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Use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools for mitigating land conflicts in Delta State, Nigeria
No full textThis article contain tablesThe study investigated the utilization of ICT tools for mitigating land conflicts in Delta State, Nigeria. Data were collected with structured questionnaire distributed to 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Percentage and mean were used to statistically analyze data. It was found that the following possible ICT devices/tools could be used in the area; computer (99.2%), internet (94.2%), maps/survey plans (89.2%) and internal data capture system (71.7%). Several factors causing land conflicts were double allocation of land (̅=3.60), inefficiency in delivering land service (̅=3.55), family boundary disputes (̅=3.53), corruption/ greed (̅=3.49), inappropriate use of technology to register lands, (̅=3.39), inappropriate land tenure systems (̅=3.27) and communal boundary disputes. It was observed that ICT has a significant role in mitigating land conflicts. The ICT role in land conflicts management is felt in the areas of facilitating easy planning and management, increased awareness on land issues and it ensures security on land tenure system The use of geographical information system (GIS) should be introduced by government to support spatial analysis and visualization, including a map based interface for web information services. Government should introduce Land Information System (LIS) to the land offices at local level to improve efficiency in delivering land services
Coping strategies of mothers of school aged children with sickle cell disease in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria
No full textThis thesis is for the award of Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health promotionThe study on coping strategies of mothers of school aged children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state, Nigeria was carried out between June and August 2017. The overall objective was to determine the coping strategies of mothers of school age children with SCD accessing treatment in health facilities in Enugu metropolis. To achieve the overall objectives, four specific objectives were set. This study was designed as across sectional study and a sample size of 292 mothers were selected using the systematic sampling method from a total population of 460 mothers whose children were accessing treatment for SCD from both UNTH and ESUTH. One hundred and fifty-four (154) were chosen from UNTH while one hundred and thirty-eight (138) were from ESUTH. A structured questionnaire (0.88) was used as instrument for data collection. Data analysis was done using chi-square test and significance was tested at P<0.05. The marital status of mothers showed that, 200 (68.5%) mothers were married and 92(31.5%) were single. Regarding the number of school age children suffering SCD per mother, the result showed that, 248(84.9%) mothers had one child suffering SCDand44(15.1%) mothers had more than one child suffering sickle cell disease. The result on stressors confronting the mothers shows six factors which were; hospital factors, child factors, financial factors, psychological factors, disease factors and family factors. The association between these factors and marital status of these mothers were significant (P<0.05), aside from disease factors which had no significant association with the marital status of the mothers.(X2=0.000, P =1.000, df =2). Hospital factors were coped through confronting the impediments 180(61.6%), financial factors were coped throughcomplaints202(69.1%), child factors were coped through confronting the stressors, psychological factors were coped through complaints 140(47.9%), disease actors were coped through complaints 292(100.0%) and family factors were mainly coped through confronting the stressors. There were significant associations between coping mechanisms adopted by mothers and mothers marital status (P<0.05), aside from coping mechanisms on disease factors which had no significant association with marital status of the mothers. This study has shown that both married and single mothers of children with SCD experience significant stress which they adopt various ways of coping with. It is important for policy makers to provide necessary psychological care and support for these women in other to alleviate their stress
Molecular characterization of mycotoxin producing moulds from grains and legumes and their susceptibility to plant extracts
Get PDFDoctoral thesis on mycotoxin producing moulds from grains and legumes. It also contains pictures and tablesMolecular characterization of mycotoxin producing moulds from grains and legumes and their susceptibility to plant extracts was studied. Grains and legumes were stored for a period of two and four months. They were analysed for the presence of moulds and mycotoxin producing moulds. They were also analysed for the production of different mycotoxins. Sabouraud dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose broth, potato dextrose agar and malt extract agar were used in this study. The methods of isolation used were direct physical examination and direct plate count method. Moulds were identified based on their colony morphology, cultural characteristics and molecular characterization. Mycotoxin analysis was done using Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Antifungal susceptibility test was done using the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute approved methods for testing of moulds using disk diffusion method. The following four oxoid antifungal agents were used: Amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole. The following medicinal plants: Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaves), Vemonia amygdalina (bitter leaves), Gongronema latifolium (utazi leaves) and Piper guineense (uziza leaves) were assessed for their phytochemical properties and antifungal susceptibility profile against various moulds. The organic solvents used for antifungal susceptibility profile were methanol and hot water. One way analysis of variance, Duncan tests and descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis. The moulds isolated and identified culturally were Aspergillus sp. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium sp, Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizopus nigricans and Mucor sp. while those identified molecularly were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tamarii, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus, and Penicillium chrysogenum. The genus Aspergillus was the most prevalent mould. Groundnut had the highest number of isolates followed by maize, beans, rice while wheat had the least number of isolates. The numbers of colony forming units were more in Potato dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar and least on malt extract agar. Potato dextrose agar recovered the highest number of isolates from both unstored and stored samples followed by sabouraud dextrose agar then malt extract agar. The following mycotoxins were detected Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, Ochratoxin A, Citrinin, Dihydrocitrinone, Fumonisin B1, Fumonisin B2, Fumonisin B3, Fumonisin B4, Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol. Aflatoxin was the most frequent mycotoxin detected. Rice (1286.3 ± 29.689 µg/kg) had the highest rate of recovery of mycotoxins followed by wheat (1166.8 ± 0.901 µg/kg) and groundnuts (1142.9 ± 10.488 µg/kg) while maize (1111.6 ± 9.810 µg/kg) had the least concentration of mycotoxins. Ketoconazole (39 ±1.000 mm) had the highest minimum inhibitory concentration among different anti-fungal agents, followed by voriconazole (36 ± 2.000 mm), Amphotericin B (30 ±2.000 mm) and then Fluconazole (21 ± 12.124 mm). Susceptibility profile using only tetrazolium gave no zone of inhibition. Antifungal agents alone gave a better zone of inhibition than the combination of antifungal agents with tetrazolium. The medicinal plants such as scent leaves, bitter leaves, uziza leaves and utazi leaves analysed contained the following phytochemicals tannin, alkaloid, steroid, saponin and flavonoid. Percentage growth inhibition of moulds by methanol and hot water xiii extract of scent leaf gave the highest inhibition followed by bitter leaf, utazi and uziza gave the least growth inhibition. Methanol extract gave a better inhibition than hot water extract at 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml. One-way analysis of variance and Duncan tests showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the isolates found in stored and unstored grains and legume. There was also a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the antifungal agents and media used. Potato dextrose agar should be used frequently since it gave the highest rate of mould recovery. Ketoconazole remains the best drug of choice among other antifungal agents against moulds. Medicinal plants like scent leaves, bitter leaves, utazi leaves and uziza leaves gave varying levels of growth inhibition against various isolates and should be used both at home and clinical settings. The grains and legumes studied were contaminated with various species of moulds and contained many mycotoxins of public health importance
Socio-economic effects of land and water conflicts on pastoral livelihoods in Imo and Abia States, Nigeria
No full textA research work on land and water conflicts on pastoral livelihoods in Imo and Abia States with tablesConflicts alter livelihoods of people in conflict situation. The pastoralists are not left out since animal production is their way of life. This study therefore investigates the effect of conflicts on their livelihoods. The specific objective were to identify perceived effects of conflict on pastoral livelihoods; identify perceived conflict shocks/trends and ascertain appropriate response strategies for cushioning the effects of conflicts on pastoral livelihoods. Data were collected from 120 pastoralists in their various camps in the States with the aid of a questionnaire and oral interview. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Livelihood assets of the pastoralists were grouped into 4 classes which included - natural, physical, financial and physical assets. With a mean response (M) of 2.50 and above, conflicts affected pastoral livelihoods in the following ways - limited access to grazing areas (M=3.25), blockage of migratory routes (M=2.67), death of cattle owners (M=2.64),animal diseases outbreak (M=3.27), forced pastoral migration (M=3.31), market closure (M=2.90), death of animals (M=2.93), blockage of major roads (M=2.51), failure of public security (M=2.61) among others. The conflict shocks experienced were reduced access to pasture (M=2.44), reduced market access (M=2.80), cattle raiding (M=2.35), death of grasses (M=2.49), human and livestock diseases outbreak with (M=2.43) and (M=2.37), respectively. To cope, the following were agreed upon; improved access right to resources, improved access to migrating routes, provision of micro-credit schemes, income stream diversification, improved innovative techniques for livestock production among other
Predictive modeling and analysis of Nigerian petroleum depletion using a composite underground reservior
Get PDFThis thesis is for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical EngineeringThe thrust of this study is predictive modeling and analysis of Nigeria’s petroleum resources depletion, using a composite underground reservoir. The Nigerian Petroleum Data from 1957 to 2014, were obtained from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), of the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals Resources, Lagos Nigeria, which were applied as the experimental data. Predictive models were developed from material balance of Nigerian petroleum resources around a composite underground reservoir. Petroleum depletion models were developed using Hubbert concept, as the input functions were varied, and scatter diagrams of oil and gas production in Nigeria from 1957 to 2014 were plotted using MATLAB 7.9. The models were validated by superimposing them on the scatter diagram profiles of the cumulative data to determine their goodness of fit which were declared by the R-squared (R2 ) produced by the computer software. Hubbert oil depletion concept was employed for the peak determination, dumbbell intersection and establishment of petroleum depletion. Plots of these models were also made to find which models gave almost identical curves as the curves of the plots made from raw data for oil and gas. The models so obtained are all nonlinear equations which have volume as a function of time, and the best chosen to be the forecasting/predictive tool so desired. For the cumulative production and discovery of oil/gas resources, the chosen model 5 obtained is given as V(t) = R 3 (1− − 1 ) + (Vo− R 2 t − R 2 2 ) − 1 , and for the annual production and discovery of oil/gas resources, the chosen model 5 obtained is given as P(t) = ( Vo − 2 2) − 1 . Based on the peak determinations and dumbbell intersections for the various models, it was found that the Nigerian oil reserve peaked in the year 2008AD (with volume = 28,018.9MMB), and the gas reserve will peak in the year 2065AD (with volume = 2.546 х 106bscf). The Nigerian oil reserve will be exhausted (vol. = 0.136817MMB) in the year 2682AD, while the gas follows suit in the year 3151AD (vol. = 1.62447bscf). The accuracies of these results are based on R2 of 0.9955 - 0.9963 for oil and 0.9979 - 0.9983 for gas. These results clearly show the efficacy of the models so developed, and their reliability in the prediction of Nigeria’s petroleum resources depletion. This result can be used by Nigerian government for planning, diversification of the economy and international bargaining and positioning in OPEC
Comparative analysis of corrosion inhibition effects of esters of castor seed and rubber seed oils in flow pipes
Get PDFThis thesis is for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical EngineeringResearch work on “Comparative analysis of corrosion inhibition effects of ester of castor seed oil (ECSO) and Ester of Rubber Seed Oil (ERSO) in mild steel flow pipes” was carried out. The oil samples were extracted using solvent extraction techniques (n-hexane for castor seed oil and petroleum ether for rubber seed oil). The castor and rubber seeds were ground, and respectively soaked in the n-hexane and petroleum ether before subsequent subjection to soxhlet extraction, to obtain purer oils. The oils were esterified to obtain ECSO and ERSO. Phytochemical analysis of the esterified oils was conducted to reveal the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, tannins, cardiac glycocide, phenol, phytate, saponin and oxalate that are responsible for protection of the mild steel specimen. The mild steel samples were immersed in a flowing sulphuric acid solution held at various temperatures and pressures. Potentiodynamic polarization was used to determine the influence of the inhibitors on corrosion potential. Scanning electron microscopy provided surface-distorted information about the interaction between the acid medium/inhibitors and the mild steel, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional groups present in the inhibitors. The phytochemical evaluation results obtained showed that ECSO has alkaloid value of 2.2%, flavonoid (1.2%), tannic acid (8.6%), cardiac glycocide (7.0%), phenol (0.912mg/100g), Phytate (11.3%), Saponin (1.4%) and Oxalate (12937.5mg/100g), while those of ERSO have values of 2.1%, 43.5%, 12.0%, 28.0%, 1.605mg/100g, 10.8%, 11%, 59062.5mg/100g respectively. Inhibition efficiencies of ERSOtreated dynamic runs at 10g/l, 15g/l, 20g/l concentrations and at all treatment temperatures were higher than those of ECSO; maximum inhibition efficiencies for ERSO and ECSO applications were respectively 64.4% and 34.4% at 50% stroke, 20g/l dosage and 40oC. Furthermore, increase in treatment temperatures and pressures drastically lowered the 22 inhibition efficiency; the results obtained fit the Langmuir model for both inhibitors, with R2 values tending towards unity. Inhibition efficiencies of ERSO-reacted static runs, obtained from potentiodynamic polarization measurements were also higher than those of ECSO, peaking at 81.70% whereas that of ECSO peaked at 75.40%, both for 20g/l treatments at ambient temperature. Scanning electron microscope, SEM pictures of the mildsteel immersed in ECSO and ERSO showed the existence of absorbate species, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectra revealed that there were shifts due to O-H/N-H and C=O stretching frequencies from 3386cm-1 to 3209cm-1 and from 1743cm-1 to 1203cm-1 respectively. The inhibitor samples were able to inhibit mildsteel corrosion substantively, but ERSO gave better corrosion inhibition effects than ECSO
Performance of pig slurry on a degraded sandy soil and the yield of irrigated upland rice (Oryzasativa) in Owerri, South-East Nigeria
Get PDFThis article contain tables and figureA field experiment was conducted from December, 2017 to April, 2018 dry seasons at the Center for Agricultural Research and Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, to determine the effect of different rates of Pig slurry on a degraded sandy soil and the yield of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa). There were 6 treatments namely T1 (Control), T2 (NPK 20:10:10) at 800 kg.ha-1, T3(10t/ha of pig slurry), T4 (20t/ha of pig slurry), T5 (30t/ha of pig slurry), T6 (40t/ha of pig slurry) and replicated 3 times. Each plot measured 2 m X 2 m with a 1 m alley between plots. Pre harvest and post harvest soil samples were collected from the sites at 0-30cm depth and used for the determination of selected physical and chemical properties. Grain yield was adjusting to 12 % moisture content and weighed. The experiment was mapped out according to Randomized Complete Block Design. The data generated was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Fishers Least Significant Difference at P = 0.05.The soil properties and grain yield of rice were not significantly affected when T1 (control) was compared with T2 (NPK) treatments. While the application of different rates of Pig Slurry when compared with the control and NPK rates revealed significant effects on soil properties and grain yield of rice. Grain yield increased with increase in rates of pig slurry application. Rice grown on plots treated with 40 t.ha-1 pig slurry gave the highest grain yield as it showed 95, 90, 85, 40, and 20% higher yield when compared with rice yield from the control, NPK, 10 t.ha-1, 20 t.ha-1 and 30 t.ha-1 plots respectively. Pig slurry application rate at 40t.ha-1 has proved to be a good rate for rice production with a promise that increasing the rate beyond this level may continue to give economic yield on a degraded sandy soil
Alkaline and bacterial pretreatment of rice straw and water hyacinth for biogas production in a batch bioreactor
Get PDFA Doctoral thesis on "water hyacinth for biogas production". It contains tables, graphs and picturesThe Presence of lignin in lignocellulosic substrates greatly limits anaerobic digestion for production of biogas. The need for initial pretreatment to sufficiently remove it became inevitable. Alkaline and bacterial pretreatment methods were used to pretreat rice straw and water hyacinth samples for
application in biogas production in a batch bioreactor. Optimum concentration of NaOH (%), mass of substrate (g) and duration (h) of the pretreatment were studied using Response surface methodology(Box Behnken design) Bacterial spp isolated from termite gut were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and were used for biological pretreatment of the substrate. Each pretreated sample was co- digested with 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 ratios of cow dung, pig waste and poultry droppings respectively, as amendments. Optimization studies on the biogas production process from the amendment that gave the highest yield in biogas was carried out. Proximate composition ,lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content of the feedstock was determined by standard methods as well as microbial succession studies .Results obtained showed that 0.5M concentration of NaOH, 14g of sample and 39.5h exposure time were optimum of NaOH pretreatment of the samples which reduced lignin concentrationfrom17.4% to 8.3% and 17.4 % to 7.3% in bacteria pretreated samples while cellulose, reducing sugar and total sugar contents increased from 10.31% to 38.86%, 6.4%to 6.9% and 156.08%to 167.14%respectively, after chemical pretreatment of water hyacinth samples. Lignin and hemicellulose concentrations reduced from 18.01 % to 7.821 % and 11.01 % to 8.21%, while cellulose concentration increased from 10.31 % to 14.40 % after 30 days of bacterial pretreatment of water hyacinth sample. The 16S RNA gene analysis of bacterial consortium from termite gut indicated the presence of Escherichia coli and Morgenela morganii strain S4L2C (MH745964), with 100%and 98.6%similarity, respectively. There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in biogas yield in all the Alkaline pretreated rice straw (APRS) and Bacteria pretreated rice straw (BPRS) amended with animal manure compared to APRS, BPRS and URS alone. For NaOH pretreated rice straw, best ratio of rice straw to cow dung was 2:1, which yielded 22.51dm3 of biogas. For bacterial pretreated rice straw, 1:1 ratioof
rice straw to cow dung was the best combination, which yielded 27.05dm3 of biogas. For bacterial pretreated water hyacinth co-digested with cow dung, highest yield of biogas was recorded in 1:1ratio, with an average of 12.03dm3. Comparative analysis of biogas yield of APRS with BPRS with amendment at varying ratios gave 30.90% increase in biogas yield for APRS and BPRS with cow dung 2:1,45.45% for BPRS and APRS with cow dung 2:1 and 20.30% for APRS and BPRS with cow dung 3:1APRS/BPRS amended with poultry dropping at1:1,2:1and 3:1 recorded 25.01%,42.01%and19.41% respectively while APRS/BPRS amended with pig waste at 1:1,2:1 and 3:1 recorded1.43%, 3.05% and 16.37%.Result indicated that substrate concentration of 520g, Hydraulic Retention Time 22.57 days and cow dung content of 520 g were the optimum conditions with predicted biogas yield of 1.960 x104 ml for bacterial pretreated rice straw. For NaOH pretreated rice straw, 216.7go substrate at HRT of 15.5 days and 520 g of cow dung as amendment were the optimum conditions, with predicted biogas yield of 1.517 x10 4 ml. Concentrations of components gases in biogas produced by rice straw/ cow dung 2:1 which produced highest volume of biogas in this study, were CO1.149%, CO2 13.556% and CH4 64.960% .proximate characteristics of digestate, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased, while others including carbon, total solids and total volatile solid content decreased after anaerobic digestion. Finally, microbial load of slurry during digestion decreased during an aerobic digestion from 0, 14 and 28 days. These prove that rice straw and water hyacinth can be used for large-scale biogas production using Response surface methodology (BBD) from the use of
bacterial isolate from termite gut which is significantly more effective in pretreatment than 6% NaOH
Effects of planting dates and cultivar on pest infestation, yield and damage of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) in Owerri. Rain-Forest Zone of Nigeria
Get PDFThis thesis is for the award of Master of Science (MSc.) in EntomologyThe field study was carried out in the Post Graduate Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State in 2018 to determine the level of pest infestation, yield and damage parameters of Sesame cultivars under different planting seasons in Owerri humid environment. The field design was a 3 x 6 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. Each replication consists of six plots of size 2.4 x 2.4 m2 . Treatments comprised of: Factor A -Three planting dates (14th of April- early planting;14th of June- mid planting and14th of August- late planting) and Factor B- Six sesame cultivars (MAJIGIDA, NCRIBEN 01M, NCRIBEN 02M, NCRIBEN 04E, NCRIBEN 05E, NCRIBEN E-8). Treatments were allocated in an area of land measuring 23.9m x 13.2m (315.48m2 ). Planting was carried out at a spacing of 30cm within rows and 60cmbetween rows at a rate of three (3) seeds per stand which was laterthinned to one(1). Morphological parameters (days to emergence, germination percentage, days to flower bud initiation and opening, days to capsule initiation and capsule formation, days to maturity and plant height at maturity) were recorded. Counts of insect visually seen on the plants were also recorded. Data on sesame yield and damage include- capsule, seed, and thrash yields kg/ha, per plot, and per plant. The results show that Majigida cultivar had the highest growth performance at days to emergence (5.22), percentage emergence (66.3%) and days to maturity (108 days) with appreciable plant height (164.9), significant seed yield/ plant (6.44g) and thrash yield (274kg/ha; 147.8g/plot) and low damage percentage(2.9%) irrespective of pest population at vegetative and flowering stages. Sesame planted on 14th of April had better growth performance from emergence to maturity with high capsule yield (465kg/ha), seed yield (182.5kg/ha) and thrash yield (296kg/ha) and low percentage damage (2.6%) irrespective of pest population at vegetative and flowering phases. Therefore, for increased yield of Sesame that may ensure food security, availability and sesame productivity, planting of Maijigida cultivar during second week of April planting should be adopted in Owerri, Rain forest Zone, Nigeria
Performance evaluation of 620MW photovaltaic system intergrated into an islanded Nigeria electric power grid
No full textThis thesis is for the award of Master of Engineering (M.ENG.) in Power System EngineeringThis thesis focuses on the performance evaluation of 620MW photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated into an islanded Nigeria electric power grid. Electricity supply in Nigeria is abysmal and the effects on the economy and quality of life of Nigerians. To grow Nigeria GDP by 7%, additional generation capacity of 119,200MW is needed by 2030 while contributing mitigating of the effects of greenhouse gases, deploying renewable energy sources must be considered in generation planning. According to African-EU Renewable Energy Corporation Programme the installed capacity of off grid generation in Nigeria is about 14 GW, slightly above the grid capacity of about 10 GW. This work reviews various related literatures. It carries out load flow studies and Contingency analysis, using a set of possible contingency scenarios, of an islanded segment of the Nigeria Electric network namely Afam Power Substation to Yenogoa Transmission Substation without utility scale PV system integrated. The studies are done also with 500MW PV system integrated at Afam Power Station and 120MW at Gbarain Power Station. The data used were valid upto the year 2021. This work utilizes PowerWorld Simulator for these analyses. The results show a reasonable degree of stability was achieved when there was loss of generation. For example, with Afam Generation station open, system violations went from 14 (without PV) to 3 (with PV). Finally, the results for levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) for combined cycle gas turbines and PV systems show that the LCoE for PV systems was 0.1273 /kWh The results also show that such hybrid generation planning can provide a high degree of redundancy in our fragile network