Browsing by Author "Popoola, L."

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Assessing the Transition from Survival to Sustainability: Case of Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary in Upper West Region of Ghana, West Africa
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2013) Olayide, O. E.; Popoola, L.; Olaniyan, O.; Dapilah, F.; Abudulai Issahaku, R.Y.
In the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly to meet growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. This has resulted in substantial decrease in biodiversity, including the hippopotamus (hippo) population. There are currently about 150,000 hippos left in the world. Their status will change from vulnerable to endangered if threats are not controlled. The threats include destructive exploration and exploitation for human survival through hunting for ivory and meat, habitat loss due to flooding and destruction of hippo lawns along river banks. Sustainable exploration of biodiversity on the other hand ensures a balance in nature through synergistic cooperation in ecosystem services, human well-being as well as the direct and indirect drivers of change. This study assessed the emerging transition from survival to sustainability in the management of community-based biodiversity management in Ghana. Ghana has two hippo populations; one at Bui National Park and the other at the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS). The WCHS was established in 1998. It was chosen for in-depth analysis and assessment. The ecosystem assessment framework of interaction between ecosystems and drivers of global change was adopted for the study. The assessment was based on “before” and “now” scenarios to draw inferences for impact of community-based biodiversity management and sustainability. The WCHS provides economic alternatives to converting community-based ecosystems into sustainable economic ventures, including eco-tourism. The number of tourists to WCHS that stood at less than 500 persons in 2002 increased to 2,390 persons in 2011. The test of correlation between the number of local and foreign tourists revealed significant (p<0.001; ρ = 0.926) relationships in the influx of tourists to WCHS. This is evident by the increase in revenue that accrued to the WCHS. It also generated peaceful cohesion and aesthetics of the environment and development of property rights. The WCHS has led to the reduction in poverty and hunger through the generation of incomes, improvement in health through infrastructural provision, and biodiversity sustainability of local species. The case of WCHS demonstrates that biodiversity management founded on good communal relationships cannot only improve the livelihoods of the rural poor but also increase their resilience to face challenges as the people become more economically and socially resilient, and empowered to handle future threats to ecological imbalances.
Biofuel initiatives in West Africa and the Sahel: potential for success
(2015) Popoola, L.; Larwanou, M.; Jimoh, S.O.
Global warming has heightened the need to substitute fossil fuels with biomass-based energy sources. Some West African countries have recorded appreciable progress in this regard though with inadequate documentation. This study documents the extent of production and use of different biofuels and incentives for sustainability in the sub-region. Field visits were conducted in Benin, Ghana, Niger and Nigeria with the aid of structured questionnaire and focus group discussions; and literature search in Mali, Niger and Senegal to assess current scenarios. Biofuel crop production (jatropha, cassava and sugarcane) is on the rise, howbeit, with foreign investments. That cassava and sugarcane are important staples in the sub-region constitutes a possible hindrance to their adoption, arising from food crisis currently being experienced there. Jatropha appears the most appropriate potential species. There is the need for enabling policies to enhance the optimum production and utilization of Jatropha for biofuel production in the sub-region
Briquetting of wood and agricultural wastes for energy production
(2005) Igbeka, J. C.|; Popoola, L.; Ajayi, S. S.; Onilude, M. A.; Olorunisola, O. A.; Raji, A. G.; Afrifa, E. S. D.; Fadare, D. A.
Can Ntfps Help Eradicate Poverty? A Case Study from Tropical Lowland Rainforest of Southwest Nigeria
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 2011) Amusa, T.O.; Babalola, F.D.; Jimoh, S.O.; Popoola, L.
The study investigated the potential of NTFP trade towards eradicating poverty, by analyzing revenues accruable to harvesters and marketers of five top priority NTFP species including: bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis), African walnut (Tetracarpidiwn conophorum syn. Plukenetia conophora), chew-stick (Massularia acuminata), fever bark (Anninckia chloranta syn. Enantia chloranta) and bush pepper (Piper guineense) in the tropical lowland rainforest of Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, Southwest Nigeria. The snowball method as well as a simple random sampling technique was used to select harvesters and marketers for questionnaire surveys. Information were gathered on products harvesting and utilization patterns, units of marketing of the products and pricing, influence of seasonality on product availability, and average quantity of products harvested and sold in a month among others. The data generated from the survey were subjected to descriptive statistics. The statistical model for student’s t-test was used to compare the contributions of NTFPs and other source(s) of income of respondents. Results revealed a significant difference between the income generated from the selected products and those from other sources. All the NTFPs except Irvingia gabonensis currently have low- medium likelihood of helping to eradicate poverty. There is a marked influence of seasonality on the potentials of the selected species in income generating activities. There is also a wide reflection of decreasing trend in the availability of selected NTFPs, particularly among harvesters, thus portending an ominous picture of the resource base. Our results suggest that the potential of NTFPs towards helping in the eradication of poverty remains conjectural. There is therefore, the need for a conscious and concerted effort towards the improvement of the NTFP sector for both conservation and economic development.
Differential impacts of rainfall and irrigation on agriculturalproduction in Nigeria: Any lessons for climate-smart agriculture?
(elsevier, 2016) Olayide, O. E.; Tettehb, I. K.; Popoola, L.
The rain-fed agriculture system is vulnerable to climate change impact. However, such impact may alsovary by aggregate and sub-sectoral levels of agricultural production. The impact of climate change andvariability on agricultural production would engender appropriate policies and practices towards a sus-tainable agricultural production system. We investigated the differential impacts of rainfall and irrigationon agricultural production in Nigeria, and drew lessons for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Nigeria.Using time series data that spanned 43 years and econometric analytical technique, we quantified thedifferential impacts of rainfall and irrigation on aggregate production and sub-sectors (all crops, staples,livestock, fisheries and forestry). Irrigation had positive and significant impact on aggregate agriculturalproduction as well as all sub-sectors of agriculture. These findings suggest the need for the minimizationof the impact of climate-induced production risks through CSA which would involve complementarydevelopment of more arable land areas under irrigation in Nigeria. Irrigation would also enhance com-plementary agricultural water management for the development of all the sub-sectors of agriculture,thereby enhancing food security and sustainable agricultural production under prevailing climate changeand variability.
Harnessing forestry potentials in actualizing National economic empowerment development strategy
(2005) Ajewole, O. I.; Popoola, L.; Aiyeloja, A. A.; Arowosoge, O. G. E
National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) is a development plan that integrates economic development efforts at the Federal, State and Local Government levels. Its vision, values and principles are encapsulated by four goals: Wealth creation; Employment generation; Poverty reduction, and Value reorientation, with the “modus-operandi” for achieving these goals being anchored on three main strategies; viz; empowering people, promoting private enterprises and changing the way government does its work. The Nigerian forestry sector which has the responsibility to sustainably develop and manage about 25% of Nigerian land mass, to meet the diverse needs of the teeming urban and rural population; no doubt has a salient role to play in achieving the goal of NEEDS. Some of these roles include provision of comprehensive databases, promotion of forest based small scale enterprises, crafting institutional framework for boosting wood production and biodiversity conservation, restructuring the forestry- industrial sector, establishment of ministry of renewable natural resources and crafting institutional framework for sustainable urban forestry development. Collaborative efforts of FDF, FAN and other stakeholders to garner political support and networking for effective advocacy, are essential for forestry optimal contribution to NEEDS.
Marketing System of Non-Timber Forest Products:-The Case of Palmyra Palm in North-Eastern Nigeria
(2009) Tee, T.N.; Jimoh, S. O.; Popoola, L.
"This study investigated the marketing system of Palmyra Palm products in North-eastern Nigeria to; identify its marketable products, channels of distribution and roles of market participants, and also assess its marketing facilities in North-eastern Nigeria. Data were generated through market surveys and interviews on 203 respondents selected randomly from Adamawa, Bauchi and Yobe markets. The generated data were analysed using descriptive statistics where appropriate. Marketing system focusing market organization was analyzed qualitatively by observing the marketing channels, roles of market participants and marketing facilities. The results revealed that exchange and ownership of title to products occurred at the local markets (54.0%), farmers' homes (37.7%), and farmers' farms (6.2%), and inter-states' markets (2.1%). The marketing channel of Palmyra palm was highly decentralised and thus the marketing system was expected to be operationally efficient. However, because of poor road network, high transportation cost and poor marketing facilities, the marketing system was adjudged operationally inefficient. Market participants introduced flaws in the marketing system; farm-gate middlemen dominated marketing operations, commissioned buying agents over-depended on wholesalers for capital, and there was collusion in price determination. Marketing facilities namely market places, storage, processing, transportation and packaging were crude and inadequate, while credit facilities were virtually absent. To address these inadequacies, the study recommended provision of improved marketing facilities and communication gadgets, formation of consumer co-operative organizations to check the excesses of the middlemen in the market and more research into the marketing of Non-timber forest resources."
Monetization of forest's service functions for sustainable forest management
(2001) Ajewole, O.; Popoola, L.
This paper examined the concept of monetization and its importance in valuation of the forest's social and environmental service functions, vis-a.-vis its sustainable management. Various monetization techniques are highlighted and discussed. Some of these include surrogate price and replacement costs or costs avoided, value of production increases, opportunity costs, travel costs, hedonic pricing and contingent valuation method. (CVM). The use of CVM is canvassed for, because of its highly flexible framework for the valuation of virtually all social and environmental benefits. It can also be easily adapted in developing and less developed countries, where inadequacy of data on socio-economic and environmental characteristics make the use of most other valuation techniques problematic. Keen interest in monetization of forest's non- market benefits, will ensure "holistic approach" to conservation of our natural environmental resources.
The planning and writing of grant-oriented research proposals
(The Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2010) Bamiro, O. A.; Oladepo, O.; Olayinka, A. I.; Popoola, L.; Soyibo, A.
Potential of Senecio Biafrae (Sierra Leone Bologni) to contribute to improved livelihood in Ekiti State
(2007) Ajewole, O.; Popoola, L.
Public perceptions of urban forests in Ibadan, Nigeria: Implications for environmental conservation
(Department of Forest Resources Management , University of Ibadan, 2001) Popoola, L.; Ajewole, O.
This work examines the public perceptions of urban forests in Ibadan vis- a-vis environmental conservation. It covers the five Local Government Areas (LGAs): lbadan North, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South, Ibadan South-West, and Ibadan South-East. Data for the study was obtained from a stratified random sampling of 370 respondents through structured questionnaire-based interviews. The results showed that 99 per cent of the respondents are aware of, and believe that these urban forests serve some purpose in meeting the socioeconomic and physiological needs of the urban populace. Moreover 94 per cent expressed their support for continued preservation of these forests. Of this total, 38 per cent, 36 per cent and 26 per cent respectively, based their support on the fact that these forests can: protect the environment, supply physical needs and be used for recreation. The chi-square test of independence at P = 0.05 revealed that the public perceptions of these forests are dependent on the respondents' residence proximity to at least one of these forest reserves (P > 0.05). Public perceptions may be capitalized upon by governments and other change agencies for the sustainable management of the remnants of Ibadan urban forests.
Reconnaissance Survey of The Wildlife Sanctuary of Stubb’s Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
(Government of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Ministry of Environment, 2004) Popoola, L.; Jimoh, S.O.; Alarape, A. A.
This study was conducted at the instance of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Akwa Ibom State in realization of the need to assess the potentials of wildlife in the Stubbs-creek forest reserve of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The terms of reference included, but not limited to provision of information on status of fauna and flora in the forest reserve, bearing in mind the level of human interference that had occurred in the last one decade. Using a combination of standard methods wildlife, vegetation and questionnaire surveys were conducted in and around the forest reserve to obtain information on the status of the major plant and animal lives and the various sources of threat to their sustainable management. Results obtained from the study indicate large- scale disturbance of the biophysical environment (flora and fauna) arising from such human activities as farming, illegal logging, oil prospecting and exploration. These have affected the hitherto rich fauna and flora of the reserve. The study still identified the existence of over 80 important plant species, which include Alcornea cor difolia; Raphia spp; Anthocleista nobilis;; Rhizophora racemosa; Gmelina arborea; Costus afer; Chromolina odorata; Rauvolvia vomitoria; Calamus spp; Musanga cercopioides; Albizia spp; Selaginalea spp. Species with moderate frequency of occurrence include Carpolobia lutea; Napoleona vogelii; Allablackia floribunda. They were distributed within the natural lowland rainforest, oil palm and raphia bushes and the mangrove. Over 90 animal species including rodents, reptiles, birds and monkeys were encountered. They include Thryonomys swinderianus, Potamochoerus porcus, Trangelaphus scripus; Python sebae, Crocodilus spp, Neophron monachus, Milvus migrans, Streptopelia senegalensis, Apus affinis,, Egretta alba, Ardeola ibis, Scopus umbretta, Neophron monachus The potential of the wildlife sanctuary for ecotourism is still quite high particularly with the existence of oil prospecting and exploration concerns that attract heavy human traffic into the area. Also there exist standard hotels within 30km radius of the forest reserve, which will encourage visitors to combine business with pleasure. There is however the urgent need to: secure the boundaries of the sanctuary, carry out a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment with a view to having comprehensive information that will form the basis for re-investment by the State government and also set the template for the development of proposals for donor assistance from international donor/investment agencies, win the confidence of the settlers in the adjoining communities, seek local and external partnerships for the management of the sanctuary and; Finally, the institutional and legal frameworks of the reserve should be clearly spelt out to enhance sustainability. The Sanctuary has the potential to boost the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP) of the State Government and should therefore be rehabilitated
Review and analysis of vulnerability to rainfall variability and policy responses to agricultural water supply in Nigeria
(WFL Publisher Science and Technology, 2016-04) Olayide, O. E.; Tetteh, I. K.; Porter, J. R.; Popoola, L.
This paper reviewed and analysed vulnerability to climate change-induced rainfall variability and policy responses to agricultural water supply in Nigeria. The review provides evidence for policy feedbacks as well as priority setting for the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change variability is due to a number of factors: its geographical characteristics, limited capacity to adapt, dependence on climate-sensitive resources, teeming population, and concentration of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generating industries in locations that are highly vulnerable to climate change. The poverty level in the country could further worsen climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. The policy responses were identified and categorized either as climate change sensitive or climatic change specific.
Spatial price transmission and market integration of Cistanthera papaverifera (A. Chev.) in urban and rural sawn-wood markets, Delta state, Nigeria
(2014) Ohwo, O. A.; Ajewole, O. I.; Popoola, L.
The study examined the trend in prices of Cistanthera papaverifera species of sawn-wood in urban and rural sawn-wood markets in Delta State, Nigeria. Secondary data on dimensions {2”×2”×16 (0.013m3) 2”×3”×16 (0.019m3) and 2”×4”×16 (0.025m3)} of Cistanthera papaverifera species of sawn-wood monthly prices spanning 2004 to 2013 were sourced from sales receipt of sawn-wood sellers. The data were analyzed using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Test, Ravallion – IMC and Error Correction Mechanism test. Results revealed that price series in all the markets accepted the null hypothesis of non- stationarity at their levels at 1% and 5% significance level. The integration test revealed that the markets for all the dimensions of C. papaverifera species of sawn-wood considered were integrated in the long run. The Index of Market Concentration (IMC) indicates that the markets exhibit high short run market integration. The Error correction mechanism result indicated that the rates of price transfer were generally fast. This study concludes that sawn-wood marketing in Delta State have a high degree of market efficiency and recommends the provision of incentives to encourage tree planting as well as sustainable timber harvest and a greener environment.
Stakeholder Participation Model for Forest Reserves: The Case of Shasha Forest Reserve, Osun State, Nigeria
(2005) Jimoh, S.O.; Popoola, L.; Azeez, L.O.
Trends and Policy Correlates of Agricultural Production and Agricultural Production Sustainability Outcomes in Ghana and Nigeria
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2015) Olayide, O. E.; Tetteh, I. K.; Popoola, L.
This paper analysed policy correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes in Ghana and Nigeria. It underscores the influence of political systems and international development agendas as correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. This is to the extent of providing evidence policy on agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. Ghana and Nigeria have comparable farming/agricultural system and policy environment. Data used for the analyses spanned five decades. Trends analysis and inferential statistics were employed. The results revealed that policy correlates can contribute to the current discourse in sustainable development agenda and to resolving the dilemma of agricultural policy implementation for sustainable agricultural development, especially in Ghana and Nigeria. The findings reinforce the need for appropriate policies in transforming the agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable development outcomes.
Willingness to pay for rehabilitation of Ibadan urban environment through reforestation projects
(Department of Forest Resources Management , University of Ibadan, 2002) Popoola, L.; Ajewole, O.
This study was carried out to determine the estimated value of the environmental service functions of the forests of the Ibadan metropolis. It employed the payment card format -Contingent Valuation approach - to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental rehabilitation of the Ibadan metropolis through reforestation projects, and to investigate the extent to which socio-economic factors influence the WTP. Data were obtained from a multi-stage randomly sampled 370 residents within the five local government areas of the metropolis. The results show that 77% of the respondents were willing to pay various amounts ranging from N50-N500 monthly, NlOO being the modal value, having recorded a 52% response. The mean monthly WP value is N161, resulting in an aggregate estimated value of Ibadan urban forests’ environmental service functions, ranging between N185 468 586 and N240 868 294 (US$1 = NlOO). The reduced model of the double log regression equation revealed the respondents’ employment status and proximity to the urban forest reserves as the only socio-economic variables that significantly influenced WTP. The differences in the mean WTP values within each independent socio-economic variable were not significant (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that there is a need for social valuation of forestry and non-forestry projects that have to do with conversion of forest lands, as a panacea for uncontrolled deforestation.