Levels of trace metals in soil and vegetation along major and minor roads in metropolitan city of Kaduna, Nigeria

Sample of soil and plant (Sida acuta burm F.) were collected from 30 sites of 24 roads. The samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Mn using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The soilphysico-chemical parameter, pH and particle size distribution was also determined. Levels of Pb, Cd,Zn, Cu and Mn in soil were 15.28 – 76.92, 1.96 – 9.80, 41.66 – 237.96, 1.60 – 4.88 and 76.00 – 132.00mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Results of concentrations in plants ranged were from trace – 32.37, 4.88 – 14.93, 27.78 – 185.19, 1.67 – 3.89 and 20.00 – 110.00 mg/kg dry weight for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Mn,respectively. The soil pH was from 6.22 – 8.44 while sand and loamy sandy textural classes constitute the soil samples. For both experimental soil and plant samples, the mean concentrations were found to follow the decreasing orders; Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cd and Zn > Mn > Pb > Cd > Cu, respectively. Mild correlation between traffic density and metals in samples with the exception of plant Pb content,suggest that automobile emission couple with waste dispose along the roads remain a threat. The findings in general indicate the levels of metals in soil and plant samples were within the EU limits withthe exception of Cd. In addition, the high level of Cd appears to reach pollution levels and metal dynamics up the food chain is highly possible

Impact of some essential plant oils on viability of stored cowpea and maize seeds for food security

Essential oils from three aromatic spice plants were applied on cowpea and maize seeds in storage and viability on germination was investigated. Cowpea and maize seeds were subjected to treatment using essential oils from (Monodora myristica, Eugenia aromatic and Piper guineese) at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/kg of seeds. These were stored at a temperature of 27±2oC and 65 -70% r.h. in the laboratory. The viability test was conducted on the treated seeds at three and six months of storage, using Petri-dishes each containing 10 of randomly selected cowpea and maize seeds in three replicates, at the different levels of oil concentrations. The seeds were placed on moistened cotton wools and covered. Seeds germination occurred mainly within three to five days after commencement of experiment. The data obtained were subjected to two – way analysis of variance, at (p< 5%) using Ducan’s multiple range test. It was observed that among the three essential oils applied, seeds treated with Piper guineese oil ranked highest in germinations at a concentration of 5 ml/kg for both seeds, with cowpea seeds having 88.7 and 83.0% and maize seeds with 69.3 and 45.3% at three and six months respectively

Types of Corruption in Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in Ibadan, Nigeria

Corruption is a phenomenon that manifests in various types and forms especially among operators of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs). Many actions of the operators which constitute corrupt practices often tend to be overlooked in spite of their grave consequences for the success SMEs in Nigeria. The fight against corruption in Nigeria is more concentrated in the formal sector. This study was, therefore, designed to investigate various forms in which corrupt practices are carried out among Small and Micro Enterprises in Ibadan, Nigeria. Business owners, their employees, apprentices and consumers constituted the study population. Primary data were collected using questionnaire administered on 200 business owners, 150 employees and 150 apprentices randomly chosen in five business districts in Ibadan; and the conduct of 10 in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants. Quantitative data were analysed at uni-variate level using simple percentages and frequencies while qualitative data were content analysed. Findings from the study revealed that corrupt practices were rampant among actors in SMEs and the common types of corrupt practices included stealing (60%), deception of customers (78.4%), tax evasion (62%), sale of fake products (76%), sale of expired products (65.2%), tampering with measurement scales (69.6%), bribery (82.4%), and poor service delivery (73%). The study concludes that the level of corruption in SMEs calls for concern and government should extend the fight against corruption to the informal sector in Nigeria

Acceptability and Sensory Evaluation of Maize and Cowpea Products Stored with some Essential Oils

The sensory evaluation and processing qualities of cooked maize paste (pap) and cooked cowpea paste(moinmoin) products from treated maize and cowpea grains stored with essential oils of three plant spices (Eugenia aromatica, Piper guineesis and Monodora myristica),were investigated. Essential oils were applied at dosage rate of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/kg of stored grains for six months. The products were processed, cooked and evaluated for processing and sensory qualities to access the spices and concentration effects of the essential oils extracted with n-hexane. A 9- point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory parameters of taste, aroma and appearance ranging from dislike extremely to like extremely. Panelists were administered well-structured questionnaires to assess the effect of the essential oils, from spices concentration and interaction between spice and concentration on the parameters assessed on the grains. Sensory evaluation data were subjected to 3x5 factorial arrangements. Pap from maize and moinmoin (cooked cowpea paste) from cowpea grains stored with dosage rate of 5 -10 ml/kg grains, were significantly accepted and preferred by the panelists. Nutmeg spiced products at 5 ml/kg for the grains products was ranked highest among other spices

Resume of Dr. Abiodun Okunola, Post harvest / Agricultural/ Renewable Engineering

This contains academic profile of Dr. Abiodun Okunola (Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural & Biosysytems Engineering, Landmark University, Nigeria

Inter Agency Cooperation in Crime Management and Its Implication on Workability of Community Policing Project in Nigeria

Mamu is one of the communities that are gradually assuming heterogeneity status as a result of steady migration of people for occupation and settlement purpose.  Mamu is located in Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun State.  Apart from the influx of settlers, the town has a popular periodic market that always attract people from neighbouring communities as well as people from states like Lagos, Oyo and Ondo States.  In spite of high influx of migrants and traders into this community, it is one of the communities that maintain almost zero level of criminal activities.  The formal and informal agencies were noted as playing substantial roles in the success being recorded in this situation.  Such interactions are the needed requisite for the successful take off of community policing in Nigeria.  In view of the constant scenarios of conflicts among the security agencies in Nigeria, the happenings in this community thus become an irresistible issue that needed to be explored for academic purpose.  The findings from the community survey carried out in the town revealed that there was strong belief in traditional system hence the resolve of some of them (59%) that they will call on vigilante when in trouble; only 13% agreed to call the police when there is trouble in the community.  At the time when some eventually experienced real trouble, only 17% actually called the Police, 55% reported the matter to the Oba-in-council and the vigilante, while 28% did not see the need to report the case.  There was strong working relationship between the Police and Vigilante group.  Activities of vigilante assisted tremendously in making the act of Policing easier.  Those that reported the case to the Police were satisfied with the way the cases were dispensed.  The factors responsible for this according to them include thoroughness, adherence to rule of law and the respect for the cooperation the Police is received from the community.  This study thus demonstrated the high prospects that with political will, the project of community policing could work in Nigeria Key words: Security, Crime, Crime management, Community Policin

Levels of Lambda-Cyhalothrin and polychlorinated biphenyls residues in some herbal remedies from Northwest Nigeria

The study determined the presence and concentration of chloride, phosphate, lambda-cyhalothrin and polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method to discern contamination of selected herbal remedies. Sampling was carefully carried out in Northwest Nigeria. The chloride and the phosphate were found to be in the concentration ranges of non-detected –141.8mg/kg and 4.6 – 40.2mg/kg, respectively. The congeners 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl were not detected in any sample while the highest concentration of the PCBs was recorded for 2,3,3',4,4',5- hexachlorobiphenyl in one sample. Other three congeners were detected at varied concentrations in different percentages of the samples. The pesticide lambda cyhalothrin was not detected in any sample.Keywords: Herbs, contamination, polychlorinated biphenyls, lambda-cyhalothrin, concentratio

Assessment of heavy metals bioavailability in dumpsites of Zaria Metropolis, Nigeria

The objectives of this study was to investigate the chemical fractionation, mobility and bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in refuse waste soils of some dumpsites in Zaria metropolis. The heavy metals in the waste soils samples were sequentially extracted and measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean of total extractable metals in the samples analysed for Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn ranged from 25.86 – 95.71, 1.70 – 446.43, 141.92 – 423.22, 39.9 – 739.10, and 122.45 – 511.57 mgKg-1 dry weight, respectively. Cd and Pb were mostly found to be in the mobile phase of the samples indicating that the metals are potentially more bioavailable to the environment than the other metals studied. Overall, the order of mobility and bioavailability of the metals is Cd > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu

Clinical presentation and outcome of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Nigeria

Introduction: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is presumably rare in Africa. Knowledge about the disease in Nigeria is limited as demonstrated by scanty articles on the subject. Objectives: To determine the pattern of clinical presentation and outcome of ADPKD among ADPKD patients. Method: ADPKD subjects were prospectively studied between January 1996 and December 2010. Their demographics, clinical and investigation parameters were documented. Dependency on dialysis, renal transplant and death were the final outcomes. Results: Forty one patients (M:F=1.3:1) with mean age of 48.6±4.6 years were studied. ADPKD was diagnosed at 2.73 cases per annum. Family history of ADPKD and hypertension were present in 56.1% and 82.9% respectively. Their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 166.9 ±23.6 and 104 ±21.2 respectively. Nocturia (78.0%) and loin pain (68.3%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Liver cysts (31.7%) and aortic regurgitation (22.0%) were the predominant extra-renal manifestations. Twenty three (56.1%) received haemodialysis; no renal transplantation. Death rate was 51.2%. Presence of uraemia and intra-cerebral aneurysm contributed significantly to mortality. Conclusion: ADPKD may not be so rare in Nigeria. Awareness campaign to change attitude of family members to screening and further studies using newer criteria for diagnosis of ADPKD should be conducted.Keywords: Clinical presentation, autosomal dominant polycystic, kidney disease, Nigeria