Building cooling load depends on heat gains from the outside environment. Appropriate orientation and masonry materials play vital roles in the reduction of overall thermal loads buildings. A net-zero energy building performance has been analyzed in order to ascertain the optimum orientation and wall material properties, under the climatic conditions of Owerri, Nigeria. Standard cooling load estimation techniques were employed for the determination of the diurnal interior load variations in a building incorporating renewable energy as the major energy source, and compared with the situation in a conventionally powered building. The results show a 19.28% reduction in the building’s cooling load when brick masonry was used for the wall construction. It was observed that a higher heat gain occurred when the building faced the East-West direction than when it was oriented in the North-South direction. Significant diurnal cooling loads variation as a result of radiation through the windows was also observed, with the east facing windows contributing significantly higher loads during the morning hours while the west facing windows contributed higher amounts in the evening. The economic analysis of the net-zero energy building showed an 11.63% reduction in energy cost compared to the conventional building, with a 7-year payback period for the use of Solar PV systems. Therefore, the concept of net-zero energy building will not only help in energy conservation, but also in cost savings, and the reduction of carbon footprint in the built environment.

Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis of some varieties of Capsicum was evaluated. Mature Capsicum varieties were collected across the State. The seeds were removed, sun-dried for 3 days, stored for 2 weeks at 15 ºC–25 ºC in polythene bags before planting. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were present in abundant, moderate and trace amounts. Combined anthraquinones were absent in all varieties. Yellow (0.810 ± 0.0006 µg/mL), red long dry (0.211 ± 0.0006 µg/mL) and round peppers (2.527 ± 0.0003 µg/mL) had the largest values for total phenol, flavonoids and tannins. Shombo and yellow peppers had the largest (0.270 ± 0.002 µg/mL) and least (0.102 ± 0.001 µg/mL) capsaicin content. The antioxidant activities varied across the varieties. At 100 µg/mL of methanol, yellow (45%) and round peppers (45%) had largest mean absorbances for 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Activity while sub-shombo pepper (23%) had the least. For Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), yellow (0.63 ± 0.001 µg/mL) and sub-shombo peppers (0.55 ± 0.001µg/mL) had the largest and least values at 100 µg/mL of methanol. At 100 µg/mL of methanol, red long dry (0.112 ± 0.001) and shombo peppers (0.101 ± 0.001) had the largest and least values for the nitric oxide scavenging activity. This study shows that Capsicum varieties exhibit bioactive componds similarities and variations with implications in hybridization, taxonomy and conservation.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) is a highly valued crop in the world, particularly in Nigeria with high nutritional and economic benefits. However, its production in Iwollo, Southeast Nigeria, is constrained by unfavorable weather conditions. To address this, a study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Horticultural Technology, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Southeast Nigeria to evaluate and select the best cultivar for high tunnel production using the Rank Summation Index. Completely Randomized Design with three replications was used, and six high-yielding cultivars, namely Roma VF, BHN-1021, Supremo, Pomodro, Money maker, and Iwollo local, were evaluated. Data were collected on key agronomic characters and analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 0.05 level of probability. There were significant differences in the number of leaves per plant, plant height, number of branches per plant, days to fruit maturity, fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fresh fruits per plant, and fresh fruit yield per plant among the cultivars. These characters that showed significant differences were ranked and summed up to obtain the Rank Summation Index (RSI) score. The results revealed that the Supremo cultivar had the lowest and best score (18). This suggests Supremo as the best cultivar for high tunnel tomato production in the study area, based on its superior performance across key agronomic traits.

An appraisal of the groundwater potential of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike was carried out by integrating datasets from geology, geographic information system and electrical resistivity survey of the area. The study area is underlain by the Asu River group of Albian age. The Asu River Group in the Southern Benue Trough comprises of Shales, Limestones and Sandstone lenses of the Abakaliki Formation in Abakaliki and Ikwo areas. The shales are generally weathered, fissile, thinly laminated and highly fractured and varies between greyish brown to pinkish red in colour. Twenty (20) Vertical Electrical Sounding data were acquired using SAS 1000 ABEM Terrameter and processed to obtain layer parameters for the study area. A maximum current electrode spacing (AB) of 300 meters was used for data acquisition. Computer aided iterative modelling using IPI2 Win was used to determine layer parameters. In-situ Hydraulic Conductivity measurements at seven parametric locations within the study area were conducted and integrated with Electrical Resistivity measurements to determine aquifer parameters (e.g., Hydraulic conductivity and Transmissivity) in real time. This technique reduces the attendant huge costs associated with pumping tests and timelines required to carry out the technique. Accurate delineation of aquifer parameters and geometries will aid water resource planners and developers on favourable areas to site boreholes in the area. Several correlative cross-sections were generated from the interpreted results and used to assess the groundwater potential of the study area. Results show that the resistivity of the the aquifer ranges from 7.3 Wm–530 Wm while depth to water ranges from 11.4 m to 55.3 m. Aquifer thicknesses range from 8.7 m at VES 5 to 36.3 m at VES 6 locations. Hydraulic conductivity ranges from 1.55 m/day at VES 15.18, and 19 locations to 9.8 m/day at VES 3 and 4 locations respectively. Transmissivity varies from 17.48 m²/day at VES 19 to 98 m²/day at VES 3 locations respectively. Areas with relatively high transmissivities coupled with good aquifer thicknesses should be the target of water resource planners and developers when proposing sites for drilling productive boreholes within Alex Ekwueme federal University Ndufu Alike.

Rapid global warming and continuous climate change threaten the construction industry and human existence, especially in developing countries. Many developed countries are engaging their professional stakeholders on innovation and technology to mitigate climate change on humanity. Studies concerning inclusive efforts by developing countries’ stakeholders, including Nigeria, are scarce. Thus, this study investigates the construction industry’s practitioners’ preparedness to mitigate climate change through pre- and post-planning. Also, the study appraises climate change’s impact on construction activities and proffered measures to mitigate them. The research employed face-to-face data collection via a qualitative approach. The researchers engaged 33 knowledgeable participants. The study covered Abuja, Benin City, Owerri, and Lagos and achieved saturation at the 30th participant. The research employed a thematic approach to analyse the collected data. Findings reveal that Nigerian construction practitioners cannot cope with climate change impacts because of lax planning and inadequate technology to mitigate the issues. Also, the government’s attitude towards climate change has not helped matters. Also, the study suggested measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on construction activities in Nigeria. Therefore, as part of the research contributions, all-inclusive and integrated regulatory policies and programmes should be tailored toward mitigating climate change. This includes integrated stakeholder sensitisation, investment in infrastructure that supports anti-climate change, prioritising practices in the industry to achieve sustainable project transformation, and integration of climate change interventions into pre- and post-contract administration.

The menace of road traffic accidents (RTAs) has become a major constraint to development in most developing countries because of driving behaviour. This study examines the effects of road users’ education programmes on driving behaviour toward RTA reduction in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected by random sampling of 287 respondents. The respondents comprising road safety officers and drivers were selected at six (6) zonal headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission. The questionnaire presented seventeen (17) statements in a 5-point Likert scale for the respondents to rank in order of importance as they have influenced driving behaviour. The data collected were analysed using exploratory factor analysis to identify the most significant effects of road user education on driving behaviour. The study found that road user education programmes have influenced driving behaviour by improving bad driving acts, maintaining good vehicle conditions, and obeying road communication signs. The finding implies that appropriate driving behaviour will reduce road traffic accidents.