The tracheophytes (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) of Augustine University Campus, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the avalanche of species existing in an undisturbed vegetation in Lagos State, Nigeria, prior to developmental activities. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) plant species (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) across 68 families were recorded, following standard taxonomic protocols. The trees and shrubs were dominant and cut across 25 and 24 families, respectively. The family Rubiaceae had the highest number of species represented, with 18, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 17, then Papilionaceae and Apocynaceae with 10 each. This preliminary survey showed that the study area is a rich biodiversity hotspot especially as it accommodated some unique species of South-Western Nigeria. Even though urbanization and the development of the study site is inevitable, the conservation of the Eredo-Sugbo area of the site should be encouraged as much as possible

The tracheophytes (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) of Augustine University Campus, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the avalanche of species existing in an undisturbed vegetation in Lagos State, Nigeria, prior to developmental activities. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) plant species (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) across 68 families were recorded, following standard taxonomic protocols. The trees and shrubs were dominant and cut across 25 and 24 families, respectively. The family Rubiaceae had the highest number of species represented, with 18, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 17, then Papilionaceae and Apocynaceae with 10 each. This preliminary survey showed that the study area is a rich biodiversity hotspot especially as it accommodated some unique species of South-Western Nigeria. Even though urbanization and the development of the study site is inevitable, the conservation of the Eredo-Sugbo area of the site should be encouraged as much as possible

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. (Sterculiaceae)

The in-vitro antimicrobial evaluation of ethanol extracts of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. was done using human isolated strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger as test organisms. The assays were carried out by agar well diffusion, erythromycin and ketoconazole served as the control drugs. The leaf ethanol extracts of the plants were found to be more effective against the tested fungi than the bacteria at high concentrations. None of the extracts was active against Staphylococcus aureus. Plant extract of C. acuminata (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl. and C. nitida (Vent) Schott & Endl. showed activity on S. albus at concentrations ranging from 10-150 mgmlˉ¹ having comparable diameters of zone of inhibition of 7.3±0.03-16.0±0.0 for C. acuminata and 10.0±0.0-19.0±0.0 for C. nitida. Also, these two species of Cola demonstrated activities on C. albicans and A. niger at concentrations ranging from 90-150mgmlˉ¹ with relatively close diameters of zone of inhibition. Only C. acuminata inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae at the MIC of 90mgmlˉ¹ whereas, C. albicans was inhibited by C. acuminata, C. millenii K. Schum and C. gigantea A.Chev. at the MIC of 120mgmlˉ¹. Phytochemical screening of the four species of Cola showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and cardenolides in all the plants which apart from showing the probable closeness of the species could also be responsible for the observed activities. The antimicrobial property shown by the plant extracts is an evidence of the ethnomedicinal uses of the plants. The similarity observed in the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities demonstrated by C nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl., C. millenii and C.gigantea A. Chev. and C. acuminata suggest a probable closeness among these species. The results obtained in this study provide preliminary evidence of the chemotaxonomic significance of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activities in infra-generic taxonomy of species of Cola.Key words: Cola species, Sterculiaceae, phytochemical screening, antimicrobial studies, taxonomy

Assessment of runway excursion causal factors and mitigation strategies

Runway excursion (RE) is a significant cause of many aircraft accidents worldwide. Statistic reveals that accident associated with RE is on the increase. Although RE accident fatalities are usually lower with respect to loss of control (LOC) caused accidents, however the aircrafts involved in RE caused accidents are usually write-off. In response to the raising threat to aviation safety, the Research and Development (R&D) division of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Kaduna Nigeria was tasked to conduct a study on RE problem. The study gathered of three kinds of secondary information associated with RE accidents: 1) statistical summaries, 2) accident report that cited runway excursion accident and 3) stakeholders inputs. Using this resources, the RE causal factors were identified. This paper described the study method, stakeholder viewpoint; key identified causal factors for RE caused accidents and mitigation strategies.Keywords: Aircraft accident, causal factor, runway excursion, mitigation strategie

Evaluation of Level of Service of Traffic at Major Road Intersections in Ibadan, Nigeria

Transportation has been of immense benefits to the social, economic and political development of communities, however, it is sometimes characterised with negative impacts such as traffic congestions, delays, environmental pollutions and crashes. In this study, the level of service of selected major road intersections in Ibadan were investigated. Traffic volume of each intersection approach was conducted from 7am - 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, delay studies were carried out during the morning, afternoon and evening peak hours and level of service for each approach was determined from the average delay per vehicle. The traffic volume reveals that passenger cars are the predominant vehicles at all the approaches and the morning and afternoon peak hours occurred between 8 to 9am and 2 to 3pm, respectively. The level of service for all the approaches is B, indicating slight reduction in capacity of the intersections. Keywords: Transport, Traffic volume, Traffic delay, Traffic congestion and Road intersection DOI: 10.7176/JIEA/9-7-05 Publication date: December 31st 201

Adequacy of Technical Facilities for Maternal Health Care Delivery in Public Secondary and Tertiary Facilities in Osun State, Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortalities and morbidities in the world, and the need to address these challenges continues to engage the attention of relevant stakeholders but very little attention has focused on technological resources within the maternal health research agenda. This study aims to identify and determine the adequacy of the key equipment for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in public-sector secondary and tertiary health facilities in Osun State, Southwest, Nigeria. Using a two-stage probability sampling procedure, 7 health facilities based in 6 randomly selected Local government areas (LGAs) were involved in the study. Data were obtained through the use of primary and secondary sources. For primary sources, a questionnaire was administered to 112 health workers and the study also utilized a checklist for equipment inventory. For secondary sources we reviewed existing hospital records on technology acquisition and maintenance. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. Almost three-fifths (58.1%) of the health workers considered the technical facilities for the delivery of EmOC in their facilities as inadequate, the proportion of health workers with such opinion was significantly higher in secondary compare to tertiary facilities (60.0% vs 40.0%, p=0.003). The inventory review and use of the checklist also showed varying degree of inadequate technical facilities; none of the facilities had all the 26 equipment considered as essential for comprehensive EmOC in functional state. We concluded that the public sector facilities in Osun State have inadequate technical facilities for EmOC; addressing this technological challenge will be critical to improving maternal health outcomes and statistics in Nigeria

From ‘Vagabonds’ to Ethnobotanical Relevance: Weeds of the Campus Sites of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

A survey of the weed flora of the campus sites of the Olabisi Onabanjo University was undertaken. Several visits were made to the disturbed and undisturbed vegetation of the sites for collection of weeds after which the weeds were prepared in accordance with conventional herbarium practice. A total of seventy-three (73) weed species belonging to twenty-seven (27) families were identified and found to be present within the area of study. The family Poaceae seems to have the highest number of weed species (twelve) available within the area followed by Asteraceae with ten (10) species. Amaranthaceae, Cyperaceae and Euphorbiaceae are also in abundance. These weeds have been discovered to be useful, against the mindset of the uninformed that they are useless or ‘vagabond’ plants. Medicinal uses as well as percentage occurrence of each family are presented. From this study it is obvious that the University sites are not only rich in plant biodiversity but that the plants are also very rich in socio-economic values. It is therefore advisable that these plants should be protected from going into extinction so that all would not be lost due to developmental activities

FAMILY COMMUNICATION ON HIV / AIDS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A NORTHERN STATE OF NIGERIA

Most Adolescents in Nigeria, like many others in Africa, are potentially at risk for contracting HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse. Yet the issue of how to help youth avoid risky sexual behaviour through family communication / education on HIV/AIDS is still of serious arguments within the society. This study examines the practice of family communication on HIV / AIDS among secondary school students. A descriptive study using 420 secondary school students selected by multi-stage random sampling was done. Self administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Only 48 (12.1%) reported family as the first source of information. However, most of the students 315 (79.7%) had family communication on HIV/AIDS with their family members. There is a gender difference in practice of family communication. Significantly higher proportion of the female students had family communication more than their male counterparts. The educational status of the parents significantly determined whether or not a student had family communication on HIV/AIDS. There is considerable level of family communication in the study population which should be encouraged further to cut across all members of the family

A chemotaxonomic approach to the alkane content of three species of Anthocleista Afzel. (Loganiaceae)

The chemotaxonomic significance of leaf wax n-alkanes was studied in three species of Anthocleista Afzel. Identification of alkane components were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data. In all, fourteen alkanes were identified, ranging from tetracosane (C 24 H 50 ) to heptriacontane (C 37 H 76 ). Tetracosane, pentacosane and heptriacontane were the major components in all the three species of Anthocleista. A. djalonensis and A. vogelii were characterized by high percentages of tetracosane (28.81 and 39.14%, respectively), whereas in A. nobilis heptriacontane (C 37 H 76 ) was the major component being 24.76%. Significant correlation between A. djalonensis and A. vogelii (r = 0.884 and p = 0.000) at 0.01 implies a probable closeness between these species. However, the result obtained in this study provides further evidence of chemotaxonomic significance