The Impact of Agriculture and Tourism Potentials on Sustainable Rural Development in Ekiti State

The rural areas, which inhabit the greater proportion of the population, mostly in developing nations, are the main sources of primary products (agriculture and minerals) for urban and industrial areas, hence the rural dwellers are regarded as the set of population that provide engine of  in the development process of a nation (Long, 1982). Equally, tourism in rural environment is a potential strategy of developing the rural areas as an alternative to existing strategies. As a result of this, paper, through descriptive techniques, identifies the various agriculture and tourism potentials within the rural areas, identifies the impacts of these potentials on rural dwellers and suggests various processes of preserving these potentials for self-sustainable development. The result of the findings shows that there is a direct linkage between agricultural and tourism potentials and rural development. Though, agriculture and tourism may exacerbate pollution problems, environmental degradation and other social ills but effective and positive linkages provide ample benefits to the people in the such as job opportunities, generate income and other economic benefits to the people in the rural areas.Key Words: Agriculture, Tourism, Potentials, Rural environment,Sustainabilit

Toxicity of linear alkylbenene sulphonate (LAS) detergent, to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

The acute toxicity of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS) detergent to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was investigated using static bioassays and continous aeration over a period of 96h. The 96h LC sub(50) was determined as 24.00mgL super(-1). During the exposure period, the test fish exhibited several behavioural changes before death such as restlessness, rapid swimming, loss of balance, respiratory distress and haemorrhaging of gill filaments amongst others. Opercula ventilation rate as well as visual examination of dead fish indicates lethal effects of the detergent on the fish. Water quality examination showed increase in pH from 6.55 to the alkaline, death point of 10.55. There was also a remarkabel rise of alkalinity from 20.00mgL super(-1) to 52.50mgL super(-1

Environmental Influences of Flooding on Urban Growth and Development of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

This study examined the environmental consequences of urban flood on the growth and development of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Urban flood is any overland flow of water, over urban street, sufficient to cause significant damage to lives and property, traffic obstructions, nuisance and health hazards. Data for this study were collected from primary sources, through the administration of three hundred (300) questionnaires on respondents in the study area. Results from this study revealed that high intensity of rainfall, unturned road, dumping of refuse on drainage channels, poor construction of drainage channels and poor town planning practices are the main causes of urban flood problems in the study area. This study therefore recommends adequate drainage system, proper land use planning, construction of embankments, proper refuse disposal and environmental enlightenment programmes as a panacea to urban flood problems.Key words: Environment; Consequences; Urban-flood; Development

Evaluating The Operations Of Emergencies And Disaster Management Agencies In Ekiti State, Nigeria

The paper evaluates the efficacy of emergency and disaster management in Nigeria with reference to the situation in the Sixteen Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. The data were collected from primary sources; using questionnaire, personal observation and oral interview. A total number of one thousand six hundred (1600) questionnaires were administered in this study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages frequency counts and statistical significance “P-Value”. Results from this study showed that; the estimated financial cost of loss is significantly enormous across different age groups and educational background of citizens in the State. The study showed that Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency does not have enough capacity to meet the level of performance responsibility, which could support effective disaster management. The paper therefore suggests that to achieve effective and efficient emergency disaster management in the study area, there is need for collective participation in insurance policy/plan, creation of urban search and rescue capacity, seeking international co-operation and development dedicated research activities, through space applications and information technology among others. Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Management and Sustainable Developmen