THEME:
SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL RESEARCHES IN ATTAINING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY
DATE:
4th August, 2016.
VENUE:
CONFERENCE HALL, ADMINISTRATION COMPLEX, OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, OSHOGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
PROCEEDINGS
- DO NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS AND OPEN SPACE INFLUENCE THE VALUES OF SURROUNDING HOUSING PRICES? A RESEARCH REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
ALIYU AHMAD ALIYU1, HARUNA ADAMU1, MOSES JONATHAN GAMBO1, UMAR AUWAL1 AND DANIEL RAYMOND1,
1Department of Estate Management and Valuation, Faculty of Environmental Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
An attractive environment is likely to influence house prices. Houses with an attractive environment will have an added value over similar less favorably attractive ones. The presence of trees and forests can make the environment a more pleasant place to live, work, and spend leisure time and thus makes substantial improvements in individual well-being, including opportunities for leisure out in the yard or in the neighborhood, reduced heating and cooling costs, privacy, and the lack of a need to construct fences or screens. While a number of studies have implicitly examined the effects of open space on home values, few have done so explicitly. Furthermore, relevant studies have had a narrow geographic focus. Most of the previous studies have relied on narrow definitions of open space and have lacked, consequently, a generality by which to draw stronger conclusions. Based on the extensive review carried out, it was discovered that, parks appear to have a positive impact on property values. This suggests that communities that plan for parks and recreational open space will have higher property values and generate greater property tax revenues for local government than those areas lacking such amenities. Future research should devote to developing a comprehensive model with more factors and conducting more empirical studies from a large number of actual transactions. Computing the total benefits from preserving open spaces, and the distribution of these benefits across residents, remain important areas for future research.
Keywords: Housing Price, Neighbourhood, Open Space, Parks and Property Values.
- CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF AGRICULTURAL DATA MANAGEMENT IN KOGI STATE OF NIGERIA
SIMPA ONDEKU JAMES1, NMADU J .N2, ALADE M .A1
1Department of Agricultural Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nigeria. 2Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Minna
ABSTRACT
The paper investigated the challenges and prospects of agro-data and statistics in Nigeria using Kogi State as a case study. The various constraints and factors of prospect in agro-data management were examined. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to elicit information from 180 farmers and 30 extension agents proportionately and randomly selected from three LGAs in Kogi State. The data was analyzed using Likert scaling, weighted average and ranks, charts and Student t-test distribution. The results showed that there are two kinds of constraints; farmers’ related and institutional problems, facing agricultural data collection and processing in Nigeria and there is no significant difference between the influences of the two types constraints. These constraints make collection of agro-data difficult and statistics inaccurate and unreliable. However, there are prospects for overcoming the challenges if certain factors are considered such as increase in budgetary allocation and training of personnel among others. It was recommended that the extension education of farmers should be improved, farmers should be involved in the planning stage of farm survey, and free farm record books might be given to the farmers, Statiastical officers and enumerators should be trained and re-trained and logistics and infrastructures be provided.
Keywords: Agro-database, Agricultural statistics, Farmers’ related Constraints and Institutional Constraints.
- KNOWLEDGE OF RISK FACTORS AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE IN NIGERIAN POLYTECHNIC (CASE STUDY OF THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, BAUCHI)
ADEBUSOYE MICHAEL1, SAMUEL E.O2 & ANTHONY GLORIA3,
1 & 3The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Department Of Nutrition & Dietetics, Bauchi -State. 2The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Department Of Food Science & Technology, Bauchi -State.
ABSTRACT
Adolescent pattern of fast foods consumption and their perception of this practice, as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have not been fully explored.This study was designed to assess fast food consumption pattern and the perception of it as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduates of Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. The study was descriptive cross-sectional in design. One hundred and eighty five students were recruited using systematic random sampling method from the two halls of residence. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the consumption pattern of fast foods. Simple descriptive statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and T-test were computed using SPSS version 16.0. The age range of respondents was 18-34 years, 58.4% were males, 93.5% singles and 51.4% of their parents were employed. Majority (100%) were aware of fast foods and (75%) agreed to its implications as NCD. The most consumed fast foods were buns/puff puff 35(18.9%), doughnut 30(16.2%), egg roll 25(13.5%), noodles 24(13%). 56(30.3%) consumed thrice in a week and majority 71(38.4%) attached time constraints to high consumption of fast food. It was revealed that a higher social pressure from peers, time constraints, class pressure and school programme had the strong influence on high percentages of higher institutions’ students consume fast foods and. Therefore nutrition educational campaigns for campus food outlets or vendors and behavioural change communication on healthy nutrition and lifestyles among young people are hereby advocated. I gratefully acknowledge Management of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, my research team and the participants for their contributions toward the success of the project.
Keywords: Fast food consumption, Health implication, Nigerian Polytechnic
- ASSESSMENT OF LOCALLY PRODUCED BRICKS QUALITY FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES USING KUJE AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA (FCT) AS CASE STUDY
*DR. ENGR. GANA A.J & **UZERO PRISCILLA O. EWOMA
*Civil Engineering Department, College of Science and Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State. **Civil Engineering Department, College of Science and Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
ABSTRACT
Bricks are known to be one of the oldest building material made from a variety of materials like concrete, fly-ash, organic materials and the most readily available material for construction in Nigeria being clay. It presents numerous advantages like fire resistance, sound insulation and strength over other building materials. In assessing the quality of bricks and the determination of their suitability as walling units, a series of test like the compressive strength test, efflorescence, water absorption, dimension /tolerance, field, hardness, size, shape, colour and sound tests were carried out on the brick samples collected from kuje area council Abuja and equally on the self-produced brick samples of dimension 21.5×10.25× 6.5cm. The brick production involved mixing of clay-sand, cement and water with ratio14:1, followed by sun drying and heating to a temperature of 1000˚C for a duration of 5days. Results from the analysis showed that the bricks tested from kuje area council gave a compressive strength of 5.2N/mm2 and the cement-sand mix gave 7.6N/mm2 which is above the minimum requirements for brick strength which is 4N/mm2. Other experiments presented in the later part of the report equally proved the suitability of local bricks as a building material. Recommendations are made for the present research assessments for future work.
Keywords: Assessment, Locally produced Bricks, quality, Kuje Area council, Abuja (FCT)
- THE ROLE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA
ELIMISIEMON Monday Chris mnia
Department of Architecture, Kaduna State University, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Architectural practices are changing and changing very fast. The architect, the ‘mother profession’ of design professions was in charge of the project from the early days of conception to the very last day of execution and was accountable in case of failure. The role of the architect turned out to be directed on the general concept of structures and managing the relationship between the client and contractor, who builds the building. The relationship involves a chain of communication channels. The effectiveness of communication and performance of the architect is a factor of the technology employed in contemporary practice. The issues of design, sustainability of practice, awareness, and application of technology are crucial to the improvement of architectural practice. Current architectural practice demand effective communication of design information to clients or contractors. Therefore, this paper reviews the role of ICT on sustainable architectural practices Nigeria. The library research method was used in this study to gather secondary data from textbooks, articles and journals to develop a conceptual framework how green architectural practices can be used to mitigate climate change in order to sustain built environment in Nigeria. This paper reveals that ICT deployment in architectural firms has brought about organizational shift, improved building, increased productivity and better collaboration between designers and clients. The paper concludes by recommending that architect accept and deployed new ICT innovations in architectural firms for sustainable architectural practices considering the great benefits it brings to the profession.
Key words: Information Communication Technology, Architect, Architectural firms, AutoCAD, Architectural Design
- AN EXAMINATION OF METHODS OF TEACHING ENGLISH IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA.
VINCENT S. GONDING & LAMI NWACHUKWU
The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
English, a foreign language is the medium of instruction in Nigerian schools. Candidates have performed poorly in the language in public examinations over the years. Many observers have blamed this situation on the teaching and learning of English in secondary schools. This research is an effort to investigate the methods adopted by teachers of the subject with the aim of making improvements on the teaching and learning of the language. Some teaching methods are explained including student-centered and teacher-centered methods. The research was conducted in five secondary schools selected within Bauchi town in Nigeria. The subjects were selected students of senior classes and all the teachers of English in the schools chosen. The results show that teachers adopt methods that limit teaching and learning to the classroom. Language is better learnt in the society.
Keywords: Language teaching, methodology, teaching methods, pupil-centred, teacher-centered.
- A LITERATURE SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF HIGH-VOLTAGE OVERHEAD ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES ON ADJOINING PROPERTY VALUES
ALIYU AHMAD ALIYU1, MOSES JONATHAN GAMBO1, UMAR AUWAL1 AND DANIEL RAYMOND1
1Department of Estate Management and Valuation, Faculty of Environmental Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Research on the effects of overhead transmission lines on property values has expanded over the past fifteen years to include new methods of analysis and more detailed examination of the data. Conclusions as a result of these studies have varied widely, with some authors reporting no effects, others finding small effects, and still others reporting quite large effects. The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the progress of research over the past fifteen years, to assess the knowledge gained from recent research, and to suggest directions for future studies. The study found that over the past several years, multiple regression analysis has become the dominant methodology applied to the question of transmission line impact on real estate values. Results from the literature survey further suggest that the market value of residential property can be affected by proximity to high voltage power lines. Majority of the findings of previous studies, from 1950s to 2013 conclude that property value effects due to high-voltage overhead transmission lines cannot be presumed and are generally infrequent. Further research is needed which would compare the growth in property prices of sales transactions both before and after the period of HVOTL provision. In addition previous studies had been limited to a specific case study region. Further case studies using hedonic price model techniques could measure differences in possible spatial or environmental effects of various neighbouring suburbs. Future research should equally seek to provide quantitative measures of the value impact as a function of the variable identified by survey participants
Keywords: High-voltage Poles, Overhead Line, Power Plant, Property Value and Transmission Line
- PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND TOXICOLOGY OF SECURIDACA LONGIPEDUNCULATA FRESEN (POLYGALACEAE)
*HARUNA, Y 1., C.M. ELINGE 2
1,2 Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 1144, Aliero, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Some medicinal plants are potential sources of new drugs to improve in the treatment of trypanosomiasis, malaria, etc whose treatment is still a challenge. This study established the LD50 for both aqueous and methanol roots extracts using oral and intra-peritoneal routes respectively, investigated the anti-malarial and the anti-trypanosomal effects of the plant in mice. Swiss albino mice (19-23 g) of both sexes were used to perform a four day suppressive standard test and employing chloroquine sensitive P. berghei NK 65 strain. For anti-trypanosomal screening, thirty healthy Swiss albino mice of both sexes were randomly selected and divided weight dependently into groups of 5 each, consisting of three methanol extracts groups of 5%, 10%, and 20% of the extract’s LD50 which is equivalent to (0.14, 0.28, & 0.56 mg/kg) respectively, and a standard control drug (diminazene aceturate 3.5 mg/kg), infected and not treated group and no infection no treatment group. Except the no infection no treatment group, all other groups were infected with T. brucei and produced parasitaemia. The methanol root extract of S. longepedunculata was given to the three groups in divided doses for seven days and the diminazene aceturate was given to the standard group at a therapeutic dose of 3.5 mg/kg once.
Keywords: medicinal, Mice, Parasitaemia, S. longepedunculata, Treatment.
- SAFETY ASSESSMENT, IN–VIVO ANTI-TRPANOSOMAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOL ROOT EXTRACT OF SECURIDACA LONGEPEDUNCULATA IN MICE INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI BRUCEI
*HARUNA, Y 1., C.M. ELINGE 2
1,2 Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 1144, Aliero, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Securidaca longepedunculata is a savannah shrub commonly used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria; the plant is reputed to have over one hundred medicinal indications. The study aims at assessing the safety of the plant which is 2.8 mg/kg, and its trypanocidal activity using Swiss albino mice of both sexes: The animals were randomly selected and divided weight dependently into groups of 5 mice each, consisting of three methanol extracts groups of 5%, 10%, and 20% of the extract’s LD50 which is equivalent to (0.14, 0.28, & 0.56 mg/kg) respectively, and also a standard control drug (diminazene aceturate 3.5 mg/kg), infected and not treated group and no infection no treatment group. Except the no infection no treatment group, all other groups were infected with T. brucei. Invariably, each animal received inoculums of about 1.0 x 107 parasites per gramme body weight through needle passage and produced parasitaemia in the mice. On commencement of the medications the methanol root extract of S. longepedunculata was given to the three groups in divided doses for seven days and the diminazene aceturate was given at a therapeutic dose of 3.5 mg/kg just once. All the drugs were given through intra-peritoneal routes after confirming parasitaemia.
Keywords: Drug, mice, Securidaca longepedunculata, Parasitaemia, Treatment,
- THE CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS IN FISH SAMPLES FROM DUKKU RIVER IN KEBBI STATE OF NIGERIA
- J. HASSAN, M.S. ZUBAIRU AND U. B. UWAISU
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The concentrations of Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) were determined in gills and muscles of Catfish (Clarias garipienus) obtained from Dukku River in Kebbi State of Nigeria using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (A.A.S.) The mean concentration of heavy metals in gills and muscles were; Cd (0.167+ 0.029 and 0.133+ 0.058), Pb (8.433+ 4.032 and 9.570+ 3.286), Cr (0.500+ 0.259 and 0.284+ 0.076) and Cu (0.417+ 0.189 and 0.350+ 0.150) respectively. The order of decreasing heavy metal concentrations in the gills and muscles were Pd > Cr > Cu > Cd and Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd respectively. With the exception of Pb, gills were found to have higher concentrations of all the heavy metals analysed. Hence, it could be concluded that the fish (Catfish) in Dukku River was polluted with Pb.
Keywords: Heavy metals, catfish, river.