Nigerian Cities Research Articles

Flood-Risk Insurance in Flood-Prone Areas of Nigerian Cities: A Case Study of Agiliti, Ketu, Lagos

Flooding, one of the effects of climate change, has become recurrent in Nigerian cities that are situated on floodplains. To recover from economic and financial losses after the flooding incidents, affected residents of such areas have been relying heavily on government relief efforts as well as assistance from family, friends and philanthropists. However, these sources have not always been reliable in terms of being available, coming in the right amounts as well as being timeous. There is therefore the need for more reliable and sustainable strategies for helping flood victims of Nigerian cities to recover economically and financially from flood incidents. Flood risk insurance is one of such more reliable and sustainable strategies. Unfortunately, empirical evidence points to a low level flood risk insurance by insurance companies, culture in parts of Nigerian cities that are prone to flooding. Agiliti, Ketu, a part of Lagos State that lies in close proximity to Ogun River, is known to have been affected by annual flooding in recent times. This paper has used this community as a case study to consider the level of flood-risk insurance culture among residents of flood-prone parts of Nigerian cities. The survey research method was adopted, with a structured questionnaire administered on 398 households. Based on descriptive statistics involving simple percentages, the researchers found a low level of life and property insurance in the study area. Accordingly, the study recommends education of residents on the key role of insurance in city resilience alongside increased marketing of flood-risk insurance by insurance companies, reduction of public mistrust of insurance companies and reduction of the burden of payment of premium by government and charitable organisations.

Potentials for alternative energy in Nigerian cities and remote communities

The energy sector of Nigeria’s economy constitutes a critical challenge. This sector has defied all efforts for its reform and restoration largely due to ineffective and poor policy implementation. In the 20th century, oil was the main driving force in global geopolitics and the main force behind massive industrialization. However, oil is moving in a downward trend. In its place will be an array of technologies, in the form of alternative energies with long term prospects. The standard of living of a given country can be directly related to per capita energy consumption but energy crisis is on the increase due to population and improved standard of living especially in developing cities. The aim of the study is to identify alternative energy potentials for Nigeria in view of her current energy challenges. The methodology applied in this study include case studies and review of existing literature on the subject. Identified energy crises include, incessant power outage, shortage and scarcity of petroleum products, high electricity bill, vandalization of pipelines and oil installations. The paper discussed the energy crises in Nigeria, the potentials of alternative energy technologies, and the challenges of its development for Nigerian cities and recommends that renewable energy and energy efficiency are necessary factors to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria.

Economic factors affecting environmental pollution in two Nigerian cities: A comparative study.

Environmental quality is a sustainability issue influenced by economic realities. To understand their relationships and influence, a comparative study of economic factors that affect pollution in Iwo and Ibadan metropolia was carried out. Data for the study was generated by administering 1067 structured questionnaires at both locations out of which 215 and 658 were, respectively, retrieved from Iwo and Ibadan. Demographic features of the respondents assessed as female gender, married status, tertiary education, a Christian sect, and household size of two to five, were 52%, 67%,79%, 67%, and 55% in that order for Iwo; while for Ibadan, the figures were 67%, 61%, 86%, 69%, and 58% in the same order. The six economic factors evaluated were; (1) income, (2) accommodation & living standards, (3) waste & noise management regimen, (4) energy utilization (5), inclination toward a green economy, and (6) waste sorting technology and adoption. KMO (74.8%) and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity showed that the data were factorable at p < 0.005. Results considered three of the economic variables as significant enough to explain 59.3% of the pollution state in Iwo and 60.2% in Ibadan. Of major importance for Iwo were waste & noise management regime (22.5%), accommodation & living standards (18.7%), and inclination towards a green economy (18.3%). In Ibadan, the three extracted factors also explained 60.2% of all economic variables affecting pollution. These were accommodation and living standards (24.4%), inclination towards a green economy (18.8%), and waste & noise management regime (17.0%). That means the strong economic influencers of pollution were common to both cities, even though, their order of importance varied. In other words, their degree of influence on pollution may be location dependent. Conclusively, the people's standard of living and inclination towards a green economy are compelling determinants of environmental pollution and so should be considered by stakeholders in formulating associated policies.

STRUGGLE FOR SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIAN CITIES

Public transport contributes significantly to the development of socioeconomic activities and the long-term sustainability of all communities worldwide. Undoubtedly, it is a catalyst for maximizing quality urban living, social service accessibility, and environmental balance. Despite its considerable importance and benefits, public transport in Nigeria is still poorly practiced, and plagued by complex operational challenges. Based on this context, we assessed the public transport systems in Ikeja-Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ibadan cities to understand the struggle for sustainability in Nigeria. This study examined the socioeconomic and travel characteristics of passengers, the availability and condition of public transport infrastructural facilities, peculiar public transport challenges, and the best possible strategies to sustain public transport systems in Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design, while a multistage sampling technique was utilized to administer a well-validated questionnaire on the passengers at central transport nodes within the selected cities using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The results show that most of the respondents are men and spend more than 10% of their monthly income on public transport usage. Findings show that conventional public transport has been proven unpopular in Ibadan and Abeokuta cities compared to a chaotic and inadequate bus rapid system in Ikeja-Lagos. Findings also revealed traffic signal and control devices, and terminal facilities as top-two rated public transport facilities in good condition. The study revealed that public transport modes across the selected cities are operationally cracked as they are characterized by unprecedented challenges. The results of the Analysis of Variance established a statistical significant variation among the challenges mitigating sustainable public transport in the selected Nigerian cities. The study concludes and recommends, among other measures, full-adoption of appropriate mass transit options, particularly intra-city rail and the development of multimodal transport system.

Investigating Waste Management Practice in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Waste management is a major challenge for environmental groups working in poor countries. In this research, we examine the methods used for and problems encountered with waste management in Abua/Odual LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria. The administration of Abua/waste Odual has several challenges as a result of inadequate resources, including financing, infrastructure, treatment facilities, and equipment for garbage collection. Both primary and secondary sources were utilised to compile the data for this analysis. In all, 100 questionnaires were sent to collect primary data. People living in the randomly selected houses were the intended participants. From among the sixty localities in the research region, ten were randomly selected to receive questionnaires representing the residential population. Ninety[1]five completed surveys were gathered for evaluation. Study findings revealed an absence of proper waste management procedures and a dearth of trash disposal facilities in the region under investigation. The empirical results of this research suggest that the waste management techniques used in the examined region, such as the use of dustbins, buckets, plastics, bags, and other containers, may be used in modern Nigerian cities. In order to reduce trash production, the research suggested promoting waste recycling. Increasing plastics use, for instance, calls for more petroleum, which has both economic and environmental consequences.

Occupational Health and Safety Conditions of Informal Sector Workers in Three Nigerian Cities

Abstract Despite its economic relevance, the informal sector in Nigeria is plagued by occupational health and safety (ohs) anomalies. This study assessed ohs conditions among informal sector workers (isw s) operating in three Nigerian cities (Sokoto, Owerri and Port Harcourt). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 717 isw s. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. Logistic regression was used in predicting good ohs practices, based on gender, education level, occupation, health impairments and common health and safety practices. The findings show that many isw s have inadequate water sources and sanitary facilities and poor occupational health and safety practices. The overall model was statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of having good ohs practices. The study concludes that ohs conditions among isw s are poor as a result of insufficient water and sanitation facilities and poor environmental health practices. Improved water and sanitation provision and ohs awareness and education programmes for isw s, in line with their specific occupations and susceptibility to certain kinds of occupational health impairment, are recommended.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in a Nigerian city

Introduction. Improvements in surgical techniques and advancements in antibiotic management have significantly reduced the complications associated with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting which is still the most common procedure for the treatment of hydrocephalus. These complications are believed to be highest in Low and middle-income countries due to delayed presentation to care facilities. The authors report our experience of managing paediatric hydrocephalus in an institution with evolving Neurosurgical practice in North Central Nigeria. Material and methods. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of VP shunting from 2011 to 2018 taking into consideration the demographics, aetiologies of hydrocephalus, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and overall outcome. Complications sought included, Surgical Site infections, shunt exposure, obstruction or any other cause of shunt malfunction. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months Results. There were 27 VPS procedures done in 25 patients of whom 15 were males and 10 females (M:F ratio of 1.5:1). The age range was 8 days to 9 years with a median age of 5 months. Of the 25 cases, 24 (96%) were non-tumoral in origin comprising 17 congenital and 7 acquired hydrocephalus. At 2 years post shunt insertion, 21 (84%) of the 25 initial cases were still functional. The total complication rate was 28%, comprising Surgical Site infection, shunt exposure, shunt obstruction, seizure, and one death, There were 3 (12%) shunt failures from shunt obstruction (2) and shunt exposure (1). Conclusion With meticulous control of the surgical environment and improved experience in ventriculoperitoneal shunting, the complication rate can be significantly reduced. There is a need to increase the awareness of the population to the availability of care for seemingly hopeless conditions. The burden of the cost of care on individuals should be lightened through better health insurance coverage.

Tender Light: The bond between photography and narrative

Tender LightThe bond between photography and narrative Emmanuel Iduma (bio) One evening, a mild-mannered pastor returns home from a photography exhibition. He is unsure of what to say to his wife. He goes into their bedroom and finds her asleep. So he decides to take a walk, as far as he can manage in the course of a half hour, at which point he imagines his wife might wake, anxious about his absence. He tries to think of nothing, to empty his mind of what he has seen and where he has been, but this proves impossible. He keeps straight on the road abutting his house. He is grateful for the fragmented chattering of strangers. I'm playing mind games, he thinks, and heads back after covering a mere dozen yards. The pastor is unsure of how to say to his wife: When I saw the photograph, I stopped believing in God. [End Page 46] ________ eight years ago in New York, during my first year of studying for a graduate degree in art criticism, I wrote the preceding passage as the opening to a short story. My idea had been to tell a story in which a photograph served as the immediate catalyst of an irreversible change in my protagonist's life, a kind of parable on the power of images. Although I managed to complete it, I set the story aside. I had grown up in half a dozen Nigerian cities as the son of an itinerant Presbyterian clergyman and then completed an undergraduate degree in law—a course of study I'd pursued mainly out of curiosity and perhaps a desire to seem respectable, but without any real intention of making a living as a lawyer. After university, I published the novel-in-stories I'd written in the final year of my undergraduate degree. I also embarked on two road trips with photographers—from Lagos to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and then from Lagos to Libreville, Gabon—arranged by Invisible Borders, the Nigerian-based arts organization for which I had agreed to blog about the minutiae of our journeys. My record of our time on the road began to veer into reflections on the photographs I saw being taken and recollections of the encounters that had precipitated them. In the process, I found myself drawn to the narrative potential of photography: the hidden linkages I sensed between stories and snapshots. A few months later, after I had settled into my academic life in New York, I became even more obsessed by the idea. The program I enrolled in at the School of Visual Arts in New York entailed an eclectic reading list and immersed me in an array of schools of thought—deconstructionism, poststructuralism, phenomenology—none of which had been familiar to me as an undergraduate studying the Nigerian legal system. I found myself desperate to counterbalance all that theory with narrative. In retrospect, I think this came from an anxiety over how to categorize myself, over the fact that I'd spent my adolescence and early twenties imagining myself as a novelist, yet had somehow ended up with a degree that wouldn't guarantee a realization of my ambitions. When I began writing the story about the pastor, I thought, perhaps naively, that a story could simply be a vehicle for an idea. The [End Page 47] idea in this instance was that a photograph could unsettle a viewer to such a degree that they would be led to question everything they'd known, particularly in relation to Christianity. I thought of anecdotes I'd heard of people who wept in front of paintings, or the despair that had led Kevin Carter—the South African photographer who had won a Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of a starving child in Sudan—to commit suicide. I wanted to know the extent to which photography could trouble the waters of lifelong conviction. He reenters the bedroom and sees that his wife is awake. "Are you okay?" she asks, and he hates that she can see through him like that. His mouth is full with the words, yet he is barely able to utter them; language...

Calabar Carnival

Calabar Carnival

The clash of sound, image and light: inter- and intra-religious entanglements and contestations during Mawlūd celebrations in the city of Jos, Nigeria

AbstractThis article explores recent inter- and intra-religious entanglements and contestations between Sufi Muslims, members of the Izala and Christianity, which have emerged as a result of a new way of celebrating Mawlūd in the Nigerian city of Jos. Through the adept use of loudspeakers, Izala projects a sense of dominance over the public sphere of the city and uses this as a platform to critique the Sufis. In part as a response, and as a counter-critique of Izala, the Sufis have rejuvenated their Mawlūd celebrations as a mass public spectacle, involving the use of Christmas lights to decorate the city and the construction at the entrance to major streets of temporary wooden arches decorated with flowers, Christmas lights, wreaths and images of Shaykh Ibrahim Nyass. This article argues that the Sufis, who are at a disadvantage in the practice of organized preaching and the use of sound media, have transformed the Mawlūd celebrations into a mechanism to counterbalance Izala’s dominance of the public sphere and to reassert their presence in the city. The Sufis’ incorporation of decorative Christmas objects reveals the fluid boundaries between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, which sometimes generate dynamics of interreligious borrowing and mutual influence. This article attempts to remap and push the boundaries of studying Islam and Christianity in Nigeria, because focusing on one religion in isolation downplays the intertwining and intersection of practices between the two religious groups.

Informal Use of “Marginal Open Space” Along Residential Streets in a Nigerian City

In today’s highly regulated cities, a conspicuous pattern of marginal open space has emerged between buildings and streets. With rapid population growth, different activities are also emerging in the open spaces, particularly in the cities of developing countries. This study explores the informal use of the marginal open spaces along residential streets in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, to identify the physical planning implications. The data for this study were mainly collected through a questionnaire survey and open space measurements. Findings established that the major activities in the open space were necessary (earning income), socio-cultural and leisure pursuits. Land-use problem occurrence index (LPOI) showed that the significant challenges associated with the use of the space were an increase in travel time to destinations (LPOI = 4.33), open space littering (LPOI = 4.17), traffic and pedestrian congestion (LPOI = 4.17), and degradation of aesthetics (LPOI = 3.99). It is therefore concluded that the use of marginal open space has both positive and negative effects on the residential environments of the Nigerian city. The study adds to the body of knowledge in urban studies by empirically investigating the physical planning implications of the everyday use of marginal open space in a developing country.

Using structural equation modeling to examine the influence of family planning social norms on modern contraceptive use in Nigeria.

Despite high knowledge of family planning (FP) among Nigerian women, use of modern contraceptives remains low. While FP investments in Nigeria have been ongoing for decades, relatively little emphasis on contextual and structural factors may have contributed to low demand for and use of contraception. From 2009 to 2014, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) supported the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) with the aim of increasing voluntary use of contraceptives among women ages 15-49 years in six Nigerian cities. A subsequent phase of NURHI was implemented in three states for the next 3 to 5 years. Using cross-sectional survey data from three cities (two exposed to NURHI, one not exposed), this study examines whether social norms around FP were related to women's use of modern contraception, and whether the relationship differed by varying levels of exposure to the program (i.e., by city). We identified three distinct FP social norms through factor analysis: norms around delaying first pregnancy; spacing or limiting pregnancies; and using contraception when the husband disagrees. Using structural equation modeling, we found that FP social norms are related to use of modern contraceptive methods, and the relationship varies by city and norm type. The observed differences suggest that this relationship depends on numerous factors at the individual, interpersonal and societal level, and this may include malleable factors influenced by the NURHI program.

A Study of the Impact of Rural-Urban Migration and Urbanization on Public Housing Delivery in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Globally, urbanization is now like a tidal wave sweeping the entire world and its impact is felt more in developing countries like Nigeria, where urban growth is marked by a dramatic shift with emphasis from rural to urban centers. Rural-urban migration which is one of the effects of urbanization has had grievous implications for urban housing delivery in Nigerian cities. Thus, the steady increase in her population over the years and its effect on the housing sector have become a problem of serious concern. Therefore, this research investigates the impact of urbanization and migration from rural areas on housing delivery in the city of Enugu in order to develop sustainable measures that will address the issue. It utilized a qualitative research method of direct observation and review of literature in which primary and secondary data were collected. The research results highlight some of the effects of Urbanization in the study area to include; gross housing shortage, increase housing rent and high land value in the city resulting to the emergence and expansion of many squatter settlements at the periphery of the city, incidence of haphazard situation of developments, change in land uses, violation of planning guidelines, suboptimal amenities and inadequate infrastructure as well as slum conditions. The study also identified 14 peri-urban squatter settlements with an estimated total population of 62,733 people; an indication of about 5.5% unaccounted spill over population with over 11,082 households in the city. Furthermore, it was observed that the current public housing provision in the city of Enugu over the period 1999-2020 is skewed away from low-income earners, who constitute a significant portion of the city's population. Conclusions and recommendations in the report include a call for strategic and comprehensive government intervention in the housing sector, as well as a demand for local building materials and a better use of union housing cooperatives with single digit interest loan for housing finance to ensure adequate provision of affordable housing to the growing population in the city.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF ROADSIDE AUTOMOBILE WORKSHOPS IN OTA CITY, NIGERIA

Roadside Automobile Workshop (RAW) activities remain principal components of the informal sector in many Nigerian cities. Its emergence is attributed to the advent of automobiles and their use in easing urban mobility. Expectedly, unlike the formal auto-workshops, the RAW are located across the available spatial places where, motorists find solace to immediate respond to maintenance and other mechanical faults/malfunctions of their vehicles. However, the spatial locations and operations of RAW, along with the accompanying adverse effects, are recurring issues of concern in many cities in Nigeria. In this regard, this study assessed the socio-economic and environmental implications of RAW in the city of Ota, Nigeria. A cross-section survey research is adopted in this study, while 400 residents were sampled using multistage sampling technique. Major findings show that most of the residents have spent over four years in study area. It also revealed that increase loss of green area, noise pollution, and land vibration are the top-ranked environmental implications, while increase road traffic congestion, untrained technicians, and disruption of traffic flow are top-ranked economic implications. However, improve access to maintenance workshop, reduce vehicular breakdown on roads are top-ranked social implications of RAWs. This study concludes that the indiscriminate location of RAWs in the study area is detrimental to socio-economic development of study area (F10 38923.851, p=0.000&lt;0.05), and recommends policy implications and strategies to improve the activities of RAW in the study area.

Institutional Capacity and the Roles of Key Actors in Fire Disaster Risk Reduction: The Case of Ibadan, Nigeria

Inefficient and ineffective fire management practices are common to most urban areas of developing countries. Nigerian cities are typical examples of high vulnerability and low preparedness level for fire disaster. This study examined the institutional framework for fire disaster risk reduction (FDRR) and explored the roles of key actors in fire disaster preparedness in Ibadan, a large traditional city in Nigeria. The study was anchored on the concept of urban governance. A case study research design was adopted using primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through field observation aided by a structured checklist and key informant interview. Interviews were conducted on key officials of the major organs for FDRR—Oyo State Fire Service (OSFS) and Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA). The study identified a disjointed and fragmented approach to fire management. Matters relating to fire risk reduction and disaster recovery were domiciled under the OYSEMA, while emergency response to fire disasters was the prerogative of the OSFS. The results show that only five out of 11 local government areas had public fire stations; only three fire stations had an on-site water supply; three fire stations lacked firefighting vehicles; and distribution of fire stations and facilities was uneven. Two fire stations responded to 80% of all fire cases in 12 years. The study concluded that the institutional structure and resources for fire risk reduction was more empowered to respond to fire disaster, rather than facilitating preparedness capacity to reduce disaster risk.

Assessment of Awareness, Knowledge and Willingness to Care for COVID-19 Patients by Primary Care Providers in a Southern Nigerian City: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Owing to the novel nature of COVID-19, management strategies are poorly understood by most Primary Care Providers (PCPs) especially in the Low and middle-income Countries (LMIC) of the world. If the knowledge of PCPs concerning COVID-19 is enhanced, awareness, perception and attitude towards patient care will improve. Consequently, maximum prevention and control will be achieved. This study aims at assessing the awareness, knowledge and willingness of the PCPs to care for COVID-19 patients in Calabar, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to evaluate one thousand one hundred and twenty-six (1126) PCPs actively working in government primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Calabar, Nigeria. A total population sampling method was employed and a validated, semi-structured, 33-item questionnaire was used to explore the objectives of the study. Results: Majority (99.4%) of the study participants were aware of COVID-19. Most (68.4%) information regarding COVID-19 came from the social media. Bonferroni Post Hoc test of multiple comparisons revealed that the knowledge score for PCPs in tertiary was significantly higher compared to those in secondary and primary levels of care. Approximately fifty-five percent (55.3%) of the participants did not want to be involved in the management of COVID -19 patients. Conclusion: There is the need to focus and intensify training of the PCPs working at the primary and secondary levels of care in order to increase their awareness, knowledge base, willingness to care for patients and eventually reduce morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 in the study setting.

Spatial ordering of informal sector activities in African cities: perspectives and lessons from the development of informal sector in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Informal Sector Activities (ISAs) dominate the economy in most African cities, and they continue to proliferate without consideration for environmental sustainability. This study analysed spatial ordering of ISAs in four Nigerian cities, selected for their differential urban forms and social practices. The study assessed the conformity of the spatial ordering of ISAs with industrial location principles, the implications of urban spatial form and government/policy makers’ awareness of environmental consequences of ISAs spatial ordering. The ISAs were identified, classified and sampled, and their GPS coordinates were used in mapping the ISAs on Landsat images in an ArcGIS environment. Findings show that the existing ISAs do not conform to locational principles. Poor governance and environmental awareness of policy/decision makers explains the poor spatial ordering of ISAs.

Tropical Air Chemistry in Lagos, Nigeria

The Nigerian city of Lagos experiences severe air pollution as a result of emissions and subsequent atmospheric photochemistry and aerosol chemistry. A year-long study, between August 2020 and July 2021, included measurements of gas-phase and aerosol processes, with surface meteorology at six urban sites. The sites were selected to represent near seacoast conditions, urban sites, and inland locations near agricultural and grassland ecosystems. The observations included continuous concentrations for CO, SO2, NOx, O3, PM2.5, and PM10. Samples were collected and analyzed for speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate chemical composition including inorganic and organic chemical species. The average diel variations in concentrations indicated well-known local photochemistry resulting from the presence of combustion sources, including motor vehicles, petroleum production and use, and open burning. The annual diel characteristics were emission-dependent and were modulated by meteorological variability, including the sea breeze and the seasonal changes associated with monsoons and Harmattan winds. Gases and particulate matter varied daily, consistent with the onset of source activities during the day. Fine particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) included both primary particles from emission sources and secondary particles produced in the atmosphere by photochemical reactions. Importantly, particle sources included a large component of dust and carbonaceous material. For the latter, there was evidence that particle concentrations were dominated by primary sources, with little secondary material formed in the atmosphere. From complementary measurements, there were occasions when regional chemical processes affected the local conditions, including transportation, industry, commercial activity, and open waste burning.

Psychosocial consequences and reasons for illicit drug use among police officers in a northern Nigerian city: A mixed-method study

Harmful use of drugs is one of the principal risk factors affecting population health worldwide. Chronic use has been linked to medical, psychological and socioeconomic consequences. This study assessed the psychosocial consequences and reasons for illicit drug use among police officers in Kano, Nigeria. Using a mixed method of data collection, quantitative data was obtained from a cross-section of 275 officers using the Shortened Inventory of Problems-Drug Use (SIP–DU) and a pretested adapted questionnaire. In-depth interviews with 10 officers who used illicit drugs provided additional information. Almost half of the respondents (46.5%, n=128) were in their fourth decade of life with a mean age (±SD) of 35.1 ± 7.7 years. Over a quarter of the respondents (n=75) reported ever using illicit drugs, out of which 14.9% (n=41) were current users. Among the current drug users, 80.5% (n=33) attested to having money problems, 61.0% (n=25) agreed that they had spent too much money, and 56.1% (n=23) failed to do what was expected of them as a result of drug use and have hurt their family. Helping to stay awake and improving confidence were the major reasons (100%, n=41) for drug use mentioned by the respondents. The Nigerian Police Force should look into easing shifts and introducing stress-relieving activities. There is also the need to strengthen substance education and counselling and support officers with confidence issues, sleep disorders, and treat those with mood disorders.

Amphibian diversity in urban and peri-urban landscapes of Benin City, a Southern Nigerian City in the rainforest biotope

Benin City, the capital of Edo State of Nigeria has undergone tremendous changes in recent times, especially with the aggressive rate of urbanisation in the last two decades. This has invariably resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation for the amphibian community of the city and its environs. In order to determine the effect of urbanization on the amphibian diversity of the area, a survey was undertaken between July 2009 and July 2010 using Visual and Acoustic Encounter Survey method. Higher species diversity and richness was observed from the peri-urban compared to the urban areas. However, the abundance of amphibian in the urban zone was significantly higher than that of the peri-urban zone (p&lt;0.05). Hyperolius concolor phases A and C, H. sylvaticus, Afrixalus nigeriensis and A. vittiger were restricted to the peri-urban area while Ptychadena pumilio and Sclerophrys maculata occurred more in the urban areas. The most dominant species was S. maculata (26.6%) while the least dominant species was A. vittiger (0.22%). Peri-urban areas contributed 53% while the urban zone contributed 47% to total abundance. More tree frogs were collected from the peri-urban than the urban sites, which could be due to the reduced vegetation cover in the latter. However, the paucity of tree frogs in the urban zone did not have any significant impact on the taxa differences between the two zones. The abundance of P. pumilio and P. mascareniensis, which are typical savanna frogs is an indication of the degraded nature of the study area. The low records of A. poecilonotus, A. vittiger and H. concolor phase A and the complete absence of forest-dependent species could be due to their inability to tolerate human influence on the environment. There is need for balance in the use of land resources for urbanization and amphibian conservation.