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Sustainable Food Security: Pesticide Residues And Heavy Metals Accumulation In Ugu Vegetable Grown In Atani, Anambra State
Get PDFPesticide residue an emerging contaminant that induce soil degradation, water pollution and health challenges in ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess both organochlorine, organophosphate pesticide residues and some heavy metal levels in Ugu leafy vegetable grown in Atani farm fields and to compare the results with WHO standard limit. Application of field survey and appropriate laboratory analyses showed DDE mean value of 0.28±0.2 having a 0.0% compliance with WHO standard limit. Heavy metal Pb mean values ranged from 0.23±0.0, 0.55±5.0 and 0.13±0.0 for the Ugu leaf samples obtained from the four Ugu farm fields assayed, which also gave a 0,0% compliance with the WHO standard limit. ANOVA at significance level of 0.05 was employed in testing the research hypothesis. It showed a positive relationship between pesticides used for Ugu cultivation and pesticide residues on Ugu leaf samples (p < 0.05). The findings indicate the presence of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphates residues in all the Ugu leaf from the four farms assayed. While Pb and DDE were above WHO standards limit. This poses serious environmental concern due to persistent, toxicity and bioaccumulation of these contaminants detected on the leaves. It could lead to soil degradation, water pollution and pose health challenges on both ecosystem and humans, a bane of food security
Enhancing The Design Of Orthopaedic Hospitals Using Biophilic Elements: The Case Of Some Selected Hospitals In South-East Nigeria
Get PDFThe quality of healthcare facility design plays a critical role in influencing patient recovery, staff efficiency, and overall healthcare outcomes. In Nigeria, orthopaedic healthcare facilities often face design challenges that limit their effectiveness in promoting healing environments. This study explores the current design conditions of selected orthopedic hospitals in the southeastern region of Nigeria, with a particular focus on identifying opportunities for improvement through the integration of biophilic design elements. Using a case study approach, data was collected through field observations, architectural analysis, and interviews with healthcare professionals and facility users across selected hospitals. The findings highlight prevalent issues such as overcrowded wards, poor ventilation, inadequate access to natural light, and limited incorporation of natural elements. These challenges not only affect patient comfort but also hinder staff performance and overall operational efficiency. The study underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate the design of orthopedic healthcare facilities in the region and recommends the adoption of biophilic principles as a practical and sustainable approach to enhancing healing environments. The outcomes provide context-specific insights that can inform future healthcare design policies and architectural interventions in Nigeria
Critical Assessment Of The Hidden Carbon Footprint Of Smart Home Devices In Nigeria
Get PDFSmart home devices represent the flagship of modern residential living. They integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated automation plexuses to facilitate efficiency, security, and comfort. While these advancements are eulogised for their eco-conscious potential, their hidden carbon footprints remain underexamined, especially in developing contexts like Nigeria. This study thoroughly examines the hidden environmental costs of smart home devices in Nigeria, with emphasis on their operational energy demands, embedded carbon during production, and the ecological burden of cloud infrastructures that support AI-enabled functionalities. Nigeria presents a unique context for this inquiry due to its fast-paced growth, tech adoption, epileptic power supply, and overarching dependence on carbon-intensive options such as fossil-fuelled power generators. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, merging systematic literature review, real-time energy tracking, life-cycle assessment (LCA) data, and semi-structured discussion sessions with occupants and energy experts across selected urban and peri-urban Nigerian locales. Findings reveal a sustainability paradox: while intelligent high-ends can lower household energy consumption by up to 30% through enhanced usage, this gain is often eroded by spiking energy consumption statistics of cloud-based data hubs and AI processing. The dearth of localized LCA structures and regulatory oversight in Nigeria worsens the problem of clinically quantifying the net carbon impact of these technologies. This study proffers key strategies to lower the hidden carbon footprint of smart home devices in Nigeria, including localized eco-designs, integration of renewable energy plexuses, sustainable procurement of electronic components, and encouragement of responsible digital usage. Moreso, it pushes for policy structures and industry standards customized for the Nigerian context towards aligning smart technology implementation with national and global carbon reduction objectives. This way, concerned stakeholders will be offered viable insight into balancing digital innovation with ecological responsibility in a rapidly changing African market
Improving The Design Of Paediatric Rehabilitation Centre Using Environmentally Friendly Ideas: Case Of Selected Hospitals In South-East Nigeria
Get PDFPaediatric rehabilitation centres play vital roles in the long-term recovery and developmental support of children facing physical, neurological, and musculoskeletal conditions. However, in many Nigerian hospitals, the architectural design of these centres often neglects the environmental needs of children, which are essential for healing. This study investigates how environmentally friendly design ideas can be used to improve paediatric rehabilitation centres in South-East Nigeria, focusing on two case study hospitals: Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, and Amanda Hospital, Imo State. The research adopted survey method with case study approach. Data was got from site observations and semi-structured interviews with healthcare staff, caregivers, and administrators. Key areas examined include spatial organisation, natural ventilation, , sensory design, landscape integration, and material selection. Findings reveal a lack of child-centred design features and minimal integration of nature-inspired and eco-friendly design concepts in the selected centres. Environmental comfort, emotional well-being, and functional efficiency were identified as critical gaps affecting therapeutic outcomes. The study recommends a set of design principles tailored for the Nigerian context, including the incorporation of biophilic elements, adaptive reuse of space, and passive environmental strategies. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in healthcare architecture and sustainable design. It also provides feedback for architects, policymakers, and healthcare planners aiming to enhance paediatric rehabilitation facilities in resource-limited settings. Ultimately, the study advocates for a shift from sterile, clinical environments to more nurturing, eco-conscious spaces that align with the physical and emotional healing needs of children
The Benin City Moat System: Functional Space Or Urban Void?
Get PDFAchieving the accommodation of all land needs, complementarity and functionality are amongst the main objectives of land use planning. Thus, urban space which serves no particular purpose in the system is akin to a weak link in a chain and does not promote effective management. Following reports about the deterioration of Benin City’s most prominent urban feature, the Benin Moat system, this paper sets out to ascertain whether the structure performs a present-day role in the modern urban environment as it did in ancient times for ancient society. This is important because a lack of function suggests a disadvantageous waste of space which could challenge effective urban management. The approach involved inspections of the Moat system and enquiries which were made from the urban management authorities and the National Commission for Museums and monuments. The findings indicate that the Moat is not part of a modern urban design or adapted for modern urban use; it is not assigned any urban function(s), it is non-functional; neglected; negatively used; and tending towards becoming an urban blight. It is a stand-alone feature which does not complement the other urban land uses. Evaluations reveal that by design, function and impact, the Moat conforms to the urban void concept. The conclusion, therefore, is that the Benin Moat system is an urban void, not functional urban space. 
Challenges And Perceptions Of Building Information Modeling Adoption In The Nigerian Construction Industry: Insights From Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFBuilding Information Modeling (BIM) represents a paradigm shift for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, yet its adoption remains limited in developing economies, notably in Nigeria. This study investigates the critical challenges and barriers hindering the application of BIM among construction professionals in the Bauchi State Metropolis, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research utilized a quantitative survey and a detailed literature review to assess professionals\u27 level of awareness, perceived benefits, and core obstacles to implementation. The key findings highlight a substantial gap between awareness and actual practice. Specifically, 58% of professionals reported only a moderate level of familiarity with BIM, indicating that deep technical integration is low. The primary barriers were found to be financial and institutional, a decisive 71% of respondents cite the high implementation costs of software and training as the principal financial deterrent and an institutional void is evident, with 60% expressing significant concern over the lack of standardized guidelines and clear BIM policies from governing bodies. The study also identified a major educational shortfall, as 65% of graduates reported acquiring BIM proficiency after completing their formal university education, rather than during their academic training. The study concludes that while the benefits of BIM for enhancing project delivery and sustainability are widely recognized, its adoption in Bauchi is critically hindered by these financial, technical, and institutional challenges. The paper recommends an integrated framework that combines targeted policy, educational reform, and financial incentives to accelerate the successful integration of BIM across the Nigerian construction sector
Indigenous Knowledge And Flood Adaptation In Anambra State
Get PDFFlooding remains a major challenge in Anambra State, Nigeria, due to its proximity to the Niger River. Seasonal floods displaced communities, destroy infrastructure, and threatened food security. The study evaluated the effectiveness of indigenous knowledge in achieving flood adaptation with the objective of drawing insights from a similar case study conducted in Palembang, Indonesia. The study adopted a qualitative research method. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to select participants with firsthand experience of recurring flood events and to reach hidden or marginalized knowledge holders in the study area. Primary data were collected via semi-structured interview and focus group discussions, and complemented with a review of government policy papers, previous academic studies, NGO reports, and historical flood records in Anambra State. The study identified six (6) themes: traditional flood prediction, adaptive housing, resilient agriculture, community-based response, declining indigenous knowledge, and institutional disconnect, as indicators for comparing with a similar case study in Palembang, Indonesia. Findings show that local communities used environmental cues like river behaviour, bird migration, and cloud formations to predict floods methods similar to those in Palembang. Traditional stilt houses made of mud and bamboo, and flood-resistant farming practices using yam and cassava, were common but declining due to urbanization and policy neglect. Social structures such as women’s groups and elders played essential roles in flood response, though these too were weakening. The study recommended the integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) with modern flood risk management policies for a sustainable flood adaptation strategy in Anambra State. 
Intersection Of Gender And Climate Change: Enhancing Resilience By Empowering Rural Women In Anambra State
Get PDFClimate change is a global crisis with far-reaching impacts across all demographics, yet its effects often intersect with gender, vulnerable populations, with women bearing the brunt of its adverse effects. Women, particularly in developing regions, play pivotal roles in resource management, agriculture, and community resilience being at the forefront of local climate adaptation strategies. This paper argues that understanding the intricate relationship between gender and climate vulnerability in rural areas as it affects women is crucial for building effective resilience. It explores the intense relationship between gender and climate resilience, highlighting the crucial roles women play in building community resilience and the ways they can empower the community to climate-related policies and programs. While women face issues and challenges, they also possess invaluable knowledge, skills and leadership qualities that make them agents of positive change in climate related issues. However, their contributions frequently go unrecognized, and they are often excluded from decision-making processes concerning climate action. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the gender-climate nexus so as to highlight the importance of women empowerment in climate resilience. The paper observes that climate change poses distinct challenges to women, particularly in the context of health, economic stability, and social structures. It identifies through literature, case studies that extreme weather events, food insecurity, forest depletion and loss of biodiversity disproportionately impact women\u27s livelihoods and increases gender-based violence. It analyses these dynamics and concludes by emphasising the necessity of integrating gender perspectives into climate policies and emphasizes the empowerment of women as important to effective climate action. Policy recognizing women as both agents and victims of climate change is essential for developing effective approaches that foster resilience, equity, and sustainable development in a changing world. The research therefore provides stakeholders and policymakers with recommendations to integrate gender considerations into climate action initiatives
Floating Architecture As Alternative Living On The Water To Tackling Housing Deficiency In The Niger-Delta Nigeria
Get PDFPart of the Global Environmental Problems (GEP) is the obvious rising global population which necessitates more demands for shelter. Some parts of Nigeria have more water spaces than lands for building developments. Such areas feel the rising cost of sand-filling of water bodies, building development, housing competence and climate change than others areas with lesser water bodies. Adding to lives and other properties, the Niger Delta area has lost buildings to flooding activities thus increasing the problems of housing deficiency. Floating architecture seems to be the alternative to living on the water to mitigate housing deficiency in the Niger Delta Nigeria. The research aims to propose a sustainable Floating Vernacular Architecture (SuFVA) for people living in riverine areas of the Niger Delta. It is necessary for the proposed Architecture to float due to rising sea levels in the event of flooding, thus, creating buildings that chart a resilient future to prevailing climate change and sustainable water management. Elements, such as building height, water depth and wave loads, moor and no moors, analyze the floating structure. This research is significant in bringing people closer to the natural and safe aquatic lifestyle even during floods, beautiful scenes, comfort, and lower energy bills. The disadvantage of living on the water will be limited space for storage. This study examines the visual and spatial characteristics of floating buildings. A qualitative approach using a naturalistic research method is employed. It surveys 11 floating houses in Tempe Lake as case studies employing observations and recording of physical details. It reveals that the houses consist of raft foundations, columns, roofs, doors, windows, floors, walls, roofs, and latrines. Other characteristics including functions, organization, circulation, orientation, an0d hierarchy are studied. It concludes that three categories of unique characteristics are adopted to set up the Floating Architectural concept safely
Innovative Technologies And Circular Economy Strategies For Sustainable Waste Management In Nigerian Urban Centers
Get PDFRapid urbanization in Nigeria has intensified the challenges of municipal solid waste management, contributing to environmental degradation, public health risks, and greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional linear waste management approaches characterized by \u27take-make-dispose\u27 have proven inadequate to address the growing waste volumes and complexities in Nigerian urban centers. 1). This paper examines the potential of emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain, to support circular economy strategies, that aim to reduce waste generation and enhance recycling. 2). Relying on secondary sources and case studies within Nigeria and comparable cities across the world, this study applies thematic analysis to identify technological interventions that foster circularity in waste management systems. 3). Findings reveal that while pilot projects employing smart bins, AI-enabled sorting, and blockchain-based traceability are still in pilot stage. The widespread expectation in its adoption would be hindered by infrastructural deficits, regulatory gaps, and limited stakeholder engagement. The paper argues for integrated policy frameworks that incentivize technological innovation aligned with circular economy principles, supported by capacity building among municipal authorities and communities. In advancing these technologies within a circular economy context, Nigerian urban centers can move towards sustainable waste systems that reduce environmental impact, create economic opportunities, and contribute to climate change mitigation. This research contributes to sustainability transitions literature by elucidating the nexus between cutting-edge technology and circularity in developing urban contexts