Influence of Land-use on the Fitness of Anopheles gambiae, the Principal Vector of Malaria in Nigeria

Background: Urbanization often results in profound environmental alterations that may promote the transmission of malaria. Though, land-use practices in urban areas have been linked with proliferations of suitable larval breeding habitats of malaria vectors, no attempt has been made to systematically investigate the influence of land-use practices on malaria transmission in Nigeria. Objectives: To elucidate the influence of land-use practices on larval development and adult body size of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in Minna, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Newly-hatched larvae of An. gmbiae mosquitoes were reared in semi-natural habitats stationed in five different sites, each representing the major land-use types in the area. The larvae were monitored daily for Duration of Immature Development (DID) and Immature Survival Rate (ISR); while Wing Length (WL) was used as an index of adult body size. Results: DID, ISR and WL varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the land-use categories; with lager numbers of bigger mosquitoes produced at a faster rate in the artificial than natural land-use sites. Water temperature for larval development was best in the Refuse Dump (RD) site (mean = 28.11 ± 2.50oC) and consequently the shortest DID (mean = 9.70 ± 0.74 days), as well as, the largest mosquitoes (mean WL = 3.10 ± 0.90 mm), were recorded in this land-use category. However, while ISR was highest (mean = 96.30 ± 2.78%) in Farm Land (FL), the mosquitoes that emerged from this site were the smallest (mean WL = 1.96 ± 0.51mm). The Natural Vegetation (NV) land-use category was the least productive, as the larvae took the longest time (13.29 ± 1.69 days) to develop, and survived least (42.94 ± 7.50%) in this site. Conclusion: The land-use practices in Minna enhanced the fitness of An. gambiae, and may increase the vectorial capacity of the species for malaria transmission in the area. Targeted larviciding interventions will greatly contribute to malaria control efforts in Minna, Nigeria

Survivorship Of Anopheles gambiae In Relation To Malaria Transmission In Ilorin, Nigeria

For the first time in Africa, an entomological study went beyond the conventional practice of determining parity and survival rates of field-collected adult anopheline mosquitoes but also related these variables to duration of Plasmodium sporogony and estimated the expectation of infective life. Blood-seeking female mosquitoes were collected in Ilorin, Nigeria, from January 2005 to December 2006, and dissected for ovarian tracheations following WHO recommended techniques. The results indicated an annual mean parous rate of 70.92%, and significantly higher parous rates in the rainy than dry season, which also had very low densities. Mean probability of daily survival of the mosquitoes was 0.80, with annual mean life expectancy of 12.24 days. The probability of surviving the sporogonic cycle was low (< 0.4) but the expectation of infective life was long, especially in the rainy season (mean = 8.31 days). The epidemiological implications of these results were discussed. The An. gambiae population in Ilorin is dominated by older mosquitoes with high survival rates thus, suggesting a high vector potential for the species in the area. These information on the survival rates of An. gambiae in relation to malaria transmission would enhance the development of a more focused and informed vector control interventions

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Botanicals Used in Treating Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This paper focuses on the botanicals used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The authors identified 49 plants belonging to 30 angiosperm families that were being used by the natives of Ekiti State for the cure of sexually transmitted diseases. Most of the wild species were rare or not very abundantly distributed in nature. The proportion of cultivated to wild species, however, was relatively low. Species that were under cultivation by the natives were being grown largely for reasons other than medicinal value. The methods of extraction were mostly predatory and annihilative. Considerable proportions of the identified botanicals were obtained from the forest. The need for the conservation of most of the species cannot be over emphasized. Strategies towards the attainment of this goal were proposed

Investigation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Hot Spots in the College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota

The presence of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) from electronic devices such as personal computers, laboratory equipment and television sets in selected laboratories and offices at the College of Science and Technology Building, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria was characterized using an ELF Detection Meter. The study revealed that exposure to ELF fields could be controlled to the minimum depending on the awareness of the occupant. As with all electromagnetic fields, the ELF field decays rapidly with distance from source or hot spots. The average observed value of ELF in the offices ranged from 3.5 to 5.0 mG. A significant hot spot with ELF of approximately 10 mG in an office was detected close to the magnetic board fixed on the wall. From the results, the maximum ELF fields of between 30–50 mG were observed close to some electronic devices, while other areas recorded significant ELF fields of between 4 mG and 25 mG due to the presence of electrical internal conduit wiring with no electrical gadgets in their vicinities. Minimum ELF fields of between 0.1 mG and 0.5 mG were observed in one of the locations surveye

Integrated geotechnical and geophysical investigation of a proposed construction site at Mowe, Southwestern Nigeria

The subsurface of a proposed site for building development in Mowe, Nigeria, using Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) and Horizontal Electrical Profiling (HEP), was investigated with the aim of evaluating the suitability of the strata for foundation materials. Four SPT and CPT were conducted using 2.5 tonnes hammer. HEP utilizing Wenner array were performed with inter-electrode spacing of 10 – 60 m along four traverses coincident with each of the SPT and CPT. The HEP data were processed using DIPRO software and textural filtering of the resulting resistivity sections was implemented to enable delineation of hidden layers. Sandy lateritic clay, silty lateritic clay, clay, clayey sand and sand horizons were delineated. The SPT “N” value defined very soft to soft sandy lateritic (<4), stiff silty lateritic clay (7 – 12), very stiff silty clay (12 - 15), clayey sand (15- 20) and sand (27 – 37). Sandy lateritic clay (5-40 kg/cm2) and silty lateritic clay (25 - 65 kg/cm2) were defined from the CPT response. Sandy lateritic clay (220-750 Ωm), clay (< 50 Ωm) and sand (415-5359 Ωm) were delineated from the resistivity sections with two thin layers of silty lateritic clay and clayey sand defined in the texturally filtered resistivity sections. Incompetent clayey materials that are unsuitable for the foundation of the proposed structure underlain the study area to a depth of about 18m. Deep foundation involving piling through the incompetent shallow layers to the competent sand at 20 m depth was recommended

DETERMINANTS OF INFLATION IN NIGERIA: A CO- INTEGRATION APPROACH

Inflation is undeniable one of most leading and dynamics macroeconomics issues confronting almost all economies of the world. Its dynamism has made it an imperative issue to be considered. Hence the study examines the factors affecting inflation in Nigeria. Time series data were employed for the study. The data was sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics. Descriptive statistics and cointegration analysis were the analytical tools used. It was observed that there were variations in the trend pattern of inflation rate. Some of the variables considered were significant in determining inflation in Nigeria. The previous total export was found to have a negative impact on current inflation while the previous total import exerts a positive effect likewise the food price index. It has thus been recommended that policies that will set the interest rate to a level at which it will encourage investment and increase in production level could be institutionalized, importation should be reduced in Nigeria such that it will not encourage change of consumer taste resulting to inflating prices, exchange rate system should be maintained at a level that will not impose threat on the Nigeria economy and the domestic consumption of petroleum product should be focused, not only exportation.Financial Economics,

Exploring volunteer tourism as a panacea for sustainable poverty alleviation in Nigeria

One of the most intractable menaces that humanity has been battling with several decades ago is poverty. There have been a general consensus about the pervasiveness of poverty and its grave consequences on the well-being of citizens of developing (Nigeria) and least developed nations. Notwithstanding the enormity of human, material and natural resources that nature has endowed in the country which should have been effectively and prudently channeled to alleviate the poverty situation of its citizenry. The said resources have over the years not been properly harnessed and or prudently utilized for societal development. One of the ways to address this cankerworm is economic diversification from crude oil reliance to new areas such as volunteer tourism or voluntourism. This paper examine efforts at poverty alleviation strategies by the government of Nigeria and realized that the efforts has not yielded positive results because the citizenry are still wallowing in abject poverty, inadequate social infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment amongst others as an offspring of poverty. This assertion prompted this study and recommendations among other the utilization of voluntourism that are characterized with financial assistance, knowledge transfer, international connection, integrated national endowment via restoration of environment through skill acquisitions, education, cultural immersion, wealth creation and equitable distribution and economic development. We then recommend that volunteer tourism may be adopted as the main antidote for sustainable poverty alleviation if the opportunity is thoroughly harnessed