This project presents the design, material selection, fabrication, and performance testing of a diesel-powered vertical palm fruit digester aimed at supporting small- and medium-scale producers. The design offers a practical, affordable, and locally adaptable solution to enhance palm oil production in underserved regions. The machine achieved a digestion efficiency of 95.5% during performance testing, indicating its capability to effectively separate the mesocarp from the kernel

Anaemia is influenced by erythroferrone (ERFE), a regulator of hepcidin during stress erythropoiesis. Aluminium chloride induces anaemia through oxidative stress and impaired iron utilization. Icacina trichantha, a medicinal plant with reported haematopoietic and antioxidant effects, may modulate ERFE expression in anaemic conditions. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Icacina trichantha on ERFE gene expression in aluminium chloride-induced anaemia in albino Wistar rats. A total of sixty (60) adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups; A, B, C, D, E and F representing control, aluminium chloride group, ferrous sulphate group, aluminium chloride + 100 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract, aluminium chloride + 200 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract and aluminium chloride + 400 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract respectively. Haematological parameters, blood cell morphology and mRNA ERFE expression were determined using haematology autoanalyzer, manual method and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The comparison of red blood cell parameters showed that red blood cell count (RBC) of groups C (7.65±0.21), D (8.18±0.06), E (7.84±0.31) and F (8.05±0.29) showed no significant difference when compared with groups A (8.09±0.12) and B (7.74±0.21) (p>0.05). Haemoglobin Concentration (g/dL) of groups C (15.06±0.36), D (15.5±0.22), E (15±0.59) and F (15.1±0.61) was not significantly different from groups A (15.33±0.24) and B (14.84±0.32) (p>0.05). Haematocrit (%) of groups C (44.46±0.99), D (45.1±0.73), E (44.32±1.46) and F (43.86±1.52) was not significantly different from groups A (44.88±0.78) and B (44.52±0.96) (p>0.05). Mean cell volume (MCV) of group F (54.64±0.96) was significantly lower than group C (58.22±0.49) (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in other groups. Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) of group F (18.72±0.23) was also significantly lower when compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RDW-SD, and RDW-CV showed no significant differences among the groups (p>0.05). Normochromatic and normocytic cells were moderately present in most groups (A, C, D, E), while Group B showed reduced levels with increased crenated cells. Group F demonstrated higher normocytic cell presence alongside mild crenation. Polychromatic cells were absent across all groups. Groups B showed significantly higher expression of RUNX1 when compared to groups A (p<0.05). Groups B showed significantly lower expression of ERFE when compared to groups A (p<0.05). Group C, D, E and F had significantly higher expression of ERFE when compared to group B (P<0.05). In conclusion, treatment with ferrous sulphate and varying doses of Icacina trichantha extract caused changes in red blood cell parameters and also improved ERFE expression, with the highest extract dose showing the greatest effect.

Background: Stroke is a major cause of motor impairment, death and disability globally. It often results in spastic hemiplegia due to upper motor neuron lesions, hindering activities of daily living. Clinical evidence shows that functional electrical stimulation facilitates neuromuscular re-education through electrical impulses, thus, enhancing motor recovery, improving muscle strength and promoting functional independence post-stroke. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation on spasticity among spastic hemiplegic stroke survivors in UBTH. Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used to select 2 groups of participants; experimental and control group. A sample size of 40 participants was recruited for this study, and the FES device, MAS, MRS, FIM and demographic questionnaire was used to obtain data. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage distribution and inferential statistics of one way anova was used to summarize the data. Alpha level was 0.05. Results: The study demonstrated a significant reduction in upper limb spasticity following Functional Electrical Stimulation, with participants in the experimental group showing better spasticity reduction and improves activities of daily living than those receiving conventional therapy alone. Thus, confirming the clinical effectiveness of FES in modulating abnormal muscle tone among post-stroke survivors. Conclusion: The integration of FES into physiotherapy practice enhanced ADL and upper limb spasticity. Hence, is a reliable tool in post stroke rehabilitation, fostering neuro plasticity recovery and improved quality of life. Key words: Functional electrical stimulation, spasticity, stroke.

The #EndSARS protests of 2020 in Nigeria marked a significant moment in the country’s contemporary socio-political history, characterized by widespread youth-led demonstrations against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This study examines the impact of social media on the mobilization, coordination, and visibility of the #EndSARS protests. Drawing on secondary data from news reports, online posts, and existing literature, the study explores how platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp were used to disseminate information, share eyewitness accounts, raise funds, and coordinate protest activities in real time. Findings indicate that social media played a critical role in amplifying the movement beyond physical locations, enabling rapid information flow and fostering solidarity among participants across different regions and the diaspora. Hashtags such as #EndSARS and #SARSMustEnd served as digital tools for awareness creation and agenda setting, while also attracting global attention and support. However, the study also highlights challenges, including the spread of misinformation, government responses such as internet restrictions in certain areas, and the use of social media surveillance. The study concludes that social media significantly shaped the dynamics of the #EndSARS protests by enhancing civic engagement and political participation among Nigerian youths. It recommends the responsible use of digital platforms for activism while encouraging policy reforms that protect freedom of expression and digital rights in Nigeria.

Background : Physical activity (PA) is crucial for reducing non-communicable diseases and enhancing quality of life among older adults, yet participation remains low, particularly in Nigeria, where inactivity rates reach over 63% among those aged 75–79. Limited context- specific research exists on barriers, benefits, and facilitators of PA among older adults in Benin City. Aim : This study aimed to investigate the perceived barriers, benefits, and facilitators of PA among older adults in Benin City, Nigeria. Method: A mixed-method cross-sectional design was employed, involving 400 community- dwelling adults aged 60 and above in Egor Local Government Area. Data were collected using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) and qualitative interviews. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA analyzed quantitative data, while thematic analysis explored qualitative responses. Results: Key barriers included exercise milieu (e.g., inaccessible facilities) and physical exertion (e.g., fatigue), while facilitators encompassed life enhancement (e.g., improved daily functioning) and psychological well-being (e.g., reduced stress). Education and marital status significantly influenced EBBS scores (p<0.05), unlike age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Older adults in Benin City recognize PA’s benefits but face environmental and physical barriers. Tailored interventions addressing infrastructure, health literacy, and social support are essential for promoting active aging.

This study concluded that introducing tax digitization services offers a revolutionary chance to improve tax compliance, and create a tax environment that is more productive and efficient by utilizing technology to expedite the procedures of taxes, and increase transparency, digitalization of tax services creates a tax environment more productive and efficient by utilizing technology to expedite procedures, increase transparency, and enable real-time reporting, and adopting these digitalization solutions helps tax authorities enforce compliance more strictly and reduces administrative difficulties for taxpayers, which in turn helps to create more equitable and long-lasting fiscal systems. This study, therefore, recommends that relevant tax authorities as the only government agents responsible for the administration of taxes should improve tax compliance procedures and adopt digital solutions to guarantee accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in the mode of the tax system

This study examined justice in Nigeria’s managed care system, with emphasis on accountability, transparency, and the roles of Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) and Health Financing Organizations (HFOs). It was motivated by the gap between policy claims of justice and actual healthcare practice. Justice was analyzed in terms of fairness, accountability, and transparency,highlighting structural weaknesses caused by overlapping institutional roles that weaken responsibility. The study clarified the role of HMOs as intermediaries tasked with protecting enrollees’ access to affordable and quality care, and critically assessed the ethical implications of the defined health package, particularly issues of exclusion, prioritization, and accountability in healthcare resource allocation. The study adopted critical and expository analysis as its primary methodological approach, given its focus on normative, conceptual, and ethical questions rather than empirical measurement. This method enabled a systematic evaluation of ethical assumptions, institutional arrangements, and policy justifications within Nigeria’s managed care system. The theoretical framework draws on John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice (1971) as a benchmark for fairness and equity, Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian ethics for assessing aggregate welfare, Alan Witherman’s analysis of exploitation in healthcare financing, and Paul Ellwood’s foundational work on Health Maintenance Organizations. The study found that justice in Nigeria’s managed care system is largely procedural and policy-oriented rather than substantively realized in practice. Overlapping institutional roles between HFOs and HMOs undermine accountability and obscure responsibility, while the defined health package reflects a predominantly utilitarian orientation that prioritizes aggregate benefit at the expense of urgent individual needs. The study argued that access to healthcare alone does not constitute justice without transparency and moral justification for inclusion and exclusion decisions. It concluded that a just managed care system requires clearly defined institutional roles, strengthened HMO oversight, and ethical accountability mechanisms capable of protecting enrollees’ interests and promoting fairness in healthcare delivery.

Background: Prolonged waiting time in hospitals is a critical component of healthcare delivery that negatively impacts patient satisfaction, which remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria. Despite ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery, long waiting times remain prominent, partly due to systemic inefficiencies, poor communication, and inadequate infrastructure. This study assessed and compared patient satisfaction with waiting time in public and private health facilities in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 362 adult outpatients in Benin City, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and an observation checklist covering sociodemographic characteristics, waiting time experience, patient satisfaction with waiting time, and factors influencing satisfaction. Patient satisfaction scores were categorised as good (≥70%) or poor (<70%). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate. Results: The mean age of respondents was 43.2 ± 16.8 years, and the majority (27.3%) were in the 40–49 years age group. Most respondents (56.6%) had tertiary education, and 76.5% were employed. Overall, 39.2% of respondents waited for 1–2 hours, and 58.9% demonstrated overall good satisfaction with the services received. The type of health facility was significantly associated with overall patient satisfaction (p < 0.001), with satisfaction being higher in private facilities (69.6%) compared to public facilities (48.1%). In the multivariable analysis, having a primary level of education was significantly associated with lower odds of satisfaction compared to having a tertiary education (OR = 0.138, p = 0.046). Furthermore, staff adequately explaining the reason for delays (OR = 132.673, p < 0.001), the comfort of the waiting environment (OR = XIV 9.273, p = 0.007), and the provision of clear information about procedures (OR = 5.834, p = 0.014) emerged as significant independent predictors of patient satisfaction. The perception that staff attitude made waiting easier was not a statistically significant predictor when controlling for other variables (p = 0.407). Conclusion: Although the majority of the respondents demonstrated a positive overall satisfaction with the services received, a significant disparity exists, with patients in public health facilities experiencing lower satisfaction levels compared to their private counterparts. These findings suggest that while objective waiting time is a factor, institutional and interpersonal factors such as staff communication and environmental comfort remain critical drivers of patient satisfaction. Targeted infrastructural upgrades, the implementation of modern queue management systems, and routine staff training on effective communication are recommended to improve patient satisfaction in health facilities in Benin City and similar settings.

NIL

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease, particularly affecting the elderly, and significantly impacts both quality of life (QoL) and physical activity (PA) levels. The disease, marked by pain, joint stiffness, and mobility limitations, can exacerbate physical and psychological distress in older adults. Despite its widespread impact, there is limited research on how knee OA affects these dimensions among elderly populations in Nigeria. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of knee osteoarthritis on QoL and physical activity levels among elderly outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 50 elderly patients (aged 60 and above) diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. QoL was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF, physical activity levels were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and pain intensity was evaluated with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and MannWhitney U tests. Results: The majority of respondents (64%) reported low QoL, with high levels of physical activity observed in 88% of participants. Pain intensity varied, with 40% of participants experiencing severe pain. No significant differences were found between male and female respondents in terms of QoL, physical activity, or pain intensity ( p=0.565; p=0.230; p=0.012 respectively). Furthermore, no no significant association were found between age and each of QoL ,physical activity levels and pain intensity(p=0.409;p=0.620;p=0.059 respectively) Conclusion: This study revealed that elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis experience low quality of life and generally high physical activity levels, with mild-to-severe variations in pain intensity. Furthermore, no statistically significant associations were found between age and each of QoL, physical activity and pain intensity Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, elderly, quality of life, physical activity, pain.