2026

This study was conducted to find out the Role of Media in Promoting Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Practice among University of Benin Students.

A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The sample size for the study was hundred and fifty (150) students. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire designed to access the role of media in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practice.

The findings revealed that media doesn’t provide adequate and timely coverage of environmental awareness issues and it has been so overtime. Media coverage not only informs audiences about environmental threats but also explains their causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Media campaigns by organizations like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and environmental NGOs have improved public awareness of waste management and pollution. University students, being highly media literate, often depend on these channels for environmental updates. Digital media is more effective than traditional media (print and tv/radio stations) in the promotion of environmental awareness among students. Media messages and awareness campaigns provide information that not only educates but also motivates individuals to adopt sustainable practices, such as proper waste disposal and pollution reduction. However, barriers such as limited internet access, information overload, unclear message, low interest, and weak collaboration between media outlets and environmental organization hinder the full impact of media based environmental education. It was therefore recommended that the university should leverage digital and social media platforms, ensure timely and consistent information reaches the students, and that media messages come from credible and reliable sources to enhance their influence on students attitudes and behaviors.

The security and reliability of cloud computing environments face significant threats from the escalating frequency and sophistication of Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks, which cause substantial financial losses and service disruptions while often serving as entry points for further system compromise. This research addresses this critical challenge by developing and evaluating deep learning-based detection models using two contemporary datasets: CICDDOS2019 (254,797 normal and 51,404 attack instances with 78 features) and IDS_ISCX_2012. To mitigate class imbalance, a balanced subset of 50,000 instances per class was created through random under-sampling, with optimal feature selection performed using the K-best method. Two advanced recurrent neural network architectures were implemented and compared: Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BI-LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), both enhanced with temporal attention mechanisms to focus on critical attack patterns within sequential network traffic. Experimental results demonstrated that GRU outperformed BI-LSTM across both datasets, achieving accuracies of 0.93 and 0.65 on IDS_ISCX_2012 and CICDDOS2019 respectively, compared to BI-LSTM's 0.91 and 0.61. The GRU model's simplified architecture proved more computationally efficient while effectively addressing the vanishing gradient problem common in recurrent networks. This study successfully establishes a robust framework for DDOS attack detection in cloud environments, contributing to enhanced network security through improved accuracy, reduced false positives, and practical implement ability for real-time threat mitigation

Background: The Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) was designed to provide qualitative healthcare and financial risk protection for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Despite its potential to ensure Universal Health overage (UHC), limited awareness and low utilisation remain significant challenges that hinder its effectiveness in addressing the health needs of the undergraduate population. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and utilisation of the Tertiary nstitutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 646 undergraduate students selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, utilisation, and barriers to the use of TISHIP. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.0.
Univariate analysis summarised means, frequencies, and percentages. Bivariate analysis using chisquare tests determined associations between socio-demographic factors and respondents’ knowledge and utilisation. Binary logistic regression identified independent determinants of good utilisation. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 646 respondents participated, with a mean age of 20.3 ± 2.5 years. Three hundred and seventy-five (58.0%) were male, while 271 (42.0%) were female. Overall, knowledge was low, as only 26 (4.0%) had good knowledge of the scheme, while 620 (96.0%) had poor knowledge. espondents aged ˃ 20 years (6.1%) demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of good knowledge compared to those ≤ 20 years (2.6%) (p = 0.025). Regarding attitude, 133 (60.5%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards TISHIP, while 87 (39.5%) demonstrated a negative attitude. Two hundred and seventy-three (42.3%) of the respondents were enrolled in the scheme. Utilisation was poor, as only 102 (37.4%) of enrolled students had ever utilised the services. Respondents in higher academic levels (400L–600L) had a significantly higher proportion of utilisation (57.1%) compared to those in lower levels (24.0%) (p < 0.001).
Multivariate analysis showed that academic level was a significant determinant, with students in lower levels being less likely to utilise the scheme compared to their seniors (OR = 0.360, 95% CI = 0.161–0.806, p = 0.013). Conclusion: Undergraduates at the University of Benin demonstrated a generally negative attitude toward TISHIP, coupled with abysmally low knowledge and poor utilisation practices. Significant gaps in institutional communication and administrative barriers remain. Targeted health education
during orientation and the digitalisation of registration processes are essential to improve awareness and ensure effective utilisation of the health insurance scheme.

Acalypha wikesiana, a medicinal plant contains various phytochemicals which enable it perform its beneficial activities. It has gained attraction for its anti inflammatory and apoptotic properties. Colon cancer is a life threatening disease caused by several factors like genetics, environmental exposure and the damaging condition of the digestive tract. And as such 1, 2 dimethylhydrazine, an effective chemical substance was used to induce cancerous tumors in the colon and rectum. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti inflammatory and apoptotic properties of Acalypha wikesiana on a DMH induced colon cancer. The sum of 46 healthy male rats were assembled into nine. The groups are a control group, a 1,2 dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer group, which served as the standard drug group. The other groups were also induced with 1, 2 dimethylhydrazine but were treated with
different doses of Acalypha wikesiana extracts. The ninth group was the negative control group exposed only to 1,2 dimethylhydrazine. Results indicated significantly reduced tumor size and incidence. Reduced Proinflammatory markers level suggested an anti inflammatory effect of Acalypha wikesiana. In conclusion, it was indicated that Acalypha wikesiana ethanol extracts has an anti inflammatory and apoptotic properties which to a large extent contribute to its protective effects against 1,2 dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Economic abuse is a form of intimate partner violence characterized by control, restriction, or exploitation of a partner’s access to financial resources, thereby limiting autonomy and reinforcing dependency. It is increasingly recognized as a significant public health and human rights issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where sociocultural norms often reinforce gender inequality. In Nigeria, economic abuse remains underreported despite its impact on women’s wellbeing and economic independence. Given its far-reaching consequences, this study assessed the prevalence and determinants of economic abuse among married women in Benin City.

METHODS: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 530 married women in Benin City, Edo State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were collected using pretested structured self or interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the Scale of Economic Abuse (SEA-12), alongside focus group discussions for qualitative insights. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of economic abuse, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Confidentiality and voluntary participation were strictly maintained throughout the study.

RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 43.0 ± 11.5 years. Majority were aged 25–44 years 289 (54.5%), married in monogamous unions 503 (94.9%), and of middle socioeconomic status 343 (64.7%). The prevalence of economic abuse was high, with 440 (83.0%) of respondents reporting at least one form. The most common manifestation was economic control, particularly being made to ask or beg for money 248 (56.4%), followed by decision-making without consultation 186 (42.3%) and financial monitoring 185 (42.0%). Employment sabotage and economic exploitation were less commonly reported. Overall, 207 (54.9%) of respondents had poor knowledge of economic abuse despite 377 (71.1%) having heard of it. Bivariate analysis showed that respondent age (χ²=10.835, p=0.013), knowledge of economic abuse (χ²=3.867, p=0.049), and husband’s age (χ²=6.971, p=0.031) were significantly associated with experience of economic abuse. Sociocultural norms, particularly expectations of women’s financial submission, were also significantly associated (χ²=4.302, p=0.038). Higher prevalence was observed among women aged 25-59 years, particularly 45-59 years, compared to younger and older age groups. Similarly, women whose husbands were aged 45-59 years had a higher prevalence compared to those with younger or older spouses. Other factors such as education, income, socioeconomic status, and employment status were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified duration of marriage and knowledge of economic abuse as significant predictors. Increasing duration of marriage was associated with reduced odds of economic abuse (OR=0.947; 95% CI: 0.911–0.986; p=0.007), while respondents with poor knowledge were nearly twice as likely to experience economic abuse (OR=1.937; 95% CI: 1.153–3.253; p=0.012). Sociocultural findings revealed that 311 (58.7%) of respondents perceived husbands as primary financial decision-makers, 283 (53.4%) reported expectations of financial submission, and 373 (70.4%) indicated that women are encouraged to tolerate financial abuse. Financial dependency 230 (43.4%) and patriarchal norms 108 (20.4%) were key perceived drivers. Qualitative findings reinforced these, highlighting male dominance, religious justifications, and normalization of abuse. Coping strategies were largely adaptive, including engaging in informal income activities, borrowing, silent endurance, and reliance on personal financial contributions to sustain the household.

Environmental sanitation remains a major public health concern in market environments, particularly in developing countries where overcrowding, poor waste disposal, and inadequate sanitation facilities are common. This study assessed the knowledge, practices, and barriers to environmental sanitation among market women in Uselu Market.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the environmental sanitation practices among market women in Uselu market and identify the factors influencing these practices with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations for improving sanitation standards, reducing environmental health risks, and preventing sanitation-related diseases within market settings.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted among 330 market women selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data, while Chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables at a 5% level of significance.
Results: Findings revealed that the majority of respondents had good knowledge of environmental sanitation, with 64.5% correctly defining environmental sanitation and over 90% demonstrating awareness of disease prevention, waste management, and environmental cleanliness. Environmental sanitation practices were generally good, as 98.8% cleaned their stalls daily, 93.6% used designated waste bins, and 96.7% participated in sanitation exercises. However, poor practices were observed in waste segregation, where 73.3% never separated waste before disposal, and reporting of sanitation problems, where 34.8% never reported sanitation issues. Major barriers identified included financial constraints (16.7%), lack of waste bins (16.1%), and irregular waste collection (9.1%). Ethnicity was significantly associated with knowledge of environmental sanitation practices (p = 0.005), while religion was significantly associated with sanitation practices (p = 0.021).

Conclusion: The study concluded that although market women demonstrated good knowledge and relatively good sanitation practices, important gaps remain due to infrastructural and financial barriers. The study recommends provision of adequate waste bins, regular waste collection, promotion of waste segregation, continuous health education, and stricter enforcement of sanitation regulations to improve environmental sanitation in market settings

This study examined the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning of business education students in the University of Benin. Three research questions were raised to guide the study and one hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all business education students and lecturers within the University of Benin. A sample of one hundred and twenty-three (123) respondents was drawn from the population using a simple random sampling technique. The research instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning of Business Education Students in the University of Benin”. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: Section A captured the demographic information of respondents such as age grade and gender, while Section B contained 12 items in which items were derived from each research questions. The instrument for data collection was based on face validity by the researchers supervisor and two experts from the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Benin, Benin City. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the Cronbach Alpha method, which yielded a coefficient of 0.70, indicating that the instrument was reliable for the study.
The findings revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in the teaching and learning of Business Education at the University of Benin to a high extent. And that business education students showed positive perceptions regarding the use of AI tools in their learning experience. However, the findings also revealed that students and lecturers face diverse challenges such as poor internet connectivity, the high cost of AI-based applications, lack of technical skill on optimizing the use of AI in learning and teaching, and concerns about plagiarism and academic dishonesty in integrating AI into Business Education. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the use of artificial intelligence significantly promotes effective teaching and learning of business education students in University of Benin. It was recommended, among others, the reorientation for students so as to use AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while the University of Benin should ensure adequate provision of AI facilities especially for Business Education students to promote their use in teaching.

The quality of students’ halls of residence plays a significant role in shaping comfort, wellbeing, and academic productivity within the university environment. This study focused on the architectural evaluation of students’ halls of residence at the University of Benin, using Hall 4 (Male Hostel) as a case study, with the aim of assessing its spatial layout, environmental performance, facilities, and students’ level of satisfaction. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire to 295 residents of Hall 4, alongside direct physical observation and photographic documentation of the hostel environment. The data obtained were presented in tables and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and descriptive interpretation. Findings from the study revealed that although the hall remains functional as a residential facility, several challenges exist, particularly in the areas of poor natural ventilation, inadequate sanitary facilities, insufficient maintenance, limited room space, and low overall student satisfaction. Physical observation further confirmed visible signs of poor maintenance, aging furniture, stained wall finishes, and poorly maintained washrooms and toilets. The study concluded that the architectural performance of Hall 4 does not fully support a comfortable and conducive living environment for students. Based on the findings, the study recommended improved ventilation strategies, renovation of sanitary facilities, better maintenance culture, upgrading of communal spaces, and periodic post-occupancy evaluation to enhance the quality of student residential facilities within the University of Benin.

This study examined the relationship between organizational silence and citizenship behavior among academic staff at the University of Benin, Benin City. The study sought to determine how the dimensions of organizational silence, acquiescent silence, defensive silence, prosocial silence, and supervisor silence climate influence the display of OCB among academic staff. The research was driven by concerns that silence in academic institutions may limit participation, reduce innovation, and hinder voluntary behaviours that promote institutional performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 100 lecturers across various faculties using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to summarize responses, while Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that prosocial silence recorded the highest mean (M = 4.04, SD = 0.90), indicating that lecturers often withhold information for altruistic or constructive reasons, such as maintaining team harmony or protecting colleagues. Conversely, acquiescent silence (M = 2.73, SD = 1.39) and defensive silence (M = 2.88, SD = 1.10) were relatively low, suggesting that most lecturers do not remain silent out of fear or a belief that their opinions will not matter. The regression model yielded R = 0.304, R² = 0.093, F(4,91) = 2.325, p = 0.062, indicating that the combined effect of the four silence dimensions on OCB was not statistically significant. Further analysis showed that none of the individual silence dimensions significantly predicted OCB (p > 0.05), though prosocial silence exhibited a weak positive relationship (β = 0.185, p = 0.082).

Therapeutic healing is a very important aspect in the daily lives of the average human being. Without Healthcare facilities, people end up not having a place where they can go to receive treatment when ill or in discomfort. This project aims to explore the critical interplay between architectural design and therapeutic healing outcomes, specifically examining "healing spaces" while within the context of healthcare and wellness facilities in Edo State, Nigeria. Taking into mind that the importance of clinical treatment is paramount, this study posits that the built environment significantly influences patient recovery, psychological well-being, and the overall efficacy of care delivery.
Drawing upon principles of environmental psychology, biophilic design, and human-centered design, this research investigates how the elements of architecture such as natural light, ventilation, material selection, spatial organization, and access to nature contribute in creating environments conducive to healing and rehabilitation. The study also aims to identify existing architectural approaches in therapeutic healing facilities across Edo State, analyze their strengths and weaknesses in fostering healing, and propose evidence-based design recommendations tailored to the local cultural, climatic, and resource contexts. Overall, this project seeks to highlight architecture's often-underestimated role as a therapeutic tool, advocating for its conscious integration into healthcare planning and design to enhance the quality of therapeutic healing for residents of Edo State.