This study assessed the proximate composition of fresh and fermented milk in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 180 samples comprising of fresh milk, bulk milk, nono, and kindirmo were collected over a period of six (6) months (May to October, 2017) from six (6) Local Government Areas (two Local Government Areas from the three Senatorial Zones in the State). Proximate parameters – dry matter (total solids), crude protein, crude fibre, oil, ash and nitrogen-free extract (soluble carbohydrates), were determined using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results of the proximate analysis showed that bulk milk samples generally had the most nutritional content than the other sample types in most of the sampled areas. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the mean values of dry matter (total solids), oil, and ash contents of bulk milk samples and nono in the sampled areas. The mean dry matter content of bulk milk samples collected from Nasarawa Local Government Area was 9.04±0.01, while that of nono samples collected from this area was 7.28±0.72. Fresh and bulk milk samples collected from Nasarawa, Keffi, Wamba, and Lafia Local Government Areas were found to contain more minerals (ash) compared to kindirmo samples collected and this may be attributed to the loss of some of the minerals during the processing of fresh milk to make kindirmo. The mean value of ash content of fresh milk and kindirmo samples from Nasarawa Local Government Area was 0.72±0.04 and 0.64±0.01, respectively, while the mean value of ash content of fresh milk of fresh milk and kindirmo samples from Keffi Local Government Area was 0.78±0.01 and 0.71±0.02 respectively. The samples were found to contain little or no fibre and this is not surprisingly as milk is not known to be a major source of fibre. Variations in the proximate composition of some fresh milk samples collected from the sampled areas may be attributed to genetic differences within a breed as all the cows from which the samples were collected, were of the same breed (White Fulani). All the samples analysed met the specifications for proximate composition stipulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Municipal solid waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental protection agencies in developing countries. Water for drinking, cooking and bathing exposes people, especially young children to a wide range of health risks, including diarrheal diseases. This paperis aimed to study the physio-chemical and bacteriological qualities of water samples collected from the wells close to dumpsites in some selected location of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. From the research, waste dumps which are located indiscriminately in Nasarawa town have strong influence on shallow groundwater samples. The physico-chemical and bacteriological properties of the water samples collected from wells fall short of WHO standard. Also, a significant difference was observed between these parameters value in wet and dry seasons. Heavy metals were also detected in the water samples above the acceptable range as recommended by WHO. Significant difference in value of electrical conductivity between wet season and dry season is attributed to the increase in water volume in the well which reduces the salt concentration. Diseases related to drinking non portable water was the most reported cases in all the clinics visited in Nasarawa Local Government Area and this might be as a result of people of this community drinking from these water sources. It was recommended that shallow well should be well lined likewise located far away from dumpsite and latrine, water from these sources should undergo so level of treatment before consumption.

Surface water plays an important role in carrying off different water wastes thereby affecting water quality used for different purposes. The Receptor Model (RM) development as a technique in the management of River water was used in this study, in identifying, separating and quantifying the major sources of water wastes flowing into River Musa, Bida, Nigeria. Twelve water variables were used in Principal Component Analysis. The generated variables of loaded components were used as independent variables and the Water Quality Index (WQI) as the dependent variable to estimate the quantity of identified pollutants sources using the Multiple Linear Regression Model (MLR). According to Canadian Council Ministers of Environments Water Quality Index (CCME WQI), the results determined for the five sample stations (Edokota location, Musa bridge location, Bida/Minna location, Ciriko location and Army Barrack location) were 74.4, 72.8, 64.6, 47.6, and 51.6 respectively. Among the five locations, three were investigated to be marginal and the remaining two were fair in rank. The principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted to separate the identified three major waste sources flowing into the river to be agricultural, municipal and industrial wastes. Pollutant levels were determined to be 0.936, 0.457 and 0.104 using RM at a high value of R2 (0.911). Agricultural waste was predicted to be the strongest pollutant contributor in the model, followed by municipal and the least contributor is industrial waste. It is strongly recommended that periodic monitoring and evaluation of the river water quality is carried out within the study area using the receptor model