DEVELOPMENT DRIVERS OF WASTE RECYCLING IN NSUKKA URBAN AREA, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

This article examines drivers of waste recovery and recycling in the informal waste sector in Nsukka urban area of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria. Data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of waste pickers and waste dealers in the area were obtained using questionnaire survey, ethnographic interviews and field observations. Analyses of the data indicate that waste pickers play a crucial role in the waste recovery and recycling process. Waste dealers add value to materials through sorting, cleaning and processing, and also provide a vital link between waste pickers and industry. The article contextualizes waste recycling activities within the development and socio-cultural framework of the region, and examines socio-economic and demographic attributes that tend to predispose individuals to making a living from the recycle trade .Contributions of the informal recycling sector in Nsukka towards the Millennium Development Goals are also examined.Informal sector; Millennium Development Goals; Nsukka; recycling; socio-demographic attributes

Synthesis of new, single-isomer quaternary ammonium derivatives of beta-cyclodextrin for electrophoretic enantiomer separations

The isolation of individual enantiomers of drugs is an important subject of interest in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, because stereochemistry can have a significant effect on the biological activity of the drug. Therefore, it is important to develop enantiomeric separation methods for the determination of the optical purity of drugs, since the undesired enantiomer is regarded as one of the impurities. The available single isomer anionic cyclodextrins (CD) can resolve the enantiomers of only a few weakly acidic analytes. To rectify this problem, the chloride salts of heptakis(6-deoxy-6-morpholinio)-cyclomaltoheptaose (HMBCD), and mono(6- deoxy-6-N,N,N r,N r,N r-pentamethylethylenediammonio)-cyclomaltoheptaose (PEMEDA-BCD), the first members of the permanently charged, single-isomer cationic cyclodextrin family, have been synthesized. The purity of process intermediates and final products was determined by HPLC-ELSD and indirect UV-detection capillary electrophoresis. Structural identity was verified by 1D and 2D NMR and massBoth cationic CD derivatives have been used for the separation of the enantiomers of strong acid, weak acid, weak base, ampholytic, and neutral analytes by capillary electrophoresis. Because the charge state of these cationic chiral resolving agents is independent of the pH of the buffer, separation could be performed in both low and high pH buffers without compromising the charge density of the resolving agent. Contrary to expectation, the multiply charged HMBCD showed poor complexation with the newly synthesized strong electrolyte test analytes. The weak binding between the analytes and HMBCD resulted in separation of enantiomers of only three strong electrolyte analytes. Strong complexation was observed between PEMEDA-BCD and the anionic and nonionic analytes in both low and high pH buffers, though complexation was stronger in the high pH buffer. Due to strong complexation between the anions and PEMEDA-BCD, only low concentrations of the resolving agent were required to effect good enantiomer resolutions. spectrometry

Evaluation of physicochemical, microbiological and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of top soils from Oka Market Waste Collection Site, Benin City, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition of top soil samples from Oka market waste collection site. Standard analytical and microbiological procedures were adopted. pH and electrical conductivity ranged from 6.45 to 7.39 and 230 to 940 μS/cm respectively. The highest content of organic carbon was observed in sample 2 (5.91 %), while that of sodium and potassium were 2.44 meq/ 100g (soil 2) and 0.23 meq/ 100g (soil 3) respectively. Calcium and magnesium content in the soil ranged from 2.60 to 7.72 meq/ 100g and 0.69 to 1.38 meq/ 100g respectively. The total hydrocarbon content ranged from 2.4 to 15.9mg/kg. The results of particle soil analysis revealed high content of sandy soil (88.2 to 90.7). Iron had the highest concentration among studied heavy metals, ranging from 193 to 649.2 mg/kg. Total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts were in the magnitude of 104, ranging from 3.6 to 17.4 cfu/g and 2.3 to 6.9 cfu/g. Tentative bacterial isolates were Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus spp. and Enterobacter sp., while fungal isolates were Aspergillus sp. Candida sp. and Penicillium spp. The highest concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon was 16.5 mg/kg, with its components ranging from 0.08 mg/kg (Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene) to 2.1 mg/kg (Benzo(k) fluoranthene). The quality of soil is as a result of all the processes that act on it, therefore, informing the public of the dangers inherent in improper management of soil environment should be considered as an important aspect of scientific research.Keywords: market, physicochemical, microbial, PAHs, waste, heavy metal

Equity and justice in climate change adaptation : Policy and practical implication in Nigeria

Over the past decade, justice and equity have become a quasi-universal answer to problems of environmental governance. The principles of justice and equity emerged as a useful entry point in global governance to explore the responsibilities, distribution, and procedures required for just climate change adaptation. These principles are designed primarily through the establishment of funding mechanisms, top-down guides, and frameworks for adaptation, and other adaptation instruments from the UNFCCC process, to ensure effective adaptation for vulnerable countries like Nigeria that have contributed least to the issue of climate change but lack adaptive capacity. Global adaptation instruments have been acknowledged for adaptation in Nigeria. Climate change has a detrimental impact on Nigeria as a nation, with the burden falling disproportionately on the local government areas. As Nigeria develop national plans and policies to adapt to the consequences of climate change, these plans will have significant consequences for local government areas where adaptation practices occur. Although the local government’s adaptation burden raises the prospects for justice and equity, its policy and practical implication remains less explored. This chapter explores the principles of justice and equity in national adaptation policy and adaptation practices in eight local government areas in southeast Nigeria. The chapter argues that some factors make it challenging to achieve equity and justice in local adaptation practices. With the use of a qualitative approach (interview (n = 52), observation, and document analysis), this chapter identified some of the factors that constraints equity and justice in local government adaptation in southeast Nigeria.publishedVersio

The impact of organisational culture on human resource management practices. A case study of Dangote Group (Delta State Branch, Nigeria)

This research paper is focused on the impact of organisational culture on human resource management practices a focus on Dangote group. The subject of organizational culture is intriguing. Digging into the organizational way of life may provide special and unique experiences that will help to make the necessary strides. An excellent culture promotes growth and success. In contrast, a useless organizational culture elicits characteristics that can stifle even the most serious triumph comparisons. When the business environment's way of life coincides with the employees', they're more likely to perceive them as more agreeable, upheld, and respected. Organizations that concentrate on culture can create extreme examples and changes within the work environment, making them more grounded. Dangote Group have its headquarters in Nigeria and operates in other west African countries and is involved in the construction sector, mining, and food manufacturing sector. The organizational culture of Dangote Groups will be highlighted prominently in the report. The purpose of the research work is to understand the meaning of organisational culture and understand the scope of human resource management practices, to examine the relationship that exits between organisational culture and the recruitment, training programmes of Dangote Group. The study adopted a quantitative approach where samples of questionnaires were issued out to some of Dangote staffs. The statistical analysis used to analysis the data was the SPSS(version 21) using the correlation method. The summary of the findings reveals that given the organisational context of the study, each of the management resource practices of the organisation will be appreciated by the employees/employers in values, beliefs, and practices of the organisation. Based on the findings the study recommends that prospective or new employees or job seekers should endeavour to immerse themselves with the organisational culture of the company which they seek their employment before accepting any employment offers