Conservation and Biodiversity Erosion in Ondo State, Nigeria: (2). Assessing Botanicals Used in the Storage of Farm Produce in Akure region

Semi-structured questionnaire matrix was used to identify plant species used for storage purposes in five communities situated within 5kilometre radius from Akure, the Ondo State capital, south-western Nigeria. A total of 32 botanical species were found to be commonly used in the preservation of farm produce in the study area. The leaves constituted the major part of the botanical that were widely utilised while the major farm produce common in the study area were kola nuts and bitter kola The descriptions of the indigenous knowledge of the various methods of application of the botanicals were identified and documented. Only nine of the botanicals were cultivated abundantly in the study area. The household farm, forest and common area constituted the major primary sources of the storage botanicals. Strategies that could ensure the continuous supply of the storage botanicals were proposed

Pulverised Sewage Sludge Ash Partial Replacement of Cement In Concrete

The potential of the ash produced from the incineration of sewage sludge, as partial replacement of cement in concrete has generated research interest in recent times as a result of the increase in its production due to rapid urbanization and the problem of getting functionally adequate landfill sites for its disposal. Physical properties if sewage sludge from one of the two waste treatment plants located at the University of Ibadan were investigated. The properties evaluated were specific gravity, colour, particle size distribution and pH. The colour of the sewage sludge changed from greenish-brown when fresh to brownish-orange after incineration when the organic materials had been burnt off. The specific gravity was 1.9 while the pH was 7.32. The particle size grading of the pulverized sewage sludge was similar to that of cement, which it was meant to partially replace. The properties if fresh and hardened concrete, in which cement was partially replaced with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of pulverised sewage sludge ash by weight, were determined. There was an improvement in workability with increasing sludge ash content. The best performance of sludge ash concrete was attained with 10% sludge ash content. Concrete with up to 20% replacement of cement with pulverized sewage sludge ash produced concrete with properties above grade 20 concrete

University Students, Academic Structures and the Processes of Integration

This special issue on Finding a Place to Belong: University Students, Academic Structures and the Processes of Integration contains nine papers on opportunities of belonging and highlights the cultivation of belonging as a fundamental for addressing inequality and inequity in a linguistically and culturally diverse higher education context. Here, belonging challenges the dominant university ideology, which can elude the marginalised or underserved student and staff groups of learning communities. The combination of individual/group agency and identity negotiation for developing and implementing enablers of belonging reveals the challenges and complexity of deconstructing belonging. The papers focus on the barriers and opportunities of belonging and the interaction of agency and enablers of belonging, such as equitable vision, policy, programmes and commitment, as a product of belonging

Partnering with Students to Connect Students

Too often outreaches and interventions designed to support students transitioning to higher education, are developed by academics who may not have a full understanding of the complexity and diversity of their students’ realities. This disconnect explains why, in most cases, interventions are reactive instead of proactive. In this article, we draw on our experiences in terms of the design and implementation of a Student Resource Centre (SRC) to advocate for student and staff collaborative design. The student-run initiative works with students as partners to constitute and operationalise an innovative near-peer mentoring and support space. The mixed-methods study draws on social-cultural learning theory on student engagement and reflective practice tools. We explain how a student’s sense of belonging is central to their success, progression, and graduation. This article highlights the need to contextualise and personalise institutional support for students

Modern Methods Of Construction A Technique In Achieving Affordable Housing In Nigeria

The urban environment in Nigeria accounts for over 51.16% of the population and is the main source of economic development within the country. With the increase in population as a result of rural-urban migration, population growth, urban development, decrease in mortality rate amongst others, there is a need for affordable housing provision. It is has been argued based on extensive research, that the development of good housing and infrastructure, can increase the average life expectancy of people, quality of life, increase the health standard and also attract investment and thus, further develop the economy. Unfortunately, the discourse on affordable housing has not developed a model that meets the Nigerian urban populace that is in desperate need of housing. With a larger percentage of Nigerians living in these areas, coupled with the continual rise in rural-urban migration, it is imperative to ensure that focus should be placed on the developing modern methods of construction (MMC) that can meet housing needs. Modern methods of construction is a broad terminology that embraces a variety of offsite manufacturing and onsite practices that provides a range of options to traditional house buildings. It is in light of these facts, this paper analyses the effects of affordable housing in the urban environment and the role MMC plays in its development. This qualitative study is based on current knowledge from preliminary research, analysing how affordable housing can be achieved with MMC. The conclusion of this research will suggest the benefits of MMC practices and create an avenue for further research on affordable housing

The implications of adopting sustainable urbanism in developing resilient places in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract Purpose – Sustainable urbanism is the study of both cities and the practices to build them, which focusses on promoting their long-term viability by reducing consumption, waste and harmful impacts on people and place while enhancing the overall well-being of both people and place. This paper analyses the implications of adopting sustainable urbanism principles and developing resilient places with Abuja as the area of focus to tackle the highlighted issues. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on qualitative research which is centred on an extensive literature review and archival retrieval of historical documents. This includes the emergence of urbanism, sustainable urbanism definition and current issues surrounding its adaptation. The paper also focusses on a case study area in the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria which is currently undergoing massive urban development. Interviews are conducted with academics (13), practitioners (12) and government officials (10) making a total of 35 participants. Findings – The main findings will create an understanding of the definition of sustainability and sustainable urbanism with a special focus on Abuja city. It was realised from the interviews that sustainable urbanism in broad terms encompasses economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and that these dimensions vary across different contexts even in the developing world. Also, sustainability can be achieved through deploying the right combination of measures, policies, assessment tools, sustainability assessment, good governance, and training/education and incentives. Originality/value – By reviewing the selected studies which explore a wide range of disciplines and research areas, and conducting this qualitative research, this paper shares insights into how sustainability and sustainability urbanism can be achieved in the development of urban spaces in Abuja environs. Keywords - Developing countries, Sustainability, Sustainable urbanism, Urbanisation, Urban regeneration Paper type Research pape

Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Tools for Sharing of Agricultural Related Information in Osun State: Implications for Rural Information Needs

The study was motivated by the need to harness technological advancement to enhance agricultural production in Osun State. The study assessed the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools for sharing of agricultural related information in Osun State, Nigeria. The study illustrated the socio economic characteristics of the Respondent, identified the available ICT tools for sharing of various agricultural related information, identified agricultural related information shared through various available ICT tools, measured the frequency of utilization of the identified ICT tools and assessed the severity of challenges encountered by Respondent in the utilization of ICT tools in the study area. Sixty percent of Extension Agents in each of the three zones in the study area were sampled. The data collected were examined using descriptive statistics tools while regression analysis was used to test the significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of Respondents and their frequency of utilization of ICT Tools for sharing of agricultural related information in the study areas. The analysis of the data was carried out with the use of SPSS version 22. The findings revealed that the average age of Respondents was 39 years; more than half of the respondent (67.1%) were male; most (81.4%) of the respondent were married; majority (68.6%) of the respondent were Christian; about (70%) of the respondent had tertiary education. The mean household size was 5 members per household; majority of the respondents belonged to one association or the other and they access the internet with their own data plan. Radio (wms 2.7) was ranked first as most available ICT tools for sharing information in the study area. Furthermore, information on availability and sources of farm inputs (wms2.3) was ranked most shared information while information on storage facilities (wms1.0) was ranked the least shared information by the Respondents. Also, the initial cost of procurement of ICT gadgets, cost of maintenance, risk of theft of gadget, and fluctuating power supply were the major challenges encountered with the use of various ICT tools. Regression analysis identified a significant relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of the Respondents and frequency of Utilization of ICT Tools for sharing Agriculture related information. The study recommended use of Radio as medium through which agricultural related information should be shared bearing in mind its ease of access, little cost of procurement and maintenance, extent of reach and frequency of usage among the respondents. Provision of access to internet facility was recommended in order to afford respondents a limitless right to use information on the World Wide Web. Finally, alternative source of power to enable respondents recharge their ICT gadgets was recommended to make up for unreliable electricity supply

Urban Sustainability Assessment: An Analysis of how Weighting and Aggregating Coefficient System was used in the Development of SUCCEED Assessment Tool for Developing Countries.

The development of a weighting and aggregating coefficient system used in urban sustainability assessment tools is a process that needs well-defined procedures using a series of steps, methodology, and a systematic approach in its development. The development of assessment tools has been successful in developed countries but developing countries would need to have a structured process that will assist in the development of an assessment tool that is tailored to its environs. This paper aims to understand the various weighting and aggregating coefficient systems employed in the development of sustainability assessment tools. Alongside using these findings to understand how these weighting and aggregating coefficients can be adopted in the development of sustainability assessment tools for developing countries based on their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) based on a systematic review of existing literature was used in this study to understand various weighting and aggregating coefficients. It is imperative to note that this research will focus on how assessment tools are developed with a clear focus on sustainability assessment weighting and aggregating. The study also further analyses how a case study SUCCEED (Sustainable Composite Cities Environmental Evaluation and Design Tool) has benefited from the adoption of equal weighting and additive aggregation methods based on validation carried out. The findings of this research show that the selection of weighting and aggregating systems is defined by the relevance, importance, and purpose of the assessment tool. It also develops a guide/recommendations on the process utilised in the development of assessment tools for developing countries

Fractional extracts of Azadirachta indica leaf affect spermiogram, testosterone profile, and testis histology of rabbit bucks

The effect of fractions from a crude extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on spermatogenesis, testicular histology and testosterone concentration of New Zealand White rabbits were evaluated in this study. Twenty-five matured male New Zealand White rabbits were used for this study and were randomly assigned to five groups (A, B, C, D, and E). Group A served as the control and was administered distilled water (0.5ml); while groups B, C, D and E served as the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol treated groups, respectively at the same dosage of 300 mg/kg. Semen samples were collected using an artificial vagina weekly for twelve weeks and were evaluated for volume, colour, motility, concentration, percentage live-dead ratio and morphological abnormalities. A blood sample (2ml) was also collected from each buck through venipuncture of the ear vein three times at regular intervals for the determination of testosterone concentration. Two bucks from each group were humanely sacrificed at the end of the experiment for testicular histology. Significantly lower (p<0.05) sperm motility, higher dead sperm cells, sperm abnormalities, degenerative changes, depletion and vacuolation of spermatogenic cell layers were observed in treatment group C at the end of the experiment. The present study has shown that the chloroform fraction of methanolic crude Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves extract is detrimental to sperm cells and testicular histology