2024

There is a growing body of knowledge on effective Teacher Professional Development (TPD), with a consensus that skews in favour of decentralized, school-based and teacher-centred approach to TPD as opposed to the centralised, traditional and top-down approach. This researchwork focus on the assessment of the level of teachers’ public professional development
programmes in public primary school in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study employed the use of descriptive survey design. The choice of descriptive design is the appropriate sociological research design for measuring the attitudes and behavior of a large number of people. Since it is seldom possible to question everyone concerned with a certain social problem, therefore a random sample is used. The tool used to gather data is a questionnaire. It was constructed by the researcher and It is organized in accordance with the study's guiding research questions. A four point scale of Strongly agree [SA], Agree [A], Disagree (D), Strongly Disagree [SD] were used. Simple percentage and mean analysis were used to analyzed data obtained. Base on the data obtained, it was discovered that, Head teachers in large public primary schools are more effective and efficient in carrying out regular supervision of teachers than head teachers in small public primary schools and The level of school based teachers’ professional development programs in large public primary school is higher compared to that of small public primary school.

This study examines the extent of the use of instructional materials for effective teaching and learning of home economics in secondary schools in Edo State. This study adopted the Proportionate Sampling technique In order to achieve the purpose of this study, four research questions were raised. The sample for the study consists of one hundred (128) respondents which were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Data was collected with the aid of questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the instrument were ascertained using the exert judgment and test-retest procedures. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse collected data. Based on the findings of the study it was ascertained that Instructional resources has a great influence on home economics in secondary schools in Edo State. The study thus recommended that teachers should always try their best to make use of available instructional materials where necessary to make their lessons more interesting. Also the management should be ready to cooperate with teachers in the provision and improvisation of instructional materials for better instructional delivery in the school.

This study explored the use of irony and feminine craftiness as survival strategies in Lola Shoneyin’s, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. It analysed how wives in polygamous households utilize their cunning ways to navigate their complex personal dynamics and marital competition, thereby securing their survival. The study adopted a qualitative approach, as Sociological and feminist theories were used to highlight the societal injustice faced by women in polygamous homes. The study also purposively sampled relevant examples from the play to determine the effective ways of addressing this social injustice inpolygamous homes The study found that irony is used to expose social ills, hypocrisy and power dynamics that characterise polygamy in Nigerian homes. It also revealed that women adopted different forms of feminine craftiness for survival in polygamous marriages including marital, sexual, physical, spiritual and conception craftiness.

The construction industry is increasingly looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. PKS is an agricultural waste product and its incorporation into concrete not only reduces waste but also offers potential economic and environmental benefits. This study addresses this concern by investigating the viability of using palm kernel shell (PKS) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete. To evaluate its effect, we conducted a series of experiments in which we replaced conventional coarse aggregate with PKS at varying percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). To ascertain how PKS presence affected this crucial attribute, tests were conducted on the compressive strength of the resultant concrete specimens. Cement, sand, coarse aggregate, and palm kernel shell are the materials used. Concrete cubes of 100 mm by 100 mm by 100 mm were formed using a 1:1.5:4 (C30) concrete mix ratio, which was batched by weight. The cubes were crushed after 3, 7, 14, and 28 days to compare the strength at (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) PKS replacement According to this research, the results showed that as the percentage of palm kernel shell in concrete increases, the compressive strength decreases alongside its cost and the weight of concrete. At around 10% partial replacement of coarse aggregate with palm kernel shell in concrete gives a significant decrease in cost and weight of the concrete without much affecting the compressive strength of concrete.

This study aimed to investigate the standard and challenges of basic education in Edo state, Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, the following research questions were put forward: What are the key factors influencing the quality of basic education in
Edo State? What are the main challenges and barriers faced by schools and education stakeholders in delivering quality basic education in Edo State? How effective are existing education policies and programs in addressing the needs and priorities of students, teachers, and communities in Edo State? What are the longterm socio-economic and developmental impacts of investing in quality basic education in Edo State? Four (4) research questions guided this study.
The population of this study was 7,122 in the 12 schools of Etsako West local government area of Edo state and comprised a sample of 142 respondents which were used for the study and selected through random sampling technique. The study adopted a survey research design for the study and the major instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated, and the reliability was determined through the test-retest method.
The findings of the study revealed that several factors were associated with the challenges in the standard of basic education in Edo state, Nigeria. Solutions were discovered to help overcome and manage these challenges on the standard of basic education in Edo state, Nigeria

The study is concerned with the assessment of the Impact of Cyber Crime On Nigeria's image in The International Community, using the report of returned legal migrants, the study adopted an interview schedule to collate the response of 10 returned
legal migrants. The study found out that; cybercrime is rampant in Nigeria, encompassing various illicit activities such as phishing scams, online fraud, identity theft, and malware attacks. This prevalence of cybercrime not only poses significant challenges
to individuals and businesses within Nigeria but also tarnishes the country's reputation in the international community. The research also explored the report of returned legal migrants examining the profound challenges they face upon reintegration into Nigerian society. Stigmatization, social ostracism, and difficulties finding legitimate employment opportunities were commonly reported experiences, reflecting the enduring impact of their involvement in cybercriminal activities abroad. The study also highlights the diplomatic ramifications of cybercrime on Nigeria's international relations and foreign policy objectives. Instances of cyber attacks originating from Nigeria can strain bilateral ties, undermine trust and cooperation with foreign partners, and damage Nigeria's reputation as a responsible member of the global community. The study recommended that the EFCC have to increase its task to salvage the image of Nigeria in the international community as a whole by increasing efforts to curb cyber crimes among Nigerians, also the government should create an enabled enviroment for citizens to be able to go about legitimate businesses to make ends meet.

The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards the guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Ethiope West LGA. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised of two thousand, one hundred and twenty two (2,122) women of childbearing age who attended prenatal and postnatal care services between July 2023 and August 2023 at the Primary Healthcare Centres in Ethiope West Local Government Area (Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Asaba, Delta state). The sample size for this study was 229 respondents. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages for the research questions raised. While inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test the formulated hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study concludes that while knowledge and attitudes towards PMTCT guidelines are generally high among respondents in Ethiope West LGA, there is a need for continuous education and awareness programs to maintain and improve these levels. Additionally, targeted interventions should be considered to address the gaps identified, particularly among specific age groups and educational levels. Strengthening PMTCT programs through comprehensive education and supportive attitudes can significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, contributing to better health outcomes for mothers and their children.

The growing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials across various sectors has generated an increased interest in the extraction of bamboo fibres. The primary objective of This study is to tackle the obstacles linked with bamboo fibre extraction and analyze the effectiveness of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in improving the quality of the extracted fibres. The endeavour was initiated to analyze the historical progression of bamboo fibre
extraction techniques, the significance of chemical treatments in fibre processing, and the specific impacts of NaOH treatment on fibre characteristics. The study encompassed an extensive review of pieces of literature to comprehend the context and importance of bamboo fibre extraction, encompassing both conventional techniques and contemporary advancements. The experimental arrangement for distilled water and NaOH treatment was formulated, encompassing variables such as concentration fluctuations at 5%,
10%, 15% and 20% NaOH. The weight of water used was also calculated to be 1000g, 950g, 900g, 850g, and 800g to form solutions respectively. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to investigate the chemical structure of fibres before and after treatment, providing important details on the success of the extraction method. Data collection techniques involved sample preparation, maintenance of controlled environmental conditions,
and statistical evaluation of experimental findings.
The outcomes showed that NaOH treatment efficiently dissolved lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose constituents from the bamboo fibres, resulting in purer and cleaner fibre outputs. FTIR analysis corroborated the partial elimination of non-cellulosic components, with heightened NaOH concentration correlating with increased removal of lignin and hemicellulose. The discoveries from this investigation enhance comprehension of the chemical composition of
bamboo fibres and underscore the potential of NaOH treatment in refining extraction processes. Additionally, the implications of the outcomes for industrial utilization, alongside suggestions for
future research, are comprehensively deliberated

This study examined the assessment of Students’ readership of sports stories in print media. The goal was to ascertain the newspapers that students of the University of Benin, Benin City mostly read, to determine how regular students of the University
of Benin, Benin City read sport stories in the newspapers, to find out the effective strategies for engaging and maintaining the interest of the University of Benin students in sports stories published in newspapers, and to determine the ways through which students of the University of Benin, Benin City, obtain the newspapers they read. To provide a theoretical framework, the study was anchored on Uses and Gratification Theory and Media Dependency Theory: A survey research design was adopted with a sample size of 402, and a questionnaire as the primary instrument of data collection. Findings from the analysis of the data gathered showed that University of Benin students show a clear inclination towards digital means for accessing newspapers. Data generated also indicates awareness of Daily Trust was identified as the most widely read newspaper, reflecting the students’ inclination towards print media. The data indicates that 33.9% of the total population prefers Daily Trust Newspaper over any other publication. Also, there was a significant presence of weekly readership in sports stories, with 43.8% of the student population consistently engaging with sports content. Hence, this study recommends that Sports Journalists should acknowledge the importance of in-depth analysis and quality writing in sustaining interest, especially in sports stories. They should also
prioritize delivering well-crafted, informative, and engaging content to meet the preferences of the student audience. Also, given the importance of timeliness and relevance in sustaining interest, Sports journalists should prioritize delivering up-to- date and contextually relevant information. Regularly update content to align with current events and trends.

This study examined the influence of personality traits and emotional intelligence on the academic performance of secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area. The population of the study comprises of all senior secondary students in public mixed secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. Five research questions were raised to guide the study A self-constructed questionnaire with 15 item was used to gather data for the study. The internal reliability of the instrument was established by the researcher using a sample of (20) students outside the area of study. Data obtained was analyzed using hypotheses 1-2 was tested using Pearson Product moment Correlation Statistics. Hypotheses 3-4 was tested using Fisher’s z-test statistics while hypothesis five was tested using Regression analysis. The hypotheses were tested at a significant level of 0.05. the result showed that personality traits do not significantly influence academic performance of secondary school students. Meaning that there is no significant relationship between personality traits and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Egor students Local Government Area of Edo State. Based on the findings it was recommended that counseling units should be established in all secondary schools in the country so as to impact emotional intelligence to students having low academic performance, also school environment should be clean and conducive for learning in an attempt to reduce low interest of students in learning