2023

This study examines Drug Abuse Among University Undergraduates in the University of
Benin, Edo State. The population of the study consist of 300 and 400 level
undergraduates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City. The total population of students in the study area was about 2,940. In other to determine the sample size, the researcher used a 5% level of significance. The sample size was derived using Yaro Yamnane formula. The result that was gotten using TamnaneYaro formula was 352 from the total population, and 150 was taken from the population size of the study. Data was analyzed by means of table and frequency. The study conclude that drug abuse constitutes one of the major social problems in Nigeria because of the hazardous effect on the health of people and also psychologically, physically, socially, educationally etc. from the finding, the following conclusion were made that drug abuse is a social problem basically associated with young people. These young people involve themselves in taking hard drugs and excessive taking of some drugs which may alter the body system or may cause damage to the health. Drug abuseis very common among undergraduates. Drug is mostly abused by male undergraduates
than female. The study therefore made the following recommendations that parents andschool authorities should advise the undergraduates to refrain from indulging in drugabuse. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency should organize its workshop and seminars on drug free education in various secondary schools and institution of higher
learning in the country. Legislation should be enacted to penalize haulage companies
especially transporters who do not implement and enforce procedure to prevent misuse of their facilities by drug trafickers. The curriculum for drug education should be developed and made to be taught at all level of the educational system.

Tamarindus indica, or the Tamarind tree, known for its numerous health benefits, is a large evergreen tree native to tropical Africa and now found in Asia. Its alcoholic extract has been found to possess hypotensive effects, and this study seeks to evaluate the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Tamarindus indica for vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, as a possible mechanism of blood pressure reduction. Isolated rat thoracic aortic rings were suspended in an isolated organ bath with a pair of tungsten wires. A 50 mg/mL stock solution of the extract was prepared, from which serial dilutions were done to obtain the concentrations used (25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.56 and 0.78 mg/mL), and volumes of 25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 uL were administered cumulatively. The experiment was done using rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, and rat thoracic aorta with intact endothelium, pre-contracted with 80 mM potassium chloride (KCl). The extract caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, though this effect was slightly reduced with denuded endothelium. The extract also caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta pre-contracted with 80 mM KCl. From the results obtained from the study, it can be concluded that the extract possesses vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, which might be both endothelium-dependent and independent, and is possibly mediated through blockade of the L-type Ca 2+ channels. This could be responsible for its blood pressure reduction effects

This study investigates the impact of bank credit on economic growth in Nigeria applying the multivariate ordinary least square (OLS) technique using time series data from 1981 to 2020. Real gross domestic product (RGDP) is the dependent variable and proxy for economic growth while bank credit to the private sector (PSC) and aggregate bank credit (ABKC) were proxies for bank credit respectively. A major finding is that there is a significant negative relationship between bank private sector and economic growth while a significant positive relationship was found between aggregate bank credit and economic growth. Inflation rate and trade openness were found not to be a key factor that influence economic growth in Nigeria for the period studied. The study recommends that government should ensure strict regulatory measures through the use of its monetary policies to regulate the banking sector. The Central Bank of Nigeria, through the use of its credit control instruments should regulate the interest rates to enable the private sector borrow at a moderate rate thereby enhancing investment, which in turn leads to economic growth. Also, the monetary authorities and other financial institutions should be strengthened in their regulatory frame work and capacity to maintain financial stability and banking sector reforms.

Research has been ongoing on many plant materials, especially those discarded as waste, to exploit their nutritional and antinutritional properties. Generally, plant parts (seeds, leaves, bark, fruits, stems) contain bioactive agents with medicinal properties but require proper assessment. Avocado (P. americana) seeds are often discarded after taking the pulp of the fruit. Until recent times, Researchers have identified a wealth of therapeutic compounds in the husk of avocado seeds which are normally discarded. The present study was aimed at determining the level of anti-nutrients and possibly heavy metals in the seed of Avocado. The seeds were removed from the pulp, washed, dried, cut into smaller pieces and allow to air dry completely and then pulverised. The seed powder of P. americana was analysed to determine its mineral contents and some antinutritional properties (oxalate and phytate). The quantitative analysis of these parameters showed that the anti-nutritive components are Phytate (1.07%) and oxalate (6.16%) respectively. The mineral analysis revealed zinc (3.415 mg/kg ±0.145), Lead (0.035 mg/kg ±0.005), iron (2.775 mg/kg ± 0.105), Nickel (0.115 mg/kg ±0.005), Copper(0.265 mg/kg ±0.015), Cobalt (0.14 mg/kg ±0.01), Chromium (0.08 mg/kg ±0) respectively. This study, therefore revealed that P. americana seeds have a low level of oxalate and phytate contents while there were low levels of some heavy metals as seen in the result. In conclusion, the seeds of P.
Americana were found to be a beneficial potential therapeutic agent.

This study was carried out to evaluate the seed yield of cowpea varieties grown in a screen house in Benin City, Edo state. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Research and Experimental Farm, University of Benin, Benin city. Nine (9) cowpea varieties were collected from the Institute for Agriculture Research (IAR), Samaru Zaria and two (2) from an open market on Benin City. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) with eleven treatments and three replications. Data on pod length, number of seeds, total number of pods, weight of seeds and pod weight were collected. The data collected were analyzed using SAS version 9.0. Pod length was highest (13.54) in S19 and lowest in 1.1. There were significant differences among all the cowpea varieties for the measured variable except number of seeds. However, several varieties were statistically equal in performance for all the variables. Samaru varieties were better than the open market varieties in all cases hence it is
recommended to sow with samaru varieties.

Academic activities were suspended in public tertiary institutions and other schools around the world, including Nigeria, due of the Covid-19 pandemic. Online education has brought a new reality to the academic system. This study evaluated the difficulties faced by learners who participated in online courses during the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Three classes each were organized using the video conferencing software for students of the Department of Optometry, University of Benin. The next step was for them to freely evaluate the lectures and the lecturer while observing the difficulties and achievements. An online survey that was utilized to compile and populate the study's responses was examined. Ninety-six (96) students studying optometry provided answers to the survey. The study was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences version (SPSS) 22.0. A study of the statistical data revealed that online lectures
considerably increased students' understanding of the homework. In conclusion, the difficulties
included an abnormal power supply, a lack of internet access, and low student motivation. This
study recommends that online lectures should be introduced, a good internet capable phone
should be mandated to be gotten by the students and the students should have an alternate power
supply rather than depend on power companies

This study presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a Bio Sand Filter (BSF) for treating turbid surface water. The BSF was tested using water collected from the Ovia River in Benin City during the rainy season. Results showed significant improvements in water quality, with reductions in total coliforms, E. coli, turbidity, and chemical contaminants, and adjustments to pH levels. Thus, 80% reduction in total coliforms (from 25 CFU/100mL to 5 CFU/100mL), 90% reduction in E. coli (from 10 CFU/100mL to 1 CFU/100mL), 75% reduction in turbidity (from 30 NTU to 5 NTU). The treated water met or exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 standards for safe drinking water. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the BSF as a cost-effective and sustainable technology for improving water quality, particularly in regions with limited access to centralized water treatment facilities. Recommendations include encouraging BSF adoption, ongoing research and development, establishing monitoring and maintenance programs, regular water quality testing, advocacy for government and NGO support, and public awareness campaigns to ensure universal access to safe drinking water.

This research aims to assess the performance of drilling bits by employing cost per
foot and breakeven equations as a means of evaluating their cost-effectiveness. The
study focuses on ABC Well X and ABC Well Y, both located onshore in the southern swamp region of OML 11 within the Eastern Niger Delta area. In ABC Well X, the evaluation involved the use of four SEC Bits, three HTC Bits, and one REED Bit. For ABC Well Y, the assessment incorporated three SEC Bits and three HTC Bits. To evaluate the bits, cost per foot and breakeven equations were applied, taking into consideration their respective manufacturers. The study computed the average cost per foot for each type of bit. The results revealed the following average cost per foot values: SEC Bits in ABC Well X: $58.29 per foot, HTC Bits in ABC Well X: $22.24 per foot, REED Bit in ABC Well X: $47.38 per foot, SEC Bits in ABC Well Y: $38.82 per foot and HTC Bits in ABC Well Y: $20.32 per foot. Based on the cost per foot evaluation, it is evident that HTC Bits exhibit superior
performance compared to the other types of bits, as they have the lowest cost per foot. Utilizing HTC Bits for drilling to the total depth in the field would require a total cost of $3,363.6. This investment would enable drilling for 9.108 hours and yield a footage of 78.47 feet, ultimately reaching the breakeven point for cost per foot.

This study investigates the “Impact-of women education and it’s implications for poverty alleviation in Oredo local government area of Edo state. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. The sample consist of one hundred (100) women participants from Oredo local government area of Delta state were drawn using simple random sampling techniques. The questionnaire was the major instrument used for the study and was designed and validated by experts in the department of Adult and Non-formal Education, Faculty of Education University of Benin. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, frequencies counts, simple percentages, and mean score Findings of the study revealed that women education programmes such as literacy programmes, vocational programmes, skills acquisition programmes, computer skills and agriculture and distance education programmes can be use to alleviate poverty if only the government invest in the programmes.. It was further recommended that the range of employment opportunities for women should be widened by breaking down traditional barriers in their employment.Women should be encouraged to participate in trade unions and collective bargaining to relect the special needs of the women folk. Special effort must be made to attract and train women for decision-making positions. Systematic efforts should be made to ensure women's full integration and participation into different programmes in other to alleviate poverty

This study examines impact of domestic violence against women in Egor local government area, Benin City, Edo state in conducting the study, a sample size of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were randomly selected from the population. The survey design was adopted for this study. To collect the needed data and information, a questionnaire was designed in line with the research questions. The method of data collection included the questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary records which essentially included documents relating to the impact of unemployment on youth restiveness. Data were analyzed by means of tables, frequency distribution and percentages. From the findings, it was revealed that inequality (superiority of male sex over females) is a cause of domestic violence. Also, it was revealed that domestic violence against women reduces the participation of women in the society. It was revealed that stereotyping (preference and dominance of the male sex over the female sex) which is present in some culture is a reason which exposes women to domestic violence while 62% of the respondents did not provide an answer to this question. Also, it was revealed that violence has a socio-economic impact on the women in Egor. From the findings, it was concludes that domestic violence is prevalent in various nations at an alarming rate. Women are the sufferers and are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse in their home by partners, in-laws and in some circumstances by their brothers and parents. The study therefore made the following recommendations that There is a need of recognition at the national level of the issue and consistent follow -up should be made mandatory. There should be enough educational programs in all societies and cultures, both for women and men at the same levels. There should be enough opportunities of employments and participation in political parties along with security and safety for women and the seat allocation for recruitments of both genders should be considered on equality grounds. More funds should be allocated to women's development in the country. Government should to make sure that women have enough access to reach any political opportunity and there should be a training programme available for their capacity building on politics. There is also a need of reforms in the police departments and judicial processes which place constraints on women from accessing justice. Women police should be trained to deal with women facing domestic violence so that women could feel safe and protected.