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- ItemOpen AccessImpact of Ido-Osun dumpsite In Osun state, Nigeria on soil nutrient, possible heavy metal uptake by edible and herbaceous plants within the dumpsite.(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Rufai, Abdulfatai BabatundeThe impact of the establishment of the dumpsite on soil physical and chemical properties, amount of heavy metals in soil and selected plant species growing on the site; and the phytoremediation potentials of the plant species were assessed. This was with a view to providing information on the level of heavy metals accumulation in the soil and exploring the potential of the plants in phytoremediation. Ten (10) matured specimens each of Zea mays, Talinum triangulare, Amaranthus hybridus, Corchorus olitorius, Solanum nigrum,Bidens pilosa and Laportea aestuans were randomly collected from the dump and control sites. The collected plant samples which were taken to the laboratory were separated into roots, shoot and the reproductives, and oven-dried at 60°C to a constant weight and ground. Profile soil pits were established at the sites to assess the soil physical and chemical properties. Soil samples were also randomly collected at 0 - 15 cm depth using soil auger from the dumpsite and control site. The collected soil samples were air-dried, ground and sieved through a 2-mm sieve. Both the dried soil and plant samples were analyzed for Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Hg, total C, organic carbon, N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Na using standard methods. The results showed that the levels of nutrients, exchangeable cations and heavy metals accumulation were higher in the roots for most of the plant species in the dumpsite except for C. olitorius that was consistently higher in the control site, while in the shoot, the levels of N and P were significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) in the dumpsite. Most cations (except Na) were not significantly different (p ˃ 0.05) at the sites. The amounts of Mn, Fe and Zn were significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) in the dumpsite for all the plants studied except in Solanum nigrum where Fe, Zn and As were higher in the control site. There was also a significant (p ˂ 0.05) difference in the exchangeable cations, heavy metals and nutrients in the soil except for N in the dump compared to control site. The soil profile results showed no clear pattern in the level of nutrients, exchangeable cations and heavy metals determined across the layers in both sites. The levels of nutrients and heavy metals accumulation were significantly higher (p< 0.05) at the dump site compared to the control site. The Translocation Factor was greater than 1 in C. olitorius and Z. mays for all the heavy metals in the dumpsite except for Manganese that had a Translocation Factor greater than 1 in the plants in the dumpsite.The Biological Concentration Factor greaterthan 1 was only found for Fe in A. hybridus, L. aestuans and T. triangulare in the dumpsite. The Biological Accumulation Coefficient greater than 1 was only found for Fe in Z. mays and C. olitorius in the dumpsite. The study concluded that the dumpsite had impacted positively on the soil nutrients, and the accumulation of heavy metals increased in the plants studied.
- ItemOpen AccessPlanning for recreational activities in Calabar city centre(Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, 1984) Ukene, DanielPlanning for recreational activities does not seem to be receiving serious attention from Policy makers in Nigeria. Although the Nigerian economy is currently undergoing serious crises, this should not affect planning for recreational activities. Intact, it has been observed that recreation has always constituted an important part of people's lives: in history no matter their level of poverty. This thesis is aimied at raising the awareness. of the community decision makers and the people generally of the importance of having and organising recreational activities in Calabar City Centre. It is observed in the analysis that the Cross River State Government and the Calabar Municipal Council have only paid lip-service to the recreational needs of the city Centre dwellers. The proposals put forward are derived from the study of the existing deficiences and anticipated future recreational needs of the people in the case study area. The proposals have been so drawn as to be within the reach of the financial capability of the people. They have also been designed to respect their socio-cultural background and be of physical and Psychological benefit to the individuals. The successful implementation of the proposals put forward calls for a high degree of coordination to ensure that the right amount of resources, is available at the right time and in the right place.
- ItemOpen AccessElectronic payment system adoption and performance of trading enterprises in Lagos State,Nigeria(Economics,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2014) Aruleba, Ojo FelixThe study examined the extent of electronic payment adoption among trading enterprises and assessed the challenges confronting the trading enterprises in adopting electronic payment channels in Lagos State. It also examined the effect of the adoption of electronic payment on performance of trading enterprises. These were with a view to examining the impact of electronic payment system adoption on performance of trading enterprises in Lagos State. Primary sources of data collection were used for this study. The data were sourced in four dense and concentrated market- places in Lagos State, namely: Alaba Suru, Lagos Island, Alaba International and Ladiipo Markets. These traders specialise in the sales of electronics, spare parts, marbles and tiles. The study population were traders who operate electronic payment system. Purposive sampling technique were used in selecting 100 traders who operate electronic payment system in each of Alaba Suru, Lagos Island, Alaba International and Ladiipo Markets, totally 400 respondents. A detailed structured questionnaire was employed to elicit information from eligible respondents on variables such as use of technology, age of the owner/manager of the enterprise, business strategy, operating location, size of the firm, and electronic payment channels. Data collected will be analysed using both descriptive and econometric techniques of analysis. Results of the analysis showed that majority of the respondents have continued to patronize electronic payment system since the inception, due to the fact that the system is more convenient, secure, and easy to use and saves time than the traditional or paper-based means of payment. While only few traders did not concur that the electronic payment is convenient, secure, and easy to use and saves time for their payment transactions. The result further showed that the traders were confronted with various challenges; internet/e-fraud, dilatory network, and frequent breakdown of machines, and power failure when using electronic payment system for their payment transactions. However, analysis of the Logistic model showed that there was significant negative relationship between electronic payment channels, operating location and the performance of the traders (t = -3.159, -3.76; p < 0.05), it also showed that there was significant positive relationship between interacted variables (that is computer literacy*point of sale, computer literacy*Mobile payment and computer*electronic funds transfer) and performance of the traders (t = 2.281, p < 0.05). When the size of the firm and business strategy were confirmed, the result also showed significant positive relationship with the performance of the traders (t = 4.380, p < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that the effect electronic payment system adoption on performance of the trading enterprises was negative.
- ItemOpen AccessSurvey of parasites of cockroaches in Ile-Ife, Osun State(zoology,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Ogungbe, Adesayo OluwasunThis study determined the parasitic fauna harboured by cockroaches and their possible role as potential carriers of parasites of medical importance in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to determining the prevalence and intensity of the identified parasitic species and the possible co-infection between them. Cockroach specimens were collected randomly from ten different locations within Ile-Ife metropolis using traps made from jars coated with a thin film of Vaseline baited with banana. The traps were placed at the selected locations at 19:00 hours and retrieved at 7:00 hours in the morning. The trapped cockroach specimen were placed in labeled containers and transported to the laboratory for identification and further processing. Morphological identification of the cockroaches was carried out using standard identification keys. The lengths of the cockroaches were measured from the tip of the head to the tip of the abdomen (in centimeters). External body surface of the cockroach was washed with 2 ml of sterile saline into a petri dish, which was then centrifuged at 2000 rpm for five minutes. The supernatant was decanted and the residue was collected using a Pasteur pipette unto a clean glass slide, stained with 1% Lugol’s iodine solution and then examined under light microscope at a magnification of X400. Eggs of helminth parasites and cyst and oocyst of protozoan in the residue were identified based on the observed morphometric data. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools. A total of 505 cockroaches comprising of two species were randomly collected and 201 (40.0 %) of the cockroaches harboured parasitic organisms. One hundred and twenty (23.8%) of the 304 Periplaneta americana collected harboured parasites while 81 (16.2%) of the 201 Blatella germanica collected had parasites. Twelve medically important parasites were encountered on the external surface and they include oocyst of Isosporasp., Toxoplasma gondii, Eimeria sp; cysts of Endolimax nana, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma haematobium, Dipylidium caninum, Raillietina sp., Taeniasp., Toxocara sp. and an unidentified helminth egg. There was no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) between the cockroach species. The study concluded that the two cockroach species, Periplaneta americana and Blatella germanica harboured many parasites species which are known to cause intestinal parasitosis in humans and have potential of transmitting these parasites to human.
- ItemOpen AccessCorrelations of activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in some enviromental matrices with prevalence of cancer in Southwestern Nigeria(Physics and Engineering physics,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Adeola, Mary OluwayemisiThe study obtained the distribution of cancer prevalence in some part of Southwestern Nigeria, determined the activity concentration and radiological parameters of naturally occurring gamma emitters in some environmental matrices from the selected area in the region, established an association between cancer prevalence and radiological parameters and correlated the reported cancer prevalence with other variables such as occupation and age of patients. This was with a view to correlating cancer prevalence with the geographical distribution of patients’. The available data of cancer prevalence between 2010 - 2014 was obtained from the Ife-Ijesha Cancer Registry. Geo - spatial technique was employed to identify geographical areas with varying registry reported prevalence of cancer in South West Nigeria. Five Local Government areas (Ondo West, Ondo East, Idanre, Akure South, and Ifedore) with different cancer prevalence were selected. Five soil and water samples were collected from each of the selected Local Government and taken to the laboratory for evaluation of gamma radioactivity using a CsI detector. Furthermore, a survey meter was used at each sample collection point to determine in situ gamma dose rate in air. The results showed that the entire five class- intervals with varying prevalence of cancer were represented in Ondo State. The activity concentration of 40K ranged from 86.68 ± 2.89 to 561.92 ± 18.56 Bq/Kg, 238U were 20.26 ± 2.09 to 344.34 ± 35.44 Bq/Kg and 232Th ranged from 3.29 ± 0.56 to 83.4 ± 14.21 Bq/Kg in soil. The activity concentration of 40K ranged from 6.62 ± 1.93 to 58.98 ± 5.76 Bq/L with a mean of 28.53 ± 3.65 Bq/L, 238U were 9.66 ± 2.33 to 19.40 ± 3.30 Bq/L and 232Th were 0.36 ± 0.13 to 0.59 ± 0.16 Bq/L in water. There was a positive linear correlation value between K-40 in soil and water and cancer prevalence. Also, positive linear correlation was recorded between U-283 in water and cancer prevalence. Others radionuclides show a negative correlation with cancer prevalence. The result showed that all radiological parameters in water except for the external hazard index showed a strong positive correlation (value) with cancer prevalence. Furthermore, noting that two LGAs with wide disparity in cancer prevalence (Ondo West n = 53 and Ondo East, n = 4). The activity concentrations of all three families of radioactivity were found to be higher in Ondo West which has the higher cancer prevalence. The p-levels of the differences were respectively for K-40 (p = 0.025), U-238 (p = 0.066), and Th-232 (p = 0.081) in soil; and K-40 (p = 0.30), U-238 (p = 0.23), and Th-232 (p = 0.17) in water. Nature of cancer was correlated with other variables as occupation and age of registry reported patients; their p-values were 0.5123 and 0.3592 respectively. This result shows a negative and weak relationship between ages, occupation of cancer patients and reported cancer incidences. The study concluded that there was a significant association between radioactivity in water and cancer prevalence in Southwestern Nigeria.