14 research outputs found
Food Insecurity Status of Rural Households during the Post-planting Season in Nigeria
No full textAbout two-thirds of rural households in Nigeria are engaged in crop and livestock production as their main source of livelihood. These households are especially vulnerable to chronic food shortages owing to adverse weather and the unavailability of enough food from home production, especially during the post-planting season. This study attempts a proper empirical identification of the food insecure and the reasons for their insecurity, through a profile of food insecurity indices and an investigation of the factors influencing their status during the post-planting season in rural Nigeria. We construct food insecurity indices and specify a probabilistic model, employing the post-planting visit data of the first wave of the General Household Survey-Panel (2010). Results showed that almost half (49.4 percent) of rural households in the country were food insecure during the post-planting period. Identified key rural food insecurity determinants include: gender of household head, tertiary education of household head, access to both formal and informal credit and remittances, household size, dependency ratio and living in the North-Central, North-East, South-East and South-West Geopolitical zones of the country. Since food availability remained below the required levels for large parts of the rural populace during this season, identified food insecure households should be targeted for safety nets
Food Insecurity Status of Rural Households During the Post Planting Season in Nigeria
No full textDespite various approaches addressing the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria, the country is still characterized by chronic food shortages particularly in the rural areas. This is an indication that the problem of food insecurity has not been adequately and critically analyzed. This study examined the food insecurity status of rural households during the post planting season in Nigeria using the recent nationally representative survey data. Results showed that about half of the rural households (49.4%) in Nigeria were food insecure during the post-planting season. Also, econometric analysis confirms that household size, education of household head, access to credit and remittances were among the major factors influencing the food insecurity status of rural households during the period. Thus, intensification of enlightenment on birth control measures, improved access to credit facilities and provision of safety nets for food insecure households during this period is pertinent
Descriptions as a Functional Semantic Tool in Ike’s Our Children Are Coming
No full textThis paper discusses the manner in which Ike, the author of Our Children are Coming uses character-descriptions as a tool for message projection in his novel. It adopts the systemic linguistic approach to the study of texts which bothers much about functionality. It relies on the model designed by Adejare (1992) and Jolayemi (2000) in which texts are bifurcated into First Order and Second Order. In Second Order texts, they assert, there exists a message which is projected through three different levels of meaning projection. Descriptions of characters constitute one of the features used in meaning projection at their third meta-level of interpretation of meaning. The paper discusses the different ways in which characters such as Chu Nwoke, Justice Okpetum, Mrs Edo, Chief Olabisi, Apolonia and Archdeacon Obi were described by the author to project the message of human apostasy in the text, the fact that humans are a combination of good and evil as exhibited in the Nigerian elitist materialism.
Hydrochemistry of a Tropical harbor: Influence of Industrial and Municipal inputs
No full textIn recent times, pollution hazards of coastal waters have increased due to human activities including sand mining and dredging, industrial effluent discharges, indiscriminate dumping of sewage and domestic waste, use of detergents and heavy metals. A study was carried out to assess the extent of pollution caused by industrial and municipal discharges in the Lagos Harbour. Composite samples were collected monthly from the Harbour at seven locations from June to November, 2009 (covering parts of the rainy and dry seasons) and analyzed for some pollution parameters and trace elements [(Temperature, pH, Conductivity, Turbidity, Salinity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Alkalinity, Organic matters (BOD, COD), Nutrients (NO3, PO4 and SiO4) and Heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Fe)]. Surface water of the Harbour was characterized by fairy constant temperature with a range of ( 25.67 – 28.33oC), alkaline pH (7.70 – 8.42mg/l), brackish salinity (7.00 – 22.47PSU), BOD5 and COD values of (0.80 – 3.33mg/l) and (6.10 – 11.30mg/l) respectively, total dissolved solids(6.00 – 19.00mg/l), dissolved oxygen content (4.13 – 7.60mg/l) which fell below FEPA limit of 10mg/l, alkalinity (8.00 – 15.33mg/l), low Nitrate value (0.08 – 0.12mg/l), moderately high Phosphate (0.57 – 1.60mg/l), high Silicate values (1.27 – 9.23mg/l), moderate concentration of heavy metals salts such as Cr (0.03 – 0.60mg/l), Pb (0.22 – 0.61mg/l), Cd (nd – 0.02mg/l, Fe (0.67 – 1.41mg/l) and high Cu values (4.53 – 5.55mg/l). Correlation between Salinity and heavy metals measured in this study were negative except Iron. Considering the values recorded for the pollution indicators, the harbor appears to be organically polluted. The temporal variability in some of these parameters could be attributed to influx of freshwater during the rainy season. @JASEM
Keywords: Pollution, Hydrochemistry, Harbour, Heavy metals
J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. Dec, 2011, Vol. 15 (4) 575 - 58
Hydrochemistry of a Tropical harbor: Influence of Industrial and Municipal inputs
No full textIn recent times, pollution hazards of coastal waters have increased due
to human activities including sand mining and dredging, industrial
effluent discharges, indiscriminate dumping of sewage and domestic
waste, use of detergents and heavy metals. A study was carried out to
assess the extent of pollution caused by industrial and municipal
discharges in the Lagos Harbour. Composite samples were collected
monthly from the Harbour at seven locations from June to November, 2009
(covering parts of the rainy and dry seasons) and analyzed for some
pollution parameters and trace elements [(Temperature, pH,
Conductivity, Turbidity, Salinity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved
Oxygen, Alkalinity, Organic matters (BOD, COD), Nutrients (NO3, PO4 and
SiO4) and Heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Fe)]. Surface water of the
Harbour was characterized by fairy constant temperature with a range of
( 25.67 – 28.33MoC), alkaline pH (7.70 – 8.42mg/l),
brackish salinity (7.00 – 22.47PSU), BOD5 and COD values of (0.80
– 3.33mg/l) and (6.10 – 11.30mg/l) respectively, total
dissolved solids(6.00 – 19.00mg/l), dissolved oxygen content
(4.13 – 7.60mg/l) which fell below FEPA limit of 10mg/l,
alkalinity (8.00 – 15.33mg/l), low Nitrate value (0.08 –
0.12mg/l), moderately high Phosphate (0.57 – 1.60mg/l), high
Silicate values (1.27 – 9.23mg/l), moderate concentration of
heavy metals salts such as Cr (0.03 – 0.60mg/l), Pb (0.22 –
0.61mg/l), Cd (nd – 0.02mg/l, Fe (0.67 – 1.41mg/l) and high
Cu values (4.53 – 5.55mg/l). Correlation between Salinity and
heavy metals measured in this study were negative except Iron.
Considering the values recorded for the pollution indicators, the
harbor appears to be organically polluted. The temporal variability in
some of these parameters could be attributed to influx of freshwater
during the rainy season
Hydrochemistry of a Tropical harbor: Influence of Industrial and Municipal inputs
No full textIn recent times, pollution hazards of coastal waters have increased due
to human activities including sand mining and dredging, industrial
effluent discharges, indiscriminate dumping of sewage and domestic
waste, use of detergents and heavy metals. A study was carried out to
assess the extent of pollution caused by industrial and municipal
discharges in the Lagos Harbour. Composite samples were collected
monthly from the Harbour at seven locations from June to November, 2009
(covering parts of the rainy and dry seasons) and analyzed for some
pollution parameters and trace elements [(Temperature, pH,
Conductivity, Turbidity, Salinity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved
Oxygen, Alkalinity, Organic matters (BOD, COD), Nutrients (NO3, PO4 and
SiO4) and Heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Fe)]. Surface water of the
Harbour was characterized by fairy constant temperature with a range of
( 25.67 – 28.33MoC), alkaline pH (7.70 – 8.42mg/l),
brackish salinity (7.00 – 22.47PSU), BOD5 and COD values of (0.80
– 3.33mg/l) and (6.10 – 11.30mg/l) respectively, total
dissolved solids(6.00 – 19.00mg/l), dissolved oxygen content
(4.13 – 7.60mg/l) which fell below FEPA limit of 10mg/l,
alkalinity (8.00 – 15.33mg/l), low Nitrate value (0.08 –
0.12mg/l), moderately high Phosphate (0.57 – 1.60mg/l), high
Silicate values (1.27 – 9.23mg/l), moderate concentration of
heavy metals salts such as Cr (0.03 – 0.60mg/l), Pb (0.22 –
0.61mg/l), Cd (nd – 0.02mg/l, Fe (0.67 – 1.41mg/l) and high
Cu values (4.53 – 5.55mg/l). Correlation between Salinity and
heavy metals measured in this study were negative except Iron.
Considering the values recorded for the pollution indicators, the
harbor appears to be organically polluted. The temporal variability in
some of these parameters could be attributed to influx of freshwater
during the rainy season
Using Urban Planners to Increase City Sustainability through the Development Process
No full textThis paper presents an experimental scenario aimed at bridging the gap between the cities we have and the cities we need, not only in the 21st century but also beyond, using the integrated tools of development control and holistic land development model to achieve a planner-led vision of city sustainability. Due to scathing criticisms against the development control system, the paper contends that planners as development approving officers and public interest specialists are better positioned than allied professionals to increase city sustainability through a holistic development process that benefits from the concept of strong sustainability posited by ecological economists. The paper adopts a seven-stage, 56-cell land development matrix (model) to simulate the development of the typical high-rise residential condominium in Ontario, supported with secondary data and the author&rsquo;s ground experience as a planner and realtor with condominium customer service experience across Toronto and Mississauga cities between 2008 and 2017. Findings reveal that planners can seize the opportunity of being leaders of the development team to synergize the risks and value creation in land development that are key drivers of strong sustainability. The paper suggests some policy implications for averting disasters like fire hazards and terror attacks in high-rise residential buildings.</jats:p
PHARYNGO-OESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN BODIES: OUR EXPERIENCE AT TWO FEDERAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.
No full textBackground/Aim: Foreign bodies (FBs) of the upper aero digestive tract often present as medical
emergencies and it is common in children especially under the age of five years. The aim of this
study was to present our experience with the management of Pharyngo-oesophageal FBs in two
federal health institutions in Nigeria over a 10-years period.
Methods: It was a retrospective study. Records of all the patients with pharygo-oesophageal foreign
bodies who were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency unit and ENT clinic was retrieved
from the hospital medical record department. The information that was extracted include their
demographic data, time of ingestion to presentation, presenting symptoms, type of FB ingested,
treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. X-ray soft tissue of the neck (anteroposterior and
lateral views) of the patients was also reviewed.
Results: A total of 57 patients have complete data for this study. There were 43 males and 14
females given a male to female ratio of 3:1. Their age range was 9 months to 86 years with a mean
of 32.8 ± 23.4SD. Majority (38.6%) of the patients are in the age range of 0-20 years. At
presentation, their major complaints were dysphagia (89.5%) and odynophagia (84.2%). More than
half of the patients (57.9%) presented within 24 hours of ingestion of foreign body. The most
common ingested foreign body was dentures, which were noted in 18(31.6%) patients. All patients
except one had rigid endoscopy. More than half (61.4%) of the FB impaction was seen at the upper
third of the oesophagus. Complications recorded are failed procedures in 3 (5.3%) patients, foreign
bodies were not seen in 2(3.5%) patients and one (1.8%) had subcutaneous emphysema.
Conclusion: Accidental foreign body ingestion of the oesophagus was still a major problem among
children. Commonest foreign object recorded in this study was denture. Large percentages of FBs
ingested were at home. Rigid oesophagoscopic removal is still the safest method of treatment.
Health education as to its prevention and early presentation to health facility will prevent morbidity
and mortalit
PHARYNGO-OESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN BODIES: OUR EXPERIENCE AT TWO FEDERAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA
No full textBackground/Aim: Foreign bodies (FBs) of the upper aero digestive tract often present as medical
emergencies and it is common in children especially under the age of five years. The aim of this
study was to present our experience with the management of Pharyngo-oesophageal FBs in two
federal health institutions in Nigeria over a 10-years period.
Methods: It was a retrospective study. Records of all the patients with pharygo-oesophageal foreign
bodies who were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency unit and ENT clinic was retrieved
from the hospital medical record department. The information that was extracted include their
demographic data, time of ingestion to presentation, presenting symptoms, type of FB ingested,
treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. X-ray soft tissue of the neck (anteroposterior and
lateral views) of the patients was also reviewed.
Results: A total of 57 patients have complete data for this study. There were 43 males and 14
females given a male to female ratio of 3:1. Their age range was 9 months to 86 years with a mean
of 32.8 ± 23.4SD. Majority (38.6%) of the patients are in the age range of 0-20 years. At
presentation, their major complaints were dysphagia (89.5%) and odynophagia (84.2%). More than
half of the patients (57.9%) presented within 24 hours of ingestion of foreign body. The most
common ingested foreign body was dentures, which were noted in 18(31.6%) patients. All patients
except one had rigid endoscopy. More than half (61.4%) of the FB impaction was seen at the upper
third of the oesophagus. Complications recorded are failed procedures in 3 (5.3%) patients, foreign
bodies were not seen in 2(3.5%) patients and one (1.8%) had subcutaneous emphysema.
Conclusion: Accidental foreign body ingestion of the oesophagus was still a major problem among
children. Commonest foreign object recorded in this study was denture. Large percentages of FBs
ingested were at home. Rigid oesophagoscopic removal is still the safest method of treatment.
Health education as to its prevention and early presentation to health facility will prevent morbidity
and mortalit
