Application of Geographical Information Systems Technology in Soil Fertility Variation Analysis in South-eastern Nigeria

The study investigated the fertility status of soil around the River Otamiri watershed in Imo State of South-eastern Nigeria. A Geographical Positioning System was used to geo-reference the area and locate the soil samples, which were collected from 9 sampling points at 2 m depths each. The sample points were 210m, 110m and 10m away from the river channel. The soil samples were air-dried and passed through 2-mm sieves before they were subjected to routine laboratory analyses. Results showed that the soil area was predominantly made of loamy sand particles, with high values ± 98.7% which decreased progressively away from the river. There was increase in available phosphorous upslope compared to downslope, steady decrease in aluminum and hydrogen downslope, while areas closer to the river have less acidic cations. The soil pH ranged from 4.67 ↔ 5.62. Surface soils comprised more of organic carbon content than subsurface soils which decreased from crest to footslope. The soil data also produced low values of total nitrogen and the total exchangeable bases. The results presented the soil as infertile and unfit for serious farming except with conscious enrichment efforts.Keywords: soil fertility, surface soils, soil samples, geographical information systems, watershe

Precipitable water: Its linear retrieval using leaps and bounds procedure and its global distribution from SEASAT SMMR data

Eight subsets using two to five frequencies of the SEASAT scanning multichannel microwave radiometer are examined to determine their potential in the retrieval of atmospheric water vapor content. Analysis indicates that the information concerning the 18 and 21 GHz channels are optimum for water vapor retrieval. A comparison with radiosonde observations gave an rms accuracy of approximately 0.40 g sq cm. The rms accuracy of precipitable water using different subsets was within 10 percent. Global maps of precipitable water over oceans using two and five channel retrieval (average of two and five channel retrieval) are given. Study of these maps reveals the possibility of global moisture distribution associated with oceanic currents and large scale general circulation in the atmosphere. A stable feature of the large scale circulation is noticed. The precipitable water is maximum over the Bay of Bengal and in the North Pacific over the Kuroshio current and shows a general latitudinal pattern

Indole -3- Butyric Acid Induces Plant Regeneration From Stem Cuttings Of Three Medicinal Plants

Field regeneration of three (3) medicinal plants - Securidaca longepedunculata (violet tree), Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) and Pterocarpus mildebraedii by means of rooting of stem cuttings at different lengths of 10 -15 cm and 15 -20 cm were studied. The effect of the plant hormone Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA) at 5g/l was tested on rooting, bud sprout and leaf formation of the rooted stem cuttings of the plant species as well as the effect of the length of the stem cuttings on their growth and survival rates. The results of the study revealed that stem cuttings of O. gratissimum treated with IBA and the control treatment sprouted within 5 - 8 days. The treated O. gratissimum stem cuttings produced a slightly higher number of buds (2.58 ± 0.86) when compared to the control (2.00 ± 0.89) with no significant difference at P ≤ 0.05. Stem cuttings of the treated P. mildbraedii cuttings sprouted within 8 -10 days with 1.40 ± 0.37 number of buds, with the control showing no sprouts. Consequently, IBA application produced more leaves (13.00 ± 5.58) and roots (1.33 ± 0.01) than the control. However, O. gratissimum stem cuttings had the highest leaf (13.08 ± 4.47) and root numbers (135.00 ± 13.45) followed by the control with values- 13.00 ± 5.58 for leaf development and 61.66 ± 2.34 for root number respectively. Irrespective of the treatments, none of the stem cuttings of S. longepedunculata sprouted. This study showed that exogenous application of IBA to stem cuttings of the tested plants, except S. Longepedunculata, improved the root number, number of leaves and number of buds. Keywords: Stem cuttings, Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA), Rootin

Body weight asymmetry as an animal welfare concern on carcass yield, ham proximate composition, mineral and lipid profiles of growing pigs

The experiment was carried out to evaluate effect of weight asymmetry on carcass yield, ham proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles of growing pigs. A total of fifty four (54) Large White growing pigs with mean weight of 15.33±0.02 kg was placed into three treatment groups based on weight range (Homozygous heavy weight, homozygous light weight and heterozygous weight) for a twenty week study. Eighteen growing pigs served as a treatment group which was further divided into 3 replicate groups of 6 pigs per replicate. At the end of 20Th week study, 6 pigs per treatment i.e. 2 pigs per replicate were selected, fasted and slaughtered for carcass yield evaluation. The ham muscle was excised and used to determine pork proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles. Data collected were subjected 1-way Analysis of Variance utilizing SAS software while significant differences were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test as contained in the same statistical package. Result revealed that the prime cut parts (ham, shoulder and puck weights) were significantly higher in homogeneous light weight pigs. Most of ham proximate composition were positively influenced by weight asymmetry. Likewise, weight asymmetry affected total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, potassium and magnesium values of growing pigs. Heterogeneous weight pigs had highest total cholesterol value of 94.67±2.77 mg/dl and the least value of 85.33±3.41 mg/dl was noted for homogeneous light weight pigs. It can be concluded from this present study that grouping pigs on uniform weight basis especially light weight groups enhanced the welfare of pigs as shown by improvement in pork characteristics and composition. Key words: Animal; proximate composition; meat yield; pork quality; mineral content

Spatio-temporal trends of typhoid fever among youths attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Typhoid fever continues to be significant causes of illness and death particularly among children and adolescents in developing countries as a result of poor sanitation and unsafe food and water supply especially where the water is contaminated by human feces. This study analysed the spatial and temporal trends of typhoid fever in Kano metropolis between 2010-2014. Hospital records for youths attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital (MAWSH) were used. Coordinate of wards in the metropolis was also generated and imported into Arc GIS environment. G-Statistics was used to determine the distribution and cluster of typhoid prevalence. The results showed an upward trend with increase in age. It also showed a downward trend from 2010 to 2014, indicating that people are becoming aware of the disease and the predisposing factors. The findings also revealed higher prevalence among the males. The results of the G- Statistics showed higher prevalence in the northern part of the metropolis, with hot spots in Dakata and Tarauni wards. The study recommends frequent vaccination and good eating and drinking habits as well as good hygienic practices at home and outside home as remedies for addressing the problem.Keywords: Typhoid Fever, Spatial, Temporal, Youths, G-statistics, Kan

Re-Engineering Entrepreneurship Development through Corporate Branding Culture Concepts for Sustainable Development in an Emergent Economy

The present economic structure of Nigeria creates a scenario depicting a direction of private sector driven economy. There is no doubt therefore, that the wish of every serious entrepreneur is to establish a viable business which he hopes to build while striving to maintain a business pattern that will outlive him as the owner–manager. To achieve this fit, it requires the entrepreneur to develop/build a corporate brand culture; not just for his products and services, but for its corporate or organizational image. This paper was aimed at drawing the attention of stakeholders in entrepreneurship development/education which include the business educators, business community, economists and policy makers to the emerging concept of corporate brand culture as an alternative desirable competency necessary for the sustenance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in our fledging economy. The paper placed much emphasis on the concepts of branding, place branding, economic and educational implications of corporate brand building culture to the entrepreneur. The paper concludes that given that various brand building propositions in entrepreneurial competencies exist, the future of business education should be geared towards corporate brand building as an entrepreneurship competencies component. It was recommended amongst others that business educators should be equipped with entrepreneurial/brand building competencies to make them become role-models for entrepreneurship development. Keywords:Entrepreneurship Development, Corporate branding culture, Organizational Image, fledging economy

The impact of Cow Dung Augmentation for Remediation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil by Eleusine indica

This study was conducted to evaluate the Enhancement of Remediation byEleusine indica through augmentation of soil with cow dung. The soil was contaminated artificially with 50kg, 75kg and 100kg crude oil. over 8 weeks period. The study included an assessment of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metal (Cd and Pb) accumulation in soil of Eleusine indica.More PAHs was lost from soils augmented with cow dung than from the non-augmented soil. The heavy metals (lead) were in theaugmented soils than from the non augmented soil, while heavy metal (cadmium) shows an insignificant amount. Significant differences were noticed between the augmented soils and the non-augmented soil (p<0.05). The results obtained in this study show that augmenting crude oil polluted soils with cow dung will enhance remediation and restoration of crude oil polluted soil. © JASEMKey words: Crude oil, Cow dung, Contamination, Heavy metals, Eleusine indic

Assessment of Show Star Grass (Melampodium Paludosum) for Phytoremediation of Motor Oil Contaminated Soil

Environmental pollution by petroleum and petroleum based products is a serious concern in pollution studies because of their structural complexity, slow biodegradation, bio- magnification potential and the serious health hazards associated with their release into the environment. Petroleum and allied products may enter the soil environment from ruptured pipelines, from land disposal of refinery products, petroleum wastes, leaking storage tanks, accidental spill and sometimes outright sabotage. Physical, chemical and thermal methods are already being used to remediate oil contaminated sites but their enormous costs, adverse effects on the environment and low efficiencies associated with these techniques limit their use and availability hence the use of biological methods like phytoremediation are being evaluated as alternative for the removal of pollutants because of their cost and safety of implementation.In this study, we investigate the potential of show stat grass (Melampodium Palusodum) a leguminous plant species which grows in tropical Nigeria for phytoremediation of laterite soil contaminated with motor oil. Our results indicate the following: that Show star grass (Melampodium palusodum) can grow, sustain growth and can survive in a motor oil contaminated laterite soil environment and can tolerate motor contaminated laterite soil at a concentration of 75.46 mg/g. Also, at a concentration of 75.46 mg/g in motor oil contaminated laterite soil environment, show star grass will stabilize and grow steadily after 8 weeks and enhances the degradation of motor oil in the contaminated laterite soil. Our results further indicate that Show star grass (Melampodium palusodum) reduced the initial TPH content in the contaminated soil from 75.46mg/g to 49.822 mg/g in two weeks after plant stabilization to 30.07 mg/g after 16 weeks of plant stabilization. From the plot of TPH remaining in the soil against time, a polynomial model fit of the form: y = - 0.0675x2 +0.0879x + 47.754 is developed from which  it is predicted that it will take about 28 weeks after the stabilization of the plants to reduce the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in the contaminated soil to zero. The study revealed that the amount of hydrocarbon removed per plant from the contaminated soil ranges from 4.273mg/g after 2 weeks to 7.564 mg/g after 16 weeks of testing with corresponding removal efficiency ranging from 33.97% to 60.14% and hence it is concluded that Show star grass (Melampodium palusodum) has potential phytoremediation application in motor oil contaminated laterite soil.   Keywords: Phytoremediation, Show star grass, Motor oil, Laterite soil, Contamination

The Consequences of Flood on Occupational Trips Duration and Flood Risk Assessment of Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

The main purpose of this study was to identify the implication of poor drainage on socio-economic activities in Aba North Local Government Area (L.G.A). The objectives of the study include the identification of the causes and types of flooding in the study area; assessment of the effect of flooding on duration of trips for occupational purposes;  determination of the effect of flooding on residential household properties and structures;  execution of  a Geographical Information System (GIS) based flood risk analysis (FRA) of the study area; and  provision of solutions to identified problem from the study. Relevant information was gathered from the literature review related to the study. The survey research method was also adopted. A total of 313 copies of the questionnaire were randomly distributed to respondents in 4 out of 9 communities for primary data collection. Also 41 willing to participate  traders  were monitored for trips duration to business premises from home on flood and non- flood days within Aba North LGA. A Flood Risk Map (FRM) of Aba North, Aba South and Osisioma LGAs indicating flood prone zones was adopted for the study. The flood risk map shows that most of the settlements considered are located in and around the capital city, around the center of the study area. Flood vulnerable areas were indicated in the flood risk map. The null hypothesis (Ho) which states that “there is no statistically significant difference between duration of trips to work on flood days and non-flood days” was accepted. This outcome was unexpected and contradicts oral interview findings. The results also indicate that poor drainage, poor waste disposal and prolonged rainfall are the major causes of flooding, which results in destruction and reduction in the financial values of landed properties, reduction in residential housing and environmental quality, as well as considerable level of disruption of trips from home to business locations. Recommendations proffered include, the prohibition of refuse dumping into run-off channels and urban development control by government, in areas liable to flooding. KEY WORDS: Flood, Occupational Trips Duration, Flood Risk Assessment, Geographical Information Systems, Environmental Hazard

'Bleeding Nigeria through the Pipelines': Understanding Oil pipeline Vandalism in Arepo, Southwest Nigeria

Crude oil has been the mainstay of the Nigerian Economy for decades. However, vandalism, oil theft and bunkering are flourishing criminal activities that have impeded the growth of the oil sector and invariably the economic development of the country. The study explored the modes of operation used by vandals and the networks of individuals involved in the vandalization of the oil pipelines in Arepo area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Using largely qualitative method of data collection, 25 participants were purposively selected while opinion were sampled and gathered through in-depth (IDI) and key informant interviews (KII). A total of 15 IDIs was conducted to sample opinions of NSCDC members while 10 KIIs conducted comprised of Arepo community leaders and residents. Successful vandalisation of oil pipelines in Arepo community occurred majorly due to the connivance of the security agents and the sponsors of vandalization (usually influential Nigerians). Some members of Arepo town acted as informants to vandals while they were in return provided with the proceeds of vandalism. Findings further showed that the terrain of buried pipelines influenced successful vandalism operation and impede surveillance. Although vandalism soared higher during raining season, the vandals operated mostly at night. Vandals had uniforms, used hotels as hide outs and made use of encoded words to disguise their operations. Arising from the study’s findings, satellite tracking of geo information system will effectively enhance the policing of the networks of pipelines rather than relying on state agents