Affordability In Amortisation Of Public Urban Workforce Home Ownership In Sokoto, Nigeria

This research study is based purely on the home ownership of public urban workforce housing in Nigeria, with particular focus on affordability in amortisation. Kajian penyelidikan ialah rnengenai kajian tahap kernarnpuan pernilikan rurnah oleh tenaga kerja dalarn sektor awarn di bandar di Nigeria, dengan fokus utarna rnengena1 tahap kernampuan mereka dalarn rnelunaskan bayaran pinjarnan

The predicaments of Almajiris children of the street in Kano State Nigeria

The Almajiris comprise teenagers of 14 to 17 years of age, majority of whom hailed from the dominant Hausa tribe in north-western Nigeria. This study examines the predicaments of the children of the street in northern Nigeria known as Almajiris. Majority of the Almajiris came from extremely poor families who do not have the means to support them. To bear with the hardships, the family would send them to Qura‟nic boarding school known as Tsangaya to survive on their own without provision of food and accommodation. Hence, the study aimed to explore the Almajiris state of social, economic and psychological distress in their strife to survive in isolation. The study employs a qualitative method using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations as the main tool of inquiry. A total of 23 informants who are the significant stakeholders of Tsangaya Schools were consulted. These participants consist of the Almajiris, and those who are familiar with, or to some extent deal with the Almajiris, namely the parents of the Almajiris, teachers of the Qur‟anic schools, former Almajiris, people living with the Almajiris, and government officials. Data collected from the interviews and the focus group discussions were analyzed thematically using Nvivo software. The findings revealed that the Almajiris suffer the absence of parental care, malnutrition, hunger, destitution, lack of shelter and harsh treatment from the public. The study concludes that the government and the community should work together to improve the lives of the Almajiris. Towards that end, the study proposed a framework named “Tsangaya Framework” which suggests a team work from the community trustees and the government agencies to finance, regulate and execute an action plan capable of improving the well-being of the Almajiris

Effects of Striga gesnerioides on the Growth and Yield of Some Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Genotypes under Water Stress Condition

Cowpea production in the Sahelian region faced production constraint due to disease and drought. Striga gesnerioides is a major constraint to cowpea production specifically to the agronomic point of view. The aim of this present study is to determine the effect of Striga gesnerioides on the growth and yield of some cowpea genotypes subjected to different moisture stress conditions. The experiment was conducted at screen house of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano, Nigeria. Three cowpea varieties were used in the experiment, the experimental set up was completely randomized design with four treatment regimes; T1, vegetative stage of water stress with Striga infestation; T2, vegetative stage of water stress; T3, unstressed with Striga infestation and T4, unstressed. Uniform broadcasting of 0.05g of Striga gesnerioides were imposed in the treatment. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, plant vigor score, phenology, and grain yield. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the number of leaves between the treatments with DANILA having the highest number of leaves. DANILA was found to exhibit the highest plant vigor. Total chlorophyll reductions were recorded at 37 days after water stress and striga infestation.DANILA recorded the highest reduction in total chlorophyll content. The results showed that IT98K-205-8 matured earlier and recorded higher yield, Danilarecorded low yield. It can be concluded that cowpea varieties IT97K-499-35 and IT98K-205-8 which gave the highest yield were resistance to Striga gesnerioides, whereas Danila which developed Symptoms with reduced yield is said to be susceptible to Striga gesnerioides.Keyword: Striga gesnerioides, cowpea, water stres

Modification of coconut shells by polyether ether ketone for high-presure adsorption of methane and natural gas

Application of natural gas (NG) as a transportation fuel introduces the possibility of reducing the dependency of liquid based petroleum fuel and emissions of greenhouse gases. At present, compression and liquefaction are the most used technology used for transportation system. For transportation use, compression requires high pressure (200–300 bar) while liquefaction is impractical. A relatively low pressure of 30-40 bar is achievable by adsorbed natural gas to store nearly compressed natural gas. In this study, adsorbents for high-pressure adsorption of methane (CH4) and NG were prepared from coconut shells and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and microwave-assisted activation. The role of KOH was to modify the properties and structure of the adsorbent to suffice better adsorption applications. Design expert software version 7.1.6 was used for optimization and prediction of preparation conditions of the adsorbents for CH4 and NG adsorption. Effects of microwave power, activation time and quantity of PEEK on the adsorbents performance toward CH4 and NG adsorption were investigated. The adsorbents were characterized by pH, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric, mechanical property, nitrogen adsorption, bulk density, scanning electron microscopy, and ultimate and proximate analyses. The ideal CH4 and NG adsorption capacities of adsorbents were determined using volumetric method at pressures of 5, 7.5, 11, 17, 25, 30 and 35 bar at ambient temperature, while at 5 oC, the adsorption was carried out at 5, 17 and 35 bar. Isotherm and kinetics models were used to validate the experimental results. The optimum preparation conditions were found to be 15 wt % of PEEK, 3 minutes activation time and 300 W microwave power. The highest CH4 uptake of 9.7045 mmol CH4 adsorbed/g adsorbent was recorded by adsorbent (M33P15) (300 W of microwave power, 3 minutes activation time and 15 wt % amount of PEEK) among the sorbents at ambient temperature and 35 bar. Similarly, the highest NG uptake of 9.9432 mmol NG adsorbed/g adsorbent was also achieved by the same sample under the same adsorption conditions. The CH4 and NG equilibrium data were well correlated with Sips, Toth, Freundlich and Langmuir. Isotherms revealed that the Sips isotherm has the best fit, while the kinetics studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best describes the adsorption process. In all scenarios studied, a decrease in temperature led to an increase in adsorption of both gases. The M33P15 maintained its stability even after seven adsorption/desorption cycles. The findings revealed the potential of coconut shell-PEEK as CH4 and NG adsorbent

Physiological Responses of Some Drought Resistant Cowpea Genotypes (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) to Water Stress

Drought is an abiotic stress that affects the growth of cowpea genotypes in Sub-saharan Africa One of the first physiological responses to water stress in crops is the functioning of the leaf. The aim of the present study is to determine leaf physiological responses of cowpea to water stress. The study was conducted at International Institute of Agriculture (IITA) Kano state, Nigeria during the period of 17th November to 23rd December 2009. Seven cowpea genotypes differing in drought resistance were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete design with three treatment regime, which include unstressed (control), moderate and severe water stress condition. The criteria measured include, Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll content (SPAD), Water Use Efficiency (WUE) specific leaf area (SLA), shoot and root biomass. The results showed that water stress significantly reduced chlorophyll content (SPAD). 100% reduction was recorded in moderate and severe water stress. The results of photochemical yield (Fv/Fm) indicated that 71% of the genotypes at severe stress had reduction in Fv/Fm, while 42% was recorded in moderate stress. Genotype IT98K-555-1 recorded the highest reduction in Fv/Fm. The result showed a positive correlation between photochemical yield and chlorophyll content (SPAD) at unstressed (r= 0.921), moderate (r=0.903) and severe (r= 0.861) at 5%. Water stress significantly reduced above ground biomass. Lower biomass was recorded more under severe water stress. Reductions in shoot biomass were more significant in IT0K-835-45 and IT98K-555-1. At severe water stress, most of the genotypes recorded lower water use efficiency, except in genotype IT00K-901-5. The results showed a general increase in root biomass in moderate and severe water stress condition, except in IT00K-835-45 and IT96D-610. Increases in the root biomass were recorded more under moderate stress.Keywords: Water stress, Water Use Efficiency, Leaf physiology, Drought Resistance, Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp

Environmental Literacy Profile Analysis of Middle School Students in Science Learning

Background: This paper aims to obtain an overview of students' environmental literacy. This research was conducted in Purwakarta Regency, one of the central industrial areas in West Java. Measurement of scientific literacy profile by adapting the standard assessment instrument of the Middle School Environmental Literacy Survey (MSELS). Methods: The test instruments that have been developed cover several aspects of environmental literacy, including knowledge, cognitive skills, environmentally conscious attitudes, and environmentally responsible behavior. The sample used was 100 students from three public high schools in Purwakarta district. The test instruments that have been developed cover several aspects of environmental literacy, including knowledge, cognitive skills, environmentally conscious attitudes, and environmentally responsible behavior. In addition to tests, interviews were also conducted to assist researchers in supporting the data that had been obtained. Results: The research shows that the results of the calculation of the average value of environmental literacy show that students' environmental literacy is at 45%, which is in the sufficient criteria. If it is narrowed down to environmental literacy indicators, we get different average values, namely ecological knowledge of 7.91% (sufficient criteria), cognitive skills of 6.05% (less criteria), environmental awareness of 67.08% (good criteria,) and environmentally responsible behavior of 77.89% (good criteria). Keywords : environmental literacy; environmental knowledge; attitude towards the environment; environmentally responsible behavior; (MSELS

An analytic generalization of the information grounds theory in sub-saharan africa: a qualitative case study of tea shops (Maishayi joints) in Samaru Community, Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study extends the propositions of the Information Grounds theory in sub-Saharan Africa. This was achieved by analytically generalizing the propositions of the theory in Tea Shops (Mai-Shayi joints) in Samaru Community, Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. AQualitative Single Case study research design with embedded sub-cases was adopted for the study. Participant Observation and Semi-structured interview were used to refine the interview questions and collect data from 10 participants that are regular customers in three Mai-Shayi Joints thatwere selected for the study respectively. Findings revealed that the information activities in MaiShayi Joints include Information Exchange and  leisure. The study also found that the temporal setting proposition, the social types proposition, the social interaction proposition and the informal and formal information flow proposition describe Mai-Shayi Joints (Tea Shops) as a social space. The study then recommended further qualitative inquiries to identify other social spaces for information activities for different groups in the community.&nbsp

Effect of different levels of Striga gesnerioides on the growth and yield of some local and improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) varieties

Experiment was carried out at International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Striga infestation on the growth and yield of some varieties of cowpea. Four cowpea genotypes were selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with two treatment regimes of Striga infestation. The levels of Striga infestation include 0.05g, 0.1g and 0.0g (control). The results showed that IT97K-499-35 recorded higher plant height at 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation, but DANILA showed lower plant height at 0.1g of Striga infestation. The result for chlorophyll content (SPAD) indicates that at 30 days after Striga infestation, IT99K-241-2 recorded higher chlorophyll SPAD value of 39.2. But IT97K-499-35 had lower chlorophyll SPAD value of 16.3. Higher number of days to 50% flowering was recorded in IT99K-241-2 across the treatment. IT98K-205-8 recorded early days to 50% flowering across the treatment. IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded Striga emergence and attachment to their roots. But IT97K-499-35 and IT98K-205-8 had no Striga attachment and emerged. Higher grain yield was recorded in IT97K-499-35, but IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded lower grain yield. Higher Fodder yield was recorded in DANILA. The result indicates that fodder yield was reduced in 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation in all the varieties. The present study conclude that varieties IT99K-241- 2 and DANILA were susceptible to Striga at 0.1g of infestation, while IT97K-499-35 was tolerant to Striga at 0.5 and 0.1g of Striga infestation.Keyword: Striga gesnerioides, Cowpea, growth and Yiel

Library user’s value-chain: assessing the use of library services by undergraduates in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This study argues that in order to meet the value chain of library users and increase library patronage, there is the need to assess the use of library services by Undergraduate Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria especially during the examination period when patronage is at the peak. The study had three objectives: To identify the purpose of use of Kashim Ibrahim Library by Undergraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria during examination. To identify the services Undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria use in Kashim Ibrahim Library during examination. To find out the challenges Undergraduate students face in the use of Kashim Ibrahim Library services during examination? A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The study revealed that undergraduate in Ahmadu Bello University, zaria use the Library to read their own books during examination, they also use the wireless Internet services and the wired Internet and the computer services of the MTN Net Library. The study also discovered that undergraduates basically use the library space and the Internet and Computer services of the Library. Finally, the study found that the major challenges undergraduates face with the use of library services during examination includes lack of space, inadequate number of computers, lack of comfortable seats, poor Internet services, inadequate power outlets for the students’ laptops and lack of assistance from library staff. The study then recommended that Library management should  constitute a section of the library for user needs elicitation. Library space should be well furnished and more space could be freed up in the Library if some of the old resources of the library are weeded and made into closeaccess. They will only be accessed if they are demanded for. The library  management could also partition some of the available spaces to make way for areas for small group discussions. Library Management could  embark on advocacy to Government parastatals that donate ICTs free of charge. Parastatals like NITDA, NCC and even Ministry of Communication. This will help them secure the additional ICTs for undergraduate use