2024

The MERN ChatApplication for College Students is a contemporary web-based communication tool created to facilitate seamless interaction and collaboration among college students. In today's digital era, effective communication plays a crucial role in improving learning outcomes and building a sense of community among students. Current chat applications often lack the specific features and security measures required for the unique needs of college students. Taking into consideration the constraints and the scope of the project, which is the University of Benin, Department of Computer Science, the method proposed by this project is a MERN Chat Application which aim to tackle these challenges by offering a secure, user friendly, and feature-rich platform tailored to the needs of college students. By utilizing the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js), the application provides a strong and scalable solution for real-time messaging, group discussions, and academic collaboration. Key features of the MERN Chat Application include secure user authentication, dedicated group chat spaces, real-time messaging capabilities, and compatibility across various devices and web browsers. The application places a high priority on user privacy and data security, ensuring that student information remains confidential and always protected. Through a combination of cutting-edge technology, user-friendly design, and comprehensive features, the MERN Chat Application aims to transform the way college students communicate and collaborate. By offering a centralized platform for academic discussions, resource sharing, and group projects, the application aims to improve learning outcomes, encourage community engagement, and promote collaborative learning among college students.

This study investigates the impact of board diversity on financial performance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, focusing on national, ethnic, age, and gender diversity as key dimensions. The population comprises all twelve oil and gas companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group as of December 31, 2022, with a census approach capturing the entire population as the sample. Panel data methodology, specifically Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, is employed to account for potential time-series variation and firm-specific effects in the analysis, using Earnings Per Share (EPS) as a proxy for financial performance. The study finds that ethnic and age diversity have a statistically significant positive impact on EPS, suggesting that a diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds and age groups within boards enhances financial outcomes. In contrast, national and gender diversity how no significant effect on EPS, indicating that these diversity dimensions may hold less influence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The study recommends that companies in this sector prioritize ethnic and age diversity in board composition to improve financial performance, while policymakers and corporate leaders are encouraged to foster initiatives that support diverse perspectives, optimizing board effectiveness and shareholder wealth.

This project aims to design and implement a hybrid clean and renewable energy system for telecommunication base stations, integrating wind and solar energy sources. The primary purpose is to enhance the sustainability, reliability, and efficiency of off-grid power systems, particularly in remote locations where traditional energy sources are costly and environmentally unsustainable. By leveraging the complementary nature of wind and solar resources, the project seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, minimise carbon emissions, and improve the energy autonomy of telecommunication infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to create a resilient, ecofriendly energy framework that contributes to global efforts in combating climate change. The methodology involved an extensive research and development process. Initially, a detailed literature review was conducted to gather insights from existing studies and identify areas for improvement. The design phase focused on developing a dual-input charge controller system capable of managing power from both solar panels and wind turbines. The system architecture incorporated essential components such as voltage and current sensors, metal￾oxidesemiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) drivers, and a battery storage unit. A prototype was simulated using Proteus Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, followed by the construction of the physical model. The wind turbine was crafted from a modified fan motor, while the battery pack consisted of lithium-ion cells configured for optimal capacity. System testing was conducted under varying environmental conditions to evaluate performance and reliability. The results demonstrated that, while the solar system consistently generated higher energy outputs, the wind turbine provided supplementary power, particularly during periods of low sunlight. The hybrid system showed potential in maintaining stable power generation throughout different times and seasons. However, challenges in wind turbine fabrication affected overall efficiency. The study concludes that integrating wind and solar technologies enhances the resilience and sustainability of telecommunication base stations. Recommendations for future work include improving wind turbine fabrication, expanding testing across diverse climates, and exploring additional renewable energy sources to further bolster system autonomy and efficiency.

This study aimed to empirically examine the impact of training and development on the achievement of organizational goals among managers of Access Bank Plc. To guide the study, three research questions were raised, and three hypotheses were generated. The survey adopted a survey research design approach which sought to understand the impact of training and development on employee performance in Access Bank Plc, Benin City, ,. Edo determine the sample size from the population, and after due computation, a sample of 115 respondents was arrives at. The study utilized a questionnaire as the research instrument to sample the opinions of the managers on the subject matter. A total of 115 questionnaires were distributed, however, only I00 were retrieved. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, mean and standard deviation while linear regression was used to determine the impact of training and development on the achievement of organizational goals. Findings obtained from the analysis of the data indicated that staff training and development has a strong and positive impact on the achievement of organizational goals. Also, it was found that there is a significant relationship between staff training and development on the achievement of organizational goals. Based on the findings, the study recommends amongst others that organization should invest comprehensive and tailored programs that align closely with organizational goals. This could involve clear communication of training objectives and expectation to employees and identifying and
addressing barriers and challenges in implementing training programs..

This project focuses on the design and fabrication of an improved twin blades yam pounding machine to enhance the efficiency, speed, and quality of pounded yam production. Pounded yam, produced mainly from Dioscorea rotundata, is a staple food widely consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. Traditional pounding using mortar and pestle is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often unhygienic, while many existing mechanized pounders use single blades that limit effective tumbling and crushing of larger yam quantities. Experimental analysis was conducted to determine the crushing force of cooked yam, and detailed engineering design calculations were performed for motor selection, shaft design, pulley system, and bearing selection. A decision matrix was used to compare two design concepts, leading to the selection of the twin blade configuration due to its superior pounding efficiency. Performance evaluation of the fabricated machine showed that it pounded 1 kg of yam in 2 minutes, 1.5 kg in 2.27 minutes, and 2 kg in 3 minutes, compared to 6–8 minutes for single-blade machines and 15–20 minutes for manual pounding. The machine achieved a throughput capacity of 292.8 kg/hr and an efficiency of 97.6%. The results demonstrate that the improved twin blades yam pounding machine provides faster operation, better texture uniformity, and higher productivity, offering a more hygienic and efficient alternative to traditional and existing mechanical methods.

This study assessed the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the role performance of agricultural extension workers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of extension workers in Edo state, Nigeria, ascertain effects of subsidy removal on the roles performed by extension workers, identify coping strategies for overcoming the fuel subsidy removal effects by extension workers in performing their roles and identify constraints to extensions role performance in the study area. A purposive selection of the entire population of extension workers from the three (3) agricultural zones in Edo State, Nigeria constituted the sample for this research. This gave a sample size of One hundred and four (104) respondents for the study. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results showed that majority of the respondents were male (55.8%). The average age of the respondents was approximately 46 years. The predominant staff category was Extension agent (47.1%). Marital status showed that a significant majority were married (78.8%). Educationally, most workers held a BSc/ HND (66.3%) . Regarding training, most workers participated in in-service training (65.4%) with a majority attending 6-8 trainings (51.0%). It was observed in the study that annual income varied, with the majority earning between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Naira (53.8%). Household size predominantly ranged from 3-4 members (49.0%). Most respondents had 6 to 10 years of working experience (39.4%). Respondents’ grade level showed a concentration in the 6-8 range (47.1%). In terms to examine the effects of fuel subsidy removal when compared to before the removal, knowledge transfer was still majorly performed (�ത3.33), networking performance dropped significantly ( �ത 3.06), technical advising dropped ( �ത 3.13), communication dropped ( �ത 3.00), program development decreased to �ത 3.11), capacity building dropped to ( �ത 3.18) , problem solving performance decreased to ( �ത 3.24), community liaison performance dropped to (�ത 3.14), needs assessment dropped to (�ത 3.17), monitoring and evaluation dropped to ( �ത 3.03), advocacy dropped to ( �ത 3.07). The most commonly adopted coping strategies were telecommuting and virtual meetings (82.7%). The most severe constraints were inadequate institutional support (�ത 3.76). The study concluded the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, investing in sustainable energy solutions, developing robust remote support system, engaging stakeholders including government agencies and private sector partners can restore the high performance levels of extension workers.

The study investigates the syntactic patterning of possessive markers in Yoruba and how Yoruba possessive construction plays a crucial role in conveying ownership, relationship, identity and kinship within discourse. A qualitative approach was adopted. The data used were obtained from primary sources via interviews with natives of Yoruba, while some of the data were obtained from secondary sources such as textbooks and journal articles. The study adopts the Government and Binding theory of Noam Chomsky. The findings of this study revealed the difference between the English possessive construction markers and the Yoruba possessive construction markers , it shows that English language is a head-first language. In head-first languages, the head typically comes before its modifiers and the Yoruba language is a head-last language, in head-last languages, the head comes after its modifiers. however possession is not mark on the owner of the entity rather the object owned precede the owner to show possession . It shows how possessive construction plays a crucial role in conveying ownership, relationship, identity and kinship in the Yoruba language.

This study examines the influence of gender culture and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria with the objective of ascertaining the influence of gender culture on entrepreneurship development, the differences between male and female enetrepreneurship development, the extent to which gender equality enhances sustainable development in Nigerian entrepreneurship, Examine the effects of gender bias and culture on the growth of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. This study population was drawn from the Ovia North East Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study involved 100 participants selected through purposive random sampling from various small and medium enterprises. Data were gathered using questionnaires administered to the sampled respondents. The collected data
were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency tables and percentages. The relationship between one independent variable and the dependent variable was tested using the chi-square statistical technique. The findings highlighted that gender, culture, and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria reflect the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors influencing entrepreneurial opportunities and outcomes, particularly for women. Despite facing significant challenges such as gender disparities, cultural norms, and structural barriers, there are promising prospects for fostering gender-inclusive entrepreneurship in the country. Addressing these challenges and leveraging opportunities requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates policy interventions, social support mechanisms, education and training initiatives, and technology-driven solutions. Gender-sensitive policies that enhance women's access to finance, education, and support networks are crucial for creating a level playing field and promoting women's entrepreneurial success

Security is needed more and becoming more important in today's world. Sometimes, physical security and access control is not always the best solution, especially in instances with large crowd or systems that requires round-the-clock security. For this reason, an Arduino-based access control system using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology) was created to provide security and access control to buildings and physical spaces, and this eliminated the need for physical security at all times. The device makes use of RFID technology and Arduino to complete its work. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a communication technology commonly known as electronic tags. Radio transmissions can identify targets and transfer data without direct communication. Advancements in radio frequency recognition technology have led to its widespread usage in identity documents, defense, and industrial control. When the RFID scanner recognizes a tag, it checks its UID to the stored database to ensure accuracy. Access is granted if the captured user's UID matches a previously saved UID; otherwise, access is denied.

This study examined the relationship between employee relations and employee productivity in the hotel industry. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 70 hotel employees to assess various aspects of employee relations, including communication, teamwork, management support, and recognition/rewards. Employees also provided self-report of their own productivity. Quantitative analysis revealed several significant positive correlations between measures of employee relations and employee productivity. In particular, perceptions of open communication, strong teamwork, and adequate management support were all
associated with higher levels of self-reported employee productivity. The findings suggest that investing in initiatives to improve employee relations within hotels may have tangible benefits in terms of boosting employee output and performance. Implications for hotel management practices are discussed, along with limitations of the study and directions for future research