Genetic Diversity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) Cultivars in Semi-Arid Northern Nigeria

Over the last two decades, several seed-related studies have been conducted in semi-arid Africa to improve farmers’ access to quality seeds of dry land cereals and legumes. These have indicated that genetic diversity which is at stake is a major resource. However, there is an undeniable evidence of the erosion of crop genetic diversity. The aim of the study is to evaluate genetic variability of pearl millet cultivars obtained from four semi-arid villages of northern-eastern Nigeria namely Dagaceri and Kaska. It should be noted that all the 42 sampled respondents in all the study areas are males and heads of households. They are most active in agricultural practices and also have the final say in the activities of their household. A total of 25 pearl millet genotypes were collected based on diverse morphological data recorded on the field using Participatory Rural Appraisal. The main approach to the present study is to link the advanced biological technique (laboratory study) on genetic characteristics with social science field methodologies. The techniques used in the laboratory analysis are the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and Multiplexed Single Oligonucleotide Amplification. Laboratory studies revealed that genetic compositions of all inventoried pearl millet are not the same. The difference within and between the landraces was estimated using molecular marker (AFLP) and from the data it was noted that farmers’ husbandry practice resulted to the isolation of group ideotypes, making landrace names quid pro quo of genetic diversity. It was recommended that because farmers’ methods of selection play an important role in genetic management and conservation, it should be linked with the formal seed system to enhance genetic management and control genetic erosion.   Key words: genetic diversity, pearl millet, amplified fragment length polymorphism, northern-eastern Nigeria

Towards Sustainable Mitigation of Environmental Degradation in Nigeria

Our world is naturally blessed with dynamic resources such as vegetation, waters, air and soils. In the natural settings; vegetation change, rivers are polluted, sea levels rise, soil erodes and climate changes and yet human activities are on the increase and potentially more potent and dynamic activities on top of these already dynamic natural processes are surging up. Humankind has dramatically transformed much of nature and its natural environment through a process which is not new because it has been on for millennia. One significant dilemma is that transformation of nature has accelerated sharply over the last two centuries, and especially in the last several decades. Today, the natural environment is being progressively destroyed, bulldozed, and felled by saws or handheld axes, until only small remnants of its original extent survives. To substantiate this, by mid-1970s (after the drought that caused starvation in West Africa), humans had drastically increased the rate at which world’s forest cover is destroyed and over the last century development has claimed almost all fringes of major towns. If we have observed one thing common between human interaction and dynamic resources, it is that our inability to sustainably and effectively manage those resources is often quite clear. Efforts to stop further deterioration are never late because as Myers pointed out, “we still have half of all tropical forests that ever existed” (Myers, 1992). Although this paper is theoretically sounded, its aim is to review some salient issues on environmental degradation in Nigeria which mostly hinders the development of sustainable mitigation and provide options to alleviate the escalating rate of degradation. Success in fighting environmental degradation requires an improved understanding of its causes, impact, degree, methods and acquaintance with climate, soil, water, land cover and socio-economic factors. Considering this all, it is recommended that hybrid options combining indigenous and current externally developed approaches (which are mostly incompatible with the environment and cultures of Nigeria) should be produced and utilised to combat degradation in the country.   Key words: environmental degradation, mitigation options, resources, Nigeri

Mitigation Strategies to Environmental Degradation in Nigeria

Our environment is naturally blessed with dynamic resources to include vegetation, waters, soils and animals etc. Naturally, vegetation change, rivers are polluted, soil erodes and species are depleted all courtesy of human activities. While this is on the increase, some potentially more potent and dynamic activities on top of these already dynamic natural processes are surging up. Man who is at the center has dramatically altered much of nature and its natural environment through a process which is not new because it has been on for very long. One significant dilemma in that transformation is that nature has been destroyed sharply over the last two centuries. Today, the natural environment is being progressively destroyed with bulldozers and forests (species) felled by machine or handheld saws and reduced to small remnants of its original extent. To substantiate this, by mid-1970s (after the drought that caused serious degradation in Africa), humans had drastically increased the rate at which world?s forest cover and soils are destroyed. Over the last century development has claimed almost all fringes of major towns. If we have observed one thing common between the human interaction and the nature, it is that our inability to sustainably manage the natural environment is often quite clear. On the notion that efforts to stop further deterioration are never late, Myers (1992) noted ?we still have half of all tropical forests that ever existed?. Although this paper is theoretically sounded, its aim is to propose sustainable mitigation strategies to Nigeria?s rising environmental degradation. Considering this all, it is recommended that hybrid options combining indigenous and current externally developed approaches (which are mostly incompatible with the environment and cultures of Nigeria) should be produced and utilized to combat degradation in the country.   Key words: environmental degradation, mitigation, natural resources, Nigeri

Spatial Variability of Soil Properties around Baturiya Sanctuary, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Soil properties intricately vary spatially owing to several natural and anthropogenic factors including parent material, terrain as well as land use. The aim of this study is to assess the spatial variability of soil samples collected from three different land use types namely: reserved area, parkland and farmland around Baturiya Sanctuary, northwestern Nigeria with a view to providing information that will assist the government in planning and conservation of the area. Free traverse sampling technique was used to collect soil samples at the depth of 0-30cm. Laboratory analysis was done for the following parameters: bulk density, PSD, phosphorous, pH, EC, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases (Mg, Na, and K), and CEC. Geostatistical technique (semivariogram analysis) was used to test variation in soil properties. Result of the study depicted that It also indicated that BD (1.24 g/cm3), clay (22%), total nitrogen (0.25 g/kg), available phosphorous (32.61 mg/g), OC (1.6%) and Mg (0.05) are highest in reserved area. Also sand (55%) and silt (29%), pH (5.0), EC (522), Na (0.007), K (0.44) and CEC (4.5meq/100g) are highest in farmland. The variogram based nugget-sill ratio showed strong dependency with 0 (N, EC, OC) and weak dependency 1 (BD, Na) on the scale of 0.25 high, 0.25 – 0.75 moderate and 0.75 weak. In conclusion, this study found that soil properties in area showed high to moderate spatial dependency except for BD, Mg, K, and Na which showed low spatial autocorrelation owing increasing human activities in the area. This study depicted that apparently limitation by few samples have influenced the pattern in the result otherwise spatial variability of certain elements may be more discernible and beyond reasons such land use and parent materials

Isolation and identification of aflatoxin producing fungi from different foodstuffs at Shuwarin Market, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Aflatoxin is a word derived from Aspergillus spp toxin which is naturally occurring mycotoxins that is produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus species of fungi. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify aflatoxin producing fungi from four different grains (maize, rice, cowpea, and groundnut). During the research, four (4) different grain samples were obtained from Shuwarin market (Kiyawa L.G.A), Jigawa state. The samples were analyzed for microbial examination through serial dilution, inoculation, incubation, subculture and microscopy. Six (6), fungal species were isolated which included Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, Cladosporium sp and Aspergillus niger, where A. niger has the highest number of isolates (16; 40%), Rhizopus sp with 12 (30%) isolates, and A. flavus having 8 isolates (20%), Penicillium sp, 2 (5%), Cladosporium sp has and Fusarium sp has 1(2.5%) having 1 (2.5%), each, having the lowest number of isolate. Furthermore, the samples were also used to detect the presence of aflatoxin using thin layer chromatography technique (TLC). The contamination levels found ranged from the relative factor value (Rf) for maize, the Rf 0.94 registering the highest level of aflatoxin content and groundnut with Rf value of 0.08 registering the lowest level of aflatoxin content. This is due to improper harvesting, handling, processing, storage, and poor hygiene of the farmers and vendors. Therefore, the farmers and vendors have to be trained and enlightened on the method of harvesting, storage, handling, processing, transportation and selling of cereals and legumes so as to reduce the risk of causing health problems to the consumers

Molecular mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia that affects one patient every seven seconds. With over 35 million people currently affected worldwide, it has been projected that the disease will affect about 115 million people by 2050. The disease is characterized by dysfunctional cellular and molecular networks and/or genomic and epigenomic interactions that affect the normal function of brain cells, leading to a defective cellular communication and function, and ultimately neurodegeneration. Aluminium (Al3+) is the third most abundant ubiquitous element in the earth crust which has gained easy access to humans and extensively used in daily life. It is an essential component of many materials used in households, such as clays, glasses, and alum. An increasing body of evidence implicates Al3+ in the progression of events that lead to neurodegenerative diseases, some of which remains controversial, but it is widely accepted that Al3+ is a recognised neurotoxin that could cause neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. The pathophysiological changes induced in Al3+ neurotoxicity leading to AD result in critical impairments of the central nervous system functions, which are essential for healthy brain ageing. These changes include; axonal transport, neurotransmitter synthesis and synaptic transmission, disruption of calcium homeostasis, alteration of energy metabolism, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of proteins, protein degradation, gene expression, formation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory responses, inhibition of DNA repair system, activation of glial cells, reduction of activities of antioxidant enzymes, alterations of pathways of NF-kB and JNK, binding DNA, cell death, motor and cognitive decline. These multi-faceted pathways provide a link between Al neurotoxicity and AD by modulating both tau and amyloid beta hypotheses of AD.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Aluminium chloride, Amyloid beta, Tau, Animal model

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L. R. Rr.]) Varietal Loss and its Potential Impact on Smallholder Farmers in Northern Nigeria: A Review

Pearl millet is an alternative source of livelihood for poor farmers who use it to supplement food and income. Pearl millet has high medicinal value and its consumption reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, constipation and anemia. Pearl millets is an excellent source of protein and fiber, and a great source of starch, making it a high-energy food. It is an exceptional food source for babies from six months of age because it has high nutrients and is easily digestible. Pearl millet is the most widely cultivated millet varieties in the world. The cereal crop is grown in arid, infertile, marginal lands in Africa and Asia, and cope with unpredictable climatic conditions. Nigeria is the second largest producer of pearl millet in the world with tremendous amount of pearl millet diversity. However, there is growing recognition that the diversity of pearl millet in northern Nigeria is vastly diminishing thereby affecting the livelihood of smallholder farmers. This paper reviews the erosion of pearl millet, multiple drivers of loss of local varieties of pearl millet, and presents some of the strategies that can be implemented to save the erosion of its diversity in northern Nigeria

The constitutional roles of local governments in Nigeria: issues and challenges

The paper focuses on the constitutional roles of local governments in Nigeria: issues and challenges.The creation of local governments in Nigeria is meant to support the locals on their budding future in a platform purposely created for representation in the political administration of a State and the Federal Government.The aim of the paper is to discuss the roles of local governments as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended 2011. In addition, to examine the laws of the local governments and further analyses the loopholes in the legal relations between the Local Governments in Nigeria and the States.The methodology adopted by the paper is content analysis approach wherein related literatures were discussed and analysed, particularly the local laws and other relevant documents.The findings of the paper reveal that firm control of local governments by the States especially through the Joint Accounts negates the developmental purposes of local government’s creation in Nigeria. In view of this, therefore, the paper suggests that for the realisation of the ultimate purpose of creation and maintaining the system, the silent constitutional lacuna of local government’s autonomy and other related issues highlighted in the paper should be address

Design Construction and Performance Evaluation of Solar Still for Rural Dwellers

This paper is aimed at designing, constructing and performance evaluation of a solar still. The solar still is design and constructed with locally source materials for rural dwellers. The still absorber plate is constructed with 2 mm galvanised plate painted black with an area of 2 m2 to absorb solar radiation effectively. The side wall and the base is constructed with concrete. Sawdust and felt is used between the retaining wall and base to resist heat transfer from the system to the surrounding vice-versa. The top cover of the still is constructed with transparent glass pane of 4 mm housed in an aluminium frame. The catch basin that collects the condensate is constructed with PVC pipe channel of 50 mm. The performance of the still was evaluated with; Overall yield (sum of daily yield and over-night yield) at a different water depth of (20, 40, 60 mm), (5127 ml/m2/hr, 4558 ml/m2/hr, and 3852 ml/m2/hr). The efficiency of the system at different water depth (20, 40, 60 mm) 51.27 %, 45.58 %, and 38.52 %. The water analysis before and after distillation was certified safe and portable for human consumption

The Effect of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) among SMEs in Nigeria

Purpose: Although, SMEs are making significant contributions to the Nigerian economy, however, financial reporting in the sector has not been researched well.Therefore, this study intends to fill in the gap by determining the effect of IFRS among the Nigerian SMEs.Design: The study adopted Ohlson Model (1995) that has been widely used among researchers in determining the effect of IFRS.The study used 80 SMEs registered in Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the period of 2011 to 2016 using pre-and postIFRS adoption of SMEs in Nigeria. Findings: The study findings provided a statistically significant increase of financial reporting after IFRS adoption among the Nigerian SMEs.Particularly, a greater increase in earnings coefficients than book value after IFRS adoption was noticed during the period. Implication: The Nigerian SMEs witnessed the lack of compliance with the Nigerian accounting standards and IFRS knowledge.Therefore, financial reporting provided in the public may not reflect a true view of their financial positions.Several SMEs data could not be provided in the data stream which does not allow us for generalisation. Practical implications: The implication of this study is to provide the usefulness of adopting IFRS among SMEs in Nigeria.Also, to the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) that are at forefront of the use of IFRS to SMEs that IFRS provides more value relevance of accounting information as they suggested. Originality: This study is the first to look at the effect of IFRS on SMEs for book value and earnings in Nigeri