2025

This study investigates gender-based violence (GBV) against women with physical disabilities in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, using a research methodology grounded in the Social Model of Disability and Feminist Theory. The chapter outlines the research design, population, sampling strategy, research instrument, methods of data collection and analysis, as well as ethical considerations and limitations. The methodology was carefully designed to ensure validity, reliability, and contextual relevance, with emphasis on the intersection of disability and gender in shaping experiences of GBV. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, enabling the collection of data at a single point in time to examine the prevalence, forms, and determinants of GBV without manipulating the study environment.. This design provided a cost-effective and efficient means of capturing both descriptive and correlational data within a sensitive and localized context. The target population included women aged 18years and above with physical disabilities in Oredo, estimated at approximately 125 based on data from the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and community health records. Stratified random sampling was adopted to ensure representation across age categories and types of physical disabilities, thereby reflecting the intersectional vulnerabilities emphasized in Feminist Theory. The study’s sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula, resulting in approximately 100 respondents to account for potential non-responses. Data was collected using the Women’s Safety and Support Questionnaire (WSSQ), a structured and culturally sensitive instrument developed to measure GBV prevalence, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, mental health impacts, and coping strategies. The instrument incorporated standardized items from validated tools such as the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence, complemented by open-ended questions for qualitative insights. Accessibility considerations included large-print versions and provisions for oral administration. Validity and reliability were ensured through expert consultation, alignment with established instruments, and a pilot test with 10 respondents. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of ≥0.7 confirmed internal consistency. Data collection was carried out by trained assistants using in-person and online administration, with sensitivity training provided to address disability inclusion and GBV-related issues. Data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS, alongside thematic analysis for qualitative responses.

The intelligent partial replacement of fine aggregate with periwinkle shell in sandcrete blocks have emerged as a sustainable approach to address the environmental and economic challenges associated with conventional sanderete block production. Periwinkle shells, a marine waste abundant in coastal regions like Nigeria, are primarily composed of calcium carbonate (-95%) and have a low specific gravity (1.3-1.4 g/em'), making them a viable lightweight substitute for river sand. Studies, such as those by Ichetaonge et al.(2023) and Osarenmwinda and Aigbogun (2017), demonstrate that replacing fine aggregate with crushed periwinkle shell (CPWS) at levels up to 15% achieves compressive strengths of 2.0-3.0 MPa, meeting the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS 87:2000) for non-load bearing walls. The well-graded particle size distribution of CPWS (coefficient of uniformity = 6.58) enhances its suitability, but its high water absorption (10-20%) and reduced workability necessitate optimized mix designs, often incorporating admixtures like superplasticizers or pozzolanie materials such as fly ash to improve performance. The mechanical and durability properties of CPWS-based sandcrete blocks are influenced by replacement levels, mix proportions, and curing methods, Research indicates that compressive strength decreases with higher CPWS content, with significant reductions beyond 20% replacement (c.g., 18.00 N/mm? at 50% replacement, Osarenmwinda and Aigbogun, 2017). The use of CPWS promotes environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on river sand. mitigating the ecological damage caused by dredging, and repurposing marine waste, thus supporting circular economy principles (Ede et al., 2016). Also CPWS-based blocks reduce
construction costs by 15 -20% and create local jobs through shell processing.

This essay studies the impacts of human activities on the decline of the environment and on nature in a bid to criticise the arbitrariness of the use of nature’s resources. This essay also examines the beauty of nature to enhance the protection and preservation of nature. This essay discusses the relationship of man with his environment by highlighting the harmony nature possesses. Through the use of poetry, this essay elucidates on aspects that have been covered by authors, but not by poets, reflecting the importance of poetry on nature. The method of research employed in this study is eco-criticism, and the primary data is Niyi Osundare’s The Eye of the Earth, from which selected poems are used. The analysis of the selected poems shall undergo line by line analysis and exploring the literary devices that enhance the main purpose of this essay. The results of the analysis are illustrations of nature decline as a result of human’s irrational use, and therefore the beauty of nature is tampered with. These results give an opinion on how the environment should be treated, adding that the preservation of nature will improve the living standards of humanity.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of selected aromatic pepper spices on the organoleptic and microbial qualities of oven-dried Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) fillets stored at ambient temperature. Fresh fillets were seasoned with 2% (w/w) of three different pepper spices Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum chinense), Cayenne (Capsicum annuum), and Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and compared with not spiced (control) samples. The spiced and not-spiced fillets were oven-dried at 100°C for 5 hours, packaged in sterile ziploc bags, and stored at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C) for 14 days. Microbiological, and sensory analyses were conducted at 7-day intervals to assess changes during storage. Results revealed that the spice treatments and storage durations significantly (P < 0.05) affected the sensory and microbial qualities of the fish samples. On Day 1, all samples exhibited high sensory ratings across appearance, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability (3.8 – 4.6), but these values declined progressively by Day 14. Cayenne and Bell Peppertreated samples retained relatively higher flavour and acceptability scores than Scotch Bonnet and the control, suggesting mild preservative or antioxidant effects. Microbial counts increased with storage time, with bacterial loads ranging from 7.0 × 10⁻³ cfu/g in Bell Pepper-treated samples to 240.0 × 10⁻³ cfu/g in Cayenne-treated fillets samples after 14 days. Proteus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus sp. were among the predominant bacterial isolates, while Aspergillus flavus, Mucor sp., and Penicillium species were the most common detected fungi. Ultimately, bell Pepper proved to be the most effective in inhibiting microbial proliferation and maintaining product acceptability.

The aim of this project is to conduct a semantic analysis of child-related personal names in the Edo community to uncover the underlying cultural meanings and social implications they convey. The objectives are to categorize child-related names in the Edo community by their semantic themes, including struggle, aspiration, blessings, and authority to analyze the cultural significance of these names and their role in shaping individual and familial identities within the Edo society; and to explore how these names reflect and influence the community's perceptions of child and success, highlighting their societal relevance. The method of data collection for this study was a mixed-methods approach, combining both primary and secondary language samples. The findings interpreted the data collected by linking the semantic themes to Ẹdó cultural beliefs. It showed how names involving Òmo "Child" are not arbitrary but are meaningful expressions of faith, identity, social values, and divine connection. The study recommends further studies by researchers, scholars or anyone interested in the sematic implicature of “Omo” child can vary based on social, cultural and situational factors. The exact meaning is therefore not strictly lexical but its inferred through context and shared cultural knowledge. Thus the use of “omo” child demonstrate how Edo speakers employ pragmatic reasoning to move beyond literal meaning, highlighting the role of implicature in understanding every day communication.

This study investigates the impact of corporate sustainability committees (CSCs) on corporate financial performance (CFP) among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria from 2018 to 2023. The research examines four major characteristics of sustainability committees: size, independence, gender diversity, and due diligence, and their influence on financial performance measured by Return on Assets (ROA). Anchored on Stakeholder Theory, the study adopts a longitudinal research design using secondary data derived from annual reports, sustainability disclosures, and financial statements of 30 purposively selected firms. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, diagnostic tests, and Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) regression were employed to analyse the data and establish relationships among variables. The empirical findings reveal that committee independence has a significant positive effect on corporate financial performance, implying that independent directors enhance governance quality and decision-making transparency. In contrast, due diligence practices exhibit a significant negative relationship with financial performance, suggesting that increased compliance efforts may impose short-term financial costs. Committee size and gender diversity, however, show no statistically significant influence on financial performance, indicating that structural and demographic attributes alone may not determine financial outcomes. The study concludes that sustainability committee independence is a crucial determinant of financial success, as it strengthens accountability and stakeholder confidence. The study recommends that firms prioritize appointing independent directors to sustainability committees, implement cost-effective compliance strategies, and view gender diversity as part of broader corporate social responsibility initiatives to promote both sustainable and profitable corporate governance.

worldwide, requiring standardized assessment tools to ensure accurate evaluation and effective rehabilitation. Despite their clinical importance, the knowledge and utilization of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapists in Nigeria remains inconsistent. This study sought to address this gap by assessing the knowledge and clinical application of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapist in Benin City, Edo State. Aim: This study evaluated the knowledge and utilization of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapists in Benin City, Edo State. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 43 licenced neurological physiotherapists was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Data were analysed with SPSS (v27) using descriptive and Chi-square statistics at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Most respondents showed fair knowledge (55.8%) and moderate utilization (46.5%) of stroke assessment scales. A significant association existed between knowledge and utilization (p = 0.010). Gender was found to influence knowledge level although educational qualification and professional cadre showed no significant relationship. Conclusion: Neurological physiotherapists in Benin City possess moderate knowledge and usage of stroke assessment scales, yet a critical gap persists between awareness and practice. Strengthening continuous professional development and institutional support is essential to bridge this gap and foster evidence based standardized stroke rehabilitation.

This paper has examined the subject of ethical knowledge and professional behaviour among student radiographers in University of Benin, Nigeria. The data were collected via standardized self-administered questionnaires and a descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed among the clinical year students (300 to 500 level) of the organizations. Purposive sampling and descriptive statistics were the choice of the study to ensure the analysis of the data by means of SPSS version 29. Findings showed that most students (78.6) displayed positive understanding of the main ethical concepts, where the informed consent (96.0% correct), patient response to refusal (98.8% correct), and autonomy (91.3% correct) were significantly high. The level of professional conduct knowledge was exceptionally good (94.0 percent good knowledge) and 99.6 percent of them have a correct understanding of the procedures in managing complaints and 99.2 percent of them understand the boundaries of their profession. There were however loopholes in the understanding of patient confidentiality nuances, where 17.1% believed that patient information would never be disclosed and in any way. Some of the common ethical questions that were posed were poor supervision (means of 1.94/4.00), poor description of procedures (means of 1.81/4.00) and not obtaining proper consent (means 1.58/4.00). It was found in the study that core ethical knowledge is present among student radiographers but specific treatments that deal with practical application of ethical concepts in clinical settings are required. Suggestions given are more ethics integration in clinical training, better supervision process, establishment of mentorship programs to address ethical choices, and establishment of an ethical culture of accountability and reporting errors.

This study examined the utilization of laboratory instructional materials in the teaching and learning of Biology across different school types. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 80 randomly selected students using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores (with 2.50 as the decision benchmark) were used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that essential laboratory tools—including microscopes, specimen jars, laboratory charts, prepared slides, cover slips, and basic reagents—are commonly utilized for biology learning. The study further found significant differences in the use of laboratory instructional materials across schools. Private schools made greater use of laboratory materials due to better funding, availability of resources, and well-trained teachers. Urban schools demonstrated higher access to laboratory equipment, easier replacement of damaged tools, and more frequent hands-on activities compared to rural schools, which often rely on improvised materials. Similarly, big schools utilized laboratory resources more effectively than small schools because of better staffing, resources, and infrastructure. The study concluded that disparities in funding, accessibility, and teacher competence strongly influence the degree of laboratory material utilization in biology learning. It recommended improved funding, provision of additional laboratory tools, continuous teacher training, timely replacement of outdated equipment, and strong partnerships with NGOs and private organizations to ensure equitable access to quality science education.

This study investigated the problems militating against the effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the teaching and learning of Chemistry in public secondary schools within Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Guided by a descriptive survey design, the study sampled 100 respondents comprising 40 Chemistry teachers and 60 students drawn from selected public schools. A structured questionnaire and brief interviews were employed to gather data, which were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean statistics. Findings revealed that AI integration in Chemistry education is significantly low, with minimal availability and usage of AI tools such as virtual laboratories, simulations, and intelligent tutoring systems. Major barriers identified include inadequate infrastructure such as erratic electricity supply, poor internet connectivity, insufficient computers and digital devices and lack of technical support. The study further established that teachers, though generally willing to adopt AI, possess low competency levels due to limited training and poor exposure to AI-based instructional tools. Additionally, weak policy implementation, inadequate funding, and bureaucratic delays were found to hinder the effective deployment of AI initiatives in public schools. Despite these challenges, respondents strongly agreed that AI has the potential to enhance learning outcomes in Chemistry if properly integrated. The study recommends sustained government investment in digital infrastructure, continuous teacher training on AI pedagogy, curriculum reform to incorporate AI concepts, and strengthened partnerships between schools and private technology organizations. It concludes that effective AI integration requires a coordinated multi-stakeholder approach that addresses infrastructural deficits, builds teacher capacity, and ensures consistent policy execution, thereby positioning Chemistry education for improved innovation and student engagement