2025

This study explores the role of Nigerian English in defraying tension within online social media interactions, focusing on humour, particularly satire, irony, wordplay, and the use of indigenous Nigerian languages on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The research examines how humour functions as a coping mechanism, providing emotional relief and fostering social solidarity among Nigerians during politically charged discussions, socio-economic challenges, and national debates. Utilizing Relief Theory, Superiority Theory, and Socio-Cognitive Theory (Critical Discourse Analysis), the study analyzes humour strategies that help manage conflict and critique political systems. Data was gathered through purposive sampling of posts, comments, and memes, spanning from 2018 to 2025. The findings reveal that humour in Nigerian English, when combined with indigenous languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin, serves as a powerful tool for both emotional release and social bonding. This humour allows Nigerians to laugh at their political and socio-economic frustrations, asserting a sense of superiority over the political elite while promoting a collective identity. Additionally, the study underscores the psychological and social functions of humour as a discursive strategy for alleviating tension and fostering resilience. The research contributes to the understanding of Nigerian English as a dynamic linguistic tool in digital communication, offering new insights into the intersection of language, humour, and social solidarity in the context of Nigeria's socio-political landscape.

This study examines language loyalty and language preference: the case study of Benin youths in Edo linguistics in University of Benin, focusing on their attitudes and use of the Edo (Benin) language. Data were collected from twenty eight (28) respondents through questionnaires and analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The findings show that although most respondents feel proud of the Edo language and believe it should be preserved, many prefer using English and Pidgin English in daily and academic interactions. This reveals a growing language shift, where Edo is valued for cultural identity but used less in practice. The study concludes that while language loyalty remains strong, actual use of Edo is declining. It recommends promoting the language through education, media, and family communication to sustain it among future generations.

This study assessed DNA damage in commercial drivers exposed to vehicular emissions at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Main Gate, Benin City, using the micronucleus assay of buccal cells. Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution containing genotoxic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can induce chromosomal damage. A comparative cross-sectional design was used, involving 25 exposed drivers and 9 non-exposed controls. Buccal epithelial cells were collected using sterile wooden spatulas, fixed in Carnoy’s reagent, and stained with May-Grünwald–Giemsa for microscopic analysis. One hundred cells per participant were scored for nuclear abnormalities including micronuclei (MN), binucleated cells (BN), and nuclear buds (NB). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS v25, with p < 0.05 as the significance threshold. Results showed that the exposed drivers had markedly higher frequencies of nuclear anomalies compared to controls. The mean micronucleus frequency in the exposed group (8.00 ± 0.05 per 100 cells) was about 80 times higher than in the control group (0.10 ± 0.01), while BN and NB frequencies were increased 12-fold and 23-fold respectively. The total nuclear abnormality frequency was 165.00 ± 0.36 in exposed drivers versus 10.20 ± 0.94 in controls. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the biological trend suggests cumulative genotoxic stress from chronic exposure to vehicular pollutants. Routine biomonitoring and stricter air-quality measures are recommended to protect occupationally exposed populations.

Background: Bedridden patients confined to bed for prolonged durations due to severe systemic illnesses or post-surgical recovery are at high risk of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which leads to impaired regulation of cardiovascular parameters such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Physiotherapeutic interventions such as bridging exercises, though beneficial for muscle activation and postural control, have not been adequately studied in relation to their effects on autonomic responses among bedridden patients. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the autonomic responses of bedridden patients to a bridging exercise protocol. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 50 participants (25 bedridden and 25 non-bedridden) recruited from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Baseline cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP, HR, and MAP) were measured at rest using an automated sphygmomanometer. Participants in the experimental group performed a structured bridging exercise protocol (three sets of 10 repetitions, holding each bridge for 5 seconds). Post-exercise measurements were recorded immediately. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANCOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and independent t-tests) with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The results showed significant increases in SBP, DBP, HR, and MAP among bedridden patients after the bridging exercise session (p < 0.001), indicating improved autonomic activity and cardiovascular stimulation. However, no significant differences were observed between the bedridden and non-bedridden groups after exercise (p > 0.05). This suggests that bridging exercises can transiently normalize cardiovascular responses in bedridden patients to levels comparable to non-bedridden individuals. Conclusion: The study concludes that bridging exercises significantly influence autonomic responses among bedridden patients, demonstrating positive cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments. Bridging exercises are beneficial, safe, and effective for inclusion in rehabilitation programs to enhance autonomic function and prevent cardiovascular deconditioning in bedridden individuals.

In the petroleum industry, the accurate determination of hydrocarbons initially in place is critical for effective reservoir management and the formulation of efficient production strategies. This research focuses on the evaluation of a saturated oil reservoir in an onshore Niger Delta field through the application of Material Balance Analysis (MBA). The objectives of the study include estimating the initial oil in place, evaluating the presence and strength of an underlying aquifer, identifying the dominant reservoir drive mechanism, and recommending an optimal production scheme capable of maximizing economic recovery. For this research, the majority of the reservoir and production data were obtained from Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which also provided access to the MBAL simulation software. MBAL is a simplified yet powerful analytical tool that applies the concept of material balance to characterize reservoir behavior. The program models the reservoir using a zero-dimensional (tank) approach, which does not explicitly account for geometry, drainage area, or well orientation, but provides valuable insights into fluid distribution and drive mechanisms by analyzing production and pressure performance. The results from the MBAL analysis indicate that the reservoir contains an estimated 250.258 MMSTB of oil initially in place, and the predicted volume of water in place to be 99788.4 MMft3 . Furthermore, the aquifer’s influence on reservoir pressure performance demonstrates that water drive is the predominant drive mechanism sustaining production. These findings provide a reliable basis for planning production strategies that optimize reservoir performance while enhancing ultimate recovery. In carrying out this research, valuable hands-on experience was gained in data handling, diagnostic plotting, and MBAL simulation. The work strengthened descriptive, technical and analytical competence in reservoir evaluation and provided deeper insight into the importance of accurate data interpretation for sustainable hydrocarbon recovery in the Niger Delta basin.

Medicinal plants have long been recognized for their therapeutic properties and remain an essential source of bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance has heightened global interest in exploring natural plant extracts as alternative or complementary agents against infectious diseases. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial potential of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and uziza leaf (Piper guineense) extracts against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Fresh leaves of both plants were collected from local markets in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, authenticated, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted using ethanol and water. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins in varying concentrations. Lemongrass contained high levels of alkaloid, flavonoids and tannins, while uziza exhibited moderate presence of these compounds. Saponin was present in lemongrass but absent in uziza. Antimicrobial testing showed that ethanolic extracts demonstrated superior activity compared to aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extract of lemongrass exhibited the highest inhibition zone of 20 mm against S. aureus and 15 mm against E. coli at 100% concentration, while the uziza ethanolic extract produced inhibition zones of 18 mm and 15 mm, respectively, against the same organisms. Pseudomonas sp. showed moderate sensitivity with inhibition zones of 12 mm, whereas fungal isolates Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. recorded inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 15 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ethanolic extracts ranged from 50 mg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas sp. to 100 mg/mL (for fungal isolates), while minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were observed at 100 mg/mL. Aqueous extracts displayed weaker activity, requiring higher concentrations (100 mg/mL) for inhibition and showing little or no effect on fungal isolates. Overall, these findings highlight the significant antimicrobial potential of lemongrass and uziza leaf extracts, particularly their ethanolic forms, which exhibited notable inhibitory effects against common bacterial pathogens. The results support their traditional medicinal use and underscore their potential as natural sources of plant-based antimicrobial agents.

The paper determined the attitudes and perceptions of radiographers towards patients with HIV/AIDS in the selected hospitals within Edo State, Nigeria. The cross- sectional was a descriptive design and 60 registered radiographers were selected, which included the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo Specialist Hospital and Raytouch Diagnostics. The structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30.0. The findings showed that the attitude and perception of radiographers towards HIV/AIDS patients were generally positive as indicated by high mean score of compliance to universal precautions (Mean = 4.07) and fairness to patients (Mean = 3.78). However, some neutral answers revealed some remaining fear, lack of trust in regular routine HIV care and difficulty with poor facilities. The correlation between the years of practice (Spearman = 0.016, p = 0.902) and attitude was not significant, which indicated that the years of experience did not define positive attitudes alone. The research established that the radiographers are characterized by a commendable professionalism with regard to HIV/AIDS patients but need the unceasing training and enhanced institutional subsidies to uphold this standard. It suggests continuous professional growth, enhanced infection-control facilities, and stigma-reduction measures in order to boost the confidence and quality of care delivery of radiographers

Spectral methods have emerged as a powerful and highly accurate class of numerical techniques for solving partial differential equations (PDEs). Unlike traditional finite difference and finite element methods, spectral methods approximate solutions using global basis functions, such as Fourier series, Chebyshev polynomials, and Legendre polynomials, enabling exponential convergence for smooth problems. This work explores the mathematical foundation, implementation, and applications of spectral methods for solving PDEs. We discuss Fourier spectral methods for periodic problems and Chebyshev spectral methods for non-periodic domains, highlighting their spectral accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, we analyze the advantages of spectral collocation and Galerkin methods in handling various boundary conditions and problem domains. Practical implementations are demonstrated through examples, including the heat equation, Poisson equation, and wave equation, showcasing the effectiveness of spectral discretization. Finally, we review recent advancements, including hybrid spectral methods, spectral element methods, and applications in scientific computing. The results illustrate the superiority of spectral methods in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, making them a vital tool in modern numerical analysis for solving PDEs.

Egg consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced. Students' food choices are often influenced by socio-economic factors, price fluctuations, and availability of alternative protein sources. Despite the nutritional benefits of eggs, limited studies have examined demand for egg and the determinants of consumption among university undergraduates in Nigeria. Hence this study was conducted to examine egg demand among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. To achieve this, the specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of egg consumers, evaluate the level of egg consumption relative to other animal protein sources, determine the nature of eggs consumed, and identify key factors influencing egg consumption. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 100 students from 219 400 students of the 6 departments consisting of AEE, AFM, ANS, CRS, FWM and SLM. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study.the primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The secondary data were obtained from journals, articles, textbooks and the internet. The results indicated that over half of egg consumers were female (56%), while the other half were male (44%) with a mean age of 23 years and majority within the age bracket of 21-25 years (79%). Majority of undergraduate consumers resided off campus (76%). The mean budget share for egg consumption was 0.38, x making it the most consumed protein source followed by fish (0.25), beef (0.15), chicken (0.10), and milk (0.10). Egg consumption was highest among students in the Forestry and Wildlife Management (0.44), Crop Science (0.43), and Animal Science (0.39) departments, with the lowest consumption recorded in Soil and Land Management students (0.31). Regression analysis revealed that egg consumption was significantly influenced by the price of substitute protein source. An increase in beef prices also led to decreased egg consumption, confirming complementary effects. Furthermore, total protein expenditure was a key determinant of egg consumption indicating that students who spent more on protein allocated a larger portion of their budgets to eggs. Gender was also significant with male students spending more on eggs than female students. However, the prices of eggs, milk, fish, chicken, and pork were not significant predictors, implying that prices of these protein sources do not strongly influence students' egg consumption patterns. The study recommends that universities promote awareness campaigns on the nutritional benefits of eggs and other protein sources to encourage balanced diets and egg consumption. Policymakers should work towards stabilizing egg prices to enhance affordability for students. Additionally, university food vendors should ensure the availability of eggs in various forms to cater to students' dietary preferences.

The need to reduce the increasing demand for crushed granite as coarse aggregate as well as the need to safeguard the environment from degradation has given rise to various researches on alternative materials that can serve the same purpose while minimizing environment hazard. The suitability of waste ceramic tiles as coarse aggregate in concrete and ascertain its strength against normal crushed granite were assessed. Crushed waste ceramic tiles was mixed with crushed granite stones as partial replacement for concrete. A mix ratio of 1: 2: 4, with attached mix design in appendix plate 1, for C20 concrete is produced with (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40) percent volume ceramic waste aggregate replacement for crushed granite at a constant water-cement ratio of 0.5. Concrete cubes of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were produced and tested for 7, 14 and 28 days for compressive strength, density and water absorption. The results obtained shows that the compressive strength of concrete reduced gradually for all ages with the increase in percentage replacement. Ceramic wastes from the construction sites and manufacturing industries could be recycled by breaking them into various coarse aggregate sizes and used in concrete mixes. However, a maximum content of 20% ceramic waste aggregate replacement in a mix is ideal to produce the required strength and durability of structural concrete. It was also observed that the percentage water absorption increased from 0% to 30%, it then dropped at 40% ceramic waste replacement of granite specimen. The increase in water absorption was probably due to relatively porous nature of the unpolished side of the ceramic waste as compared to the granite. It is therefore advised that coarse aggregate replacement must not exceed 20% since there was not much significant increase in water absorption up to this limit compared to the control. Meanwhile the density decreases with increase in percentage ceramic waste replacement, that is from 0% to 40%, for granite in the concrete produced. With no doubt, this mode of recycling ceramic waste could positively sustain the environment.