Geographical information system (GIS) mapping of spatio-temporal pollution status of rivers in Ibadan, Nigeria.

More accurate spatio-temporal predictions of urban environment are needed as a basis for assessing exposures as a part of environmental studies and to inform urban protection policy and management. In this study, an information system was developed to manage the physico-chemical pollution information of Ibadan river system, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. The study took into account the seasonal influences of point and non-point discharges on the levels of physico-chemical parameters. The overall sensitivity of the watershed to physicochemical environmental pollution revealed that during dry season, of the 22 (100%) sample points, only 3 (13.6%) were unpolluted; 6 (27.3%) were slightly polluted; 10(45.4%) were moderately polluted; 2 (9.1%) were seriously polluted and 1 (4.5%) was exceptionally polluted. During rainy season, 3 (13.6%) were unpolluted; 7 (31.8%) were slightly polluted; 9 (40.9%) were moderately polluted; 2 (9.1%) were seriously polluted and 1 (4.5%) was exceptionally polluted. There is a considerable environmental risk associated with the present level of pollution of the Ibadan river water body on fish health and biodiversity. This research provides a basis for aquatic management and assist in policy making at national and international levels. Appropriate strategies for the control of point and non-point pollution sources, amendments and enforcement of legislation should be developed.

Veterinary geographic information systems applications in Nigeria: limitations, challenges and needs.

In developed countries, the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and other geo-information technologies in facilitating epizootiological studies of animal disease outbreaks, disease reporting, monitoring, surveillance, prediction and intervention (prevention, treatment and control) programmes, has been in vogue for decades. Although not yet in the curricula of any of Nigeria's five veterinary schools, Veterinary geo-information technologies have been promoted and applied at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, since 2001. Limitations encountered in the course of its application include poor, rudimentary and inconsistent disease reporting procedures, non-computerised (manual) disease recording techniques, raw unanalysed data, poor information networking and poor awareness of the role of geo-informatics in veterinary medicine. The major challenge is the development of sufficient and relevant veterinary databases. Major needs include the training and retraining of personnel involved in the use of GIS for veterinary medicine, the acquisition of relevant hardware and software and the funding of a Nigerian unit/centre devoted to GIS application to veterinary medicine. While Nigeria necessarily develops a national (veterinary) spatial data infrastructure, multilateral training and funding assistance is needed for a developing country like Nigeria to use developed country geo-information technologies to reduce the impact of animal diseases on animal and human populations.