Evaluation of Improved Bioremediation Strategy for the Treatment of Abattoir Wastewater using Bacillus licheniformis ZUL012

The abattoir generates a large volume and variety of biowastes, posing a high risk of environmental contamination, disease outbreaks, and contaminated food. The purpose of this research was to characterize and remediate abattoir wastewater (Aww). The physicochemical characterization of the Aww revealed high level of pollution which served as a baseline for monitoring treatment efficacy. The B. licheniformis ZUL012 isolated from textile wastewater was primed with H2O2 and used to remediate Aww waste water in the current study. This study revealed Aww high pollution level which necessitated a need for the Treatment with this bacterium resulted in a significant decrease in some of the waste water parameters tested. The induced cell reduced the parameters to 155 41 mg/L, 75 mg/L, 454 mg/L, 1750 mg/L, and 1000 mg/L, whereas the naive cell reduced them to 375 mg/L, 776 mg/L, and 3122 mg/L, respectively. This equates to an average reduction of 95 percent (COD), 95 percent (BOD5), 77 percent (TOC), and 71% (TDS) compared to raw wastewater. These novel strategies show that H2O2-induced B. licheniformis ZUL012 could be a viable hybrid-bioremediation option for reducing or transforming the pollutants present in Aww, thereby contributing to compliance with wastewater discharge regulations into bodies of water

DYNAMICS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (1960-1979)

This paper appraised the dynamics of government policies towards the development of Nigeria’s modern economy. It identified the roles of colonial rule in the creation of Nigerian State and the economic structure that evolved thereof. The paper reviewed the atmosphere of political development and public policies in the Nigerian State between 1960 and 1979 towards building a sustainable and growing economy. It briefly highlighted the economic developments that took place during the period in question, attempting to develop and expand the nation’s economy. The paper discussed the input and output of economic policies from view-lens of political activities. Finally, the paper concluded that weaknesses inherent in the structure of Nigerian State for developmental planning will continue to be affecting the desirable attainment of the country’s economic goals. Keywords: Government policy, Modern Economy, Political development, Economic goals

Local Rice Production Trend Analyses and Consumption in Benue State, Nigeria: 1980 – 2016

The research examined local rice production trends and factors inhibiting the consumption of local rice from 1980 to 2016 in Benue State. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire in Benue State, while secondary data were obtained from Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA) in 2017. Multistage random sampling method was employed in selecting respondents. Primary data were collected from one hundred and fifty six (156) respondents. Descriptive statistics, Z – test, Growth model and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance were used for the analysis. The results revealed that from 1980 to 2016, a total of 9.5mt of local rice was produced in Benue State. The result also shows that the respondents were all married (99%), with household size of 1 - 10 persons (95%) and mean household size of about 8 persons. The result further indicated that majority of respondents’ attained tertiary school level. The result also shows that the respondents had low income (40.3%).  The mean quantity of local rice production was 257,333.06mt per year. The instantaneous growth trends of local rice production and price were 0.00122 and 0.01103, and compound growth rate as 3.72 and 3.76 respectively. The result also indicated that many of the respondents were above the age of 41 years (49%) with the mean age of 47 and all respondents male. The presence of stones, poor aroma, impure rice and broken grain were some of the factors inhibiting consumption of local rice in Benue State. The study recommended that the policies that focus on increasing growth rate of local rice in Benue State should be intensified. Breeders and Scientists should make effort in breeding rice with aroma. The processors of local rice should use modern processing mills like rice polisher and des-stoners to mill quality local rice that will be acceptable to consumers

Sero Prevalence of Brucellosis in Goat in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract: Serum samples were collected from goats slaughtered at the Sokoto metropolis abattoir and were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) and the Competitive Elisa (complisa) for brucellosis. A seroprevalence of 22.93% was recorded. The female had more prevalence (28.35%) than the male while the age band of 13-24 months had the highest prevalence of 22.46% Sokoto red was the breed with the highest prevalence of 34.12% while the hot season had the highest prevalence of 28.57%. Due to the zoonotic implications of the disease, there is the urgent need to consider the vaccination of small ruminants against brucellosis in addition to other recommendations suggested

Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Fura Da Nono Produced in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Fura da Nono is a nutritious and refreshing drink made from fermented milk and ground millet grains. In this study, the microbiology of traditional and small-scale industrial production of Fura da Nono in Birnin Kebbi and Jega was investigated. Samples of Fura da Nono were collected from Birnin Kebbi emir’s palace, Mini Factory JEGA and a local hawker in Jega. Food borne and spoilage pathogens were identified based on their colonial morphology, gram staining reaction and series of biochemical tests. Viable colony counts, coliform test, fungal analysis and pH test were also conducted. The results revealed the highest average count of 1.25×108 cfu/ml in the samples  collected from local hawker while Birnin Kebbi emir’s palace had the lowest average count of 8.3×105 cfu/ml. The bacteria identified in Fura da Nono were Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Lactobacillus plantarum and Escherichia coli. The fungi isolated were  Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The highest pH (6.8) was recorded in the sample obtained from local hawker and the lowest (3.1) from the Birnin Kebbi emir’s palace. The study showed the presence of food borne and spoilage pathogens in Fura da Nono which indicates poor hygienic practices during production. Therefore, in order to produce commercial Furada Nono either at large or small-scale quantity, it is necessary to improve the acceptability, microbiological stability and hygiene of the product

Comparative analysis on the effect of heavy metals: a case study of selected states in Nigeria

In the toxicological aspect, uncontrolled amount of heavy metals is deadly, to the environment and its inhabitants. To complicate issues, reviewed work has revealed that technological advancement is one of the key sources of heavy metals. This can lead to outbreak of diseases, decrease of life span, cancer, and other related effects. Providing sustainable environment, the concentration of these metals need to be periodically regulated. This research studies the effect of some selected heavy metals (Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn) in Kano State Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results were compared with other related work conducted in some states across Nigeria (Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Kaduna, and Bauchi States) and standard international values (WHO, FAO, SEPA and US EPA). The parameters analysed were; Concentration, Bioaccumulation (Plant concentration factor –PCF), Transfer factor (TF), Daily Intake of Metals (DIM), and Health Risk Index (HRI). Statistical package (SPSS) was used, to establish the relationship between these metals in all the sites. The result showed that there were substantial absorption of these metals by the plants and the consumers. Children were more exposed than adults in terms of DIM and the HRI. The comparison showed sequential order in the parameters investigated. All the biological samples exhibited Phytoremediation quality with the TF>1, this will aid in having sustainable environment to the resident and citizen of the state in particular and the nation in general, as well as serving as an impetus for the initiation of safe comprehensive remedy of the subject matter. The PCF for all the samples varied across states and plants.Keywords: AAS, Adults, ANOVA. Children, Concentration, DIM, HRI, PCF, Phytoremediatio

Nigella sativa oil attenuates aluminum-induced behavioral changes, oxidative stress and cortico-hippocampal neuronal degeneration in rats

Background: Aluminum (AlCl3) usage in both the industrial and domestic arena has dramatically risen over time owing to its ubiquity and utility for many activities despite frequent reporting of its neurotoxic effects over wide range of concentrations. The neuro-protective effects of Nigella sativa Oil (NSO) following intermediate exposure to aluminum salts has largely been unexplored. The present study explores the ameliorative and neuro-protective functions of NSO on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced damages in the frontal cortices and hippocampus of exposed rats. Methods: The study involved the use of thirty two adult male Wistar rats weighing 180 ± 20 g, randomly divided into four groups, in which group 1 received saline, group 2 received AlCl3 (100 mg/kg), group 3 received AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) followed by NSO (1 ml/kg) 30 min later, while group 4 received NSO (1 ml/kg) only. All administrations were done orally for 14 days. Standardized behavioural tests for anxiety and cognitive performance were carried on after the treatments prior to euthanizing (Ketamine 10 mg/kg, ip). On day 15, the rats were euthanized, and their brains excised, with the frontal cortex and hippocampus removed. Five of these samples were homogenized and centrifuged to analyze nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and total reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the other three were processed for histology (cresyl violet stain) and proliferative markers (Ki-67 immunohistochemistry). Results: Increased Transfer latency, time in dark box, escape latency and reduced rearing frequency, percentage alternation and time in platform quadrant were observed in the AlCl3 exposed rats. There was also an increased level of ROS and NO in the brain regions with marked inhibition of neuronal cell proliferation as evidenced by reduced Ki-67 protein expression in the brain of AlCl3 only rats. However, rats co-administered AlCl3 and NSO showed significantly reduced ROS and NO levels, improved anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors and increased Ki-67 expression when compared with AlCl3 only treated rats. Conclusion: AlCl3 exposure causes neuronal damage and impaired anxiety-like and memory indices which are associated with increased free radical generation and inhibited neuronal proliferation, whereas the antioxidant and neuro-protective properties of NSO were efficacious against the observed effects. Keywords: Aluminum chloride, memory impairment, neuronal damage, Ki-67, nigella sativa oi

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Determinants of Acceptance among Healthcare Workers, Academics and Tertiary Students in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of human deaths, prompting the rapid development and regulatory approval of several vaccines. Although Nigeria implemented a COVID-19 vaccination program on 15 March 2021, low vaccine acceptance remains a major chal-lenge. To provide insight on factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH), we conducted a national survey among healthcare workers, academics, and tertiary students, between 1 September 2021 and 31 December 2021. We fitted a logistic regression model to the data and exam-ined factors associated with VH to support targeted health awareness campaigns to address public