Research
Relationship between Climatic Variables and Incidence of Malaria and Asthma in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State
There has been a significant upsurge in global warming phenomenon in the recent times than ever. This resulted from the alteration of global climatic variables i.e., temperature, rainfall, relative humidity e.t.c. This study assess the trends of climatic variables in Keffi from 2003-2018. (Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity). The method was used to source data from mega and reputable institution for the purpose of this research. Where malaria data was sourced from the PHC unit, Keffi Local Government Council. Asthmatic data was retrieved from federal medical center (FMC) Keffi. Whereas, those climatic variables were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), FCT Abuja. The study finds out the trends and impacts of climatic variables on climatic sensitive diseases. Which are principally in the aspect of an existing relationship and impacts of climatic parameters on malaria/asthma. As explained by U.S Center for Disease Control (CDC). Climate is the key and basic determinant of the distribution of malaria in the world. Explains “climate can influence all three components of the life cycle. It is thus, a key determinant in a geographic distribution and seasonality of malaria (U.S Center for Disease Control 2017). It added that, “even if malaria has been eliminated from an area, if rainfall, humidity and temperature persist, there is danger that the disease can be reintroduced (U.S CDC 2017). The work also reviews that, “climate change are altering patterns of temperature and precipitation, potentially affecting the regions of malaria†(Olson et’ al 2009). Findings has also revealed that, logging of trees from massive agricultural practices and timber traders contribute to rising of temperature over the years. Findings analyzed from the retrieved data revealed that, rising temperature, relative humidity and declination in rainfall poses impacts on malaria and asthma in Keffi and the world-over, over the years. Marking a clear relationship between the two. The research wholesomely concluded by reiterating some abative measures to ravaging impacts of climatic variables on malaria/asthma and also on human health and comfort has been in the heart of the people. But unfortunately this has been the ultimate focus on government and people living in Keffi over the years. Thus, this calls for concerted effort and more commitment from both government and individual. Not putting down a lend of helping hand from NGOs, elites and stake-holders to win the fight.
Effects of Climate Variability on Maize Yield in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria
This study assessed the effects of climate variability on Maize yield in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State between 1999 and 2018. The research design employed in the study was an ex-post facto and analytical design. Hence, the study is a quantitative study that provides statistical data as empirical evidence and produces descriptive and informative sceneries of the topic study. Based on the objectives of this study and data analysis, the results revealed an increasing trend in average annual maximum temperature in the study area, with 62 percent variability, and a deceasing trend in average annual minimum temperature, with 44 percent variability. More so, the results revealed an almost uniform but increasing trend in average annual rainfall in the study area between 1999 and 2018, with a 37 percent variability. Furthermore, results of the trend analysis revealed an increasing trend in maize yield in the study area, with 50 percent variability. The correlation analysis revealed a nonstatistically significant strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.088, sig. 0.712 > 0.05) between the average rainfall and average temperature in the study area. More so, the correlation analysis revealed also revealed a non-statistically significant weak negative relationship (r = -0.072, sig. 0.762 > 0.05) between average rainfall variability and maize yield in the study area. A statistically significant moderate positive linear relationship (r = 0.564, sig. 0.010 < 0.05) was found between average temperature and maize yield in the study area. The linear regression analysis revealed that 33 percent (r-squared: r2= 0.333)of the variation in maize yield is explained by the variation in rainfall, and temperature between the periods of 1999 and 2018 in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Hence, rainfall and temperature affect maize yield in the study area by 33 percent. The study thus recommended that farmers should adopt climate change and variability mitigation and adaptive measures. These include the use of resistant and drought tolerant species. In addition, there is need for the Ministry of Agriculture and Taraba State Agricultural Development Programme to educate farmers and farm agents on the realities and effect of climate change and variability, as well as adaptive measures that can be taken. These include better and practicable environmental policies, improved agricultural techniques, and alternative source of water which will include irrigation farming, and mulching, vis-Ã -vis creating sustainable food security in the long run.
Assessment of Public Participation as Mechanism for Sustainable Waste Management In Barnawa, Kaduna South, Kaduna State, Nigeria
The study was an assessment of public participation as a mechanism for sustainable waste management in Barnawa, Kaduna South, Kaduna state. The study was descriptive cross-sectional survey that employed the use of both primary and secondary data obtained from field survey, journal, articles, and text books. The sampled size of the participants of the study was 100 residents in the study area, while the statistical method of analysis adopted in analysing the results obtained was descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the most common waste generated are; residential waste, paper waste, plastic waste, textile waste, bottle waste and commercial waste. More so, the results revealed that these wastes as well as solid waste were generated on a frequency of daily basis, weekly basis and twice a week basis in the study area. The result collected from the field survey to this respect revealed that there are basically three stakeholders responsible. More so it was reviled the cost of solid waste disposal in the study area, as well as the willingness of the residents of Barnawa community to pay for disposal of solid waste in the community. From the result, it was discovered that majority of the residents of the study area were of the view that they do not encounter challenges in disposing their waste, while a significant share of the resident of the study area were of the opinion that they do encounter challenges in disposing the waste they generate. The study concluded that Long-term sustainability of the solid waste management system also depends on the level of segregation of waste. Segregation of waste should be three streams this will also help in finding appropriate disposal options. Segregation of waste should be done at the source itself. Segregated waste can be collected on a weekly basis from households and on a daily basis from business establishments.
Comparative Analysis of Quality of Sources of Drinking Water used by Scavengers in Gosa Area of FCT-Abuja, Nigeria
The study assessed the quality of sources of drinking water used by scavengers in Gosa Area of the FCT. The study adopted the experimental research design. The study adopted the purposive sampling technique. Similarly, Sample used in the study were three sources of drinking water in the study area, namely from boreholes and shallow wells. Water samples collected was prevented from being exposed to sunlight. Samples were packed in plastic cooler containing ice for preservation and analysed within 24hours from the time of sample collection to avoid errors that may be introduced due to environmental factors. The samples collected were comparatively analyzed based on their physical and chemical properties, within the premise of drinking water quality as approved by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food, Drug Administrative Control (NAFDACT). The results of the study revealed that all the sampled water sourced in the study were odourless and in line with the requirement of NAFDAC and SON. With respect to taste, all the sampled water sources in the study area had test, which is against NAFDAC and SON guideline for safe drinking water. The results revealed that all the sample of the study fall within NAFDAC, SON, and WHO guideline for safe drinking water, ranging from a pH value of 5.00-6.69. All the sampled water sources in the study area had levels of TDS content which met the WHO guideline standard value of 1000mg/l as well as NAFDAC and SON guideline standard. The study found that well water source was the most polluted source of water, as a result of exposure to different materials making it prone to high concentration of physical, chemical and microbiological properties. By way of qualitative description, well water has the highest concentration of physical and microbiological properties of water. The study concluded that with NAFDAC and SON permissible guidelines for potable water not adhered by people; it is therefore the collective responsibility of both private and public sectors for ensuring effective management of water sources for greater sustainability. Furthermore, the research has provided explanatory information on the quality status (Physical, Chemical and Microbiological) parameters of three common sources of drinking water in Gosa, FCT, Abuja.
Analysis of Water Quality for Domestic use in Lafia Town, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Lafia is a town in the middle belt of Nigeria, located within Latitude 8° 25W and 8° 35W and Longitudes 8°28’E and 8°34’E. Lafia covers an area of about 258km2 and has a population of about 330,712 inhabitants. This population caused environmental pollution as a result pressures exerts on the available water sources. It is against this background that this study is carried out to analyze the water quality for domestic use in Lafia town with the aim of examining the water quality status of the area compared to the World Health Organization permissible guidelines for portable water. The method adopted involves the use of reconnaissance survey. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and subjected to descriptive and laboratory analysis. The result shows that stream water source is the most polluted in Lafia with colour concentration of 10.5pt/co, turbidity of 8.5NTU and temperature of 26.4°c. The chemical properties for all the water sources sampled were slightly above the World Health Organization permissible guidelines. The result also shows that none of the water sources met the permissible guidelines in terms of chemical and microbiological properties. It was recommended amongst others that Nasarawa state water board should be provided with modern facilities for efficient address of domestic water use in Lafia. Clear water for everyone in Lafia for sustainable development.
