Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Assessment of Selected Forest Based Communities in Omo Biosphere Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study assessed socio-economic characteristics and lifestyle of selected forest based communities in Omo Biosphere Reserve, Ogun state in  southwest Nigeria. The study aim was to explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on their lifestyle, quality of life and implications for forest  environment. A sample of 180 respondents from three enclaves was selected using simple random sampling. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and presented as Tables and charts. The results showed that 86.11 per cent of them were adults between ages 31years and 70years who have families, responsibilities to cater for and have capacity to further expand their land into the forest. Only 2.2 per cent of the respondents  have no formal education indicating a great decline in illiteracy. About 75.56 per cent have incomes ranging between 500,000 to 1,000,000 yearly. 58 per cent respondents have a household size ranging between 6-10 persons. 7.22 per cent have farm size less than 3 Ha while the rest have more up to 10 Ha. 83 per cent of the respondents were involved in cocoa farming while the remaining 17 per cent shared kola, palm and plantain crops  farming. The type of constraints affecting the livelihood strategy often influences the mitigation measures undertaken by farmers in the study area. On health, malaria is the most prevalent disease experienced by 73.3 per cent respondents. However, the health care facilities are far from residents and also inadequate. As a result, about 95.6 per cent resorted to self-medication using herbs in case of illness. Younger and active age groups have their resultant socio-economic implications for forest environment but the obvious is its negativities in respect of exploiting more lands for farming hence, government should ensure increase awareness aimed at protecting the forest in order to prevent further forest encroachers. Keywords: Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, Communities, Fores

Potassium Recovery Potential of Selected Agroforestry and Organic Wastes in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study explored potassium recovery from agroforestry wastes that may be a cheap alternative to imported ones. The wastes: Plantain Peel (PP), Coconut Fibre (CF), Coconut Shell (CS), Cocoa Pod (CP), Sugarcane Bagasse (SB), Sawdust (SD) and four common wood-fuel species - Antiaris toxicaria (Wd1), Cordia millenii (Wd2), Khayas senegalensis (Wd3) and Milicia excelsa (Wd4) were assessed for their ash content (AC) and moisture content (MC), using standard procedures of AOAC. Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine mineral concentrations: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, lead and iron of the wastes. In addition, efficacy of three methods of extracting potassium from ashes: cold water extraction at 35 OC, hot water extraction at 90 OC and steam extraction was assessed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation test at p˂0.05. Wastes with highest values in terms of AC and MC were: CP (AC- 11.62 ± 0.3 %) and SB (MC- 82 ± 2.64 %). The highest concentration of K (mg·kg -1 ) was found in CP (8,387.50 ± 2.00 mg·kg-1 ). Cold water extraction gave the most potassium yield (88.44 %) and the highest solid potash content was found in PP (68 500 mg·kg -1 ) while CP had the highest K concentration (12.51±0.20 g·dm-3 ). Cocoa pod, plantain peel and Cordia millenii are very good sources of agroforestry/organic wastes for local production of potassium both in terms of solid potash yield and potassium recovery potential. Development of a suitable technology which can be used to extract potassium locally is recommended

Mini water supplies for sustainable development, Nigeria

There are about 40 million people now living in urban cities and towns in Nigeria. The urban population is growing at a rate of 5.5% per annum, and increasingly water plays a very important role in sustainable development

Low Emission, Smoke Free Charcoal from Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Waste- A Cheap Energy Source for Rural Communities in Nigeria

The use of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) waste as a potential source of soil conditioner in agriculture has long been identified. Its conversion into smokeless and low emission charcoal which is more environmental friendly has not been well investigated. The present study explored conversion of oil palm waste into low emission charcoal. Palm Kernel Fibre (PKF) and Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) were subjected to a pyrolytic process in a Closed Drum Carboniser (CDC). The raw waste and the gaseous emissions that emanated during processing of wastes and during use for cooking were analysed for its mineral composition and emissions of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2 and PM2.5 contents respectively using potable digital gas monitoring equipment and gravimetric PM sampler. The PKS had low nitrogen: (0.02 ± 0.03) Ma.-% and phosphorus: (0.18 ± 0.10) Ma.-% required for plant growth but high in potassium: (3.24 ± 2.49) Ma.-% which can be recovered from charcoal ash. The time taken to convert 25 kg of PKF and PKS into charcoal and their percentage volume reduction were: 1h: 13 min (90.00 Ma.-%) and 1h: 19 min (70 .00 Ma.-%) respectively. The charcoal produced from PKS exhibited higher stove value for cooking 200 g of rice within 25 min using 0.35 kg of the charcoal as against 28 min and 0.40 kg observed for conventional wood charcoal. The study showed that PKF and PKS form viable feed-stock to produce charcoal which emits less smoke and reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used as cooking fuels in households. Keywords: Closed drum carboniser, Low emission charcoal, Elaeis guineensis, Oil palm waste, Pyrolytic process, Stove energy valu

Management of septic sludge in Southwest Nigeria

This paper describes our experience on septic sludge management in a (South Western) Nigerian City, Ibadan, with a sprawling population of about 2.9 million. The main objectives of the study included assessment of the current management practices as far as septic sludge is concerned as well as design of a feasible management system

Water and sanitation problems in selected schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

The poor state of water and sanitation facilities in schools in Nigeria particularly those studied in Ibadan is one of the major factors for the declining health and reduced productivity among children of school age. This study assessed the state of water and sanitation facilities in schools and determined their health correlates. The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Eight Secondary schools located in Ibadan metropolis with average population not less than 500 students per school were selected randomly for the study. A total of 400 questionnaires (50 in each school) were administered to respondents drawn from all the participating schools. In addition observational checklist was used. Results show 60% of the respondents use well water in their various school premises. In most of these schools the number of this water facility was limited to one as reported by 100% of the respondents at OAHS. Majority of the respondents 39(78%) reported that it takes about 5minutes walk to access the facility. Majority 49(98%) especially at OAHS reported that the water was used mainly for cleaning in the school premises. Pit latrine was the major excreta disposal facility used according to 100%, 100%, 100%, 90%, 98%, 76.6% respondents for BPA, IGS, BOHS, OAHS, ACGS and ABHS respectively. The major water and sanitation related ailments reported in the schools apart from malaria were diarrhea and worm infestation. The study indicates that water and sanitation facilities are inadequate in schools. There is a need for such facilities to be provided and upgraded; hygiene improved in order to minimize health risks amongst pupils in schools

Alternate Nitrogen Amendments for Organic Fertilizers

The use of compost or manure in agriculture as an organic source of nutrients is common in many tropical, developing countries like Nigeria. One of the drawbacks of such materials is their low nitrogen (N) content (=1% N). Farmers commonly use chemical N fertilizers such as urea, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), and NPK formulations to obtain better crop growth and yield. These chemical supplements may have a negative impact on the environment through nitrate leaching into water, leading to eutrophication of surface waters that can affect public health. Gliricidia sepium, a fast-growing, tropical, perennial hedge plant was tested as a source of N in organo-mineral fertilizer formulations. Average nutrient content of Gliricidia is 3.8% N, 0.32% P, 1.8% K, 0.8% Ca, and 0.2% Mg. Using a sand culture and Amaranthus caudatus as a test crop, it was shown that amending commercial composts with 30% Gliricidia prunings would benefit many small-scale farmers and control environmental pollution