HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION OF PLANTS (Zea mays, Potato, Green leaf, Water leaf) GROWN AROUND WASTE DUMPSITES IN OZORO, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Ojebah, C. K & Uwague, A.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

Email: ckojebah@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration of plant/food crops grown around waste dumpsites in Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria. Four different plants (Zea may, Potato, Green leaf and Water leaf) were used for this study. The plant samples were air dried for three days and there after ashed in an electric furnace at 450˚C. 2g of the ashed plant was weighed and put in a beaker. 10ml of nitric/perchloric acid, ratio 2:1 was added to the sample and digested at 105˚C for 1hour. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (Varian spectra 200 AA model) was used to determine the total metal concentration in the various plant samples. Iron was the predominant metal in all the samples and its concentration though low ranged from 1.84 – 4.24mg/kg. The concentration of Manganese and Zinc was equally low and ranged from 0.83 – 1.67mg/kg and 0.01 – 2.12mg/kg respectively. Similarly copper, cadmium and lead concentrations were also relatively low. The mean concentration of all the metals in the four plants is in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb. There was significant variation in metals from plant to plant (P<0.05). The results obtained were still within the permissible level set by FAO/WHO. This situation is a threat to our life, therefore planting of vegetables within or around dumpsites should be discontinued with.


ACID PHOSPHATASE FROM SCORPION VENOM: CHARACTERIZATION AND INHIBITION BY Boswellia Dalzielii AND Bauhinia Rufescens METHANOLIC EXTRACTS

H. Zanna, Y. Tijani, C. Chidiebere and A. Daniel

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science

University of Maiduguri P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

E-mail : zannahassan@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Partial characterization of Opisthacanthus capensis venom acid phosphatase and inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of Boswellia dalzielii and bauhinia rufescens on the venom enzyme were reported. Acid phosphatase from O. capensis  venom had pH and temperature optima of 6 and 30°C respectively with an activation energy of 0.13 J/mol. The O. capensis venom acid phosphatase also displayed  Km, Vmax and Kcat of 0.29 mg/ml, 0.0286 µmol/min and 0.10 min-1 respectively. Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/ml) of the methanolic  extracts of stem and root barks of B. dalzielii and B. rufescens inhibited O. capensis acid phosphatase activity respectively with the extracts from the both plants displaying a mixed non-competitive inhibition pattern and a  decrease in the computed index of efficiency (Kcat). This study provides some scientific basis for the use of these plants by the herbalists in the management of poisonous scorpion bites.


DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF Citrullus lanatus (WATER MELON) FRUIT

Jatau A, Malami Y.G.  Rukayya A. and Zainab S.J.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Sokoto

E-mail: abdulhanto@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT

The nutritional quality of pulp, rind and seed, of Citrullus lanatus were determined. The study was carried out on dried sample. The percentage composition of pulp, seeds and rind tested were found to be low in Ash content for pulp, seeds and rind of C. lanatus (0.46, 0.62, & 0.94%) and high in carbohydrates content (91.49, 84.31 & 37.89%) respectively. Similarly the concentration of mineral elements potassium (K) was found to be low in pulp, seeds and rind and high in sodium (Na) in different part of the C. lanatus. The nutrients content obtained from the different part of the plant may contribute to the maintenance of good nutritional status and hence good health for both man and livestock.


Table of Contents

Globalisation, Transnational Crime and Terrorism in Nigeria

Olakunle Olowojolu and Ake Modupe                                                                                     1 – 11

Domestic Tourism: A Panacea for Peace in Contemporary Nigeria

Ugbabe, P.; Ichima, E. M.; Samaila, E. D. and Nwezeh, G. O.                                                   12 – 22

A Counter-Hegemony Discourse on the Status of English as a Foreign

Language in Nigeria Multi-Linguistic Society.

Adenuga, Opeoluwa Olufemi, Oloyede, Adewumi Oluyemi and Hassan A.M                         23 – 30

The Aged and Aging in Contemporary Nigeria: Challenges and Counseling

Implications

M.M. Baba & Babaji Mohammed                                                                                            31-37

Human Capacity Building in the Third World Nations of Africa:

Retours Aux Sources

Dr. Richard Ajah,                                                                                                                     38-45

Perceived and Awareness of Information Needs as Correlate of

Socio-Psychological Wellbeing of Prison Inmates in South West, Nigeria

Alarape A.A. and Opeke R.O.                                                                                                   46-55

Post Colonial Disillusionment in Contemporary African Prose Fiction

Adetuyi Chris Ajibade & Adetuyi Adeola Adetomi                                                                 56-64

An Insight into the Peculiarities of Human Language

Adetuyi, Chris Ajibade                                                                                                             65-69


An Insight into the Peculiarities of Human Language

Adetuyi, Chris Ajibade

Department of Adult Education

University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Email: badetuyi@gmail.com

Abstract

Every individual exists within a language situation, which distinguishes man from non-human beings. We all live in a world of many languages because it is no gain saying that there is no world without language. In spite of the great importance attached to language by different people and in different situations, a definite conclusion on its nature and well defined uses remain a mirage. It is on this premise that this paper attempts an insight into the peculiarities of human language to justify it specific functions. It then concludes that language can be viewed in its psychological basis of perception, association, neuromuscular coordination and organic moments as a result of experiences in a human environment. It also has a clear cut difference from animal language.


Post Colonial Disillusionment in Contemporary African Prose Fiction 

Adetuyi Chris Ajibade & Adetuyi Adeola Adetomi

Department of Adult Education (Curriculum Studies in English), University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Department of English, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Email: badetuyi@gmail.com & tomiadetuyi@yahoo.com

Abstract

Most contemporary African writers use their texts to reflect the socio-political happenings in their societies. There works are employed as an instrument of describing the postcolonial nostalgic experiences and disillusionment in contemporary African prose fiction. The novels that are used to portray this disillusionment are Achebe’s A man of the people, Soyinka’s the interpreters and Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born. The paper observes that the postcolonial decadence in Africa society is vividly captured and condemned in these texts.


Perceived and Awareness of Information Needs as Correlate of Socio-Psychological Wellbeing of Prison Inmates in South West, Nigeria

1Alarape A.A. and 2Opeke R.O.

            1Department of Library and Information Science, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

            2Department of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun,

 Email: aquidorc96@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of perceived information need on the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. This study was a survey involving the design and administration of questionnaires to 720 prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. Data analysis was done by means of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that prison inmates in the zone appeared to have a clear understanding of their information needs but this could not translate into an improved socio-psychological wellbeing. The study concluded that government need to reduce pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding by minimising pre-trial waits, and setting a maximum allowable wait time, implement a population capacity for all prisons based on design capacity; upgrade prison infrastructure, rehabilitate and build facilities to improve the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates.


Human Capacity Building in the Third World Nations of Africa: Retours Aux Sources

(A Keynote Paper Presented at The 3rd Interdisciplinary International Conference 2014, at the University of Ibadan by Dr. Richard Ajah, University of Uyo, Nigeria)

Human society experienced myriads of changes as a result of man’s “probe into the secrets of nature” symbolized in the search for and the growth of knowledge in the universe. The birth, rise and fall of empires show the tyranny and dynamics of human desire; however it is ironically the vision for the transformation of humanity that propels the uneven societal developments in agriculture, humanities, science and technology and their subdisciplines in the world. The dissymmetry of developments in Asia, Africa and Europe can be explained through the thesis of uneven investment in human and institutional capacity building of nations of all continents, despite the vital roles played by international and regional organizations such as United Nations and its organs towards the delivery of Millennium Development Goals.


The Aged and Aging in Contemporary Nigeria: Challenges and Counseling Implications

M.M. Baba & Babaji Mohammed

                                                      Department of Educational Foundation

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.

E-mail – mmahmoudbaba@gmail.com, Elifaithrose@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to portray the social category in the society referred to as the aged, as well as ageing as imperative in the life span of human beings. The aged in Nigeria hardly receive the much needed attention; hence they are mostly relegated to the background. The absence of attention and welfare for the aged aggravate their health physically, mentally and psychologically. Ageing as a life-long process is fraught with problems and challenges, which place the aged at perpetual disadvantage. In addition to deterioration in physical and health condition, variety of illnesses present themselves, graduating to depression and wish for demise. To ameliorate the problems and challenges, counseling implications are drawn to at least ameliorate the challenges and mitigate the effects of ageing. Meanings of aged and ageing are provided, reasons for neglect and efforts of governments and other non-governmental organizations are espoused. Specific counseling approaches such as behavior modification, rational emotive, attitude and psychological trauma management as well as depression coping to address the problems of the aged are also given in this paper.


A Counter-Hegemony Discourse on the Status of English as a Foreign Language in Nigeria Multi-Linguistic Society.

1Adenuga, Opeoluwa Olufemi, 2Oloyede, Adewumi Oluyemi & 3Abolarin Egbebi, Abimbola

1Directorate of General Studies, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic Ijebu-Igbo

2School of Languages, Tai Solarin College of Education Omu-Ijebu

3Department of General Studies, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti

Email:

Abstract

The fate of the English language in an environment that is distinct from its L1 setting around the world has been the object of the study and debate in the last quarter of the century. This paper therefore, attempts to debunk the idea about the foreign nature of the English Language in Nigeria by arguing that it is alien and inadequate to convey the African culture and expression and on the other.  It examines the position that the English language occupies in Nigeria by considering its status and functions at it s ability to solve the various socio-economic issues in Nigeria.


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