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In a world marked by shifting climate patterns, a growing human population, and rising demand for ruminant-derived protein, producers face the need to implement strategies that enhance productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), promote adaptability, and improve the sustainability of milk and meat production while optimizing resource use. One promising strategy to address these challenges is the adoption of silvopastoral production systems, which combine livestock with trees and shrubs. These systems are widely used in Latin America due to their proven benefits in terms of production, reduced emission intensity, land utilization efficiency, and other ecosystem services. Transferring technology from one region to another necessitates adapting these techniques to suit the receiving environment. This review suggests that the successful silvopastoral systems employed in the Latin America context can be effectively introduced in Nigeria, offering potential advantages for livestock owners. The research encompassed in this review demonstrates that the utilization of silvopastoral systems in ruminant farming can contribute to achieving several sustainable development goals, including enhancing food security, increasing milk and meat yields, supporting conservation efforts, bolstering biodiversity, and reducing GHG emissions. At the level of individual farms, the adoption of silvopastoral systems (SPS) can enhance the stability and resilience of farmers' livelihoods, boost milk production, facilitate animal growth, and improve animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient depletion is one of the major causes of decreased crop yield, and a threat to food security and sustainable crop production. NutMon-toolbox was used to determine nutrient flows and partial nutrient balances of maize-based smallholders' farming system. Data was collected using structured questionnaire from 15 randomly selected farmers, with five farmers each in three villages. Composite soil samples were also taken from each of the three plots. At crop maturity, samples of crop products and residues were randomly taken from the selected fields. Nitrogen, P and K contents in soil and crop material was used to calculate nutrient flows and partial balances. Results obtained revealed that mineral fertilizer flow, averaged 349.20kg N yr-1 and 81.45kg K yr-1 and were lower than 376.65kg N yr-1 and 431.44kg K yr -1 organic input. However, phosphorus in mineral fertilizer (55.78kg P yr-1) was higher compared to phosphorus (51.06 kg P ha-1 yr-1) in organic input. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for maize seeds and crop residue were all negative. The partial nutrient balances were positive 53.45kg N ha-1 yr-1 and 79.40kg K ha-1 but negative 1.10kg P ha-1 yr-1. Harvesting of crops for food, without incorporation of crop residue into the soil, were the most important sources of nutrient mining in smallholder production system. Integrated soil fertility management practices that favour the buildup of soil organic matter and use of animal manure should be encouraged through effective extension services at Ikara, Kaduna State, Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the avifauna within the mangrove forests along the Epe Lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria, with a focus on promoting sustainable tourism. Its primary objective was to establish a foundational knowledge base for future research endeavors and to aid in the development of conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding bird diversity. The research site was divided into three zones: undisturbed forest, secondary forest, and wetland areas. Bird species diversity was assessed using the line transect method, with a total of 30 transect lines randomly distributed across the study area, with 10 in each zone. These lines were surveyed three times a week over three months, encompassing both wet (May, July, and September) and dry (November, January, and March) seasons in 2023. Surveys were conducted from 6:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., during which all birds observed on the ground, in vegetation, or flight were identified and counted. The findings revealed a total of 198 bird species belonging to 44 families and 18 orders, with an abundance of 481 individual birds recorded in the study area, highlighting its significance in supporting bird species diversity. Analysis of the family composition of bird species identified Pycnonotidae as the most abundant with 13 species, followed by Muscicapidae and Accipitridae, each with 12 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is among the vital fruit vegetables cultivated globally for its health and nutritional benefits. However, its production has been hindered by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci G.) infestation worldwide. This study aims to assess the effect of some bio-pesticides in the control of whiteflies on eggplants under field conditions. The trial consists of seventeen (17) treatments replicated three times for 45 days. From the results obtained, neem leaf extract (60 mL/L) proved more effective against whiteflies, with 1.2 and 1.3 adults/leaf, while buttermilk and cow dung (50 mL/L) were less effective (10.1 and 10.8 adults/leaf) when compared to untreated plots (26.9 and 33.4 adults/leaf), two weeks after the third spray during the first and second trials. The highest reduction (%) in whitefly population was found using neem leaf extract (95.7 and 96.1%) and cow urine (85.8 and 96.1%), with cow dung and buttermilk exhibiting the least overall averages (65.9 and 62.3%), two weeks after the third spray during the respective trials. Neem extract and cow urine were more effective among the treatments examined and, thus, recommended to be incorporated into control strategies of whiteflies for the improved production of eggplants in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the threats posed by cybercrimes toward the quest for achieving a reliable digital economy and to identify practical strategies for countering the crime. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative phenomenological paradigm was used as the methodology. Both primary and secondary sources were consulted for data collection. A thematic analytical interpretation was used for data analysis. Findings: This study discovered that Nigeria is a leverage environment for using digital economy as a means of diversifying the economy owing to population bulge, and an increase patronage of internet and digital space but the threats of cyberfraudsters is ostracising a substantial number from using it which is decreasing the performance of the digital economy. Research limitations/implications: The research is limited by the scarcity of resources to widen the horizon of the study particularly the fieldwork and the rampant incidences of cybercrime in Nigeria which poses a difficult task for studying the phenomenon. In addition, this study is constrained by the confidentiality in releasing data owing to the sensitivity of the subject of study and its relationship to national security. Practical implications: This study presents some suggestions that are plausible in countering the crimes and enhancing the digital economy in Nigeria through effective surveillance, massive information and communication technology (ICT) awareness creation for users and severe penitent sanctions for cybercriminals will help in securing digital spaces. Social implications: This study has social implications including the suggestion for simplifying digital transactions that will save time, increases economic activities and passive multiple stream income for Nigerians and ease of doing business with less risk of robbery and other cumbersome tasks. Originality/value: This study has originality value because after the survey of the existing literature, a field work is conducted to have the views of experts on the subject of study which adds value to the subject and originality of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nigerian housing development industry can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 11, through innovative construction adoption, for optimizing affordable housing. This paper presents a framework developed through a mixed research methodology. Using a purposive sampling technique, 397 private developers, and members of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) in Lagos and Abuja were selected. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), were integrated to develop a conceptual framework, used to generate a questionnaire. An Adoption Support Framework (ASF), which is an inclusive diagrammatic representation of a five-stage innovation-decision process model, showing relationships between housing stakeholders -social structures and driven by the exchange of technical data through communication channels in a social system, was developed from data analyzed using nonparametric test, descriptive statistics, regression analysis and SPSS version 22. The ASF is characterized as being transferable, and having the capacity for abstraction and theoretical generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion and Culture permeates the life of every human being as well as every society throughout the world. Every religion and culture has norms, values and acceptable standards reflected in its doctrines and ways of life. By inculcating in adherents and members of the society these norms and values, religion and culture are expected to act as agents for sustainable development in Nigeria. In-spite of this, Nigeria is facing problems of underdevelopment that are evidenced in the educational sector, social, political and economic deterioration. This paper therefore seeks to discover the reason for the lack of development and look at the various roles religion and culture can play in the sustainable development of Nigeria. The paper adopted phenomenological approach and discovered that, vices like corruption and materialism contributes largely to this underdevelopment and that religion and culture can play cardinal roles in growth of our society for sustainable development. The paper recommends that Religious leaders, Traditional rulers, Custodians of morality and Government at all levels should not isolate religion and culture to the background since the two could be found in every strata of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good Governance promotes fundamental grounds of participation and democracy which bring forth implications for sustainable economic development in a contemporary society. The study examined the role of libraries in promoting a transparent electoral system towards good governance for the attainment of sustainable development in Nigeria. In carrying out this study, three research questions were raised to guide the study.A descriptive research survey was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 125 librarians. The instrument used for data collection was an online questionnaire and an interview. An online Google form was used to administer the questionnaire through theLibrary WhatsApp platform, out of which 50 librarians responded.The technique used was simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution and percentages were used to compute the data based on the responses recorded from the online Google form. The results of the survey show that electoral fraud, electoral violence, electoral irregularities, ignorance, corruption such as vote buying, and faking election results are some of the factors affecting a transparent electoral system towards the achievement of good governance for the attainment of sustainable development. The recommendations werethatNigerian libraries should provide unbiased access to information for users to politically participate as citizens during their country’s selection of choice leadership. There is a need forinclusion and participatory governance such as appointing a librarian as Special Assistant (SA) to the government on Library Matters among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes research carried out to evaluate the mineralogical, geochemical and technological properties of indurated shale-quarry wastes and assess the suitability of these low-cost and locally available quarry wastes generated from crushed indurated shales for possible use as alternatives to fresh raw materials in the manufacture of roofing-tile products. Firstly, the mineralogical and chemical properties of the indurated shales were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence, while their physical properties were identified by grain-size distribution, Atterberg limits, and clay activity. Samples of indurated shale-quarry wastes (ISQWs) were subjected to heat treatment at elevated firing temperatures to provide the required strength and durability and their ceramics properties (linear shrinkage, weight loss, water absorption, bulk density, and flexural strength) were determined. From the results, the ISQWs were composed predominantly of fine particles with medium plasticity and clay activity with values generally >0.75. The mineralogy revealed a predominance of aluminosilicates (illite-kaolinite-smectite-chlorite) with large quartz contents and variable percentages of carbonate and feldspar. The oxides were dominated by SiO2 and Al2O3, small amounts of ferromagnesian minerals, and considerable amounts of alkalis (K2O and Na2O) which act as fluxes. The CaO concentrations were variable and related to carbonate contents. Characterizations based on compositional ternary (total clay mineral-carbonate-quartz + feldspar) systems, Casagrande clay workability charts, and Winkler and McNally diagrams revealed their suitability for ceramics applications as the majority of ISQW samples fell within the specifications for roofing tiles. The ISQWs fired at a high temperature of 1000°C revealed considerable weight loss, reduction in both linear shrinkage and water absorption with insignificant increase in flexural strength. In order to achieve excellent ceramics properties and further reduce sintering temperature for their suitability as raw materials in the production of roofing tiles, beneficiations of ISQWs are highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the abrupt variations in lithology and structures associated with crystalline basement terrains of southwestern (SW) Nigeria, reliable evaluations of aquifer properties are essential for the management and protection of groundwater resource. For this purpose, single-well pumping and recovery tests were carried out in wells within the various bedrock terrains of Ibarapa region of SW Nigeria to evaluate the discharge, drawdowns, storage capacity, transmissivity, recovery rate and other well inventory with the aim of evaluating sustainable groundwater yield within the diverse geological terrains of the region of study. From the results, the average (av.) groundwater discharge (in m³/day) for wells in areas underlain by amphibolite was 72.05; 53.45 in gneisses; 68.27 in migmatite and 64.33 in granitic terrains. In the respective order of geological settings, the total drawdowns in wells were 10.70 m, 21.99 m 17.69 m and 15.58 m and transmissivities (in m²/day) were 6.85, 2.57, 0.76, 1.72, while specific capacity values (in m³/d/m) were correspondingly; 7.67, 3.10, 4.00 and 5.54. The recovery tests showed that wells in granitic terrains were characterized by better water recharge than in other terrains. However, groundwater yield in amphibolite and to a lesser extent in gneisses were quite sustainable and the rates of groundwater recovery though moderate sustained continuous discharge for hours of continuous pumping. It is therefore mandatory to develop a reticulation system in this region so as to cater for water supply in areas underlain by granite and migmatite at the central and north-eastern part of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important factors of improving productivity in agricultural production is efficient utilization of inputs and having knowledge of production input elasticity and any socioeconomic characteristics of farmers that may be associated with production efficiency. This study assessed the status of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) adoption and the link to efficiency in production of maize among farmers in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 370 maize farmers across Local Governments Areas and communities in the two States. Primary data were obtained from the farmers through questionnaire administration on their socio-economic characteristics, sustainable practices adopted, maize production resource use, and costs during farm season by the farmers. Analysis of data were carried out using descriptive statistics Stochastic Frontier Production and Stochastic Cost Function. The study showed that adoption of SAPs among farmers was generally low except for the use of improved seed that was adopted by more than 50% of the farmers. The parameter estimates of the production function showed that farm size (β = 0.4318, p<0.05), seed (β = 0.1077, p<0.05), fertilizer (β = 2197, p<0.05), labor (β = 0.1527, p<0.05), herbicide (β = 0.1329, p<0.05) and insecticide (β = 0.0921, p<0.05) have positive significant influence on the farm output. Socioeconomic factors influencing technical inefficiency were education, household size, farming experience, extension contact and access to credit while SAP factors influencing technical inefficiency were agroforestry and improved variety. Rent on land (β = 0.1788, p<0.01), price of seed (β = 0.0629, p<0.10), price of labor (β = 0.0984, p<0.01) and price of herbicide (β = 0.4117, p<0.01) were the significant variables in cost model. Socioeconomic factors influencing cost efficiency were age, farming experience, extension contact, and access to credit. SAPs factors affecting cost efficiency were use of organic manure, cover cropping, agroforestry, crop rotation and mixed cropping. The estimated average technical, allocative and economic efficiency were 0.59. 0.56 and 0.31 respectively. Adoption of different SAPs options was found as determinant factor of production. Farmers are encouraged to embrace SAPs to increase their productivity with present available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, poor access to improved water and sanitation remains a major contributing factor to high morbidity and mortality rates among the populace. Thus, access to water supply and sanitation is essential for sustainable development. In this study, a cross sectional descriptive survey method was adopted. Data were collected via questionnaires and observational checklist which were designed to extract information on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The data were then, analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26.0). Four hundred and twenty (420) semi-structured questionnaires were administered to households in Ekosodin Community. Three hundred and ninety seven (397) copies were retrieved and thus analysed. Results indicated that 374 (94.2%) households reported having access to water and that borehole was their main source of water supply. Over 130 (32.7%) household reported not treating their water before use. Types of toilet facilities frequently use by households were water closet system (flush toilet) 243 (61.2%) and pit latrine 85 (21.4%). However, households practice open defecation at low levels 6 (1.5%). Solid waste disposal methods mainly adopted by households are: open dumpsite 224 (56.4%) and burning 150 (37.8%). Majority of the households cleaned their water storage containers every six months or annually. Results further revealed that most of the respondents 382 (96.2%) practice hand washing after toilet 82 (20.65%), before cooking 79 (19.89%), before eating 55 (13.85%) and every other time 94 (23.6%) excluding the aforementioned, after cooking, after eating and after handling children’s faeces. It was observed that 243 (57.9%) houses have no drainage system, 237 (56.4%) have no waste storage facility, 312 (74.3%) have refuse dumpsite and 354 (84.3%) did not have odour of excreta in the surrounding. It was deduced from this study that households have poor access to adequate WASH facilities/services. Hence, it is recommended that water supply infrastructures, sanitation infrastructures and promotion of hygiene should be enhanced in order to improve access to adequate WASH facilities/services in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the role and challenges of micro small and medium scale building construction enterprises in boasting the Nigerian economy. Three purposes and three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted for getting opinions from the target population. The populations of the study consist of site clerks, contractors and estate developers randomly sampled to a sample size of 60 respondents. This is made up of 20 site clerks, 20 contractors and 20 estate developers. A 42 items structured questionnaire on 4 point scale was developed and used as instrument for data collection. The entire instruments administered were collected back. The method of data analysis adopted was mean and standard deviation and the decision rule was based on the average of the 4 point scale which is 2.50. The findings of the study identified the roles and challenges of small and medium scale building construction and some strategies for improving the role of small and medium scale businesses were determined which include: the provision of adequate funding accessible for entrepreneurs, by creating a conducive atmosphere to encourage the development and growth of building construction enterprises in Nigeria. One of the recommendations made was, to emphasize, support, and facilitate the role of small and medium scale building construction enterprises in the development of the economy by relevant authorities and stakeholders in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the love of variety as propounded by Dopamu vis-a-vis sustainable development is a topical issue in the global community. The love of variety depicts love for diversity or plurality. This forecloses that followers of religions should pursue a multi-religious agenda where theologians are discovering a God who resists domestication into any single theory of how the universe is. The absence of this has adversely affected unity let alone sustainable development. This study adopts historical and hermeneutical methods, leading to the fact that the twenty-first century global community stands in dire need of inter-religious dialogue and co-existence. Therefore, this great and sustained conversation will offer a modest and continuous contribution to peaceful co-existence and sustainable development in Nigeria in particular and the entire global community in general. The paper concludes that the love of variety would help to sieve the incompatibles as evident among Christians and Muslims, and utilize the areas of common interest as model for overall sustainable development in contemporary Nigerian Society and the world in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for cultivation of forage grasses to feed animals, as a way of ameliorating the clashes between herders and crop farmers cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, this study was conducted during 2019 at three diverse agro-ecological zones in Kwara State, Nigeria to assess the yield potential, stability, and the possibilities of improving forage yield through secondary traits. Hence, three forage grasses (Elephant grass, Pennisetum purpureum; Gamba grass, Andropogon gayanus; and Ruzi grass, Brachiaria ruziziensis) were laid out in randomised complete block design (RCBD) wherein data was collected on vegetative, stress index traits and yield and were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Traits with significant G × E were subjected to stability analysis using genotype × genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI). Structural equation model was used to depict the association between yield and secondary traits. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) difference among forage grasses for yield and other traits, hence, they are amendable to selection and improvement through breeding efforts. AMMI and GGE biplot effectively identified the best and most stable forage grass as Pennisetum purpureum (28.59 t/ha) for general adaptations, and Ruzi and Gamba for target environments. Plant height, number of tillers, leaf area, dry matter content and stay green are valuable secondary traits that are employable in improving forage yield. Pennisetum can meet the feed demand of herder’s animals, which, if adopted for cultivation and use, can reduce the incessant crises between farmers and herders in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to mitigate the effect of pest had been through the use of chemicals, which often leave residues in cocoa beans. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with Sustainable Tree Crop Programme (STCP) promoted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Nigeria. There is dearth of information on the challenges confronting cocoa farmers to use IPM hence a need for investigation. The study utilised a three-stage sampling procedure to select respondents from Cross River state. Trained farmers (10%) were selected using a systematic random sampling to obtain a total sample of 271. Field data were collected with Interview schedule on socio-economic, enterprise characteristics, and challenges faced by respondents in IPM adoption. Analysis was done with descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test hypothesis. The male respondents were 83.4% while the female were 16.6%. Very few (2.6%) of the respondents produced more than 4,000 kg of cocoa beans per annum. Age of farm with a weighed score of 244.5 was rated as the highest severe factor affecting IPM adoption. Negative relationship exists between challenges and adoption behaviour which was significant (r=-0.236, p=0.000). Challenges had high effect on adoption of IPM by cocoa farmers and yield was low. There is need for farm rehabilitation due to old age to boost yield and sustain cocoa production in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is an agreement between a public organizations and Organized Private Sectors (OPS). Four ecotourism sites in Nigeria were used for this study. Stratified sample technique was used to select 368 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using 5-point Likert-type scale; the contingent valuation method was applied to find the tourists' total willingness to pay the new gate fees and for other recreational facilities and services in the ecotourism sites resulting from the proposed PPPs management model. Maximum likelihood estimation of the Logit regression coefficient was applied to find the factors influencing the tourists' willingness to pay. Results showed that respondents strongly disagreed with the present management system of the ecotourism sites with a mean score of 1.38. Result of the tourists' willingness to pay increased considerably, ranging from 40.59% to 133.83% above the current prices. Result of the logit regression model revealed that bid amount, age², and estimated annual income, among others, were the variables that influence the tourists' willingness to pay. Anew sustainable and efficient PPPs management model was proposed for the ecotourism sites that can be adopted in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of macroeconomic instability on Nigeria’s quest to attain the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations by 2030. The impact of macroeconomic instability was viewed from three different perspectives which are: as a source of macroeconomic outcome, domestic sources, and external sources of instability. The structural vector autoregressive model and the generalized forecast error variance decomposition were adopted to gauge the shortterm and future impacts of attaining these goals. Findings from the study suggest that the impact of instability resulting from macroeconomic outcome have been moderate. Nevertheless, they are not to be taken for granted. While shocks from domestic sources have not been really preventive in attempts at meeting the set goals. Shocks from external sources, and specifically emanating from oil price, constitute a huge cause of concern if Nigeria is to achieve the set goals by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is centered on roles of Library and Information Professionals (LIPs) towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The highlights of the paper are: understanding the context, content, and commitment of the SDGs, the expected roles of Library and Information Professionals (LIPs) towards the realization of SDGs, the strategies for actualizing the SDGs by Library and Information Professionals (LIPs). Expected roles such as creating of awareness on SDGs, organizing of continuing education programme, establishment of viable community information centre, partnering with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), translation of SDGs documents into local language and provision of information resources/services to support institutes for disadvantaged people were extensively examined. The position of the paper is that expectations are high for library and information practitioners in the sustainability of developmental goals. The paper concludes that as information providers and managers, it is imperative that achieving the SDGs by 2030 through the provision of qualitative and enduring information services should be given priority. Intensive lobbying and advocacy, reviving of public libraries in Nigeria, re-engineering of school libraries, sustainable partnership and collaboration were recommended as key strategies to the actualization of the expected roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was an attempt to investigate to which extent participatory communication is adopted in communication interventions in Nigeria. Three selected developmental projects in Cross River State were studied. Four objectives and four research questions were raised to guide the study. Participatory Communication Theory (PCT) was adopted as the theoretical underpinning of the work. It also collected data through quantitative and qualitative research methods. The questionnaire was the main data gathering instrument. Data gathered was analysed using simple percentage. One of the findings in the research is that participatory communication should be adopted across every level of development projects as it has been considered as a veritable component that fast-tracks development/community projects. The researcher therefore, concludes that, participatory communication is a salient approach of communication that facilitates development projects. To achieve success, priority should be given to the component of participatory communication when carrying out community projects. Consequently, it has been recommended that, participatory communication should be adopted across every level of development projects as it helps development agents to engage the people to know their pressing needs and to avoid situations where projects that are worth millions of naira are not utilised by the beneficiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of school library in the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria should be given adequate attention. School library is an organized collection of print and non-print materials carefully selected, described and systematically arranged in a school for use of teachers, pupils and students to aid the attainment of educational goals. School libraries are different from other libraries as they are integral part of primary and secondary schools with the sole aim of providing instructional materials to enrich the curriculum to supplement classroom instructions and to create awareness in children on wide range of knowledge, be it social, economic or environmental. Availability of such knowledge in various school library resources plays a vital role in stimulating children's interest in the process of sharing a nations values and meaning. It then becomes necessary that school libraries in Nigeria be given adequate attention as it stands as a veritable means of relaying sustainable development information to children from generation to generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1954, the Nigerian political scene has witnessed the formation and dissolution of several electoral and governing alliances; however, none was anchored on compatibility and glued by ideology. All, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (an alliance of four parties), were/are anchored on political expediencies and the unrestrained desire to seize power, sit on the structural frame and control the system of rewards. This article examines the prevailing political situation that led to the formation (in 1964) of the United Progressive Grand Alliance, UPGA by two erstwhile politically irreconcilable parties - the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) and Action Group (AG). It posits that the formation of the alliance had no modicum of ideological underpinnings but was purely an outcome of the precarious political situation both parties found themselves. The article argues that one of the reasons for lack or absence of sustainable development in Nigeria is the fact that members of the political class convoke alliances for the purposes of winning elections and not to initiate and drive national development. It concludes that since an alliance whose members are ideologically estranged would almost always fatally fail; the UPGA did not only turn out to be a fatal failure; it arrested the political, social and economic development of the newly independent state and, alongside its inveterate rival, the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA), contributed immensely to the chain of events that sounded the death knell of Nigeria's First Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change is the main driving force of global environmental change and is considered as very central to the ongoing debate on sustainable development. Even though large volume of literature materials is available of land use/land cover (LU/LC) change for many areas, very little is known of it in the floodplain of the Sokoto Rima River Basin of Nigeria despite the basin's strategic importance. Thus, this study characterized the basin's LU/LC and its change using computer-based digital classification of near-anniversary Landsat 5 TM imagery of November 23, 1998, and Landsat 8 OLI of December 2, 2013. The results of the digital classification were complimented with field-based observations on major observable characteristics of every LU/LC identified. Thirteen classes (forest area, dense grassland, grassy fallow, grazed open grassland, open cultivation, open grain fallow farmland, pepper cultivation, rice farmland, scrubland, sugarcane farmland, dry bare land, sand deposit and wetland/water) were characterized and the nature and extent of their changes assessed. 40 % of the basin's uses is under cultivation, 22 % is under fallow, 27 % is either degraded or non-cultivable, while 11 % is forested. Change events include forest loss, increase in area cultivated, expansion of shrub/scrubland and pervasiveness of grazing. The changes were more pronounced in the upper than either the central and southern segments of the basin. In general LU/LC changes in the basin are reflection of increased human population pressure and effects of climate change. The LU/LC patterns and changes suggest underutilization and mismanagement of the floodplain which have impact on soil, hydrology and biodiversity with serious implication for livelihood and food security. The study recommends that interventions are needed to promote enhanced and sustainable management of land, water and vegetation resources in the basin, with particular emphasis on empowering the local land users to participate actively toward sustainable management of the floodplain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria is rich in tropical hardwood, most of which comes from the rainforest belt of the country. Nowadays, trees are felled indiscriminately in forests set aside by government as reserves, as well as in open forests. This study, therefore, examined the environmental effects of deforestation for immediate socio-economic satisfaction. Data were collected from both direct field observation (DFO), Landsat remote sensing and questionnaire administration at various locations within the forest regions. The study reveals that environmental impact is most severe on the northern verge of the forest belt where charcoal production has led to the disappearance of many species of valuable hardwoods resulting in savanna encroachment, migration of wild animals as well as high rate of nomadic in-migration to the area. Hardwoods that are resistant to drought are preferred by the charcoal producers. Gradual extinction of these trees brings about increase in run off, erosion and desertification. Recommendation was made for sustainable use of our natural vegetation by keeping sufficient trees for future need, and also to safeguard our soils and rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pre-colonial times, African people survived by acquiring and preserving community knowledge of the environment and the relationships between human and non-human elements. The paper is based primarily on secondary data, and examines the relationships between African people, especially Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and the land and how understanding this relationship can help our quest for a more effective and sustainable regional planning. The study investigates the indigenous Yoruba Ecological Thoughts and Beliefs and how these affected the ways people have interacted with the environment. The result shows that there is a lot that modern planning can gain from the culture-environmental relationships of the indigenous people. Indigenous knowledge is the cornerstone of several convergent trends in social science thinking and development administration practice. With the failure of grand theories of development, social sciences focus on middle-range theories that are site - and time-specific (indigenous knowledge). Both traditional knowledge and modern science and technology should be complementary in the development process and should be properly integrated. People are the subject of development. Development is supposed to suit the people and not the people to suit development. If Africa does not learn this lesson now, all our efforts at the development will be in vain, because Africa is ultimately only as strong as its communities are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing agriculture, industrial and urban growth have resulted in the rapid and an haphazard development of groundwater resources through indiscriminate abstraction in the Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. This has resulted in stress on groundwater, especially in areas with complicated geologic formations where reliable data are lacking. This paper focuses on understanding the hydrogeological characteristics of the different aquifers using an integrated approach. The methods applied are hydrogeological surveys together with interpretation of geological, geoelectrical and hydrochemical data. The results reveal six hydrogeological zones (HZs): HZs 1 (igneous and metamorphic rocks), 2 (sandstone and siltstone), 3 (massive, baked and fractured shale), 4 (sand, gravel, silt and clay), 5 (carbonate rocks) and 6 (basic intrusive rocks). Estimates of groundwater reserves indicate that the HZ 1 has the largest reservoir of stored fresh groundwater, estimated at 332,637.00 × 106 m3, while the highest yield is estimated to be 1085.53 m3/d from HZ 4. Groundwater chemistry showed that Na+ and Ca2+ dominated the cations, while Cl− and HCO 3 − dominated the anions. In general, major chemistry of the water is controlled by atmospheric input, weathering of silicate, carbonate minerals and ion exchange. In terms of drinking and irrigation quality, the groundwater showed low values of total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, dissolved oxygen and NO 3 − at few locations, while more than 50% of the samples have excellent quality for irrigation use. However, higher values were recorded in HZ 2, due to occurrence of brackish water. • Study described the hydrogeological characteristics of a complex geologic terrain. • Delineate and characterize different aquifers using an integrated approach. • Estimation of aquifer parameters from pumping test and resistivity sounding. • Identification of the processes controlling the chemistry of groundwater and assessment of quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the impact of capitalization of the Nigerian capital market and it's on the growth of the Nigerian economy. The paper employs annual time series data from 2001 to 2012(12 year period) collected from various issues of Central Bank of Nigeria's Statistical Bulletin and Annual Report and statements of Accounts of Nigeria Stock Exchange. A regression analysis was adopted in computing the interaction between the capitalization of the Nigerian capital market and Nigeria's economic growth. The empirical results showed that, there was unidirectional causality between capitalization of the stock market and economic growth, which ran from economic growth (GDP) to capitalization of the stock market (MCAP) at 5 percent significant level. The paper concludes that the Nigerian capital market needs to create more confidence to investors, especially in terms of transparency and accountability, for sustainable and increasing capitalization necessary for sustainable economic growth in the country. Furthermore, the paper recommends expansion of the Nigerian Stock Market by the government creating an enabling investable environment, that will increase both the volume of transactions and number of stocks traded in the market. This will improve their ability to mobilize resources and efficiently allocate them to the most productive sectors of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper makes a case for robust data management in Nigeria as well as presents road safety approachesthat required data collection, analysis, management, sharing and dissemination for sustainable road safety in Nigeria. It therefore points out the relevance of data management for worthwhile safety programme. This paper advocates for a veritable database with reliable, accurate and up-to-date information on road traffic crashes, mortality rate, high risk areas, driver's license, vehicle population, road audit survey, traffic count, offenders, offences, personnel and other important details which can be stored, retrieved, updated, maintained, processed and shared forcomprehensive analyses as well as make evidence-based policies on road safety issues in a sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers had generally observed that inappropriate tourism development often leads to increased stress on destinations' physical and sociocultural characteristics. The Redemption Camp being a world renowned religion tourist destination has been susceptible to physical environment degradation over the years. This paper therefore aims to assess Redemption Camp residents' perception of positive and negative impact of tourism on the physical environment of the redemption camp. The data for this study were obtained through a questionnaire survey of 146 households' heads or their representatives. The sample was selected through a random sampling technique. Descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square analysis were employed to analyse the results. From the results it can be concluded that many natural resources in the redemption are endangered as a result of religion tourism. It is therefore recommended that town and land-use planning authorities should be involved in safe-guarding the natural areas, water bodies, and sustainable conversion of wild land to tourist sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an evaluation of the employment role of Cart Pushing in Metropolitan Lagos and how it sustains the operators and by extension family members. Currently, Lagos accommodates 65% of industries in Nigeria, which account for the attraction of people from every part of Nigeria in search of jobs. The consequence could be daily observed in the ever growing number of unemployed people aimlessly roaming the streets of Lagos. The reality of not having a job by these migrants has stimulated so many innovations; one of such is the ever growing number of commercial cart pushers with various types and designs meant for different purposes. Data used for this paper was collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered on commercial cart pushers that operate within the Okokomaiko/Mile2 traffic corridor. The paper evaluated some of the factors that significantly influence the profit profile of operators through Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The paper has captured the various types of carts, their designs, volumes and the different wares they move and their modes of operations. The paper revealed the ethnic dimension of this business and observed that most of the operators are of northern extraction. The paper examined its contribution to the GDP of the state through payment of taxes and other levies. Finally the paper posits that improved management of this line of business could take the form of increased availability of carts through reinjection of profit into operations, improved finances through soft loans from the various micro finance banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic importance of mining, whether small- or large scale, both to countries and host communities, has been recognized. However, mining operations are also known to have significant deleterious environmental consequences. With the current level of global concern about the environment couched within sustainable development thinking, and observed increasing conflicts between mining companies and their host communities over environmental concerns, it becomes imperative to understand the environmental perception of mining host communities and how their perceptions shape their actions and relationship with the companies. Using a checklist assessment of environmental concerns, the current paper sought to gauge how residents of a mining community (Ikpeshi District) perceive the environmental outcomes of small scale solid mineral mining in their environment. It was observed that residents are aware of, as well as worried about, the level of perceived environmental damage occasioned by mining in the area. Major issues of concern are water pollution, collapse of buildings as result of vibrations from blasting explosives and noise pollution. It was concluded that, although such environmental consequences seem unavoidable in a mining setting, they could be more efficiently managed especially in view of their connection with the community's livelihood and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need to maximize the potentials of artists with special needs for sustainable development in Nigeria. The qualitative research design was adopted and interviews were applied. The findings show that though some artists live with severe, mild or moderate disabilities, they are resourceful. They have the ability to perform artistic and inartistic activities. Regrettably, Nigerian governments, the management of arts institutions and civic bodies have not usefully engaged or explored the capabilities of the artists with disabilities into the nation's work force. This paper concludes that one of the ways to manage the potentials of artists with disabilities, and improve their lives is for the government, civic bodies and arts administrators to provide them full and productive employment, and work. Alternatively, they should be provided with infrastructure to enable them establish, manage and own artistic business ventures towards selfreliance and self- sufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria's biofuels policy advocates the adoption of cassava as feedstock for a 10%-biofuel substitution option in Nigerian transport fuel demand. This policy option is expected to address energy security and environmental consequences of using fossil fuels as the sole source of transport energy in the country. This paper appraised the technological and economic factors necessary for achieving Nigeria's cassava-based biofuel initiative at different substitution levels of 5, 10, and 15% by the Year 2020. A multi-stage energy forecasting and project analysis framework adapted from Coate's structure for technology assessment, as well as engineering economy methodology was used for the study. Technological analysis entailed determining petrol consumption projection, R&D capability, input feedstock requirements, environmental considerations and land requirement for feedstock crop production while engineering economy analysis evaluated the economic viability of the project. The results showed that petrol consumption in Nigeria and bioethanol substitution requirements were in the range of 18,285.7 - 19,142.84 thousand tons and 914.28 (5% low demand) - 2871.43 (15% high demand) thousand tons, respectively by 2020.Cassava feedstock and landmass requirements for bioethanol production were in the range of 4.64 - 14.53 million tons and 4.08 - 12.80 thousand sq. km, respectively while carbon dioxide savings were between 1.87 - 5.89 million tons by 2020. The recovery price for cassava bioethanol was estimated to be US$ 0.74/litre (N 111/litre). Petrol being subsidised presently is harmful to the environment though it 'oils' the economy. Nigeria currently subsidizes petroleum products to the tune of 28% of 2011 budget. The government plans to remove this by 2012. Thus we conclude that weighing both economic and environmental benefits of bioethanol substitution in petrol consumption in Nigeria, the study showed that bioethanol production from cassava feedstock would be both technically and economically viable, provided subsidy, which depends on political will on the side of the government, is introduced for the first ten years of its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adoption and implementation of sustainable biodiversity conservation are essential for sustaining protected areas. But development of effective strategies to achieve them is problematic. This is often because of limited knowledge about the impact of biodiversity conservation policies on livelihood of indigenous people. This study uses dichotomous choice format to examine willingness to engage in the conservation of an indigenous leafy vegetable –Gnetum africanum Welw. The empirical data were generated from three communities in the vicinity of the Okwangwo Division of the Cross River National Park, Nigeria. The data were analyzed with the aid of the binary logit model. The study showed that the respondents’ mean willingness to pay per year to conserve the leafy vegetable was 7% of their income from non-timber forest products. The decision to conserve the leafy vegetable was influenced by factors such as cost associated with conservation, income from non-timber forest products, the distance of the respondent''s residence to the Okwangwo Division, education and occupation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Technological change has affected most aspects of farm enterprises in Nigeria in the past few decades with many positive and negative consequences on the entrepreneurs. The study investigated the extent of this change and the effect on rural farm enterprises in southeastern Nigeria. It also attempted assessing the technical changes in relation to the perceived negative consequences to find out if the changes were neutral and/or biased to those consequences. Data were collected from 200 farm entrepreneurs from four out of nine states of southeastern Nigeria by the use of interview schedules. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used as the analytical tools. The major finding was that technological change was neutral to most of the perceived negative consequences associated with change. Most of the problems were institutional and farm entrepreneur related. The study recommends that all the identified agencies, institutional and social problems relating to technological adoption and use in farms in the area must be tackled if the needed transformation of agriculture is to be achieved in the new century. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Agricultural programmes are implemented in sub-Saharan African countries to stimulate rural economic development. One such programme is the Presidential Cassava Initiative (PCI) in Nigeria aimed at reducing poverty and food insecurity, but there is a limited study on contribution of the programme to cassava output and food security. This study estimated the effects of the PCI on cassava output and food security in Nigeria. A three-stage multivariate linear regression model was applied in the empirical analysis. The results showed that the PCI has increased cassava output; promoted food supply; and enhanced national food security. The study concludes that agricultural development interventions are required to achieve a sustainable food supply and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. It is recommended that exit strategy should be incorporated in designing agricultural interventions to enable beneficiaries to enjoy sustainable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: With the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) identified in 1986, the management of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has evolved through the years. The emergency phase of the HIV/AIDS program, aimed at containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic within a short time frame, was carried out by international agencies that built structures separate from hospitals' programs. It is imperative that Nigeria shifts from the previous paradigm to the concept of Commonization of HIV to achieve sustainability. Commonization ensures that HIV/AIDS is seen as a health condition like others. It involves making HIV services available at all levels of healthcare., Methods: Excellence & Friends Management Consult (EFMC) undertook this process by conducting HIV tests in people's homes and work places, referring infected persons for treatment and follow up, establishing multiple HIV testing points and HIV services in private and public primary healthcare facilities. EFMC integrated HIV services within existing hospital care structures and trained all healthcare workers at all supported sites on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment modalities., Results: Commonization has improved the uptake of HIV testing and counseling and enrolment into HIV care as more people are aware that HIV services are available. It has integrated HIV services into general hospital services and minimized the cost of HIV programming as the existing structures and personnel in healthcare facilities are utilized for HIV services., Conclusion: Commonization of HIV services i.e. integrating HIV care into the existing fabric of the healthcare system, is highly recommended for a sustainable and efficient healthcare system as it makes HIV services acceptable by all.

For centuries, mushrooms have been appreciated as sources of food nutrients and pharmacologically important compounds useful in medicine. Yet not all the medicinal properties of mushrooms have been exploited. The above statement is more pertinent to mushrooms that are indigenous to Nigeria. There are inadequate data on the identity and medicinal properties of these wild mushrooms. Information on the ethnomedicinal uses of some mushrooms such as Pleurotus tuber-regium used for headache, stomach pain fever, cold, constipation; Lentinus squarullosus for mumps, heart diseases; Termitomyces microcarpus for gonorrhea; Calvatia cyathiformis for leucorrhea, barreness; Ganoderma lucidum for treating arthritis, neoplasia; G. resinaceum used for hyperglycemia, liver diseases (hepatoprotector); G. applanatum used as antioxidant and for diabetes had been gathered through survey. The above information is mostly obtained from traditional herbalists who in most cases will not disclose their preparation compositions. A lot of these mushrooms are obtained only in the wild. Scientific documents of the identities and medicinal properties are still scanty. Preliminary studies on some species of Temitomyces, Lenzites and Lentinus species showed that they possess appreciable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Moreover, molecular characterization also reveals that they are not 100% homologous with existing sequences under the same name in GenBank. It is therefore pertinent that well structured studies on their ecology, identification and medicinal uses be carried out. This will make the full exploitation of the medicinal potentials of mushrooms indigenous to Nigeria realizable.