2025

This study investigated the influence of transformational leadership style on teachers’ job satisfaction in secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The study examined how various dimensions of transformational leadership—idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration—affect teachers’ levels of satisfaction in their work environment. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of all secondary school teachers in the area, and a sample was drawn using appropriate sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and the reliability of the instrument was ensured through a pilot test. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that transformational leadership style significantly influences teachers’ job satisfaction, with principals who demonstrate supportive, motivating, and innovative leadership contributing positively to teachers' morale and commitment. Based on the findings, it was recommended that school administrators adopt transformational leadership practices to improve teacher satisfaction and overall school performance.

This study provides a comprehensive historical and legal analysis of jungle justice—extrajudicial killings and mob action—in Nigeria, tracing its roots from the erosion of traditional pre-colonial justice systems and deep-seated public distrust in contemporary law enforcement and the judiciary, while evaluating its severe legal implications under Nigerian constitutional law, international human rights frameworks, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.

Ionizing radiation from diagnostic imaging procedures has raised concerns regarding its potential biological effects, even at low doses. This study investigated the impact of diagnostic radiation exposure on mRNA expression of p53 and DIAP1 in Drosophila melanogaster. Healthy laboratory-reared flies (Harwich strain) were divided into five groups (n=100 per group): a control group (Group A), two X-ray–exposed groups (Group B, 0.1 Gy daily for 7 days; Group C, 0.1 Gy daily for 14 days), and two CT-exposed groups (Group D, 0.1 Gy daily for 7 days; Group E, 0.1 Gy daily for 14 days). Radiation exposure was performed under standardized laboratory conditions at the Biomedical Toxicology Chemicals Safety (BIOTOXCS) Research Laboratory, University of Benin. After exposure, flies were preserved in Trizol reagent for RNA extraction, followed by cDNA synthesis and semi-quantitative PCR analysis. Results showed a significant upregulation of p53 and DIAP1 mRNA expression in radiation-exposed groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Expression levels were dose- and duration-dependent, with Groups C and E (14-day exposures) exhibiting the highest increases. Gel electrophoresis and bar chart analyses further confirmed these findings, demonstrating progressive changes consistent with prolonged radiation stress. These results indicate that even low-dose diagnostic radiation can induce molecular alterations in stress- and apoptosis-related genes in Drosophila melanogaster. The study underscores the utility of Drosophila as a model organism for assessing radiation-induced genetic responses and highlights the need for further research into the implications of cumulative diagnostic radiation exposure.

This study investigated the impact of lean manufacturing practices on waste reduction in selected building block industries in Benin City, Edo State. The research was motivated by the persistent challenge of material wastage, process inefficiency, and delays that hinder productivity in the Nigerian building block sector. The main objective was to evaluate how the implementation of lean manufacturing principles such as 5S (Workshop Organization), Kaizen (Continuous Improvement), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Just-In-Time (JIT) influences the level of waste reduction in block production operations. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to eighty (30) respondents drawn from production, maintenance, and quality control departments across selected block industries. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel to ensure accuracy and robustness. Both descriptive statistics (percentages and mean scores) and inferential statistics (OneWay ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses) were employed to test the hypotheses and establish relationships between variables. The results revealed that Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) has the strongest and most significant positive relationship accounting for 54% of material waste reduction, 5s showed a moderate positive but marginally significant relationship accounting about 35% of waste reduction, while Kaizen and JIT exhibited weak and insignificant correlations. The ANOVA result with a p-value of <0.001 further demonstrated that the difference in waste reduction across the lean tools and waste reduction are statistically significant. The study concludes that lean manufacturing practices have a moderate but significant impact on waste reduction with TPM emerging as the most influential tool. It recommends that building block production firms strengthens their lean adaptation strategies so as to achieve a higher level of productivity and sustainability.

The research was carried out to investigate the impact of play-based learning approaches and motor skill development in kindergarten -aged children within Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. Motor development during early childhood represents a critical foundation for physical competence, cognitive growth, and social-emotional wellbeing. Despite growing recognition of play as a fundamental learning mechanism, traditional teacher-centered instructional methods continue o dominate many early childhood education settings in Nigeria, potentially limiting opportunities for holistic motor skill acquisition. Five research questions were raised for this study. The population of the study consists of all preschools in Benin Metropolis, where the parents, guardians, caregivers and teachers are expected to form the desired responses. Sample sizes of 125 were drawn for the study. The instrument used for the study is a Likert scale made up of 4-points items; Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree, respectively. The reliability of the instrument was set at 0.86. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage. Findings suggest that children engaged in regular play-based learning activities demonstrate enhanced motor proficiency, greater physical confidence, and improved spatial awareness compared to peers in traditional learning environments. The research also explores contextual factors specific to Benin Metropolis, including available play resources, teacher training in play- based methodologies, classroom infrastructure, and cultural attitude toward play in educational settings. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting developmentally appropriate practices in Nigerian early childhood education and provides practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers seeking to optimize motor development outcomes through play-integrated learning frameworks.

Yam remains a vital staple food in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, yet its traditional conversion into pounded yam (iyan) continues to be characterized by intensive manual labor, considerable time consumption, and inconsistent quality outcomes. Although the introduction of mechanized yam blending machines has improved processing efficiency, a persistent operational issue—material leakage during blending—poses significant challenges. This leakage not only compromises hygiene and leads to product loss but also endangers the machine’s mechanical and electrical components, thereby limiting its commercial viability. This study seeks to resolve this issue through the design and construction of a functional yam blending machine specifically engineered to minimize or eliminate material leakage. The research adopts a systematic design methodology, employing a decision matrix for component selection. An AC-powered motor was chosen for its superior torque output, while food-grade stainless steel (SS304) was selected for all food-contact components to ensure durability and hygiene. Special emphasis was placed on robust sealing mechanisms, particularly at the blending shaft and chamber interfaces, to achieve a hermetic seal that prevents leakage during operation. Upon fabrication, the prototype will undergo a comprehensive performance evaluation to measure blending efficiency, output uniformity, and leakage control effectiveness. The successful development and implementation of this improved yam blending machine are expected to significantly enhance processing productivity, food safety, and the sustainable mechanization of yam processing within Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector.

The study investigated the parental influence on career choices of public senior secondary school students in Ovia local government area of Edo State. To achieve the purpose of this study, four research questions were raised and examined. The descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study The sample size for the study was made up of two hundred (200) students selected from 14 public secondary school in Ovia local government area of Edo State. The questionnaire titled Parent Influence on Career Choices of Public Senior Secondary School Students in Ovia local government area of Edo State, was the instrument for the data collection. An analysis of data was done using mean and standard deviation. The findings provide more evidence that there is significant influence of parents’ level of education on student’s career choice, there is also significant influence of parents’ socio-economic status and occupational background on the career choice of students. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made and it was concluded that parents should educate their children on how to make a career choice and not impose on them their own preferred career choice.

This study sought to examine the influence of audio – visual teaching aids on students’ motivation and engagement in chemistry. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. A descriptive survey design was employed. Seventy (70) chemistry students formed the sample for the study, thirty (30) item structured questionnaires on a four point rating scale developed by the researchers were used for data collection. The instrument used for data collection was face validated by the supervisor and other experts in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents by the researcher with the assistance of trained research assistants. The simple random sampling technique was used for this study. After the administration of the instrument to the respondents, the data obtained were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The research explores how multimedia resources such as videos, animations and interactive simulations influence students’ interest, participation and academic performance. The finding suggests that audio-visual teaching aids can significantly enhance students’ motivation and engagement in chemistry, leading to improved academic outcomes. The study provides insights into the effective integration of technology – enhanced learning tools in chemistry education, highlighting the potential for increased student participation and deeper understanding of complex concepts.

This study examines the optimal battery specifications for a 5kVA pure sine wave inverter system, focusing on the selection of suitable batteries to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective performance. The research evaluates key factors such as battery capacity, voltage, cycle life, depth of discharge (DoD), and energy efficiency. Given the growing demand for backup power in residential and commercial settings, selecting the right battery is crucial for maximizing operational efficiency and system longevity. Simulation models were used to assess the performance of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries under varying operational conditions. The findings revealed that lithium-ion batteries outperformed lead-acid batteries in key areas, including round-trip efficiency (95% vs. 75%), cycle life (3,500–5,000 cycles vs. 500–1,000 cycles), and DoD (80% vs. 50%). These advantages made lithium-ion batteries the most suitable choice for a 5kVA inverter system, offering superior performance and energy utilization. In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries, despite their higher initial cost, provide a more efficient and sustainable solution for 5kVA pure sine wave inverter systems. Their longer lifespan, higher efficiency, and better energy storage make them the preferred option for optimizing system performance and reducing long-term operational costs.

Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, with certain ethnobotanical claims stating it promotes male virility. However, available scientific research shows mixed findings about its implications on male reproductive health, with some research revealing testicular injury and hormonal imbalance. Ocimum gratissimum is traditionally used to promote male vitality, although research information on its reproductive safety is inconsistent. This study studied the effects of a 500 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of O. gratissimum on fertility hormones and testicular function in adult male Wistar rats for 28 days. Serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and testosterone were evaluated, with sperm count, motility, and morphology. The findings showed that while testosterone levels were normal, the extract caused a condition of compensated primary testicular dysfunction, as shown by significantly raised blood LH and FSH (p<0.05). A considerable decrease in the overall number of sperm was linked to this hormonal imbalance, suggesting compromised spermatogenesis. Ironically, by boosting motility and lowering the proportion of morphological defects, the extract also markedly enhanced sperm quality. These results point to a dualistic, site-specific action: the extract is gonadotoxic in the testes but may have a posttesticular, cytoprotective, antioxidant impact in the epididymis. Since the quantitative decrease in sperm production and hormonal indicators of testicular failure outweigh the qualitative gains, the overall effect at this dosage appears to be harmful to male fertility. These findings call into question the plant's conventional application as a fertility booster and call for care.