2024

Azanza garckeana is a plant species native to Africa that has been used in traditional medicine. Despite its widespread use, the potential toxicity of its extracts on vital organs like the liver and kidneys remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a hydro- methanolic extract from the seeds of Azanza garckeana on liver and kidney function parameters in male and female Wistar albino rats. The extract was administered orally at doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg body weight, and various biomarkers were evaluated. For liver function, the study found no significant changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, and
conjugated bilirubin levels in both male and female rats across the treatment groups, suggesting no apparent hepatotoxicity at the tested doses. However, a significant increase in creatinine levels was observed at higher doses (300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) in both genders, indicating potential nephrotoxicity or impaired renal function. Other kidney function parameters, such as urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels, did not show significant changes. In
conclusion, while the hydro-methanolic seed extract of Azanza garckeana did not affect liver function, caution should be exercised regarding its potential adverse effects on kidney function, particularly at higher doses. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential implications for human use.

This project presents the design and fabrication of a cost-effective submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) intended for underwater exploration, specifically for lakebed surveys and crack observations. The study aims to develop an affordable, durable, and highly maneuverable ROV using a syringe-actuated buoyancy system, PVC hull construction, and a combination of propellers and pumps for navigation. Unlike conventional ROVs that rely solely on thrusters, this design integrates a novel buoyancy control mechanism to enhance precision and stability in shallow water operations.
The development process involved conceptualizing the structural framework, selecting appropriate materials, and integrating propulsion, control, and buoyancy systems. The ROV was fabricated using lightweight and corrosion-resistant materials such as PVC pipes and acrylic plates, ensuring durability and cost efficiency. A single brushless motor provided forward propulsion, while four strategically placed syringe-actuated pumps enabled controlled vertical and lateral movement. The prototype underwent rigorous testing to evaluate maneuverability, depth control, and structural integrity. Results demonstrated that the ROV successfully achieved stable and precise movements, making it an effective tool for underwater inspections. The syringe-actuated buoyancy system provided reliable depth control, although minor delays in response time were noted. While the design proved efficient for shallow-water exploration, enhancements in power efficiency and material optimization are recommended for future iterations. Overall, this project contributes to the advancement of affordable underwater robotics, offering a practical solution for research, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications

Smoked beef is a common food sold on the streets in Nigeria, popularly known as ‘suya’. This project evaluates the levels of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and five heavy metals in smoked beef, aiming to determine PAH and heavy metal concentrations and compare them with regulatory limits. The study employed analytical techniques including gas chromatography for PAH analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for heavy metal analysis. Samples of smoked beef were collected from various locations around University of Benin axis (Ekosodin, Hall 2 and Maingate) which underwent solvent extraction using a sonic bath, followed by purification with a silica gel column and were analysed via Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector for their PAH levels. For heavy metals, samples were digested with nitric and perchloric acid and then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results revealed the presence of PAHs and various heavy metals, with concentrations varying among samples showed that the PAH levels were well within the regulatory standards while some of the heavy metals were above the regulatory standards. The findings provide valuable insights into the contamination levels of smoked beef and highlight the importance of monitoring and regulating food processing practices to ensure consumer safety.

The study empirically examined the impact of electronic banking on deposit money banks performance in Nigeria for the period 2009 to 2023. The specific objectives of the study were to examined the impact of mobile banking (MBANK), internet banking (IBANK), point of sales terminal (POS) and automated teller machine (ATM) on deposit money banks performance. The fully modified least square econometric technique was employed for analysis of data and the results obtained indicate that mobile banking (MBANK) and point of sales terminal (POS) has significant negative impact on deposit money banks performance; internet banking (IBANK) and has significant positive relationship with deposit money banks performance; while automated teller machine (ATM) has a weak negative impact on deposit money banks performance in Nigeria. The study therefore conclude that, in the determination of deposit money banks performance (DMBP), MBANK, IBANK and POS are major factors to be considered by
management, policy makers and the government. These variables must not be ignored in policy decision making otherwise, it will spell doom for the Nigerian banking industry.

Pregnancy requires women to provide calcium and phosphorus, in amounts that may exceed their normal daily intake. Necessary adaptations take place within each time period, to meet the fetal and maternal needs such as the increase in intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption. Although some women may experience fragility fractures as a consequence of pregnancy, for others, bone density is not affected by pregnancy. Study conducted on calcium and phosphorus levels in pregnant women, revealed significant findings. There was a significant decrease in serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the second and third trimesters, compared to non pregnant controls. These findings suggest the importance of educating pregnant women of the importance of a well balanced diet and consistent intake of prenatal supplements, to prevent complications associated with calcium and phosphorus deficiency disorder.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable. Because current medication have begun to lose their effectiveness due to resistance in the causative agent, Plasmodium, there is need to develop new antimalarial lead candidates. Using an in silico approach, this study aimed to explore the bioactive compounds present in the Piper guineense and Chrysobalanus icaco with the possibility of inhibiting plasmepsin II (PDB ID:1LF3), a drug target protein of Plasmodium falciparum. Dihydroartemisinin was used as a positive control in
this study to explore the possible function of plasmepsin II. The software used include; PyRx, PyMol, ProTox-3.0, Biovia Discovery Studio 2020, and SwissADME web server; the databases used were Protein Data Bank (PDB) and PubChem. The docking study revealed that β-Cubebene (P. guineense) and Spiro[androst-5-ene-17,1'- cyclobutan]-2'-one, 3-hydroxy-, (3beta,17beta)- (C. icaco) have the highest binding free energies of -7.4kcal/mol and -9.1kcal/mol respectively with the target protein, Plasmepsin II. Compounds from Piper guineense; Epiglobulol, (-)-alpha-Copaene, Agarospirol, 4,6,6- Trimethyl-2-(3-methylbuta-1,3-dienyl)-3-oxatricyclo[5.1.0.0(2,4)]octane, Bulnesol had similar amino acid interaction as the positive control, Dihydroatremisinin (DHA) but with however lower binding affinities compared to it. In conclusion, compounds from Piper guineense presented with more promising bioactive compounds for antimalarial drug development. Further analytical study can, therefore be done
to establish evidence of concept and promote the development of new antimalarial lead candidates.

In this project, I developed a web application to Educate users on social engineering by testing them with real life scenarios to familiarize them with social engineering tricks. The application is designed using mainly the Java technology, it is designed as a web application so it can run on browsers, as a result, the user interfaces are developed using web technologies such as HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. The application logic is developed using Java beans and Java Servlet. The application is designed using the Model-View-Controller approach (MVC). The data persistent layer is maintained using the MySQL relational database. The simulator developed will help the users easily identify social engineering attacks, this will help in the long-lasting battle against social engineering.

The experiment was carried out to produce ginger powder from fresh ginger rhizomes using sun drying technique. The fresh rhizomes were collected from Forestry market, Benin City, Edo State. The ginger was then examined for its proximate, phytochemical and mineral element composition. These tests were carried out on the ginger before and after processing. The phytochemicals examined were alkaloids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, tanins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, quinones and steroids. Specifically, the absence or presence of these phytochemicals were determined. The results from the mineral element test on the fresh ginger showed the following values in mg/L; Magnesium (0.75), Iron (1.0), Calcium (0.50), Zinc (0.80), Potassium (19.70) and Sodium (2.20). The processed ginger powder showed; Iron (1.60), Magnesium (1.08), Calcium (0.30), Zinc (1.20), Potassium (61.10) and Sodium (11.40). MBased on this study, the sun drying technique proved effective in reducing the moisture content of the ginger thereby improving its shelf-life, and its overall consumer desirability. The processed ginger powder is also a good source of the aforementioned minerals.

Climate change poses significant environmental, economic, and social challenges globally, and Nigeria is no exception. This study examines the legal framework for combating climate change in Nigeria, with a focus on the policies, laws, and regulatory mechanisms designed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable development, and enhance resilience to climate-related risks. Through a comprehensive review of national legislation, international treaties, and policy instruments, including the Nigerian Climate Change Act, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, and Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the study highlights the strengths and gaps in the current legal regime. Key challenges identified include inadequate enforcement mechanisms, limited public awareness, and insufficient integration of climate change considerations into sectoral laws. The study concludes that while Nigeria has made important legal strides in addressing climate change, effective implementation, harmonization of laws, and stronger institutional capacity are critical to achieving sustainable environmental outcomes. Recommendations include strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and promoting public participation in climate governance.

Sustainability impact assessment is a tedious exercise to determine if a project is worthwhile by subjecting it to different methods of analysis. In this project, an assessment was conducted on utilizing synthesis gas as a substitute to conventional fossil fuels such as gasoline, for household power generation. The methods embarked on in the course of study included the Life Cycle Analysis, Techno- Economic Assessment, and Cost Benefit Analysis. Global warming potential (GWP) of utilizing syngas was checked for and it was seen that it was gotten to be 0.111kg CO2 equivalent and its acidification potential is 4.4E-4kg SO2 equivalent and human toxicity potential is 8.86E-2kg, 1-4 DB equivalent. It showed promise of being an eco-friendly method of power generation. In regards to the economic assessment, it was found that the Levelized Cost of Electricity was ₦34.009/kWh and this is seen definitely as a cheaper option than that offered by the current distribution rate seen in the country. The NPV as at the end of 20 years was seen to be - ₦157,606.95. Methods of reducing this and making it a positive value was also explored. This included reducing the cost of Operation and Maintenance by 30% and the Biomass cost by 40%. In summary, synthesis gas has a very exciting future in the process of power generation. The findings offer scientific proof for the design and deployment of the hybrid technology to improve energy security, while reducing carbon emissions. Overall, this study brings to light the potential benefits of biomass energy systems and encourages the implementation of sustainable practices regarding energy for a greener future.