Remote sensing and GIS forest landscape assessment for sustainable forest management

This study set out to assess the dynamic characteristics of the Ikere forest reserve landscape between 1985 and 2017 using remote sensing data and spatial metrics. Landscape of the study area maintained complex patterns of spatial heterogeneity over the years. Forest cover loss to other land cover types results in new large non-forest area at increasing rate. As at the year 2017, the changes in land cover types were not yet at equilibrium, thus the need to determine the future forest cover extent using a three-way markov Chain model. The decrease in number of patches of forest land (NumP) with increase in its mean patch size (MPS) shows that the forest is becoming a single unit probably due to clearing of existing patches of forest trees. The decrease in class diversity and evenness (SDI and SEI) of the general landscape over the years strengthens this assertion. The findings of this study would be very helpful to government and other stakeholders responsible for ensuring sustainable forest and general environment. Keyword: Landscape, Spatial metrics, sustainable forest and Environment

The effects of oil palm leaf meal-based diets on the growth performance and haematological indices of Red Sokoto goats

An experiment was carried out to determine the growth performance and haematological indices of Red Sokoto goats placed on oil palm leaf meal (OPLM)-wheat offal based diet. Six goats aged 12-18 months, weighing 15 – 20kg were randomly assigned to three treatments, comprising two animals each in a Completely Randomized Design. Each animal received 1kg of the diet daily for 56 days and weighed weekly. Results showed that final body weight was significant (P<0.05) with goats on T3 having the highest (21.50kg). The feed intake, body weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significantly different (P<0.05). T3 had the highest feed intake (305.35g/d), highest body weight gain (90.84g/d) and the best FCR (3.36). Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed in the Red Blood Cell (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb) counts, ranging between 3.12 - 4.20x106ml; 23.00 -30.50% and 7.70 - 10.15g/dl respectively with goats on T3 having the highest. The inclusion of OPLM enhanced body weight gain, FCR, RBC, PCV, and Hb counts of the goats. Therefore the oil palm leaf meal diets are recommended for better goat production. Key word: Growth performance; Oil Palm Leaf meal., Blood profile., Creatinine., Red Sokoto Goat.

Consumption pattern of chicken and consumer awareness of unwholesome practises by some dressed chicken smugglers In Oyo Town, Nigeria

Oyo town has a large concentration of poultry farms in Oyo state. This will in no small way influence the meat choice of the people of the town. This study was carried out to determine the consumption pattern of chicken and the unwholesome practices by dressed chicken smugglers in Oyo town, Nigeria. A total of 100 questionnaires were purposively administered to chicken consumers in thestudy area. Also, a multistage sampling method was adopted with the study area divided into three, on Local Government Area (LGA) basis. in the first stage. In the second stage, 30 questionnaires were administered in each of Oyo East and Oyo West LGAs while 40 were administered in Atiba LGA. Data from the table show that majority of the respondents were female (62%), aged between 20 – 39 years (46%) and had tertiary education (54%). From the table, 22% claimed affordability as the reason for chicken purchase while 72% preferred dressed chicken to live chicken.The results also show that 56% of the respondents ate chicken weekly and 47% of them made their purchases from farms and farm outlets. Factors considered to influence purchases were affordability (30%) and availability (24%). Only twenty four percent (24%) of the respondents were aware of the unwholesome practices by dressed chicken smugglers while 46% of those aware saw the consumption of smuggled chicken as hazardous. Key words: Oyo town, chicken consumption, chicken preferences, dressed chicken smugglers, food safety

Exploring the impacts of religious tourism on development: (A case study of Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria)

The Redemption Camp is unarguably one tourism destination that has fascinated many among the Christian and non-Christian folks. Religious sites are among the most visited tourism destinations in the world; people have visited Redemption Camp in their thousands and millions in recent times more than any known tourism destination in Nigeria. The evidence for these realities is attributed to the selfsustainable status the Camp has attained over the years and the increased rate at which it continues to attract visitors. Development in terms of infrastructure and socio-economic activities in Redemption Camp and the neighbouring host communities is evident, arising primarily from tourism activities. This reality underpins the impacts of religious tourism on the development. The study x-rays development, as enhanced by the activities of religious tourism in the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria. The research employs participant observation, unstructured interviews and key informants interviews. The key informant interviews elicited facts on Redemption Camp as a religious tourism destination while the unstructured interviews examined visitors’ attitude as religious tourists. The study specifically identifies the role religious tourism played and is still in the development of Redemption Camp as wellas the spill over effects on the residents and the host communities. Factors that enhanced religious tourism activities in the Camp include the provision of efficient transportation mode, stable electricity, comfortable accommodation and clean water supply. Tourismattractions within the camp which have earned the camp its self-sustaining reputation are: the Redemption Resort, The Redeemer’s High School. Redeemer’s Maternity Centre, Banking Institutions, Open Heavens International Centre, Emmanuel Park and the main auditorium which sits over two million attendees. It is recommended that, with the growing spate of expansionary activities in the Redemption Camp, the management should ensure necessary precautionary measures in place to guard against disrupting the environmental harmony the redemption camp is known for. Key words: Tourism, Religious tourism, Development, Redemption Camp

Anti- nutrient contents of herbs used in the treatment of “ailments of ‘‘utmost native importance” in Cross River State, Nigeria

The use of herbs as medications are enthusiastically recognized and extensively utilized in rural regions and in most developing countries. The lack of knowledge of the anti-nutrient contents of herbs reduces their use by the educated ones. To unveil these in the treatment of “ailments of utmost native importance” in Cross River State, this research carried out anti-nutrient analysis of the species used. Identified plants were separated from weeds and washed with water. The plant parts were processed and their extracts prepared according to the method described by Kumar et al., (2007). Hydrocyanic acid was estimated by the alkaline titration method, oxalate was determined according to procedures stipulated by Day and Underwood (1986) while phytic acid was determined using methods stipulated by Reddy and Love (1999). Results revealed that Phytic acid, oxalate and hydrocyanide all had low levels ranges of 2.47mg/100gDM to 6.17mg/100g DM, 12.82mg/100g DM to 30.41mg/100g DM and 1.62mg/100g to 6.23mg/100g DM respectively. Findings shows that these anti-nutrients are not within harmful ranges, and as such cannot interfere with the availability of potentially useful nutrients embedded in the species. These are below lethal doses to inflict any injury on humans. Keywords: Herbs, Anti-nutrients, Ailments, Lethal dose, Efficacy.

A survey of chicken marketers in Oyo Town, Nigeria

There is an increase in the commercial activities of chicken marketers in Oyo town as a result of the town fast becoming a poultry hub in Oyo state. A survey was therefore conducted on the activities of chicken marketers in the town. A multi-stage sampling method of the chicken marketers in the town was employed. In the first stage, the town was divided into three, based on Local Government Area(LGA) basis and 30 questionnaires were administered in each of Oyo East and Oyo West LGAs, while 40 were administered in Atiba LGA. in the second stage, making a total of 100 questionnaires. From the study, majority of the respondents were female (58%), aged between 20 and 39 years old (61%). The study also revealed that majority of the respondents (61%) sourced their chickens from local farms. Also, eighty eight percent (88%) of the respondents were aware of the ban on poultry products in Nigeria, while 55.55% of those who engaged in poultry product smuggling did so because of high profitability. The study revealed that 78% of the respondents sold their products dressed while the major challenge of the marketers was poor electricity supply (63%). Majority of the customs officers in the study area, claimed encounter with dressed chicken smugglers frequently while burning and burying of the contraband chickens was the major method of disposal adopted by the custom service. It is recommended that the customs service be better funded for efficiency and effectiveness. Key words: Oyo town, chicken marketers, chicken smugglers, food safety, Nigeria Customs Service

Effect of alley plants species and plantain cultivars on yield of ita 331 upland rice in Umudike southern Nigeria

Alley cropping or hedgerow intercropping is one of the many sub-systems of agroforestry technology. A 5 x 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used to determine the effect of four alley woody species and three plantain cultivars on the yield of ITA 331 upland rice grain in the 2017 and 2018 farming seasons. The Alley species, plantain cultivars and Alley species x plantain cultivars treatment interactions showed no significant effects (p>0.05) on ITA 331 upland rice grain yield. Student t-test on the two farming seasons showed significant increase in yield of ITA 331 upland rice grain in 2018 than in 2017. The non-significantly different rice grain yield in the alley species treatment plots could be due to the generally high nutrient release of the decomposed legume-based alley species. Agroforestry combination of alley plants species and plantain cultivars is suitable for ITA 331 upland rice production. Key words: alley cropping, yield, ITA 331 upland rice grain, alley woody species, plantain cultivars

Growth performance of Khaya senegalensis seedlings influenced by provenances and latitudinal gradients in the nursery

Seedling growth performance is germane and pertinent in plant variables when analyzing tree provenance trials as it indicates its adaptability of the seed to the environments/habitat. The study was undertaken to examine the comparative studies on seedling performance of Khaya senegalensis at nursery stage in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Seeds from four sources in different States in Nigeria: Oyo, Borno, Jigawa and Kano States were collected and planted to observe their morphological attributes. Seedlings variables (Plant height, collar diameter and number of leaves) were observed and recorded fortnightly for sixteen (16) weeks after germination was completed. It was observed that seeds from Oyo state performed best while seeds from Kano state had the least performance. Provenances variation indicate genetic and environmental differences that can be utilized for afforestation programmes and thus, this study recommends the seeds from Oyo state for large scale afforestation since it performed best. Keywords: Khaya senegalensis, seed provenance, seedling height, collar diameter and number of leaves.

Campaign for development, social movement and revolution

Social movement and revolution are tools used to shape social changes. Social movement aims to advance a group’s agenda either by rectifying cultural drifts, social disorganizations and social injustice but revolution aims to unseat the government or to transform the entire political order. Based on archival evidence, this article examines the impact of social movement on the manifestations and modifications of specific socio-cultural policies of democratic governments in Nigeria. Though there are commonalities and differentials between social movements and revolutions, there is a strong linkage between the two concepts. Social movement is largely an event on a micro-level while revolution is on a macro-level. Social movement engages limited violence and often resorts to thoughtful persuasion, but revolution enlists unlimited violence that manifests in gritty coercion. However, recently in Nigeria, a number of online social movements have developed and they strive to give voice to the voiceless in the socio-political structure, as well as gaining recognition online and offline, so as to promote social development within the polity. Karl Marx upholds that conflict is inevitable in the social structure yet it can be concluded that most of the fundamental developments in human history, such as national independence, democracy, social justice, social inclusion and civil/human rights have been won on the platform of social movement. There are hierarchical or stratified social relations in the society which breeds social struggle within the class systems. Unequivocally, social movements are bound to arise wherever social conditions are unfavorable. Key words: socio-cultural, social movement, revolution, development

Yeast and lactic acid population relationship in palm wine and their effects on the production of ethanol in Enugu Ezike south eastern Nigeria

Palm wine produced traditionally and consumed by many people in the South eastern part of Nigeria is a whitish liquid formed by naturally fermenting the sugary sap from various palm plants. In this study, we evaluated the population of yeast and lactic acid bacteria in palm wine with regards to its ethanol concentration from three communities in Enugu Ezike, Enugu State. We monitored the isolation of microbial population as well as biochemical characteristics of fermenting palm wine samples using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. The fermentation step was performed within time interval and completed after 48hrs. Its acidity increasedprogressively with the production of lactic and acetic acids by bacteria.During the fermentation, palm wine microbial numbers (log10 CFU/ml) varied between 1.6 x104 to 7.6 x107 for yeast and 4.5 x 104 to 7.8 x 107 for lactic acid bacteria respectively. Similarly, pH and alcohol level of palm wine samples during the fermentation varied between 3.0 to 5.8 and 0.2 to 5.3 respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in both yeast and lactic acid bacteria population at 24hrs. At this time, there was an increased metabolic activity, leading to an increase in ethanol production. At 36-48hrs, there was a slight decrease in both the lactic acid bacteria and the yeast, indicating a reduction in source of carbon.The analysis of the yeast and the lactic acid bacterial population revealed different yeast and bacterial population. Bacteria compete with yeast for nutrients during ethanol production process, potentially causing economic losses. Therefore, it is important to have a better understanding of the abundance and the change in population of lactic acid bacteria and yeast throughout the bio-ethanol process in order to achieve design a more efficient relationship in lactic acid, yeast and ethanol production processes. Keywords: Bacteria, ethanol, lactic acid, palm wine, yeast