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The evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins by insect pests is a major threat to Bt technology. However, the rate of resistance can be slowed with appropriate integrated insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. Surveys were conducted to identify alternate host species for Maruca vitrata (commonly called the legume pod borer or Maruca) that could serve as refuges for Pod-Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea in three West African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso). Survey sites included 25 in northern Ghana, 44 in northern Nigeria, and 52 in north-central and southwestern Burkina Faso. Alternate hosts of Maruca identified from plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family that showed signs of Maruca damage on cowpea tissues were collected and dissected. Larvae that were found during these dissections were reared to adult moths in the laboratory then identified to species. The alternate host plants including species of Crotolaria, Sesbania, Tephrosia, and Vigna were the most frequently encountered among sites and locations. Flowering and podding of these plants overlapped with flowering and podding of the nearby (~200 m) cowpea crop. Abundance of these wild hosts and overlapping flowering patterns with the cowpea crop in most locations have the potential to sustain ample numbers of Bt susceptible Maruca that will mate with possible resistant Maruca and deter resistance development. Further quantitative studies, however, are required from each location to determine if actual Maruca production from alternate hosts is sufficient for a PBR IRM strategy. If verified, this approach would be compatible with the high dose/refuge IRM strategy that includes alternate hosts and non-Bt crops as refuges.

Water is one of the most valuable natural resources for existence of any form of life. This study investigates the sources of water supply and distribution in Okene Town, Kogi State. To this end, data on various aspect of water supply such as sources of water, frequency of supply and uses of water were collected. The random sampling technique was used to select a total of 120 households for the survey to generate data which were analyzed in descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables, graphs and charts while the Chi square analytical technique was employed in testing the postulated hypothesis guiding this work and concludes that there is no significant variation in water supply in Okene Town. The Economic Approach as well as The Impact Analysis Approach were used in the analysis demand, supply and consumption of water by households. The findings from this work shows that most respondent within the study area get their water from pipe borne source, after moving a distance of between 20- 40 meters and employ the water to domestic uses. Households are faced with a number of domestic water supply problems including irregular water supply, long distance from water supply source, inadequate coverage of pipe distribution networks and inadequate fund to procure water such problems were tackled by provision of street boreholes, street wells, rain harvesting systems and provision of long lasting water project such dams and tap by Plateau State Water board. It was recommended that, government should make and execute policies that are targeted towards providing sufficient sources of water supply and distribution for the residents of Okene Town. People should adopt a self-help approach to solve the problems of water supply for domestic purposes, much can be achieved where the community unite together and involve in self-help projects.

A lot of waste is generated and littered along roads, waterways on a daily basis. The aim of the study is to assess solid waste management to wealth in Minna municipal, Niger State. Two hundred and forty eight (248) scrap metal and plastic collectors, artisan recycler was studied using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. In the analysis of the research, both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Tables, percentages and multi linear regression techniques were used for analysis and presentation of the research. The major findings are organic waste account for 48.39% of the waste generated. On the quantity of waste collected for recycling. 60.48% account for 25kg weekly. While 4% collects above 100 Kilograms. Aluminium utensils such as Pots, Frying Pan, account for 32.26% of the value-added products from the recycling of solid waste. While 24.1% from organic waste such as soil additives. The average monthly income for about 52% was N20, 000 which is even higher than the minimum wage. Furthermore about 40% of waste management entrepreneur are employer of Labour, while 19.35% of the respondent employ more than 6 people for the processes involved in recycling. A high percentage of 54 are self-employed. Their main source of income comes from processing of waste. The following recommendation is necessary to create more awareness on bow to generate wealth from solid waste. Environmental education should be included in the curriculum. Each and every individual should be sensitized on how to keep the environment clean to boost the environmental sanitation. Separation of waste should be done at the source of generation; it makes it easier to reprocess than when it is mixed up. The multi linear regression analysis revealed that the quantity of waste collected have significant impact on income generation with coefficient of 125 while the coefficient of multiple determination (R2) indicates a total variation of 99% at 5% level of significance. But with deficiency of availability of recycling plant the sector is not being optimized due to these challenges. The government should try to establish industries where one hundred percentage (100%) raw materials are derived from waste. The practice will drastically reduce the number of unemployed and clean up the street.