| 1 |
Author(s):
Etienajirhevwe O. Frank, Okoro Duke, Ajiboluwa J. Akpomejevwe.
Page No : 1-12
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Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Soil Surrounding Tank Farms in Oghareki-Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study investigates the levels of selected heavy metals in the soil surrounding tank farms in the Oghareki community of Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), oil and grease (O and G), and selected heavy metals in soil considering variations over distances from the tank farms. Additionally, human health risks models to estimate the chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the local population around the study location. Soil samples were collected at distances ranging from 100 meters to 1 kilometer from the tank farms. Each sample was analyzed for heavy metals using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data obtained were presented as mean values from triplicate analyses. Results for contaminants in soil that is, Pb levels ranged from 9.35–16.69±1.56 mg/kg; Cd from 9.121±1.050 mg/kg; Fe from 305.08±5.610 to 554.50±7.583 mg/kg; Cu from 5.08±0.520 to 10.919±1.482 mg/kg; and Zn from 2.128±0.610 to 5.118±1.284 mg/kg, based on distance of sampling. The chronic daily intake, hazard quotient and incremental lifetime cancer risk indices were notably high in the soil. Comparisons with control samples indicated that the soil around the tank farms were contaminated with heavy metals, although the results remained within the acceptable limits set by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for soil in Nigeria.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Jacob Kiplagat Kipserem, Oscar Ingasia Ayuya, Eric Obedy Gido.
Page No : 13-34
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Determinants of Gazetted Forest Dependence among Forest Adjacent Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: Case of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Abstract
Forest resources play a crucial role in sustaining the livelihood of the global population. However, the degradation of this vital and fragile ecosystem has been observed. This paper examined the determinants of forest dependence among forest-adjacent smallholder farming communities. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 419 households from randomly selected smallholder farming households living adjacent to the gazetted forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. We used a fractional Probit regression model to analyze these determinants of forest dependence. Socioeconomic and institutional factors, plot-level characteristics, cultural norms, and beliefs were hypothesized to influence forest dependence. Findings revealed that gender, government support, and membership in forest conservation groups were important factors influencing forest dependence. Further, flat land and fertile main agricultural land reduced forest dependence. Finally, under cultural norms and beliefs, farmers’ perceptions of the forest as environmental beauty and scenery and as a source of traditional medicine and herbs increased forest dependence. We recommend policy and program intervention to promote gender participation, encourage government support and local community associations towards promoting gender participation and encouraging government support and local community associations. In addition, advocating for proper land reform policies to boost land productivity and adequate regulations for cultural activities should be encouraged to ensure the forest resource's sustainability and to promote the livelihoods of the forest-adjacent communities.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Moses Oluwadamilare Adeoye, Johnson Toyin Fasinmirin, Bamidele Olajiga, Philip Gbenro Oguntunde.
Page No : 35-53
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Remote Sensing and GIS Mapping of Land Use/Land Cover Change (LU/LCC) of Akure South, Southwestern Nigeria over 2015-2025.
Abstract
This study explores the application of GIS and Remote Sensing in land use/land use change mapping of Akure, a humid rainforest zone of Nigeria using Landsat imagery from the years 2015, 2020, and 2025. Four land use classes: Vegetation, Developed Areas, Barren Land, and Outcrops were mapped using a supervised classification technique (Support Vector Machine). The results showed noticeable increase in developed areas and a decline in forest areas (vegetation), pointing to urban expansion and increasing human influence on the environment. The use of GIS for spatial analysis and map production, alongside remote sensing for periodic observation, enabled a clear visualization of land cover changes across the years. Marked reduction in vegetation was noted during the study with only 117.91 km² remaining unchanged, while losses to developed land was 14.57 km² and 42.15 km² land area was lost barren land, while 21.93 km² to was lost to outcrops. Barren land was either a source or recipient of land transformation. Stable barren surfaces amounted to 14.68 km², but large inflows came in from vegetation (42.15 km²) and outcrops (6.18 km²). Land use/Land cover change from vegetation to other purposes poses severe ecological risks, including loss of biodiversity, reduced agricultural productivity, and diminished carbon sequestration capacity, which ultimately could result to increased food poverty and climate depletion. The accuracy for each classified map exceeded 85%, with Kappa coefficients greater than 0.80, which is more than the threshold for land cover change studies.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Promise Penn Muluh, Edith Lem, Wilfred A. Abia, Leona Akwese, Christian Suh Fusi, Etienne Yuh Jam, Faustin Pascal Tsague Manfo, Edouard Akono Nantia.
Page No : 54-68
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Pesticide Exposure Contributes to the Pathophysiology of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphia in Infected Patients.
Abstract
The increasing prevalence and burden of Salmonella infections is a major public health concern, with pesticide exposure potentially playing a substantial role in its development and severity. This study assessed the implication of pesticides on Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi pathophysiology in patients. This study included 159 participants suffering from Salmonella infection attending the Bamenda District Hospital in Cameroon. The participants’ socio-demographic information, clinical and biochemical parameters as well as pesticide exposure biomarkers were investigated. The most represented participants were females (62.3%) and people between 5 and 44 years old. Drugs commonly used to manage typhoid showed variable pharmacological patterns with more resistance reported with Cefixime (40.9%) and Ciprofloxacin (30.8%). About 40% of participants used pesticides and showed significantly increased (p=0.015) levels of oxidative stress biomarker, the tiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as compared to patients not using the pesticides. The biomarkers of pesticides exposure (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase) were not significantly altered when compared to the non-users of the pesticides. However, these biomarkers were significantly associated with oxidative stress biomarkers levels, TBARS and glutathione (GSH). This study suggests a potential contribution of pesticides to Salmonella pathophysiology in patients mainly through exacerbating the oxidative stress.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Ansu Njie, Comfort Akwonya Adadu (Prof.), Evaristus Mtomga Iorkohol.
Page No : 69-81
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Exploring the Nexus Between Environmental Sustainability and the Directorate of Procurement’s Performance in the Gambia.
Abstract
This study examines the nexus be environmental sustainability and organisational performance within the Directorate of Procurement, The Gambia. Using a quantitative survey of 60 employees, with 54 valid responses analyzed through descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression, the findings reveal that environmental sustainability has significant positive effect on organisational performance in the study area. Results show that sustainable procurement enhances efficiency, compliance and competitiveness, while also strengthening institutional reputation and accountability. Anchored on the Resource-Based View and Stakeholder Theory, the study demonstrates that integrating practices such as green procurement policies, supplier audits and community engagement fosters long-term organisational success. The research contributes to the limited literature on sustainable procurement in The Gambia and provides practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to align procurement with national development goals.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Solomon Olawale Ojoawo, Igho Fayomi.
Page No : 82-99
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Factors Influencing the Impact of Facility Management Practices on Employees’ Productivity in Public Health Sector in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study investigates the factors influencing the impact of facility management (FM) practices on employee productivity in Oyo State’s public health sector. Initially, the research establishes FM’s critical role in enhancing workplace efficiency and healthcare delivery, emphasizing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and funding constraints in resource-limited settings. It synthesizes theoretical foundations like workplace productivity theory and conceptual frameworks such as the FM value chain model, alongside empirical studies from Nigeria and globally, identifying gaps in localized research on Oyo State and the need for integrated strategies addressing maintenance, expertise, and technology. Subsequently, the methodology employs a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with stratified random sampling across 195 respondents from primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities, using exploratory factor analysis to validate latent constructs. Then, findings reveal five key factors; financial constraints, infrastructural conditions, human resource capacity, bureaucratic processes, and strategic leadership, thus explaining 88.7% of productivity variance, with budget adequacy and infrastructure quality emerging as paramount drivers based on high loadings and mean scores. Finally, the study concludes that comprehensive FM interventions are essential for boosting productivity and recommends increased funding, personnel training, technology adoption, and streamlined governance to foster supportive environments, providing actionable insights for policymakers to improve service quality in the sector.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Olalemi Ekundare Isaac.
Page No : 100-112
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Preserving Identity through Design: A Comparative Study of Yoruba Architectural Elements in Ibadan’s Cultural Centres.
Abstract
Architecture not only fulfils practical needs but also encapsulates ideological values, identity, and legacy. This research explored the integration of traditional Yoruba architectural styles in two cultural centres in Ibadan: the Cultural Centre Mokola and the New Culture Studio Mokola. A qualitative case study approach was used that included site visits, photographs, and architectural descriptions to distil the essence of pivotal architectural features, which include courtyards, carved pillars, symbolic ornamentation, and local materials. It was observed that both cultural and architectural centres include elements of Yoruba culture, but the degree of integration varies. The Cultural Centre, for instance, is modernist and symbolic in character, in that it is expressive of concrete constructions with subdued ornamentation and minimalist symbolic elements. The New Culture Studio, in comparison, is culturally authentic with much laterite, brick, carved motifs, and a courtyard aligned with Yoruba cosmology and spatial hierarchy. The conclusion drawn is that cultural centres can defuse or strengthen Yoruba identity, which is a function of architectural integration. This study has important ramifications for contemporary civic architecture, which is that indigenous design principles need to be integrated for cultural identity to be retained. Defusing traditional design logic ought to be incorporated in public works, alongside the advocacy of cultural custodianship and increased study of vernacular changes in other Yoruba cities.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Anyanwu Jude Maduabuchi, Daniel Nnaemeka Obiora, Desmond Okechukwu Ugbor, Johnson Cletus Ibuot, James Sampson Obinna.
Page No : 114-137
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Integrated Assessment of Aquifer Contamination Risk Using GOD, GODL, and GLSI Models in Southern Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria.
Abstract
This study assesses aquifer contamination across fifty VES locations in Okigwe South, Southeastern Nigeria, using the GOD, GODL, and GLSI models. The GOD Index classifies vulnerability based on geological setting, overlying soil, and depth to groundwater. Results show that EHUME falls within the extreme vulnerability category, while locations like UMUOKE and UMUDIMIRE are highly vulnerable, requiring urgent protective measures. Moderate to low vulnerability was observed in several other locations, indicating varying degrees of natural protection. The GODL Index, an extension of the GOD model incorporating resistivity, depth, longitudinal conductance, and location, provided a more detailed classification. Sites such as UMUAWUCHI II and UMUARIAM II recorded high GODL values, suggesting thick, resistive formations, while areas like IKPEREJERE II showed low values, reflecting more conductive and potentially vulnerable subsurface conditions. Comparative analysis shows that GODL values were consistently higher than GOD values, emphasizing the role of human activity and land use in increasing groundwater contamination risk. The GLSI model, based on resistivity and layer thickness, further refined the classification. Locations such as UMUARIAM and AMANZE demonstrated strong natural protection (low vulnerability), while UMUOKE and UMUAWUCHI II were flagged as highly vulnerable zones due to weak protective layers. The integration of these models offers a robust approach for identifying contamination risks and guiding groundwater protection strategies. It highlights the need for targeted monitoring, land-use regulation, and sustainable groundwater development in vulnerable areas.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Davies Ibienebo Chris, Sibe Lebari, Aiyeloja Joy Osaretin, Enyi Ikpechi Ovundah.
Page No : 138-151
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Bioaccumulation of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Metals in Tympanotonus Fuscatus from Nigerian Mangroves: Health Risk Assessment.
Abstract
Metals and metalloids contamination in aquatic environments poses significant ecological and human health risks, particularly in mangrove ecosystems exposed to industrial and domestic pollution. This study investigates the bioaccumulation of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As) in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. fuscatus from the soft-bottom mangrove swamps of Lower Ibaka Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were collected bi-monthly from three Sites between January and June 2023. A total of 270 shellfish samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after nitric acid digestion following APHA methods. Quality control measures included reagent blanks, certified reference materials, and calibration standards. Results indicate Fe and Zn were the most abundant metals, while Pb, Cd, Cu, and As were detected at lower concentrations. Pb and Cd exceeded permissible limits in some locations. The estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below threshold limits, suggesting no immediate non-carcinogenic risks, although higher HQ values for children indicate increased susceptibility. Cancer risk (CR) values for Pb and As remained within acceptable limits. ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p<0.05) revealed significant spatial variations in metal accumulation. The findings highlight potential ecological threats and the need for pollution control strategies. Continuous environmental monitoring and further research on bioaccumulation pathways are recommended to safeguard aquatic resources and human health in the region.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Adeyinka Ogundare, Adewale Adedokun (Ph.D.).
Page No : 152-166
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Assessment of Adoption of Emergency Response Plans in Commercial Facility Management in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study assessed the adoption of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) in commercial facility management across Lagos State, examining the extent of implementation and the organisational factors shaping preparedness. A quantitative design was employed with a stratified sample of facility managers, safety officers and administrative staff; 148 valid responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression. Findings show high adoption for fire safety plans, alongside strong attention to hazardous materials and power failures, whereas business continuity and cybersecurity plans remain comparatively weak. Adoption patterns indicate a sector that is largely compliance- and incident-driven, with variable depth of practice across facilities. Inferential results demonstrate that management support, funding and training significantly influence ERP implementation, underscoring the centrality of internal organisational capacity to sustained preparedness. The study concludes that progress has been made on life-safety and operational risks, but institutionalising multi-hazard resilience and continuity requires stronger governance, culture, and capability development.
