NORTH EAST

This study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metals in pumpkin, bitter, and water leaves to evaluate their potential health risks and nutritional quality. Samples of the three types of leaves were collected from different locations in Evidence ISIOHOR OVIA NORTH EAST LGA, Benin City, Edo state and subjected to heavy metal analysis using established analytical methods. The concentrations of heavy metals, including iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn), were determined and compared to international standards and guidelines. Results revealed varying levels of heavy metals in the leaves, with differences observed among the three types. Pumpkin leaves exhibited elevated levels of iron, manganese, and zinc, while bitter leaves showed higher concentrations of copper. Water leaves displayed relatively lower levels of heavy metals compared to the other two types. However, all three leaf types had concentrations of heavy metals below regulatory limits, except for lead in water leaves, which exceeded the permissible level. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring heavy metal levels in leafy greens, as they can serve as indicators of environmental contamination and potential health risks. While the concentrations of heavy metals in the studied leaves were generally within safe limits, the presence of elevated lead levels in water leaves suggests the need for further investigation and mitigation measures to ensure food safety. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the heavy metal content of pumpkin, bitter, and water leaves, contributing to efforts aimed at promoting food safety and nutritional quality. Continued monitoring and research in this area are essential to safeguarding public health and enhancing the sustainability of food production systems.

Studies have shown that there remain only few landscapes on the Earth that is still in their natural state. Due to environmental changes, the Earth surface is being significantly altered in some manner and man‘s presence on the Earth and his use of land has had a profound effect upon the natural environment thus resulting into an accelerated growth in settlement expansion.1 Settlements are products of human activities. It is on this backdrop, this study examines the trends in the development of Okokhuo town with case study of Ovia North East local government. Ovia North East Local Government Area is in the south senatorial district of Edo. Its headquarters is Okada. It occupies a total land area of 2,301km² and a population of 153,849 (National Population Commission, 2006).2 The area is lowland and rises up to about 100 metres above sea level. It falls within the rainforest zone with tall trees and oil palm trees and also possesses freshwater swamp forest. The vegetation favour the production of cereal crops like maize, tuber crops like cassava, tree crops like oil palm and fish farming.3 The major occupations of the people in the community are farming especially poultry and piggery, hunting, fishing, and trading. The major communities in the LGA are Okada, Uhen, Utese, Okokhuo, Uhiere, Isiuwa, Ekiadolor, Oluku, Iguoshodin, Utoka, Oghede, Egbeta, Ora, and Ogbese.4 Okokhuo Village is located in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is among several Villages in Ovia North East Local Government Area that have suffered continuous herders` attack resulting in loss of properties in recent times. Generally, Okokhuo people trace their origin back to Benin, Okokhuo people according to oral tradition is one of the Edo speaking groups involved in the exodus from the Benin about the nineth century, during the rule of Oba Ogiso