2025

Humans are fickle and their actions even more wobbling by the transient nature of the world. Ergo, their acts are regulated by laws, short of these laws, their acts become an abnormality to society- crimes! And in the world of criminal law culpability and compassion must intersect for justice to be done as well as seen done. Accordingly, this research rigorously examines the intertwined doctrines of excuse and justification as defences within Nigerian criminal law, illuminating their pivotal role in balancing societal order with individual autonomy. Framed within the complexities of Nigeria’s plural legal system, The Architecture of Excuse and Justification explores how the law, stern yet humane, negotiates the delicate equilibrium between societal order and individual autonomy. A novel inquiry in the Nigerian Criminal law sphere! Justification, on the one hand as examined, sanctifies conduct deemed necessary or right in its circumstances albeit in self-defence, defence of property or lawful correction, each showing the law’s pragmatic embrace of moral duty and public good. Excuse, on the other hand, humbles the majesty of law before the frailty of the human spirit, excusing acts wrought by insanity, provocation, duress, or honest mistake, where culpability wanes though wrong remains. This work is pivotal as it exposes doctrinal ambiguities, statutory inconsistencies, and judicial challenges in clearly delineating these defences, further complicated by cultural, religious, and pluralistic influences that shape application and interpretation. Drawing on comparative perspectives from multiple jurisprudence, the study posits that Nigeria’s criminal law must evolve through comprehensive codification, enhanced judicial training, and institutional support. It reaffirms the law’s highest calling to punish with justice, to excuse with reason, and to justify with conscience. Ultimately, this work contends that the vitality of criminal law depends not only on punishing the guilty but on understanding why and when it must refrain

This study explores the pervasive themes of corruption and oil exploitation in the Niger Delta as depicted in Helon Habila’s Oil on Water and Ruky Divine Ogede’s Festering Wounds.Through a literary ecocritical lens the research examines how both authors portray the environmental degradation,human suffering and systemic corruption that plague oil-rich communities.The texts reveal the complicity of government officials,multinational corporations, and militant groups in perpetuating sociopolitical instability and environmental injustice. Characters in both novels are usedas symbols of resistance, victimhood, andsurvival, highlighting the multifaceted consequences of oil wealth mismanagement. The study also identifies the silencing of whistleblowers and community voices as a critical element in sustaining corrupt systems. By comparing these two literary works, the research underscores the urgency for accountability, environmental justice, and ethical governance in resource management in the Niger Delta.

This study examine the role of festivals in preserving the cultural heritage of the nsit ibom people. The Ekpo Festival, one of the most prominent and ancient festivals in Nsit Ibom, is a classic example of how a traditional event can serve as a reservoir of cultural knowledge and identity. Ekpo, derived from ancestral spiritual beliefs, is not just a masquerade performance but a complex traditional system that embodies spiritual authority, moral instruction, community justice, artistic excellence, and social hierarchy. The masquerades, believed to represent the spirits of ancestors, appear during the dry season and are used to enforce traditional laws, entertain the public, and remind the people of their connection to the spiritual world. Each performance is laced with symbolic gestures, coded language, and historical references, which serve as a cultural textbook for the youth and a source of pride for the elders. The Ekpo institution is passed down through secret societies that initiate and train members in the meanings, functions, and codes of the tradition, ensuring that this sacred heritage is not lost over time.

The study examined the macroeconomic determinants of banking sector development in Nigeria over the period 2000 to 2023. The specific objectives of the study were to examine whether exchange rate (EXRT), inflation rate (INFL),money supply (M2), interest rate (INTR), and real gross domestic product (RGDP) significantly affect banking sector development. The ordinary least square econometric technique was utilized in the analysis of data. The results from the analysis revealed exchange rate (EXRT) has significant negative effect on banking sector development (BSD) in Nigeria; money supply (M2) had a significant positive impact on banking sector development; while inflation rate (INFL) had a weak positive effect, real gross domestic product (RGDP) had a weak negative effect on banking sector development in Nigeria. The study therefore conclude that these variables should not be ignored by the Nigerian government and policy makers. They must place special attention on them in order to constantly sustain the current development of the Nigerian banking sector. The study recommends among others that, the government sand indeed monetary authority should formulate appropriate investment policy that will encourage investors to invest more in the economy. This can be achieved by lower the current high level of interest rate or banks’ lending rate in the country. By so doing, more people will be able to access loans for onward investment in the economy, and thereby boost the general economic activities in the country.

As the world continues to embrace cleaner and smarter energy solutions, there's a growing need for tools that not only design microgrids but also make them smarter, more responsive, and easier to manage. This project introduces an Intelligent Microgrid Management and Optimization System — a desktop application built with Python — designed to help users plan, optimize, and monitor solar-powered microgrid systems more efficiently. What sets this tool apart is its ability to pull live weather data (like sunlight levels and temperature) using the Open Weather Map API. With this, it can predict how much energy your solar panels might generate and how much power you’ll need, thanks to built-in machine learning models. The system then uses a genetic algorithm to figure out the best combination of solar panel size and battery capacity to meet your energy needs while keeping costs low. The application runs through a simple and responsive user interface (built with PyQt6), offering features like real-time graphs, a weather dashboard, and system control panels. It also supports SCADA-style monitoring, so users can see power generation, battery status, and energy demand in real time. Overall, this tool is designed to be both smart and user-friendly, making it useful not just for engineers and developers, but also for students, researchers, and organizations working on renewable energy solution

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), leading to severe motor and cognitive impairments. Its complex pathophysiology involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Hyperthermia, or high body temperature, is also known to cause cellular damage by impairing mitochondrial function and increasing oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate physiological alterations associated with hyperthermia in MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) induced Neurotoxicity using the MPTP rat model. Adult Wistar rats were divided into Control, Heat only, and MPTP + heat groups, receiving intranasal administration of MPTP (0.1ml/nostril)daily for 2 days. Heat exposure was carried out with heat bulbs for 6hours/day for one week at a temperature range of 28°c - 43°c. The study assessed key biochemical parameters, including oxidative stress markers (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Malondialdehyde (MDA)), and Total Protein levels. Biochemical analysis confirmed that MPTPt + HEAT treatments induced a severe state of oxidative stress. This was evidenced by a significant increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) alongside a decrease in the lipid peroxidation marker MDA. This pattern indicates that the cellular antioxidant defenses were overwhelmed by the toxin and heat.. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant decrease in total protein levels across the Heat only and MPTP+ heat groups, suggesting widespread cellular injury and apoptotic death consistent with severe heat exposure and MPTP neurotoxicity. This study confirms the physiological alterations caused by heat, demonstrating that MPTP administration and heat exposure promote molecular damage, oxidative stress, and widespread protein loss.

Indoor air quality in healthcare environments is an important determinant of patient safety and occupational health. Airborne fungi are among the major biological contaminants in hospitals and primary health centers, where they can cause allergic reactions, opportunistic infections, and surface deterioration. This study was designed to evaluate the airborne fungal load and diversity in selected Primary Health Centers (PHCs) within Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Air samples were collected weekly for three weeks from Uselu, Evbotubu, and Evhuogida PHCs using the settle plate technique. Fungal colonies were enumerated as colonyforming units per cubic meter (CFU/m³), and isolates were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics. Antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted using standard disc diffusion methods. Results revealed that fungal load ranged from 2.4 ×10² to 3.5 ×10² CFU/m³, with Uselu PHC recording the highest mean load (3.33 ×10² CFU/m³) and Evbotubu PHC the lowest (2.45 ×10² CFU/m³). Four fungal genera Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. and Fusarium sp. were identified, with Aspergillus sp (38%) being the most predominant. Alternaria sp. was the least frequent. Antifungal screening showed that Aspergillus sp. was most sensitive to ketoconazole and amphotericin B, while Penicillium sp. showed resistance to fluconazole and ketoconazole. The findings highlight that primary health centers in Egor LGA harbor airborne fungal contaminants, with variations linked to environmental and infrastructural factors. Regular environmental monitoring, adequate ventilation, and periodic sanitation are recommended to reduce potential exposure to pathogenic fungi within healthcare environments.

This study examines the relationship between local government autonomy and socioeconomic development in Nigeria, using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. The research emphasis the vital role of local governments in promoting grassroots development. Despite this, local governments in Nigeria have often been constrained by excessive interference from higher tiers of government, particularly in financial, administrative, and political matters. Such interference has weakened their capacity to function effectively and to implement developmental programs tailored to local needs. This study adopts a descriptive survey research design to assess the extent to which local government autonomy influences socioeconomic development in Oredo Local Government Area. The findings reveal that granting full financial, administrative, and political autonomy to local governments is crucial for enhancing service delivery and achieving sustainable development. The conclusion drawn by this research is that genuine local government autonomy is important and of necessity for effective grassroots governance and recommends that both federal and state governments should provide the necessary constitutional and institutional support to ensure full autonomy for local governments across Nigeria as this would enhance socio economic development at the grassroots and the country as a whole.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are major global health concerns, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria accounts for a substantial burden, with millions affected by both viruses. HBV and HIV share common transmission routes and pose serious health risks, especially among immunocompromised individuals such as oncology patients. The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV among oncology patients attending secondary and tertiary health facilities in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among oncology patients at the University Of Benin Teaching Hospital. A total of 150 consenting patients were recruited for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Venous blood samples (3ml) were collected, and analyzed for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies using rapid diagnostic test kits following standard procedures and manufacturer’s instructions. Females constituted the majority of the study population. The results in this study showed total seroprevalence of HIV was 4% (3 males and 3 females) , while HBV was 2% ( 1 male and 2 females) . Infections were only recorded among patients with carcinoma-type cancers with a prevalence of 4.8% and 2.4% for HIV and HBV respectively. Age-specific analysis showed that HIV infection was most prevalent in age groups 51-60 (7.4%) and 41–50 (6.7%). HBV prevalence was highest among patients ages 51–60 (7.4%). Age and sex showed not statistical significant in influencing infection. Awareness level revealed that although all participants had heard of HIV, only a small portion was aware of HBV. In conclusion, these findings observed a measurable prevalence of HIV and HBV among oncology patients in Benin City. Increased awareness of viral infections, particularly among high-risk groups should be implemented to improve early detection, prevent reactivation (HBV) during immunosuppressive therapy, and reduce complications related to coinfection.

Door handles in public spaces serve as potential reservoirs for microbial contamination, posing risks for the transmission of pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and assess the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial contaminants on door handles of selected banks within the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research was conducted across five banks within the university campus, selected due to their high patronage, which increases the likelihood of microbial contamination. Sterile swab samples were collected from both entrance and interior door handles of each bank over a two-week period, during peak business hours (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM). The collected swabs were transferred into sterile peptone water and transported to the microbiology laboratory within one hour for bacterial analysis. The total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) was determined using standard culture techniques, with counts ranging from 2.03 ± 0.03 × 10⁴ CFU/ml (Bank D) to 4.72 ± 0.31 × 10⁴ CFU/ml (Bank E). Biochemical and morphological characterization of isolates identified seven bacterial species, including Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella sp. The frequency of occurrence varied, with Escherichia coli having the highest prevalence (28%), followed by Staphylococcus sp. (20%), while Pseudomonas sp. had the lowest occurrence (12%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing against ten commonly used antibiotics revealed varying resistance patterns among isolates. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged from 0.3 to 0.5, with the highest recorded for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Micrococcus sp. The results highlight significant bacterial contamination on frequently touched surfaces, emphasizing the need for regular disinfection and improved hygiene practices in high-contact public spaces.