Electrical resistivity investigation of the groundwater potential in parts of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria

Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out within the premises of the Institute of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic Campus, Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria, with the aim of determining viable aquiferous zones within the institute to alleviate the problems of well failure in the area. The study area is about 1.5kmsqures and is underlain by the Precambrian basement rocks comprising migmatite gneiss. Fifteen (15) VES were carried out using Schlumberger electrode arrayconfiguration with AB/2 equal to 70m. The VES data generated were processed and interpreted using partial curve matching method and computer iteration techniques. The interpreted data revealed three to four geoelectric sections with varied thicknesses and resistivity. The lateritic clay layer ranges from 53.1 to 302Ωm, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to474.2Ωm while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm. The lateritic clay layer resistivity and thickness range from 53.1 to 302Ωm and 1.9 to 8.0m respectively, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to 474.2Ωm and 4.4 to 11.7m respectively while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm and 6.1 to ∞m respectively. The third geoelectric layer constitutes the aquiferous zone in the 4-layer geoelectric section while the second geoelectric layer is the aquiferous zone in all the 3- layer geoelectric sections. Only VES station 9 out of the 15 VES stations shows good groundwater potential as revealed by the thick overburden and weathered layer with low resistivity value. VES stations 3, 4, and 13 show poor groundwater potentials while the others are non-aquifereous in nature.Keywords: Basement, Parched Aquifer, Groundwater, Ilorin, Hydrogeolog

Contribution of Mushroom Production to Rural Income Generation in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the economics of mushroom production in Oyo State. Data for the study were obtained from Ido, Surulere Local Government Area and Akinyele Local Government Area. A total of 202 respondents were selected for the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and costs-returns analysis. The result shows that majority (71.7%) of mushroom farmers are within 31 - 50 years of age. Majority (67%) of the farmers was male and married (79.2%). Furthermore, about all (95.0%) of the farmers had <1-5 years of experience in mushroom production. The costs-returns analysis revealed that mushroom production is a profitable venture. Profitability indices indicate that for every N1 of sales made, 32kobo profit is realized (ROS). RRI values shows that every N1 invested in mushroom production yields 49kobo in returns and every N1 spent on variable cost leads to 79kobo gain for the farmer. These results clearly show that mushroom production is profitable in all ramifications and should therefore be encouraged and financially supported for large scale production. The study therefore recommends articulation of sound policy by government to cater for financial inclusion and export oriented markets for mushroom. This will drive employment creation, poverty alleviation and increase in foreign earnings for the country

Perception of Forestry as a Career among Senior Secondary School Students in Oyo-State, Nigeria

Forestry education in many universities and colleges in Nigeria is currently suffering from serious drawbacks as there is a decline in enrolment into forestry related courses across the tertiary institutions. The importance of forestry education at the tertiary level as a medium for producing professional foresters cannot be over emphasized, hence the need for this study. This study assessed the level of awareness of forestry as a career among senior secondary students in Oyo state, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and forty questionnaire were randomly administered to respondents in the study area. The study reveals that 89.9% and 95.5% of the students in government and private schools respectively were aware of forestry as a course of study while61.3% and 59.9% of both government and private schools’ students got aware through their teachers. Career preference by the students show that medicine was ranked first while forestry was ranked nineteenth with 24.6% and 0.8% respectively. The level of awareness of forestry among the respondents is high with 69.7% and 57.9% in government and private schools respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result reveals a significant interaction between perception of forestry and type of school in the study area. A set of concrete  recommendation for stakeholders involved in the development of forestry education is presented