2026

This study investigates rammed earth as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional construction materials in Edo State, Nigeria. With rising cement costs, high carbon emissions from concrete production, and an increasing housing deficit, there is urgent need for affordable, eco-friendly building solutions. Rammed earth—a technique involving compaction of soil, sand, clay, and stabilizers into formwork—offers low embodied energy, excellent thermal mass, and utilization of locally available materials. A questionnaire-based research design was employed, targeting architects, quantity surveyors, civil engineers, and students within Benin City. Out of 75 questionnaires distributed, 60 responses were received, yielding an 80% response rate. Findings revealed that 60.75% of respondents were unfamiliar with rammed earth technology, indicating a significant awareness gap. However, 64.1% agreed that rammed earth contributes to sustainable building practices, with 69.25% recognizing its use of local materials and 52.8% acknowledging its energy efficiency. Key
challenges identified included lack of skilled labor, limited public awareness, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and concerns about climate suitability. Despite these barriers, 46.1% of respondents expressed optimism about its future adoption in mainstream construction. The study concludes that rammed earth is a viable, durable, and sustainable material for residential construction in Edo State. Recommendations include increasing public and professional awareness, integrating rammed earth construction into academic curricula, developing standardized building codes, and encouraging its adoption through policy support and demonstration projects.

This study examined Domestic Violence and Children’s Mental Health in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by the growing concern over the rising cases of domestic violence and the increasing vulnerability of children who either directly experience abuse or witness violence within their homes. The study sought to examine the prevalence of domestic violence experienced by children, identify its major causes, assess its psychological and emotional effects on children’s mental health, evaluate the availability and effectiveness of support services, and determine the roles of social workers in addressing the problem. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised residents of selected communities within Oredo Local Government Area, including parents, caregivers, social workers, and children above the age of 12. A total of 100 respondents were selected using purposive and stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages with the aid of SPSS.
Findings revealed that domestic violence is highly prevalent in the study area, with many children experiencing physical and emotional abuse or witnessing violence between caregivers. Major causes identified include poverty, substance abuse, family conflict, poor communication, and cultural norms that tolerate violence. The study further found that exposure to domestic violence significantly affects children’s mental health, leading to anxiety, fear, aggression, low self-esteem, depression, and poor academic performance. Although some mental health and support services exist, they are limited in accessibility and effectiveness. Social workers were found to play important roles in prevention, counseling, advocacy, and rehabilitation, though constrained by inadequate resources. The study concluded that domestic violence poses serious psychological and developmental risks to children in Oredo Local Government Area. It recommended increased public awareness, strengthening of child-focused mental health services, improved policy enforcement, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to protect children and promote their mental wellbeing.

This study examined the effect of exchange rate volatility, and the blue economy on the financial
performance of Nigeria’s shipping industry from 1990 to 2024. A longitudinal research design was adopted, allowing for the analysis of cause-and-effect relationships across time. Secondary data were sourced from the World Bank Development Indicators, and the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, while exchange rate volatility was derived using the GARCH (1,1) model. The study employed an econometric framework grounded in the Traditional Flow Theory and the Balance of Payments (BoP) Theory to investigate how volatility in exchange rates and blue economy activities affect shipping sector financial performance. Financial performance was measured using container throughput revenue, shipping costs, and port revenue, while blue economy proxies include fisheries, aquaculture, and desalination, controlled by macroeconomic variables such as inflation, labour force, and trade freedom. The analysis adopted the autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) framework to capture both short-run and long-run among the variables. Empirical findings showed that exchange rate volatility reduced container throughput revenue and port revenues while increasing shipping costs. Fisheries had a short-term positive impact, while, aquaculture significantly boosted long-run performance by lowering costs and raising revenues. Desalination has limited influence, showing short-term benefits but long-term drawbacks. The study recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other statutory Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) connected with blue economy, and, the shipping and maritime sector of the economy; formulate policies and embark on activities that will help stabilize the naira, promote risk hedging instruments, and encourage investments in fisheries terminals, aquaculture integration, and desalination facilities

This study aims to assess the socio-economic effect of older adult neglect in Iguobhioba. The objectives of the study includes to identify the various forms of neglect experienced by older adults in Iguobhioba Community, assess the socio-economic conditions (income, housing, healthcare access, nutrition, etc.) of neglected older adults in the community, examine the impact of neglect on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of older adults, explore the role of family members, caregivers, and the wider community in either contributing to or alleviating the neglect of the elderly, analyze the availability and effectiveness of social support systems, including government and non-governmental interventions, for older adults in Iguobhioba and to recommend social work strategies and policy measures that can reduce neglect. Situational theory was adopted in the study. A qualitative approach was applied in the thesis and content analysis was undertaken. five objectives were raised for the study. The population of the study comprised of older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Iguobhioba Community. The data generated from the survey were analyzed by means of tables and percentages. The result of the analysis was tested at 0.05 (5%) level of significance. The findings of the study show that older adults in Iguobhioba Community experience multiple and interconnected forms of neglect, with physical, emotional, and economic neglect emerging as the most prevalent. The study recommend among others that The government should take active and concrete measures towards implementing a viable social welfare programme for the elderly both at the federal, state and local government levels. This would ensure uniformity in implementation

This study investigated the availability, functionality and utilization of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of basic science in junior secondary schools in Egor local Government area of Edo state. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample for the study consists of 40 basic science teachers from 20 junior secondary schools in Egor local Government area of Edo state. A questionnaire titled “Availability, Functionality, and Utilization of Instructional materials in the Teaching and Learning of Basic Science in Junior Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State” and a checklist were the instrument used for data collection. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation. Findings from the study revealed that majority of the required and essential instructional materials for effective basic science teaching were not available in schools. Basic science teachers fairly utilize instructional materials during classroom instruction. Teachers’ lack of motivation, short periods allocated to basic science classes on the school time-table, large class size, lack of supervision of teachers by school administrators and lack of in-service training for teachers were identified as challenges faced by basic science teachers in the utilization of instruction for basic science teaching. Lastly, inadequate funding to acquire instructional materials, high cost of instructional materials, poor implementation of educational policies, mismanagement of funds meant to purchase instructional materials and insufficient improvisation of instructional materials are factors affecting the availability of instructional materials in schools. Based on these findings, the study recommended that Government should ensure adequate provision of funds for the procurement of instructional materials that are not available in secondary schools. Government should provide incentives to motivate and enable teachers purchase instructional materials. Teachers should improvise instructional materials for basic science teaching where the standard ones are not available. Principals and school administrators should ensure strict supervision of basic science teachers to ensure the utilization of instructional materials. Government should provide in-service training for teachers on the utilization of instructional materials.

This study examined students’ perceptions of the use of multimedia and metacognitive learning strategies for enhancing Integrated Science education at the University of Benin, Edo State, with emphasis on students’ awareness, perceptions, and learning experiences. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised undergraduate students of Integrated Science Education at the University of Benin, from which a suitable sample was selected using an appropriate sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation Findings revealed that students generally had positive perceptions of multimedia and metacognitive learning strategies, as they enhanced understanding, engagement, critical thinking, and retention of scientific concepts. However, challenges such as inadequate instructional facilities, limited access to multimedia resources, insufficient lecturer expertise, and time constraints were identified. The study concluded that these strategies can significantly enhance Integrated Science education when effectively implemented

This study investigated the effectiveness of flipped classroom models enhanced by Learning Management Systems (LMS) for teaching integrated science at the junior secondary school level in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined teachers’ perceptions of flipped classroom effectiveness, challenges encountered during implementation, the relationship between teacher characteristics and perceived effectiveness, the extent to which LMS features support implementation, and recommendations for optimizing adoption. A descriptive survey research design employing a mixed-methods approach was adopted. The study reveals that while flipped classroom models enhanced by LMS hold considerable promise for transforming science instruction at the junior secondary level in Nigeria, full realisation of their potential is contingent upon addressing infrastructural deficits, providing technical training for teachers, and developing context-sensitive implementation guidelines. It is recommended that educational stakeholders invest in reliable internet infrastructure, structured LMS training programmes, collaborative teacher planning time, and policy frameworks that promote scalable and equitable integration of technology-enhanced pedagogies in Nigerian secondary education

Solid waste generation and management is a major concern for both developed and developing countries. Because of population density, consumption pattern, production activities and rural-urban migration, solid waste management has become a major environmental issue and problem in major cities. The purpose of the study was to view, analyze and interpret waste generation, disposal methods mechanism, environmental impacts associated with waste management; nutritional value of maize (Zea mays) husks as animal feed. The primary data were obtained via questionnaires administered to a randomly selected population in the study area. Oral interviews and field observation were also carried out for holistic assessment. The questionnaires had questions on demographic characteristics, waste management matters, and collection of maize (Zea mays) husks waste. Proximate analysis and test for nutritional value of freshly unboiled and boiled maize (Zea mays) husks were carried out in the Benin Owena laboratory. The secondary data were obtained from relevant literatures. Results indicated that streets, roads and open spaces were used as waste dumps; ineffectiveness of waste managers contributed to the problem of waste management. Data revealed that almost equal gender respondents, with (49.5%) males and (50.5%) females. The highest respondents were 50-59years. Educational status recorded highest (29.5%), followed by middle school (20.5%). Food waste accounted for the largest proportion of waste generated (40%), followed by plastics (30%). Public bins (28.75%) and roadside disposal (25.5%) were the most common waste disposal methods. However, environmentally unfriendly practices like open space disposal (15.5%) and roadside

It is an indubitable fact that most plans/activities lies of any sep-up may come to naught if here is lack of revenue or finance to effectuate to one roas task. It is also germane to stress that just as air food and water are importance for human existence so also does revenue from the sine-quoin for any human or government existence and survival If is therefore sufficient to observe that the issue of revenue allocation and always been highly contentious and invariable generated a lot of conflicting and divergent controversies in Nigeria. The issue has been the allocation between various tiers of government vertical allocation and between resource rich and resource-poor regions (horizontal allocation). More recently, another dimension has been introduced to the vertical issue, namely the allocation between the resources-rich regions, local government and community

Enterohepatic Circulation (EHC) is the process by which bile acid are secreted from the liver into the bile, excreted into the small intestine and then reabsorbed back into the liver. This efflux process is spurred by drug saturation, which is a condition in
which the rate of absorption of the drug is limited by the rate of transport to the liver or the rate of secretion into the bile. EHC plays a crucial role for several liver and gastrointestinal functions such as bile flow, solubilization and excretion of cholesterol,
clearance of toxic molecules, intestinal absorption of lipophilic nutrients, as well as metabolic and antimicrobial effects. Despite its positive impact in human homeostasis, it is known that EHC can increase toxicity of drugs(due to incomplete elimination
during recycling), increased risk of gallstones which result to systemic diseases such as cholelithiasis, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer and hepatotoxicity(drug liver injury). In the formulation of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of EHC Drugs
with Saturation Kinetics is formulated. The model is affected by secreted drug in the hepatocyte and gastrointestinal compartment with delay effect on metabolites. The drug toxicity threshold parameter and delay effect accounting for gallbladder and intestine disorder(alter the rate of bile circulation) will be discussed. The model is rigorously analyzed on Drug Free Equilibria, Drug Saturation Equilibria, Toxicity Equilibria and Drug Reabsorption Equilibria. Threshold value for Pathological parameter for
which there exist a trans from Hoph bifurcation to periodic system was established. The direction of Stability (super critical and subcritical) was also established. Global and Local stabilities were also investigated. The results from the analysis showed that drug saturation induces toxicity in theabsence of pathological defect parameters when Drug Toxicity Number (DTN) is
greater than one .Whereas in the presence of pathological parameters (Mild Case), Drug Toxicity does not annul the physiological state of the compartments hence cannot effect drug reabsorption. There exist a threshold for pathological parameters
for which drug reabsorption occurs, and defect in physiological compartment progresses from mild to acute case when pathological parameters exceed this threshold τ_1+τ_2>(v_2+2m_2)/η_2 . Hoph bifurcation analysis on the Drug Free and Drug Saturation Equilibria showed that there exist an upper bound for which the system remains asymptotically stable. Numerical results obtained from this work will provide a framework for Pharmaceutical Policies and decisions on EHC.