2025

Anxiety stress, characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, is a well-established pathophysiological factor implicated in the development and progression of anxiety disorders. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative due to its high oxygen consumption and lipid rich content. Watermelon juice (Citrullus lanatus) is rich in antioxidants like Lycopene and L-Citrulline, offering a potential natural intervention. This study investigated the effects of watermelon juice on anxiety-related behavior in oxidative- stressed Sprague Dawley rats. Fifty-four rats were divided into four groups: a control, an oxidative stress-induced group, a group treated with Vitamin C, and a group receiving watermelon juice intervention. Oxidative stress was induced with phenyl hydrazine. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). The results indicate that watermelon juice supplementation significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviors, demonstrating its potential as a functional dietary intervention for mitigating the effects of oxidative stress. Data were analyzed using Grad Pad Prism version 10, and results were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM), with p≤ 0.05 considered significant. The results showed that watermelon juice reduced anxiety performance and reduced oxidative stress levels compared to the untreated induced rats.

This study explores how power and corruption are portrayed in Naomi Alderman’s The Power (2016) and Okey Ndibe’s Arrows of Rain (2000). Although these novels come from very different worlds, one from a futuristic, feminist setting and the other from a postcolonial African society, both reveal how the abuse of power leads to moral decay and injustice. In Alderman’s The Power, women gain a new biological ability that allows them to dominate men, turning traditional gender roles upside down. However, this new dominance soon exposes how easily power can corrupt anyone, regardless of gender. In Ndibe’s Arrows of Rain, power is shown through political oppression, censorship, and the silencing of truth in a corrupt postcolonial state. Together, the two novels raise an important question: is corruption caused by who holds power, or by the systems that allow power to go unchecked? This study uses feminist theory (especially Judith Butler’s idea of gender as performance) to analyse how Alderman questions gender and power, and postcolonial theory (drawing from Frantz Fanon’s writings) to explore Ndibe’s critique of leadership and institutional violence. By comparing both texts, the research shows that power, when not balanced by justice or accountability, always leads to corruption and oppression. The findings highlight that true freedom or equality cannot exist unless societies challenge the structures that sustain inequality and abuse.

This study investigates the relationship between High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) and employee creativity in selected small-scale businesses in Benin City, Nigeria. Recognizing the crucial role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in economic development, the research explores how HR practices such as financial rewards, performance appraisal, training and development, and mentoring influence creative behavior among employees. The study is anchored on the Ability-MotivationOpportunity (AMO) Theory and the Componential Theory of Creativity, supported by the Social Exchange Theory, Self-Determination Theory, Job Characteristics Model, and the Resource-Based View (RBV). A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires administered to employees of small-scale businesses. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression via SPSS to determine the significance of relationships among the variables. The findings revealed that all dimensions of HPWS financial incentives, performance appraisal, training and development, and mentoring had a positive and significant impact on employee creativity. The study concludes that effective HR systems enhance employees’ motivation, capability, and opportunity to innovate, thereby improving organizational performance and competitiveness. The research contributes to existing literature by providing empirical evidence from the Nigerian SME context and reinforcing the theoretical linkage between HPWS and creativity. It recommends that small-scale business owners adopt integrated HPWS practices that promote employee autonomy, continuous learning, fair reward systems, and supportive mentoring relationships to sustain creativity and innovation in a dynamic business environment.

The threat that groundwater is being polluted is a major environmental and health threat to society, especially around urban centres where waste disposal is not well controlled. The present research used the two-dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D ERT) to determine potential pollution of the ground water at the Health Centre, University of Benin, Nigeria. The study was also meant to map the changes in resistivity of the subsurface and locate possible contamination areas that could be related to infiltration of the leachate. On-site measurements were obtained in two traverses in the Wenner Schlumberger array format and put into the RES2DINV software to provide resistivity sections. The resultant resistivity models presented values of between 217 Ωm and above 15,000 Ωm in the area of study. Such values outweigh the 100 Om mark normally considered as the contamination level of the leachates in the contaminated area, a fact that suggests that the groundwater was not polluted in the depth to which the test was carried out. Empirical resistivity of upper layers (07 m) were high (700 – 2700 Ωm), which was viewed as lateritic or compact sandy soils whereas generic layers (718 m) were moderate (700 – 1700 Ωm) and were regarded as sandy-clayey formations that held natural moisture. The resistivity of deeper zones (>18 m) was extremely high (>4000 Ωm) and was characterized by weathered or solidified lateritic materials and bedrock. According to the resistivity distribution, the subsurface is well-drained, dry and contains no leachate or chemical deposits. It can therefore be concluded that there is no contamination of ground water in the area under the Health Centre. The findings demonstrate the usability of 2D ERT as a simple and efficient instrument of early detection of ground water contamination and as a tool of implementing sustainable ground water protection control measures in the environmentally sensitive locations like learning and healthcare facilities.

The study sought to appraise the level of implementation of early childhood education programme in Egor Local Government Area Edo State. To carry out the study, five research questions were posed while three null hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted a survey research design. The study was done in Egor Local Government Area Edo State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised of all the teachers in early childhood care education schools in Egor Local Government Area Edo State. The population size of the teachers is 617 in the 2012/2013 school session. The sample size of the study was all the 617 early childhood education programme teachers in all the public ECCE in Egor Local Government Area Edo State. The instruments for data collection in this study were checklist and structured questionnaire titled an Appraisal of Early Childhood Education Programme Implementation Questionnaire (AECEPIQ). Data collected were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and independent samples t-test. The research questions were answered using percentage for research questions 1 and 2, mean and standard deviation for research questions 3, 4 and 5. The three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using independent samples t-test. Findings of the study revealed that; Majority of the ECCE teachers in both rural and urban schools are teachers that have NCE certificate; The number of established ECCE programme in rural primary schools in Egor Local Government Area Edo State is small compared to the primary schools in urban area; there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of teachers on the extent of provision of infrastructure and equipment in ECCE programmes in early childcare education schools in Egor Local Government Area Edo State in favour of the teachers in urban schools; there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of teachers on the extent of availability of standard curriculum in ECCE programmes in early childcare education schools in Egor Local Government Area Edo State; there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of teachers on the extent of supervision of ECCE programme in early childcare education. Among the implications of findings is that the establishment of ECCE programme in rural primary schools which was found to be to a low extent implies that the Federal Government intension of education for all by year 2015 will not be feasible. It was recommended among others that government should ensure adequate establishment of ECCE programme in both urban and rural primary schools especially in rural area.

This study evaluated the effects of cassava mill effluent (CME) on the NPK of hydrocarbon polluted soil in Delta State, Nigeria. This has severely degraded soil fertility by depleting essential macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and elevating total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels beyond regulatory limits thereby threatening agricultural productivity and food security for local communities dependent on subsistence farming. This study aimed to evaluate baseline NPK levels in contaminated clay-loam soils from spill-affected sites while investigating the bioremediation potential of cassava mill effluent as a nutrient-rich bio stimulant containing 2–3% N, 0.5% P and 0.3% K, applied at varying frequencies including daily, once, weekly, monthly and control setups. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm depths pre treatment and post-treatment over a 12-week period, with analyses conducted using the Kjeldahl method for N via digestion and titration, ascorbic acid spectrophotometry at 710 nm for P, flame photometry at 766.5 nm for K, and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection with n-hexane extraction for TPH, leveraging indigenous microbes like Pseudomonas and Bacillus for bio stimulation in alignment with sustainable waste-to-wealth approaches in cassava-producing regions. Results demonstrated substantial nutrient restoration and TPH reduction following remediation, with pre-treatment values showing low NPK (N: 0.008–0.07%; P: 1,055–5,322 ug/g; K: approximately 0.10 mg/kg) while diminishing TPH to undetectable levels, surpassing the outcomes of single or monthly treatments. These improvements arose from heightened microbial activity and enhanced nutrient cycling, which alleviated toxicity and reinstated bioavailability in the polluted soils. The findings highlight the effectiveness of cassava effluent for affordable soil rehabilitation at near-zero cost, with potential to elevate crop yields by 20–40% and contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) while recommendations advocate for ongoing bio stimulation protocols and regular monitoring to refine remediation efforts in Niger Delta ecosystems, ultimately promoting ecological resilience and supporting community livelihoods.

Many warehouses face inefficiencies due to poor product arrangement and lack of strategic slotting. While studies exist on warehouse optimization, limited research has addressed practical slotting applications in beverage distribution warehouses like CWAY Benin. This study investigates how product slotting can enhance storage efficiency and operations. A descriptive and analytical research design was used, combining primary data from warehouse observations and staff interactions with secondary data from company records and literature. A simulation model analyzed eight representative SKUs using the ABC classification and slotting technique to optimize product placement. Product slotting reduced total daily picking time from 21.5 to 10.2 hours, a 52.6% improvement. Strategic placement based on demand frequency enhanced accessibility, minimized labor time, and optimized warehouse space. The study recommends implementing formal slotting policies and periodic reviews to sustain efficiency.

This study examined the concentration trends and spatial distribution of tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O₃) across Lagos State, Southwestern Nigeria, from 2019 to 2024 using Sentinel-5P data processed on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. These pollutants were selected due to their relevance to urban photochemical processes and respiratory health risks in rapidly developing megacities. Formaldehyde exhibited a marked seasonal cycle, with elevated concentrations during the dry Harmattan season (January–March) and lower values during the rainy months (June–September). High HCHO levels were consistently observed in dense and industrialized local government areas (LGAs) such as Ikeja, Kosofe, Shomolu, Oshodi-Isolo, and Lagos Island. Ozone demonstrated an opposite seasonal pattern, peaking in mid-year months (July–August), particularly across coastal LGAs including Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe, due to increased solar radiation and marine airflow dynamics favourable for photochemical ozone formation. Paired sample t-test results revealed no statistically significant differences in formaldehyde concentrations across all consecutive years (p > 0.05), indicating emission stability during the study period. Conversely, ozone concentrations showed a highly significant increase between 2021 and 2022 (p < 0.01), suggesting enhanced photochemical activity or intensified precursor emissions during that period. Overall findings highlight the role of anthropogenic emissions, seasonal meteorology, and policy interventions in shaping Lagos air quality. The study recommends strengthened emission controls, improved transportation systems, and continuous satellite-based air-quality monitoring to mitigate pollution impact.

Corrosive damage presents widespread problems throughout industries that produce major financial damages and protective hazards. The current study focuses on solving the essential corrosion monitoring requirements in remote industrial sites especially oil and gas pipelines since traditional monitoring techniques often prove expensive and unrealistic. The main objective of this project focuses on developing a wireless sensor network-based corrosion monitoring system that provides time-sensitivedata together with predictive analysis to allow preventive maintenance and decrease operational expenses. The main element of this project requires creating a WSN system through electromagnetic techniques which detects corrosion rates along with humidity and temperature sensors that track environmental conditions affecting corrosion. The system runs data processing through an ESP32 microcontroller linked with wireless transmission capabilities and is supported by Thing Speak cloud software for data storage and visualization. Its design enables quick installation and affordability as well as versatility so industrial operators can use the system across various environments. Wireless communication technology allows remote monitoring thus minimizing the necessity for human inspections.. Field trials of the developed sensor and Laboratory tests verify that the created sensor system successfully detects corrosion by precisely measuring degradation in different environmental parameters. Analysis results and failure predictions based on collected data enable correct timing of maintenance and wise decision-making. Since field trials proved the system valid, WSN-based corrosion monitoring provides both efficiency and economic benefits for traditional measurement approaches together with safety benefits from early warning capabilities.

Crude oil emulsions pose significant operational and environmental problems due to high viscosity, corrosion, and the toxicity of synthetic demulsifiers currently used. This research aims to investigate Lemon Peel Extract (LPE), a promising green, biodegradable alternative, by evaluating its performance kinetics against a stable crude oil emulsion. The study focused on determining the optimal LPE dosage required for achieving maximum water separation, supporting the industry's shift towards sustainable fluid processing. The methodology centered on the standard bottle test procedure, with the process optimized using a Central Composite Design (CCD) of experiments, testing Demulsifier Dosage, Temperature, and Time. A stable W/O emulsion was prepared at (50:50 v/v) and treated with LPE across a concentration range up to 127.6ppm. The vials were thoroughly shaken and placed in a thermostatically controlled water bath (operating between 30°C and 80°C) to enhance kinetics. Performance was monitored by measuring the volume of separated water at defined time intervals. The experimental results confirmed that the LPE is a highly effective demulsifier. The LPE successfully achieved its maximum water separation efficiency of 93.68%. This optimal performance was recorded at a dosage of 127.6ppm and a temperature of 55°C, with the separation being substantially complete within 75minutes. Response Surface Methodology confirmed a strong synergistic interaction between Dosage and Time (AC = +3.83), indicating that optimal performance requires sufficient LPE concentration paired with adequate contact time. These findings demonstrate that the LPE is a technically iv viable, fast-acting, and environmentally friendly green demulsifier for sustainable crude oil treatment operations.