Consolidation of water management and efficiency parameters for development of green building rating system

Water generation and distribution involve activities that leads to energy consumptions in various ways. This leads to GHG emission which make it important for various sustainable development assessment. Hence it is important to develop some consolidated parameters to cover water in building life cycle assessment (LCA). Development of rating system involves the utilisation of some parameters and points allocation. These parameters and points allocation varies between countries and their rating systems. This study aim at reviewing water management and efficiency category and the extent of parameters and points allocation across some rating systems. The purpose of the review is to develop a consolidated parameters that will universally cover building life cycle assessment. Eleven rating scheme’s categories, parameters and points allocation were reviewed. Specifically, water generation, distribution and usage was further elaborated for this study. The parameters were reviewed from the context of their, adaptability, preference, prevalence, relevance and measurability of parameter to suit the universal concept of sustainable building assessment. The review shows that the variations of the parameters and points distribution are based on social, economic and environmental need of the country. The highest parameters and points allocation signifies the need of efficient water generation, distribution and usage and lack of enough fresh water for daily activities. The lowest consideration is due to advancement in sustainable water generation, distribution and usage. The study consolidated the parameters in to nine parameters covering the strategies for reducing unnecessary water usage and other sourcing consequences. They also cover the approximate accounting of GHG emission from water consumption and its reduction. The study can be used by researcher, organisations and countries developing rating schemes. As the study harmonised parameters covered the entire sustainable building and greenhouse gas assessment in term of water generation, distribution and usage

Youth Participation, Unemployment and Poverty in a Democratic Nigeria: Towards a Policy Response for Sustainable National Security and Economic Development.

The neglect of human resources is no doubt the most pernicious of waste and social evil whose repercussions not only rebound on the individual, but also the entire society. That there is transcendently presence of entities known as “youth” is a widely accepted norm. Also universally acknowledged is the fact that youths form the bedrock on which the society is anchored, hence leaders of tomorrow. Consequently, any nation who toys with the welfare and development of its youthful population could be said to be jeopardizing its future and survival. Arguably, Africa’s most populous democratic nation, Nigeria is enormously endowed with abundant resources which when properly harnessed could empower the youth for positive contribution to national security and economic development that is sustainable. Paradoxically, majority of the youthful segment of the Nigerian population live below the poverty line due to unemployment, underemployment and even unemployable. It is no longer news that  there is a growing recognition amongst development experts that poverty and its alleviation is best actualized through participation and empowerment of the vulnerable groups by giving them the right and the opportunity for economic choices and self-actualization. Development outcomes to a great extent depend on effective political relations as well as an active and efficient citizenry which can facilitate robust and collective action. This no doubt can result into effective and better targeted public services, social justice, equity, accountability, transparency and good governance. However, the current scenario in Nigeria is such that the magnitude of youth unemployment and lack of participation in the labour market has created related socio-economic crisis, hence national insecurity, a disturbing feature no rational government can turn a blind eye. Arising from the above, this paper using data elicited from documentary and archival sources discuss youth and its attendant socio-economic problems anchored on the opportunistic attitude of the new political elites, democratic legitimacy, offering insights about the nexus of youth, participation, unemployment, poverty and structures of pathologies of democracy and national security challenges in Nigeria. The paper elucidated on some fundamental questions such as why is Nigeria not serious about the welfare of its youths despite the existence of agencies like the National Directorate of Employment, Ministry of Women and Youth Development? The paper therefore contends that lack of youth participation, their unemployment and poverty are as a result of the character of the Nigerian State that has continued to swim in the ocean of institutionalized corruption, lack of Federal Character and over politicization of national development issues. The paper concludes, among other set of mutually reinforcing practical recommendations to bring about a robust synergy between youth participation, effective and efficient democracy and sustainable national security and economic development. That effort aimed at addressing these issues must first tackle these nascent problems as against usual lip-service mechanism that create avenues for primitive acquisition of public funds, while emphasizing the notion that economic development must not only be inclusive, job-creating and poverty-reducing, but it must also result to self-empowerment that will bring about sustainable national security and sustainable economic development that is broad-based. Keywords: Youth, Participation, Unemployment, Poverty, Democracy, Sustainable Security And Economic Development

Assessment of public water distribution using geographic information system in Yola, Nigeria

Public water supply is capital intensive and requires a significant investment, effective management and public participation. The task is most challenging in developing countries with lower income, where less attention is given to provision of infrastructure and inefficient management of the system is ever present. However, the issue of inadequacy of water supply and ineffective distribution system in most of the cities in developing countries has been compounded by rapid increase in population. This research focuses on assessment of public water distribution in Yola, Nigeria using geographic information system (GIS). It is aimed at analyzing water distribution system in Yola with a view to optimize the distribution. The study considers elevation, population density and availability of space as well as centrality within the densely populated areas as criteria for the analysis. Five different datasets were used for the study; street data, existing pipeline network, parcels (open spaces), elevation and population data. Yola geodatabase is the source of spatial data generated using ArcGIS 10.2.1. The existing water distribution network was digitized on the street map to define the areas covered by the network; digital elevation model (DEM) was also generated using ArcGIS 10.2.1 to visualize the topography of the study area. A suitability model with elevations, available spaces and population density as inputs, was developed to determine suitable locations for reservoirs in order to ensure smooth flow from the reservoirs to consumers under gravity. Shortfall in water supply for Yola was also determined by computing water supply deficiency for each administrative ward within the study area. Findings from the study provided three alternatives and the first alternative with three reservoirs is considered the most suitable. Reservoir locations in the first alternative were determined based on the top most level of the set criteria, to ensure total coverage of the study area. This study concluded that suitability analysis using spatial analyst extension provides suitable location for reservoirs to ensure optimal water distribution system

Mineral composition of some spices consumed in Kano State – Nigeria

The mineral composition of seven different spices samples viz: Ajwain (Carium Capticum), Black pepper (Capsium nigrum), Cinnamon (Cinnamonum Zylaicum), Cardamon (Elliteria Cardamomum), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Cloves (Eugenia Caryophillis or Syzguim aromaticum), Coriander (Coriandium sativum), consumed in Kano State were analysed. The mineral elements analyzed are K, Na+, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. The results revealed that, the spices also appears to contain relatively high mineral contents K (443.73-7364.01μg/g), Na (138.15-895.35μg/g), Mg (199.55- 651.51μg/g), Ca (129.71-291.07μg/g), Fe (155.44-279.53μg/g), Zn (71.9-299.76μg/g), Cu(7.72μg/g), except for toxic metal Pb and Cd that were not detected. The nutritional contribution of these spices apart from flavouring, medicinal agents is also discussed

Speciation, bioavailability and human health risk of heavy metals in soil and spinach (amaranthus spp.) in Kano Metropolis, Northwestern-Nigeria

The rapid population growth and industrialization affected the environment momentously and one of the most noteworthy impacts is the toxicological effect of toxic chemical pollutants. The noxiousness of toxic heavy metals to ecosystem rests on their biochemical form therefore, measuring their chemical status gives more information than the determination of the concentration. This research aimed at assessing the chemical forms of heavy metals and ecological effects. Eight soil and spinach samples were collected using point composite sampling method. The soil was analyzed using five stages of sequential extraction methods. The results were subjected to statistical analysis to carry out a descriptive and inferential statistic. The results revealed that significant fraction of the heavy metals exist in carbonate bond form (63.57%) which is accessible to plant, then residual (11.46%), Fe – Mn oxide (9.39%), organically bond (8.12%) and, exchangeable form (7.53%), furthermore, Ni (100.02 mg kg-1) and, Pb (29.02 mg kg-1) have the highest concentration in the spinach. The bioavailability of chemical pollutants ranked in this direction as: Ni > Cd > Pb > Zn & Cu > Cr. The high potential of non-carcinogenic effect by Ni and the carcinogenic effect in the area due to elevated values of risk proportion and risk guide. The available form of heavy metals is present in substantial proportion and consequently, there is serious threat with regard to the carcinogenic effect

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF AIR TRANSPORTATION TO TOURISM IN NIGERIA

The increasing accessibility of air flight has significantly widened air industry’s role in our contemporary social settings. As aircraft is no more an expensive valuable but rather a necessity. The aviation sector has not only support wealth generation in the advanced nations, but has also bought humongous impacts to advanced industrialization by tapping their endowment for business and tourism .The paper has kept us informed on about economic and social impact of aviation industry to tourism and its immensely offers to employment opportunities and Gross Domestic Products (GDP).As this information will furnish government and the aviation sector to take better steps to make sure air travel is continuous and tourism remains indefinite. Also other sectors are valuable to economical welfare of a country as air industry. Transportation is a main reason in forming people’s Social, Economic and Cultural reality by globalization. Aviation sector is currently rate as the principal resources of forming one whole economies and cultures and encourages social and cultural harmony, educational experience, industrial growth and variety in a rising reliant world community. The industrial community largely relies on safe reliable and agreeable priced. The industry is environmentally/friendly and responsible which has led to one of the highest benefactor to the development of our contemporary settings having addressed growing demand for mobility.  Desk research methodology was used in reviewing the materials while the objectives is to highlight economic and social impacts of aviation industry to tourism, the findings are air industry has created millions of jobs Directly, indirectly and induced impacts which has led to industrialization

Civil Service and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

The aim of this research work is to critically examine the two concepts the Civil Service and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.  Civil Service performed services such implementation of government policies and programmes, promoting unity, sustainable and equitable economic growth among others.  Sustainable Development demands that quality of human life, availability of resources for current and future generations be sustained.  The methodology employed by the research work is questionnaire survey design to collect primary data.  The research study found that there is no significant relationship between civil service and sustainable development in Nigeria.  Some of the recommendations of the research work include need for the government to give more training, motivation and so on to win the confidence of the civil service

Association of Dietary Acid Load with Insulin Sensitivity Index among Apparently Healthy Nigerians

The possible role of regular consumption of diets with high acid forming potential in decreasing cellular sensitivity to insulin and its associated complications has been investigated. However, findings across different study groups are conflicting. It is likely that the association is affected by genetic and environmental factors that differ among different populations. We investigated the impact of diet-induced acidosis on the degree of insulin sensitivity among apparently healthy adult Nigerians. Assessment of dietary intake was done using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the Nigerian Food Composition Table. Acid forming potential of our local diets were estimated as Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) scores. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were measured. Degree of insulin sensitivity was calculated as Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). About 35 (16.2%) of the study subjects were observed to have insulin resistance. Across the study groups, there was a statistically significant trend with higher intake of dietary acid associated with decreased insulin sensitivity (p for trend < 0.05). We conclude that among apparently healthy adult subjects in this study, regular consumption of diets with high acid forming potential might be linked with worsening of insulin sensitivity.&nbsp

Simulation of vegetative induced deformation in an unsaturated soil

Problem statement: Tree root water-uptake increases soil strength by increasing the soil matric suction due to pore pressure dissipation in a soil mass, inducing increases in vertical total stress or water extraction, the effective stress to which the soil strata is subjected to may also increase. This causes volume change which might be detrimental to geotechnical structures and shallow foundation. Approach: This study proposed a methodology that can be used for the prediction of the root water-uptake and deformation. It was suggested that negative pore-water pressures can be estimated through two-dimensional governing equation for unsaturated soil and was converted to axi-symmetrical form due radially nature of tree roots. Results: The results of the root water-uptake analysis were then used as input for the prediction of ground displacements in a stress-deformation analysis. A volume change was modeled as a result of matric suction change caused by vegetative induced moisture migration. The proposed method was studied and tested against data collected on a case history involving a mature Lime tree on Boulder clay at Stacey Hall, Wolverton, England and mechanical properties of Boulder Clay. The recommended safe planting distance of trees of height, H, from buildings a distance, L, away is in form of L: H=0.5 m ratio. Conclusion: The predicted results from the two dimensional axi-symmetrical analyses agree well with the measured data in terms of both total vertical displacements and final water contents in the soil. Based on hypothesis, the numerical model developed provides practicing geotechnical engineers an effective tool for designing structures on vadose zones containing vegetation

Human Capital Accounting: Assessing Possibilities for Domestication of Practice in Nigeria

The paper aims at Assessing Possibilities for Domestication of HRA Practice in Nigeria, we review historical background of HRA and its current practices around the world in order to highlight some important lessons that cloud be learned by Nigeria as benefit or otherwise of HRA practice to the economy. The study utilized purely secondary data in form of journal articles, theses, dissertations and web-based materials. This paper discovered that, the existing accounting practice lack regard to human resource as an asset and that have significantly discouraged the use of any or a combination of measurement technique(s) in quantifying human resource let alone reporting it in Nigeria, it also established that HRA practice will enhance the completeness and quality of  financial reporting in Nigeria by providing more information on the real value of companies to investors and other stakeholders for rational decision making. Moreover, the article concludes that, it is possible to domesticate HRA practice in Nigeria considering that, both professional and accounting standards are capable of accommodating HRA practices especially with the growth of service sector in the Nigerian economy and the manner in which convergence and harmonization of accounting practice grow stronger by the day. Finally we recommend for domestication of HRA practice in Nigeria through legislation and ensuring complete participation of all stakeholders, also international accounting standard (38) on accounting for intangible assets shall be expanded to cover human resource or there should be a new standard developed to carter for HRA practice in Nigeria. Keywords: Human Capital, Human Resource Accounting, Cross-national comparison and Investment Decision