This study examines urban regeneration and slum upgrading in Ogida District, Benin City, with the aim of developing a sustainable framework that can guide the improvement of living conditions in the area. Ogida is one of the older residential districts in Benin City and over time has experienced significant physical deterioration, inadequate infrastructure, and growing socio- economic challenges that have contributed to its classification as a blighted inner-city neighbourhood. The study was motivated by the absence of a coordinated, community-driven regeneration strategy for the district, despite its well-documented challenges including chronic flooding linked to clay-heavy soils and blocked drainage, deteriorating housing stock, insecure land tenure, and the progressive degradation of the ancient Benin Moat, a UNESCO-listed heritage site that passes through the area. Previous urban renewal attempts in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, have largely relied on demolition and forced relocation, producing displacement without sustainable improvement. This study takes a different position, arguing for in-situ upgrading as the more appropriate and humane approach. A mixed-method research design was adopted. Structured questionnaires were administered to one hundred residents of Ogida District, with a 100% response rate. Direct physical observation of the study area was also carried out alongside a review of relevant documents, policies, and empirical literature. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods including frequency tables, percentages, and pie charts. The findings reveal that Ogida has a predominantly young, low-income population, the majority of whom rely on informal economic activities for their livelihood. Housing conditions across the district are poor, with most buildings showing visible signs of deterioration and overcrowding. Basic infrastructure is inadequate, particularly drainage systems, roads, and waste management facilities. Flooding during the rainy season was identified as one of the most serious environmental problems affecting residents. Community participation in development planning is extremely limited, with over 74% of respondents reporting that they have never been consulted about development projects in their area, even though the overwhelming majority expressed willingness to be involved. Based on these findings, the study proposes a sustainable urban regeneration framework for Ogida District built around five pillars: infrastructure and basic services improvement, community participation and indigenous governance, environmental resilience, anti- displacement and social equity safeguards, and phased implementation with community ownership. The framework is designed as a replicable model that can be adapted for similar inner-city settlements across Benin City and Edo State. The study concludes that meaningful regeneration of Ogida requires a coordinated effort involving government agencies, urban planners, traditional community leaders, and residents themselves. Without genuine community involvement and government support, physical improvements alone will not be sustainable. Keywords: Urban Regeneration, Slum Upgrading, Ogida District, Benin City, Sustainable Framework, Community Participation, In-situ Upgrading, Flood Resilience

A remote monitoring and control system enables real-time monitoring and management of devices or processes remotely. It enhances operational efficiency through continuous data acquisition and automated action. The system uses communication technologies to enable simple interaction between users and remote assets. Its applications cross industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and smart homes. The aim of this project was to make a remote monitoring and control system that can control and measure power supply remotely from a mobile application that we will also be developing. This remote monitoring and control system was made with the ESP32 microcontroller, making use of its inbuilt Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, while the mobile application used to monitor, control, and configure the system was made with the react-native framework. The interface between the mobile application and the system was the Blynk.cloud library and API, which was used to handle the remote online connection, while the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) protocol was used to update the Wi-Fi credentials of the system through the mobile application. This project presented the results obtained with the development and testing of the system, as well as the advantages of using a Wi-Fi-enabled system in place of GSM device

Background: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Effective household management by caregivers plays a crucial role in early recognition, prompt treatment, and prevention of complications. However, inadequate knowledge, poor health-seeking behaviour, and inappropriate treatment practices remain significant challenges. Aim: To assess the household management of ARI symptoms among caregivers of under-five children in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, and identify factors influencing management practices and treatment outcomes. Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 506 caregivers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from standard survey tools. Information obtained included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of ARIs, prevalence of symptoms, care-seeking behaviour, factors influencing management, and treatment outcomes. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to determine associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 35.98 ± 11.04 years, with the majority being mothers (73.9%) and females (76.7%). Most respondents (80.2%) had heard of ARI. Knowledge of danger signs (94.3%) and prevention (74.6%) was generally good, while knowledge of symptoms (29.3%) and causes (30.3%) was poor. The prevalence of ARI in the last two weeks was 14.8%. A majority of caregivers (70.7%) sought treatment, mainly from primary health centres and government hospitals (26.4% each). However, only 35.8% sought care on the same day. Major barriers to care-seeking included cost (31.8%) and perceived non-severity of illness (27.3%). Most children (77.3%) had complete recovery, with few complications (2.7%) and low hospitalization rates (5.3%). Caregiver age (p = 0.009) and sex of the child (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Although caregivers demonstrated good knowledge of ARI prevention and danger signs, significant gaps exist in knowledge of symptoms and causes. While care- seeking behaviour was relatively high, delays and inappropriate practices persist. Strengthening caregiver education, improving access to affordable healthcare, and addressing socio-economic barriers are essential to improve ARI management and reduce childhood morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, caregivers, household management, under-five children, prevalence, health-seeking behaviour, treatment outcomes

Photovoltaic systems have drawn growing research interest in recent decades. PV generators show nonlinear current–voltage and power–voltage behavior, and their maximum power output changes with irradiance and temperature. Because PV arrays convert sunlight with relatively low efficiency, they require maximum power point tracking control to harvest as much energy as possible as light levels, shading, temperature, and module characteristics change. MPPT algorithms automatically adjust the power interface so the solar operating voltage stays near the maximum power point under varying atmospheric conditions. MPPT has become a key factor when evaluating PV system performance. This study reviews various MPPT techniques, summarizes background concepts, implementation topologies, grid interconnection issues, and solar microinverter requirements found in the literature, and offers comparative analysis with concise discussion. The review also covers MPPT advantages, disadvantages, and classification to serve as a reference for future research aimed at optimizing solar power generation. Conventional MPPT methods are simple to implement but suffer from oscillations around the maximum power point and slower tracking due to fixed perturbation steps. Intelligent methods perform better, producing smaller steady state oscillations and faster tracking compared with conventional approaches.

This study examines the awareness and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in shelving and shelf-reading practices in the University of Benin Library. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from professional and paraprofessional staff to determine their level of awareness of AI applications, the extent of AI adoption in routine collection- management tasks, and the factors influencing its use. The study highlights prevailing gaps in knowledge, infrastructural limitations, and staff readiness, while underscoring the potential of AI to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making in shelving operations. The findings aim to inform policy development and capacity-building initiatives that support effective AI integration in academic library workflows.

This study examined the influence of anonymous messages on the behavior patterns of students at Ekehuan Campus, University of Benin. The main objective of this study is to access students perception of anonymous messages in shaping their daily activities and relationships, examine the types of anonymous messages commonly received by students on Ekehuan Campus, Identify the emotional and psychological effects of anonymous messaging and determine the impact of anonymous messages on students' behavioral patterns. This study was hinged on the Cognitive Dissonance, Uses and gratification, and spiral of silence theories. A total sample size of 326 questionnaires were distributed to Ekehuan Campus students. The findings indicate that anonymous messages have a notable influence on behavioral patterns of students of Ekehuan Campus. Although many students dismiss such messages as irrelevant, a considerable proportion experience emotional distress, reduced trust, avoidance behaviour, and changes in their daily routines. Gossip and abuse dominate the content of anonymous messages, overshadowing the smaller proportion of motivational or religious content. The study confirms that anonymity, when misused, undermines trust and social cohesion among students. The study concludes that anonymous messages exert a notable influence on students’ behavioural patterns at Ekehuan Campus, University of Benin. While some students dismiss them as irrelevant, many experience emotional distress, reduced trust, avoidance behaviours, and altered routines. Gossip and abuse dominate the content of such messages, overshadowing the smaller proportion of motivational or religious content. Anonymity, therefore, emerges as a double edged tool capable of fostering honest expression and support when used positively, but harmful when misused. Based on these findings, the study recommends awareness campaigns on responsible use of anonymous platforms, stronger counseling and support systems, promotion of positive online engagement, adoption of policies against misuse, integration of digital literacy into student orientation, and further research across other campuses to assess long-term behavioural impacts.

Despite wide-spread reports of electoral frauds and irregularities in Nigeria, proving same remains a major challenge in Nigerian courts. This study explores the barriers to effectively proving electoral malpractices within the Nigerian political and legal systems. It investigates the institutional, legal, political, and socio-cultural obstacles that hinder the collation, presentation and acceptance of credible evidence in resolution of electoral disputes. The core problem lies in the systemic challenges that make it very difficult for petitioners to provide sufficient evidence to meet the high evidentiary burden required by election tribunals and courts. This research aims to identify and analyze these specific barriers, including procedural obstacles, institutional challenges, and socio-political factors, to understand the barriers to proving electoral malpractices. The methodology adopted for the study is the doctrinal method of research. In doing this, the study examined primary and secondary data which was obtained from scholarly articles, reports of election observer missions, judicial case, and official publications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The methodology was further developed through a thematic analysis approach, which allowed for a detailed examination of recurring challenges such as evidentiary limitations, influence on electoral tribunals, and the inadequacies of existing legal and institutional frameworks. Findings from the study reveal that the barriers to proving electoral malpractices in Nigeria are multi-dimensional. Legal barriers, such as strict evidentiary requirements and short timelines for litigation, create significant obstacles for petitioners. Institutional challenges, including poorly funded and poorly trained investigative bodies, which further limit the ability to gather credible evidence. Politically, widespread corruption, intimidation, and lack of judicial independence worsen the problem, making it extremely difficult for victims of electoral fraud to obtain justice. The study also identifies key issues such as limited access to reliable evidence, intimidation of witnesses, delays in judicial processes, lack of technological infrastructure, and political interference in legal proceedings as barriers to proving electoral malpractices before the courts in Nigeria. The findings suggest that these barriers not only undermine public trust in the electoral process but also weaken democratic accountability. The study concludes by recommending reforms aimed at strengthening the legal framework, improving evidence-gathering mechanisms, and enhancing the independence of electoral and judicial institutions in Nigeria.

The political, economic and social development of any country depends on the amount of revenue generated for the provision of infrastructure in that given country. However, one means of generating the amount of revenue for providing the needed infrastructure is through a well- structured tax system. Tax is a major player in every society of the world. The tax system is an opportunity for government to collect additional revenue needed in discharging its pressing obligations sustainable development. In the study methodology, the study adopts the survey research design, population of this study consist of the total population of Delta State. Which is estimated at 3,233,366 according to the 2006 population census. The sampling technique used for this study is the simple and convenient sampling technique. Also, questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection, while the techniques of data analysis was the simple percentage analytical method. The study found amongst others that tax payers in Isoko South local government area are very willing to compliance to pay tax if they can visible see and witness massive infrastructural development in the local government area. It was also discovered that a good tax administrative system will bring about massive development in terms of fostering increase in the internally generated revenue profile of the local government area. The study also found out that tax remission centres in Isoko South local government area should be decentralize in order to allow for easy payment of tax by tax payers. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others the following; the local government in Isoko South should continue to implement infrastructural development like construction of roads, markets, schools, hospitals etc so as to enable tax payers pay their taxes knowing fulfil well that their money in being put to judicious purposes. Also, effective tax policies like property tax and personal income tax be given some consideration in terms of its adoption in the local government area (Isoko South)

The increasing environmental impact of petroleum-based plastics has intensified the global search for renewable, biodegradable alternatives. Agricultural wastes, particularly cassava and potato peels, offer promising sources of starch for sustainable bio plastic production. This study focused on the comparative development and evaluation of bio plastic films produced from cassava peel starch (CPS) and potato peel starch (PPS), using identical formulation and processing conditions. The aim was to assess how starch source influences the physicochemical, mechanical, structural, and biodegradation characteristics of the resulting films. Starch was extracted from the peels through sedimentation and drying processes, and the yield was determined gravimetrically. Bio plastic films were prepared using a standard casting method. The films were characterized for tensile strength, elongation at break, thickness, water absorption, solubility, and biodegradability. Structural and morphological properties were examined through visual observation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that cassava peel produced a higher starch yield (18.6%) compared to potato peel (14.9%), confirming its superior extraction efficiency. CPS films exhibited greater tensile strength (4.85 MPa) and Young’s modulus (62 MPa), indicating stronger and more rigid films, while PPS films displayed higher elongation at break (32%), signifying greater flexibility. SEM analysis showed smoother and more homogeneous surfaces in CPS films, whereas PPS films exhibited minor surface irregularities. Both films demonstrated good biodegradability under soil burial, with PPS degrading slightly faster due to its higher hydrophilicity. Overall, the findings establish cassava and potato peel starches as viable raw materials for biodegradable film production, promoting waste valorization and environmental sustainability. The higher yield and superior mechanical integrity of cassava peel starch films suggest greater industrial potential, particularly for eco-friendly packaging applications.

Kola (Cola nitida) leaves are widely known for their ethnobotanical uses, yet their by- products remain underexplored as sources of bioactive compounds for environmental applications. Fermentation of plant-derived substrates often enhances their physicochemical profile, making them useful in biostimulation processes that support microbial activity for pollutant degradation. Against this background, this study investigated Cola nitida whey, focusing on its extraction, fermentation behavior, and nutrient composition, with the aim of assessing its potential application as a bioremediant. Fresh kola leaves were processed through washing, grinding, boiling, and filtration to obtain whey, which was digested with nitric acid and subjected to physicochemical analysis. Parameters evaluated included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture content, total organic matter (TOM), total organic carbon (TOC), nitrate, phosphate, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Results showed dynamic changes across the five- week fermentation period. pH decreased initially from 5.29 in Week 1 to 5.18 in Week 3 before rising to 6.01 in Week 5, while EC steadily increased from 1595.50 to 2129.50 µS/cm, reflecting ionic release. Moisture content rose from 92.08% to 94.09%, whereas TOM and TOC increased overall, with TOM ranging from 54.06 to 106.55% and TOC from 31.36 to 61.80%. Nutrient levels indicated progressive mineralization: nitrate rose from 174.16 to 1152.36 mg/kg, phosphate from 411.67 to 971.81 mg/kg, nitrogen from 39.56 to 261.06 mg/kg, and phosphorus from 122.75 to 295.46 mg/kg. Potassium fluctuated but stabilized at 2.55 mg/kg by Week 5. These findings suggest that kola-leaf whey develops enriched organic and mineral content during fermentation, creating a nutrient-rich medium favorable for microbial proliferation. The shift toward near-neutral pH at later stages further supports microbial activity, while the elevated nitrate and phosphate levels highlight its suitability as a low-cost, plant-derived stimulant for bioremediation, although regulated application is recommended to minimize eutrophication risks.