Evaluation of Physico-Chemical and Fungal Species Associated with Oil Contaminated Soil from Selected Automobile Garage in Sokoto Metropolis

This study was conducted with a view to evaluating the physicochemical and mycological properties of different oil contaminated soils collected from three different automobile garages in Sokoto Metropolis, and uncontaminated soil from the temporary site, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) was used as the control. The pH was determined using pH meter model Hanna (H1991301), quantity of mineral elements was evaluated in accordance with Murphy and Fungi were isolated from the three oil contaminated samples (A, B. and C) and the uncontaminated (sample D) as control, this was done by standard procedure using the method of P. Ren, T. Jankun & B. Leaderer. The physical, chemical, and mineral elements from the oil-contaminated soils of the three automobile garages and control. The results of particle soil analysis revealed the high content of sandy soil (96.2 to 87.3) and silt is the lowest with (2.5–0.6). Magnesium had the highest concentration of studied minerals, ranging from 193 to 649.2 mg/kg. while PH result revealed that the soil samples were pH value ranged from (16.85–16.20) in oil Contaminated samples, while the control had 15.90, and electrical conductivity ranged from 12.8–13.8 % and 28 % in control, four fungal isolates Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp., Mucor sp. and Sporobolomyces sp. were identified based on colonial, sexual and morphological characteristics. These fungal strains can be used in bioremediation process and oil pollution reduction in aquatic ecosystems

Relationship of Soilborne Mycoflora of Cassava Growing Fields to Incidence of Postharvest Rots of Cassava Tubers in Sokoto, Nigeria

In this study the fungi associated with cassava growing fields in Sokoto were isolated and identified using soil dilution technique. A total of 215 fungal colonies from 9 fungal species were isolated from soil samples of different cassava fields between the month of June and August, 2012. It was observed that soil samples from Lambara recorded the highest number (64) of fungal species followed by Damba and the least number (44) of fungal species was observed in Wamakko.The fungi isolated were Alternaria species, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cylindrocarpon lichenicola, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor hiemalis, Rhizopus orgyzae and Scopulariopsis candida.The highest percentage frequency of occurrence was observed in Aspergillus Niger (39.5%) seconded by Fusarium oxysporum (18.2%) and the least was seen in Rhizopus oryzae ( 2.3%). The pathogenicity test indicated that all the fungal isolates were pathogenic on cassava tubers.The fungus M. hiemalis is the most pathogenic followed by F. oxysporum and the least was recorded by R. oryzae. Therefore, it would be concluded that there is relationship between soilborne fungi and incidence of postharvest rots of cassava tubers

Hotels involvement in sustainable tourism practices in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The hotel sector has been described as an industry of which activities constitute a great impact on the environment. Hotels consume vast amount of energy, water and non-durable goods, and has been reported to discharge huge amount of raw and solid waste in different quantities. Serious impacts on the environment were highlighted, calling for greater hotel’s participation in sustainable tourism practices by committing to environmental management system (EMS). Comprehensive studies among hotels in Malaysia on their contributing efforts in curbing environmental degradation have been inadequate. Hence, a current study was conducted and this paper presents findings on sustainable tourism practices most commonly adopted by Malaysian hotels within Klang Valley. The main findings indicate the use of occupancy sensor/key card control system as energy saving measures, as well as the use of energy-efficient equipments and products. This result, therefore, confirms a number of preliminary studies which indicates widespread adoption of energy management among hotels. Adopting these practices has enabled Malaysian hotels to benefit from improved image to the guests and the local communities as well as the enhancement of a safe and healthy environment for hotel guests and employees

Sustainable tourism practices among hotels in Malaysia: financial and non-financial benefits

The Sustainable Tourism Practice (STP) is one of the more recent practices within the hotel sector. One of the major reasons for hotels’ involvement in Sustainable Tourism Practices is to achieve some form of benefit. This paper attempts to highlight the significant benefits of STP for the hotel industry in Malaysia. It is believed that studies related to the contributing role of STP to the hotel industry in a developing country like Malaysia are relatively scarce. Therefore, this paper intends to bridge this knowledge gap by uncovering the benefits (i.e. financial and non-financial) hotels stand to reap in adopting various programmes which safeguard the environment. The study utilized the survey questionnaire method involving 60 hotel organisations in Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor. The study findings indicate the benefits of improved public image and the provision of safe and healthy environments to the hotel guests as the major benefit of hotels adopting STP. Unlike previous studies which identified financial contributions to the STP among hotels in developed countries, it appears that Malaysian hotels project their image to the guests after which it is expected that they will attract large patronage leading to financial gains. In conclusion, the results of this study have the potential of contributing to the knowledge as well as the hotel organisations

A Preliminary Study on Microbial Contamination of Leafy Vegetables in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Five leafy vegetables commonly consumed in Sokoto metropolis were evaluated for microbiological quality using standard procedures involving standard plate count (SPC). The vegetables investigated included Lactuaca sativa (Lettuce), Amaranthus hybridus (Spinach), Vernonia amagdalina (Bitter leaf), Brassica oleracea (Cabbage) and Moringa oleifera Lam (Horse radish). Ten fungal species which include Alternaria alternata, Absidia corymbifera, Aspergillus Niger, A. flavus, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium oxysporium, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor racemoses, Rhizopus stolonifer and Trichoderma harzianum and four species of bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocystogens and Staphyllococus aureus were isolated from the leafy vegetables. The total colony counts of fungi ranged from 1.8 x 106 – 6.28 x 105 (cfu/g) of the vegetables while that of bacteria ranged from 1.0 x 106 to 2.94 x 106 cfu/g of the vegetables. The highest counts of microbial organisms were found on A. hybridus while M. oleifera and B. olerarea had the lowest fungal and bacterial counts respectively. There is a need to reduce the levels of microbial contamination on leafy vegetables through appropriate production practices, careful handling by the vendors and appropriate processing with a view to minimize the risk of human exposure to fungal and bacterial pathogens associated with the vegetables

Project Communication a Dimension for Improved Project Performance: The Case of Selected Public University Projects

Achieving successful project performance is still a challenge in Uganda, though it can be improved through proper Project communication which clarifies project task and enables stakeholders to be wholly involved in the projects.  However, despite the importance of project communication many projects in higher institutions have not performed to their expectations. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between project communication and project performance in Public Universities in Uganda. A cross sectional survey design was used in this study to provide an in-depth investigation of the relationship between the variables. In order to achieve the objectives, a correlation design was adopted to determine relationships between different variables and the questionnaires were formed on that basis. Quantitative data was collected and analyzed and study results revealed a positive significant relationship between project communication and project performance (r = 0.577**, p<0.01) which implies that when communication increases project performance is enhanced. Keywords: communication, performance, Kampala, communication network

Theoretical Review of the Impact of Fiscal Deficits on Economic Growth in Nigeria

The growth and persistence of fiscal deficits in both the industrialized and developing countries has brought the issue of fiscal deficits into sharp focus. Over the last decade, the growth impact of fiscal deficits has generated large volume of both theoretical and empirical literature. Despite the lofty place of fiscal policy in the management of the economy, the Nigerian economy is yet to come on the path of sound growth and development. The behaviour of fiscal deficits in Nigeria has followed unsteady pattern, assessing the significance of the policy deficits. The actualization of sustainable economic growth is more imperative such that the country is working towards achieving the sustainable development goals. The paper adopted a descriptive method to show the trend of fiscal elements in Nigeria with the aim of determining the relationship between the variables specified. The paper concludes that fiscal operation is ineffective in providing the needed macroeconomic environment for sustainable growth. This paper further suggests that powerful pro-stability stakeholders strong enough to challenge government fiscal recklessness will need to emerge for sustainable and progressive development to be attained at all levels

Professionalism and Ethics of Accounting in Financial Reporting: An Overview of Nigerian Scenerio

This paper focuses on evaluating the concept of professionalism and ethics of accounting standards on the quality of financial reports in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, data was collected from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaires were distributed with the use of simple random sampling technique in selecting a sample size of 75, consisting of accountant and auditors and relevant data obtained. Accounting ethics was measured with professional independence and professional competence, while financial reporting quality was measured using the qualitative attribute of dependability and understandability. Ordinary Least Square was utilised to develop a theoretical equation model to test the formulated hypotheses. Understandability was significant at 5% level in associating with both competence and independence respectively. Reliability was found to be significant at 5% level, only with independence. On the basis of these findings, therefore, it was recommended that corporate bodies should establish ethics compliance department to enhance the enforcement of ethical compliance in the various economy institutions