Cowpea is an important source of food, income and livestock feed. It has ability to improve marginal lands through nitrogen fixation and as a cover crop can protect against soil erosion. It is extensively cultivated under rain fed conditions mainly in the savanna zone of Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance
of eleven cowpea varieties in an open field at UNIBEN. Nine cultivars and two local varieties were used for the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eleven treatments and three replications. The growth variables evaluated were leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, plant height, number
of leaves per plant. Two variables were significantly different depending on variety. In the case of leaf width Samaru 14 produced the significant widest leaf width compared to the other varieties, whereas in the case of leaf area Samaru 15 produced the significantly wildest leaf area compared to the other varieties. Samaru 14 did best in leaf width whereas Samaru 15 did best in leaf area among the other varieties evaluated.

This study investigates the intricate impact of single parenthood on child development within the Egor Community of Edo State, Nigeria, and explores its implications for social work practice. Using a descriptive survey design, the research gathered empirical data from 300 single parents to illuminate their socio-economic realities, challenges, and perceptions of how single parenthood affects their children's cognitive, emotional, and social development, as well as the availability of support systems. The findings reveal a concerning landscape where single-parent households are disproportionately burdened by pervasive economic precarity, unstable incomes, and a striking deficit in support from both informal networks and formal structures. A particularly poignant finding is the perceived inadequacy of emotional support from family and friends, which challenges the traditional narrative of robust extended family support in African cultures. This lack of support, coupled with economic strain, leads to significant emotional overwhelm and formidable challenges in managing child behavior for single parents. These multifaceted challenges are perceived to exert profound negative influences on children's academic performance, emotional well-being, and social integration. The study, guided by Social Learning Theory and Family Systems Theory, underscores how these stressors can impede positive parental modeling and destabilize the family's emotional equilibrium. The empirical evidence also confirms a severe deficit in formal support systems, representing a systemic failure to protect a vulnerable population and making social work interventions critically urgent and foundational. The research provides a compelling empirical foundation for urgent, integrated, and culturally sensitive social work interventions aimed at bolstering the resilience and well-being of single-parent families in Egor Community

This research aimed to explore the impediments to effective sports participation among student-athletes at tertiary institutions. The study employed a descriptive survey design, focusing on a diverse population of student-athletes across five universities in Edo State, Nigeria. The research was guided by six main research questions, examining time management challenges, financial constraints, injury and health issues, the role of social support networks, the quality of coaching and training, academic pressures, and strategies for support by universities and sports administrators. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire distributed to a sample size of 200 student-athletes. The questionnaire was vetted for validity and reliability, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the various aspects of sports participation among student-athletes. Analysis of the data was
conducted using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation.

The global livestock sector requires sustainable strategies to reduce reliance on costly, conventional protein sources like Soybean Meal (SBM), particularly in regions like Nigeria. This study investigated the nutritional implications of partially replacing SBM with locally abundant Guinea Grass Leafmeal (GGLM) in formulated diets, focusing specifically on the resulting mineral composition. Four experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric, where SBM was replaced by GGLM at graded levels: T1 (0% GGLM, control), T2 (10% GGLM), T3 (20% GGLM), and T4 (30% GGLM). The diets were subjected to mineral analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed a significant influence (p<0.05) of GGLM inclusion on the mineral profile of the diets. Diets with higher GGLM levels (T4) recorded the highest concentrations of most essential macro- and micro-minerals, including Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), and Manganese (Mn). For instance, Ca increased from 3126.81 mg/kg in T1 to 5614.33 mg/kg in T4, and P increased from 415.10 mg/kg in T1 to 520.30 mg/kg in T4. Conversely, Chromium (Cr) showed an inverse relationship, and traces of Lead (Pb), though increasing slightly with GGLM inclusion (from 0.0533 mg/kg in T2 to 0.1500 mg/kg in T4), remained well within safe limits. The study concludes that Guinea Grass Leafmeal is a valuable mineral-enriching alternative to Soybean Meal. Its substitution can successfully enhance the mineral density of livestock diets, offering a cost-effective and su tainable feed resource without posing a heavy metal toxicity risk, thereby supporting resilient livestock production systems.

Purpose: The study was carried out to evaluate public knowledge and dosage form preferences among adult participants, assess patient’s choices of dosage forms in drug therapy and demonstrate the association of the respondent demographic variables and dosage form preference. Methods: This study focused on the general population. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was converted to Google form and distributed to various social media platforms including Instagram, X, WhatsApp and Facebook in March, 2024. Participants were encouraged to provide answers to the questions until over 500 responses were recorded. Responses were evaluated for demographics, knowledge and choices associated with their use of drug dosage forms. Results: The analysis of the association between demographic variables and patients' dosage form preferences showed that participants exhibited varying preferences with statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for specific dosage forms. Educational status, religion, and occupation demonstrated no significant association (p > 0.05) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that patients' educational backgrounds, religion, and occupation may not be decisive factors in determining their preferences. Participants’ income however demonstrated a statistically significant association (p = 0.020) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that individuals with different income levels may have distinct preferences for specific dosage forms. Overall, these findings underscore the complexity of factors influencing dosage form preferences and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches in medication formulations to cater to the diverse needs of patient populations.Conclusion: Considering diverse demographic factors and individual preferences in formulating medications influences patients choices and compliance

The investigation of second-life cases for abandoned lithium-ion batteries is a result of the rising demand for energy storage solutions as well as the environmental hazards caused by poorly disposed lithium cells. The objective of this study is to assess dead laptop batteries’ potential as a substitute energy source by examining how well they function as energy storage devices in a renewable energy system. In order to conduct the research, individual cells harvested from dead laptop batteries were gathered and sorted according to their capacity and condition. After that, several battery tests were conducted to evaluate the batteries’ performance characteristics and remaining useful life. After all tests were carried out, the viable cells harvested were used to construct a 10kilowatt-hour, 48V Lithium-ion battery pack. the pack was tested and deemed a suitable energy storage source.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes and effects of indiscipline among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area Edo state. The incessant occurrence of chaotic and sometime criminal behaviour not only by the audit population but also the students of this country in recent times has since began to give cause for concern, particularly to parents, governments and school administrators. Questionnaires form 5 different public secondary school in Edo State consisting of 100 respondents selected randomly from Egor local government area using Simple Random Sampling Technique varying from students to teachers were analyzed. Among other things, it was found that peer groups to a large extent have influence on
their fellow students; also the parents of the students are not left out as they too in one way or the other contribute positively and negatively to the behaviour of a child.

The growing demand for energy conservation and sustainable technologies has highlighted the need for intelligent systems to optimize energy consumption in various domains, including lighting. This paper presents the design and implementation of a real-time energy-efficient smart lighting system that integrates advanced sensors, wireless communication, and adaptive control strategies. The system employs motion sensors, ambient light sensors, and time-based algorithms to dynamically adjust lighting levels based on environmental conditions, occupancy, and user preferences. The smart lighting system is capable of reducing energy wastage by automatically dimming or turning off lights in unoccupied spaces, while ensuring adequate illumination when needed. Additionally, the system incorporates real-time monitoring and data analytics to track energy consumption patterns, providing actionable insights for further optimization. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in reducing energy consumption, enhancing user comfort, and contributing to sustainable building management practices. The system offers a scalable solution for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, addressing both environmental and economic goals of energy efficiency

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are commonly used in many technologies. However, they are believed to have negative effects on the reproductive system. This research aims to explore how vitamin C can help protect the testis and epididymis of Wistar rats from the harmful effects of ZnO Nps. A total of 30 rats were separated into 5 groups of 6 and given different doses of ZnO Nps and Vitamin C for two weeks. In the ZnO group, malondialdehyde levels in the testis increased. On the other hand, the ZnO only group showed a decrease in gene expression and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the control group. However, oxidative markers were significantly mitigated after combined treatment of ZnO Nps and Vit C compared to the rats given ZnO Nps (p < 0.05). This study demonstrate the ameliorating role of vitamin C on toxicity of ZnO Nps. In there epididymis, significant increase were observed in the SOD, MDA, CAT, and GPX of the ZnO NPS and combined treatment of ZnO Nps and vit c when compared to the control ( p> 0.05). The study found that there was a noticeable drop in the number of live sperm cells when exposed to ZnO alone and ZnO with Vit C, compared to the control group. On the other hand, there was a notable increase in the number of dead sperm cells when exposed to ZnO Nps alone and ZnO Nps with Vit C. Additionally, there was a decrease in the movement of sperm cells when exposed to ZnO Nps alone and ZnO Nps with Vit C, in comparison to the control group. This research shows that ZnO Nps have a negative impact on sperm quality, as well as the functioning of the testis and epididymis

Background: Telepharmacy, the provision of pharmaceutical care through telecommunication and digital technologies has emerged as a transformative innovation for improving access to pharmacy services, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. In Nigeria, the concept remains relatively new, and community pharmacists play a central role in its successful implementation. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions is therefore essential for advancing digital healthcare integration. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, toward telepharmacy and identified potential barriers to its adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community pharmacists practicing in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 188 questionnaires were distributed using a convenience sampling technique during professional meetings and on-site pharmacy visits. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering four domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, attitude, and perceived challenges related to telepharmacy. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarized responses, while Chi-square tests determined associations between variables at a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 188 distributed questionnaires, 179 were returned and analysed. Most respondents were male (75.3%), aged 31–40 years (51.1%) and held a B.Pharm degree (57.9%). Knowledge of telepharmacy was generally high: 93.3% acknowledged its availability in Nigeria, and 98.3% agreed it played an important role during global health crises. Perception toward telepharmacy was positive. Attitudinal responses were similarly favourable, with 82.6% expressing willingness to adopt telepharmacy in practice and 87.1% believing it would improve pharmaceutical care in Benin City. However, major challenges identified included poor internet connectivity (96.1%), limited patient digital literacy (84.3%), lack of training (76.4%), high installation cost (68.0%), and patients’ unwillingness to pay for services (62.4%). Years of experience were significantly associated with knowledge level (p = 0.026), while gender influenced perception (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The study revealed high awareness and positive attitudes toward telepharmacy among community pharmacists in Benin City, reflecting readiness to integrate digital technologies into pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, infrastructural and economic barriers particularly unreliable internet services, inadequate training, and low patient acceptance remain critical obstacles. Strengthening ICT infrastructure, developing national telepharmacy guidelines, and providing continuous professional training are necessary steps toward sustainable telepharmacy adoption in Nigeria.