four (4) selected residential neighbourhoods was three hundred and thirty-two (332) but only three hundred and seven (307) was retrieved. Explanatory factor analysis was conducted on the perceived variables that could affect provision of green space. Within the first component there exist similarities between all the three (3) variables that were highly loaded {residential density (0.832), nature of surrounding neighbourhood (0.825) and inadequate land (0.745)}. Each of them were related to the environment and thus the first factor affecting the provision of green space within residential neighbourhood could be regarded as physical and natural factors. On the other hand, the column for the second component had three (3) variables that were related to activities within the planning authorities (agency in charge of green space provision and compliance). These were, lack of working tools in planning authorities (0.856), lack of qualified staff in planning authorities (0.821) as well as inadequate number of staff in planning authorities (0.757). The third column represents factors relating to the government and it governmental, while the fourth and final component (factor) could be termed political factors. A near perfect structure of the variables emerged from the factor analysis and thus the reduction of the thirteen variables to four major factors. The study concluded that, better provision and care for green spaces within residential neighbourhood will require an effective policy framework, in which all decision-makers, can operate and work in collaboration. Key Words: Cities, Green-space, Residential Neighbourhood and Sub-Saharan

Outbreak of Measles in vaccinated population in Southeastern Nigeria

Background: Outbreaks of respiratory disease, febrile illness and rash occurred in two adjoining rural communities of Imo State, Southeastern, Nigeria, at different times between 2006 and 2020. Laboratory investigation was carried out to determine the aetiological agent of the outbreak. Methodology: Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 6 individuals showing symptoms of disease, within 3-4 days of appearance of rash. Venous blood samples were also collected from a total of 41 symptomatic persons, their contacts and individuals with resolved infections. Swabs were inoculated into Vero, HEp-2c, B95a and MDCK cell lines. Sera were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G and M to rubella and measles viruses, while immunofluorescence assay was used to detect Lassa fever virus immunoglobulins. Descriptive data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Four of the 6 (66.7%) swab samples showed viral activity or cytopathic effect characterized by clumping of cells in Vero cells while 2 (33.3%) in Hep-2c characterized by rounding up of cells. Thirty-nine (95.1%) sera were positive for measles IgG while 13 (31.7%) were positive for IgM. Thirty-six (87.8%) sera were positive for rubella IgG but none was positive for IgM. None of the sera was positive for Lassa fever virus IgG and IgM. Conclusion: Measles virus was responsible for the outbreak among previously vaccinated population in the communities, while Rubella and Lassa fever viruses were excluded as the etiological agents of the outbreak. Keywords: Epidemics; IgG and IgM; Cell lines; Vaccination; Measles virus   French title: Épidémie de rougeole dans la population vaccinée du sud-est du Nigéria Contexte: Des flambées de maladies respiratoires, de maladies fébriles et d'éruptions cutanées sont survenues dans deux communautés rurales voisines de l'État d'Imo, dans le sud-est du Nigéria, à des moments différents entre 2006 et 2020. Une enquête en laboratoire a été menée pour déterminer l'agent étiologique de l'épidémie. Méthodologie: Des écouvillons oropharyngés ont été prélevés sur 6 individus présentant des symptômes de maladie, dans les 3 à 4 jours suivant l'apparition de l'éruption cutanée. Des échantillons de sang veineux ont également été prélevés sur un total de 41 personnes symptomatiques, leurs contacts et des personnes souffrant d'infections résolues. Des écouvillons ont été inoculés dans des lignées cellulaires Vero, HEp-2c, B95a et MDCK. Les sérums ont été analysés en utilisant un test immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) pour les immunoglobulines G et M contre les virus de la rubéole et de la rougeole, tandis que le test d'immunofluorescence a été utilisé pour détecter les immunoglobulines du virus de la fièvre de Lassa. Les données descriptives ont été analysées à l'aide du progiciel statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS). Résultats: Quatre des 6 échantillons sur écouvillon (66,7%) ont montré une activité virale ou un effet cytopathique caractérisé par l'agglutination des cellules dans les cellules Vero, tandis que 2 (33,3%) dans Hep-2c étaient caractérisés par un arrondissement des cellules. Trente-neuf (95,1%) sérums étaient positifs pour les IgG contre la rougeole tandis que 13 (31,7%) étaient positifs pour les IgM. Trente-six (87,8%) sérums étaient positifs pour les IgG contre la rubéole, mais aucun n'était positif pour les IgM. Aucun des sérums n'était positif pour les IgG et IgM du virus de la fièvre de Lassa. Conclusion: Le virus de la rougeole était responsable de l'épidémie parmi la population précédemment vaccinée dans les communautés, tandis que les virus de la rubéole et de la fièvre de Lassa ont été exclus comme agents étiologiques de l'épidémie. Mots clés: épidémies; IgG et IgM; Lignées cellulaires; Vaccination; Virus de la rougeol

Prospects and Challenges of Cities Micro Green Economy: A Study of Horticulture Practices in Lagos, Nigeria

This paper is aimed at understanding various planning laws and regulations that serve as hindrance to green economy in Nigerian cities. The study is focused on the horticulture practices in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos. This is a form of green economy that was not considered during the preparation of the master plan of the area. The survey for the study was conducted on two (2) occasions (2008 and 2013). This was shortly before planning activities become highly intensive during the 6th republic and in the 7th republic. The study purposively sampled all the commercial horticultural gardens available at the two (2) periods; these are 63 and 39 in 2008 and 2013 respectively. Findings revealed that about 24 (38%) of the gardens has been lost due to strict application of development control regulations in the space of five (5) years. Result also revealed that over N14, 570,000 worth of investment and N11,070,000 annual profit were affected. About 34 employment opportunities were affected and the source of livelihood for over 100 people has been destabilised or block. The study recommended the inclusion of commercial horticulture practice as an integral part of urban land use and the modification of planning laws and regulations to suit such practices that have multiplier effects (advantages) on the citizenry and the urban environment. The study concluded that although commercial horticulture practice had little contribution where only few people were employed, it is still less few people who are food insecure or those who lack employment. The multiplier effect that entrepreneurial gardens can create through their enterprise is significant: not only does it strengthen the local economy by creating economic opportunities for other people and businesses, but it addressed other multiple problems such as environmental pollution and climate change

Prevalence of haemoparasites and influence on haemato-biochemical parameters of polo horses in Ibadan, Nigeria

Parasitic diseases, which can reside inside or outside the host, have a devastating impact on human and animal health worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Little is known about the current haemoparasitic status of polo horses in Ibadan, Nigeria. This study aims to find out the scope and extent of haemoparasites and their associated haematological and serum biochemical changes in polo horses in Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood samples were randomly collected from 52 horses from Ibadan polo stable. Haemoparasites identification, haematology and serum biochemistry parameters were evaluated according to standard procedures. The overall prevalence of haemoparasitic infection in the sampled horses was 13.5%. The haemoparasites found were Theileria equi (85.7%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (14.3%). The haematology result showed that infected horses presented a significant decrease (P<0.05) in PCV, WBC counts and significant elevation (P<0.05) of eosinophils. The serum biochemical values revealed that infected horses had significantly higher (P<0.05) levels of AST and creatinine kinase whereas the glucose level was significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared with the uninfected horses. To reduce the threat of haemoparasitic infection, it is recommended that vector control, as well as prophylactic therapy, be carried out in stables

Transmissão materno-fetal de diferentes subtipos de HIV-1 entre gestantes infectadas na Nigéria

The rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV as well as the implications of the circulating multiple subtypes to MTCT in Nigeria are not known. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the differential rates of MTCT of HIV-1 subtypes detected among infected pregnant women before ARV intervention therapy became available in Nigeria. Twenty of the HIV-positive women who signed the informed consent form during pregnancy brought their babies for follow-up testing at age 18-24 months. Plasma samples from both mother and baby were tested for HIV antibody at the Department of Virology, UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria. All positive samples (plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PBMCs) were shipped to the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium, where the subtype of the infecting virus was determined using the HMA technique. Overall, a mother-to-child HIV transmission rate of 45% was found in this cohort. Specifically, 36.4%, 66.7% and 100% of the women infected with HIV-1 CRF02 (IbNg), G and B, respectively, transmitted the virus to their babies. As far as it can be ascertained, this is the first report on the rate of MTCT of HIV in Nigeria. The findings reported in this paper will form a useful reference for assessment of currently available therapeutic intervention of MTCT in the country.A taxa de transmissão materno-fetal (MTCT) do HIV bem como as implicações dos múltiplos subtipos circulantes para MTCT na Nigéria não são conhecidos. Este estudo foi realizado para determinar as diferentes taxas de MTCT dos subtipos de HIV-1 detectados entre gestantes infectadas antes que a administração da terapia ARV estivesse disponível na Nigéria. Vinte das mulheres HIV positivas que assinaram o consentimento durante a gravidez trouxeram seus filhos para seguimento na idade de 18-24 meses. Amostras de plasma de ambos, mãe e filho foram testadas para anticorpos HIV no Departamento de Virologia, UCH, Ibadan, Nigéria. Todas as amostras positivas (plasma e células mononucleares do sangue periférico - PBMCs) foram enviadas para o Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Antuérpia, Bélgica, onde os subtipos de vírus infectantes foram determinados utilizando-se a técnica HMA. No conjunto, uma taxa de transmissão de HIV, materno-fetal, de 45% foi encontrada neste grupo. Especificamente, 36,4%, 66,7% e 100% das mulheres infectadas com HIV-1 CRF02 (IbNg), G e B, respectivamente, transmitiram o vírus para seus filhos. Até onde pode ser verificado, este é o primeiro relato da taxa de MTCT do HIV na Nigéria. Os achados relatados neste trabalho serão uma útil referência para estimar a qualidade das terapêuticas atuais disponíveis para MTCT neste país

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of chicken anaemia virus obtained from backyard and commercial chickens in Nigeria : research communication

This work reports the first molecular analysis study of chicken anaemia virus (CAV) in backyard chickens in Africa using molecular cloning and sequence analysis to characterize CAV strains obtained from commercial chickens and Nigerian backyard chickens. Partial VP1 gene sequences were determined for three CAVs from commercial chickens and for six CAV variants present in samples from a backyard chicken. Multiple alignment analysis revealed that the 6 % and 4 % nucleotide diversity obtained respectively for the commercial and backyard chicken strains translated to only 2 % amino acid diversity for each breed. Overall, the amino acid composition of Nigerian CAVs was found to be highly conserved. Since the partial VP1 gene sequence of two backyard chicken cloned CAV strains (NGR/Cl-8 and NGR/Cl-9) were almost identical and evolutionarily closely related to the commercial chicken strains NGR-1, and NGR-4 and NGR-5, respectively, we concluded that CAV infections had crossed the farm boundary