The need to elucidate the urbanization–climate–pollution nexus in West African arose from the several reported, but disjointed cases of climate extremes and environmental degradation in the sub-region. This review analyzed several scenarios, to appraise the trends and relationships among the individual elements in the nexus and to ascertain the status of sustainable development in the sub-region, using the expository review methods. Urbanization was essentially characterized by population growth without complementary infrastructural development, weak coping strategies against climate extremes, numerous economic challenges, and high risk of environmental pollution. Initiative for urban renewal, urban greening and smart city development was low, and preparedness against future impact of extreme climate events and climate change is uncertain. However, there is clear evidence that the concept of sustainable development is growing in the sub-region. This is intensified by the international funding agencies insisting on the incorporation of environmental issues into development, the enactment of environmental laws and policies, and the establishment of institutions of enforcement in each country. The review concluded that although the sub-region is at the brink of severe effects of population explosion and environmental degradation, the growing awareness and implementation of the sustainable development goals may come to the rescue.

Patterns of intestinal helminth infections among school-aged children have been assessed in Eko-ende and Ore, as part of an overall assessment of the public health impact of Erinle Dam Reservoir in Osun State, Nigeria. The investigation was carried out between January and May 2005 using the Kato Katz thick smear technique and simple questionnaire for information on the bio-data, knowledge, attitude and practice of individuals towards disease transmission and control.Ascaris lumbricoides,hookworm,Trichuris trichiura, Taeniaspp.,Strongyloides stercoralisandSchistosoma mansoniwere recovered at an overall prevalence of 78.3% among 309 children examined.Ascaris lumbricoides,hookworm,T. trichiuraandS. mansoniwere the most common infections whileS. stercoralisandTaeniaspp. were found only among a few children. Infection patterns of the common diseases were age-specific with peaks in the 11–15 age bracket. Children not attending school were significantly (P < 0.05) more at risk of infection than those attending school. Multiple infections were pronounced with over 54% double infections and 6% four parasites or more infections. The need for urgent intervention to arrest the obviously serious public health situation attributable to Erinle Dam is emphasized.

Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution, affecting air quality and human health. Port Harcourt faces increasing pollution due to high traffic, but the patterns and influencing factors are not well studied. This research examines air pollutant levels in high- and low-traffic areas, considering the effects of traffic and weather conditions. This was done to determine the pattern of air pollution concentrations in the city’s high and low traffic density zones. Five locations—Ozuoba, Umuechi, Rumuokoro, Rumuola, and Ada George—were chosen based on traffic density, and the concentrations of air pollutants and particle matter were tracked there. This is with the view to understand the extent traffic contributes to vehicular pollution and its consequences on human health. MX6 Ibrid Multigas Monitors (CO, VOC, SO2, NO2), MET ONE GT 321 for particle matter, Davis Vantage Vue and Weather Station for meteorological data, were used to monitor the quality of the air. The number of cars traveling through a site during three hours in the morning, afternoon, and nighttime was counted to create traffic records at the chosen places. Over two years (2018-2019), every parameter was observed in every site five days a week. PCA, t-test, One-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression were used to evaluate the data, were needed. The mean concentration of all pollutants was substantially (p < 0.001) greater in high-traffic density areas (HTDA) than in low-traffic density areas (LTDA), according to the results. CO (5.20±3.11-23.49±11.67 ppm), SO2 (0.03±0.02-0.28±0.25 ppm), NO2 (0.05±0.05-0.37±0.31 ppm), PM2.5 (67.18±37.33-189.63±77.10μg/m3), PM10 (65.90±45.04- 175.29±65.07 μg/m3), and VOC (0.06±0.07-0.37±0.36 ppm) were among the range of mean concentrations. Between 2018 and 2019, there was a substantial (p < 0.01) variation in the levels of CO and VOC, while other variables were similar. The concentrations of the other pollutants were similar (P>0.05), while the VOC concentrations differed significantly (p<0.05) between January and December. It was discovered that while weather variables including temperature, humidity, and wind speed had a major impact on the contaminants’ distribution, traffic volume greatly contributed to their concentration. Pollutants and meteorological elements are loaded into two components, according to principal component analysis. The major factor includes all of the pollutants and traffic volume, while the minor factor was the weather-related parameters. The study concluded that there was a distinctive pattern of air pollutant emissions in the studied area and that, although traffic levels greatly influence the pollutants’ concentration, meteorological factors also had an impact. Also, pollutants emitted from vehicles advanced over the years, thereby threatening human health. Among other things, it was suggested that air quality monitors be installed at various traffic crossings to track exhaust emissions levels for improved regulation and impact checks.