2024

In this study, Remote Sensing (RS), Land-sat 8 digital data, and digital elevation models
(DEMs) from the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer
(ASTER), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) along with other stereotypical data
such as geology and rainfall were digitized and analyzed to create various thematic maps
(geology, land use/cover, soil, drainage density, rainfall and slope maps) required for
groundwater modelling in the study area. These thematic maps were assigned well-chosen weights and different rankings to the individual categories within each thematic map using a manual Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Parameters which had high influence on groundwater potential assessment were given higher percentages based on some criteria and others were which had low impact given low percentages. The groundwater potential zones are achieved by overlaying the thematic maps using the spatial analysis tool in Arc-GIS 10.8.

This study on emotional exhaustion, Job Satisfaction and Organizational commitment among academic staff in university of Benin, aimed to ascertain the relationship between emotional exhaustion and Job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment and determine the moderation of job satisfaction on emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all the academic staff in University of Benin. The simple random sampling technique was employed to select 100 academic staff to represent all the academic staff in University of Benin. The data was collected using a research questionnaire developed by the researcher, the questionnaire was distributed to the staff and retrieved, the data collected was computed into SPSS and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that emotional exhaustion did not have a substantial effect on job satisfaction among academic staff at the University of Benin. Regression analysis indicated a negligible relationship, with emotional exhaustion explaining minimal variance in job satisfaction. Emotional exhaustion was found to be significantly related to organizational commitment and Emotional Exhaustion has a negligible and statistically insignificant impact on Job Satisfaction based on their organizational commitment. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that; academic institutions should implement support mechanisms to help academic staff manage and cope with emotional exhaustion. This could include counseling services, stress management workshops, and initiatives promoting work-life balance. Creating a positive work environment that fosters a sense of community, recognition, and support can help mitigate emotional exhaustion and enhance organizational commitment among academic staff.

Cyanide poisoning poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG), commonly known as scent leaf, is a medicinal plant with potential cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of OG on CVD risk factors in cyanide-induced rabbits. Fifteen rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: group one(drug), group two(ethanol extract), group three(ethanol extract), group four(cyanide), group five(control). Cyanide-induced rabbits were orally administered OG extract and drug (Sylimarin) for 21 days. Blood samples and organs(heart) were collected for biochemical analysis of CVD risk factors, including total protein profile, cholesterol levels, arterogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, vitamin, and nitric oxides concentration. Certain experimental groups displayed promising changes, such as elevated HDL- C levels, improved endothelial function, and enhanced cardiac muscle function, others exhibited adverse alterations in lipid profile and endothelial function. These findings underscore the complex nature of herbal remedies and emphasize the importance of empirical validation to ensure their safety and efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.

This study explores the pivotal role of adult education in fostering economic development within rural communities, with a specific focus on the IkpobaOkha Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, the research delves into various aspects of adult education programs, including community perceptions, social and economic impacts, employed strategies, and overall benefits. The study reveals diverse perceptions within rural communities regarding adult education, highlighting the need for targeted awareness campaigns to dispel misconceptions and increase participation. Furthermore, the research underscores the positive influence of adult education programs on social development, emphasizing behavioral changes, community engagement, and enhanced lifestyles among adult learners.Additionally, the study identifies a strong correlation between adult education and economic development, citing the acquisition of vocational skills, increased productivity, income generation, and entrepreneurship opportunities as key outcomes. To optimize the effectiveness of adult education initiatives, the study recommends adequate funding, resource allocation, community engagement, and policy enhancements. It advocates for a comprehensive approach that integrates adult education into broader development strategies, emphasizing the importance of tailored programs, stakeholder collaboration, and continuous evaluation and improvement.The study underscores the transformative potential of adult education in rural communities and calls for sustained investment, policy support, and community involvement to harness this potential for holistic community development and economic growth.

Cyanide poisoning poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG), commonly known as scent leaf, is a medicinal plant with potential cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of OG on CVD risk factors in cyanide-induced rabbits. Fifteen rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: group one(drug), group two(ethanol extract), group three(ethanol extract), group four (cyanide), group five(control). Cyanide-induced rabbits were orally administered OG extract and drug (Sylimarin) for 21 days. Blood samples and organs(heart) were collected for biochemical analysis of CVD risk factors, including total protein profile, cholesterol levels, arterogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, vitamin, and nitric oxides concentration. Certain experimental groups displayed promising changes, such as elevated HDL- C levels, improved endothelial function, and enhanced cardiac muscle function, others exhibited adverse alterations in lipid profile and endothelial function. These findings underscore the complex nature of herbal remedies and emphasize the importance of empirical validation to ensure their safety and efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.

The use of medicinal plants as traditional medicine is made possible as a result of the presence of bioactive metabolite in plants which form the basis of herbal medication. This study was carried out to assess the antidiabetic activity of cocoa extract and its effect on body weight, food and water consumption using normal and diabetes mellitus-induced wistar albino rats. Thirty five healthy male Wistar albino rats with average body weight of 200 g were purchased and grouped into 5 groups (A to E) with 7 rats in each group. Group A was normal rats fed with standard rat feed (Normal control). Group B was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed (Diabetic control). Group C was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 300mg/kg cocoa extract (Low Dosage). Group D was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 600mg/kg cocoa extract (Moderate Dosage). Group E was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 900mg/kg cocoa extract (High Dosage). The result showed that there were significant differences in water and food intake of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The histological plates also provide visual evidence of the effects of low dosage, moderate dosage, and high dosage of cocoa extracts on pancreatic tissue in a rat model of diabetes. While LD extract appears to have a positive impact on tissue architecture and islet regeneration, MD and HD cocoa extracts may have limited benefits in reversing diabetes-induced changes. These results provide a foundation for future research into the therapeutic potential of these extracts in managing diabetes.

The study investigated the awareness and usage of open educational resources among Library and Information Science undergraduates in the department of educational management, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the
research were to find out the level of awareness of LIS undergraduates towards OERs, sources of awareness, types of OERs used by LIS undergraduates, level of usage of OERs among the undergraduates and the problems militating against their usage. In carrying out this study, five research questions were raised. Descriptive survey design was utilized for the study. The population for the study is 289 undergraduates. The total enumeration and accidental sampling techniques were used for this study. The instruments used for this study were a questionnaire with the title “Awareness and Usage of Open Access Resources Questionnaire (AUOARQ)” The data obtained were analyzed, using frequency and percentages. Findings from the study revealed that the LIS undergraduates had high level of awareness of open educational resources, they became aware of OER though self-exploration on the internet, open e-book and open access journals were utilized by the undergraduates. They had high level of usage of open educational resources. Unstable power supply, inadequate ICT facilities, poor Internet connectivity, lack of retrieval skills,
lack of internet search skills and download delay were some of the barriers associated with the use of OERs. Undergraduates’ attendance at such orientation, workshop and seminar should be made mandatory

Picralima nitida, commonly known as Akuamma, is a plant native to West Africa and has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and subchronic toxicity profile, with a specific focus on biochemical analysis and histopathology of rats administered the roots of Picralima nitida. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard chemical tests and the subchronic toxicity study was done for 28 days with the administration of the methanolic root extract to the rats. Biochemical analysis and histopathological studies were carried out after to assess subchronic
toxicity effects. Picralima nitida was shown to contain phytochemicals most likely responsible for its pharmacological properties and therefore, its ethnomedicinal uses. The rats in the treatment groups based on the biochemical parameters showed no signs of toxicity when compared to the control group. In conlusion, phytochemical screening and subchronic toxicity evaluation are essential steps in assessing the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants. The study demonstrates that the root extract at doses administered were not toxic. However, further studies are needed where the animals are given higher doses with longer durations to fully understand the plant's toxicity.

This study evaluated the impact of sustainability reporting on financial
performance of listed companies in the industrial and consumer goods sector on the Nigerian Exchange Group from 2018 to 2022. The study was carried out by extracting data from the annual reports for the period on which the descriptive statistics test, correlation analysis and the panel regression analysis were used. Sustainability reporting was represented by economic disclosure, environmental disclosure, and social disclosure, and three research hypotheses were formulated from each of the variables. The result of the findings revealed that all the variables (economic disclosure, environmental disclosure, and social disclosure) had a positive and significant
relationship with financial performance in the selected entities. The study recommends that companies should develop a national sustainability reporting framework for consistent reporting across Nigerian companies, listed entities should integrate sustainability into their corporate strategy and decision-making, investors should consider sustainability disclosures in investment decisions, and educational institutions should incorporate sustainability reporting into curricula to build relevant skills.

This study investigates the relationships between economic growth, governmentexpenditure, and interest rates in Nigeria, employing various statistical methods. The research aims to provide actionable insights into the interactions betweenthesecrucial macroeconomic variables and their implications for policymaking. The theoretical foundation draws from Wagner's Law and the KeynesianFramework, which offer contrasting perspectives on whether governmentexpenditure is a cause or effect of economic growth. Using data fromtheCentralBank of Nigeria and the World Bank, the study employs the AugmentedDickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test to assess stationarity, the Granger causalitytest toexamine causal relationships, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressiontoanalyze the effects of interest rates and government expenditure onGrossDomestic Product (GDP). The findings confirm the applicability of Wagner's Law in the Nigeriancontext, indicating that economic growth granger-causes government spending. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a positive relationship between interest rates, government expenditure, and GDP, although the results are not statisticallysignificant. The study highlights the importance of interest rates as apolicyinstrument for influencing economic performance and attractingforeigninvestment. To enhance the statistical robustness of the analysis, the study incorporatestheAnalysis of Variance (ANOVA) table, demonstrating its effectivenessin xi evaluating and improving the performance of regression models. The researchculminates in actionable recommendations for policymakers, emphasizingtheneedfor strategic fiscal policies, careful interest rate management, andtargetedinvestments in sectors that foster economic growth. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the intricate dynamicsbetween economic growth, government expenditure, and interest rates inNigeria, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers alike.