BASIC MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) is a medicinal grass widely valued in ethnomedicine for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, with its bioactivity linked to essential oils, phenolics, and flavonoids. Although extensively used, there is limited comparative evidence on how solvent polarity influences the anti-inflammatory potential of its extracts. This study therefore evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol (polar) and diethyl ether (non-polar) extracts of C. citratus in order to assess differences in solvent efficiency and bioactivity. Fresh leaves collected from the University of Benin were authenticated and extracted using standardized procedures, information was sourced from laboratory analyses combined with current literatures from PubMed, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Extracts were tested in vitro for inhibition of protein denaturation, heat-induced haemolysis, antiproteinase activity, and lipoxygenase inhibition, with aspirin serving as the standard drug. Extraction yield was slightly higher for diethyl ether (1.72%) than for ethanol (1.56%). Both extracts exhibited concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity across all assays. In the protein-denaturation assay, ethanol extract inhibited 65.9% at 500 µg/ml while diethyl ether showed 69.4%, compared with 82.3% for aspirin. In the haemolysis test, ethanol recorded 61.7% and diethyl ether 58.4% inhibition, while aspirin reached 75.6%. Antiproteinase activity was 59.2% for ethanol and 56.8% for diethyl ether, against 70.4% for aspirin. Lipoxygenase inhibition was stronger in the diethyl ether extract (64.5%) than ethanol (60.1%), though both were lower than aspirin (78.2%). The findings confirm that C. citratus possesses measurable in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, supporting its traditional use in managing inflammation-related disorders. Solvent polarity was shown to influence the degree and spectrum of bioactivity, highlighting the importance of solvent selection in herbal preparation. However, the study was limited to in vitro models, two extraction solvents, and a single collection site. Future research should explore in vivo and clinical trials, and adopt advanced extraction techniques

Abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) is one of the most important diagnostic tools in modern radiology, providing detailed cross-sectional images that aid in the evaluation of a wide range of abdominal and pelvic diseases. However, in Nigeria, there remains limited documentation of the common computed tomography findings in adults, which affects evidence-based diagnosis and healthcare planning. This study assessed the common findings observed in abdomino-pelvic computed tomography examinations among adult patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. A retrospective study design was adopted, reviewing 105 abdomino-pelvic computed tomography reports of adult patients aged 18 years and above who were examined between May 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using a structured extraction sheet and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, clinical indications, and computed tomography findings, while inferential statistics assessed associations between variables at a significance level of p < 0.05. The findings revealed a slight male predominance (55.2%) and that most patients (47.6%) were aged 41–60 years. The leading clinical indications for computed tomography were abdominal pain or distension (17.1%), suspected malignancy (16.2%), and trauma (6.7%). Liver-related abnormalities were the most common radiological findings, with hepatomegaly (22.9%), liver cirrhosis (7.6%), and primary liver cell carcinoma (7.6%) being predominant. Fluid collections such as ascites and pleural effusion were also notable (10.5% each), while only 3.8% of the scans were normal. 1

Herbal mixtures are widely consumed in many developing countries due to their perceived therapeutic benefits, affordability, and accessibility. However, poor preparation and storage practices increase the risk of microbial contamination. This study aims to isolate and identify the microorganisms present in selected herbal mixtures sold at Uselu, New Benin and Ring Road Market in Benin City, Edo state. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on herbal preparations collected from the three major markets. Microbiological assessment was performed to determine bacterial load and isolate species. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using standard disc diffusion techniques, and statistical analyses were applied to evaluate differences across dosage forms and locations. The overall mean bacterial load was 7.92 × 10⁷ CFU/ml. Powdered forms exhibited the highest mean load (1.33 × 10⁸ CFU/ml), followed by liquid forms (6.53 × 10⁷ CFU/ml), while paste formulations showed no detectable growth. Variations across dosage forms (p = 0.331) and market locations (p > 0.05) were not statistically significant. Bacillus subtilis was the most prevalent isolate (8 occurrences), followed by Klebsiella spp. (3), Bacillus cereus (2), and Staphylococcus aureus (2), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa identified once. Antibiotic susceptibility revealed complete sensitivity to Azithromycin and Levofloxacin (100%) and high sensitivity to Pefloxacin (76.5%). Moderate sensitivity was recorded for Gentamycin, Rifampicin, and Erythromycin (52.9%), while reduced activity was observed for Zidovudine (29.4%) and
Ampicillin (41.2%). Amoxicillin showed the lowest effectiveness, with resistance in 82.4% of isolates, confirmed by its minimal inhibition zone (4.41 ± 2.38 mm). The strongest inhibition zones were produced by Levofloxacin (19.06 ± 1.32 mm) and Azithromycin (16.94 ± 1.68 mm). In Conclusion, Locally marketed herbal mixtures in Benin City were found to harbor diverse bacterial contaminants, predominantly Bacillus subtilis. Although no significant differences were observed across dosage forms or market locations, the presence of pathogenic bacteria and high resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as Amoxicillin emphasizes it’s potential health risks.

Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) play a crucial role in economic development, job creation, and poverty alleviation. However, they often face significant financial challenges that threaten their survival and growth. This study examines the financial difficulties encountered by SSEs, including limited access to credit, high operational costs, poor financial management, and economic instability. It also explores the survival strategies adopted by these businesses, such as bootstrapping, strategic partnerships, cost-cutting measures, and diversification. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research analyzes data from small business owners to understand their financial constraints and adaptive strategies. The findings highlight the importance of financial literacy, government support, and innovative financing options in enhancing SSE resilience. The study provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial institutions on fostering a more sustainable environment for small- scale businesses.

This study delves into the intricate relationship between monetary policy and commodity prices in Nigeria, with a focus on the period between 2000 and 2023. Utilizing a vector utoregression (VAR) model and impulse response functions, this research investigates the dynamic effects of monetary policy tools, including interest rates and money supply, on commodity prices. The findings reveal that monetary policy has a significant impact on commodity prices, with interest rates exhibiting a more pronounced effect. Specifically, an increase in interest rates leads to a decrease in commodity prices, while an expansion in money supply results in an increase in commodity prices. The study's outcomes have profound implications for policymakers, as they underscore the importance of carefully calibrating monetary policy to mitigate inflationary pressures and stabilize commodity prices. Ultimately, this research contributes to the existing literature by providing fresh insights into the monetary policy-commodity price nexus in Nigeria,
and offers valuable recommendations for policymakers seeking to promote economic stability and growth.

Malaria is a major public health challenge worldwide with high morbidity and mortality. For prompt and accurate diagnosis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
rapid diagnostic test (RDT) as good alternative method for malaria diagnosis in sub- Sahara Africa prior to drug administration and treatment. Malaria RDTs are commercially
available test kits and majority detects Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-rich protein-2
(PfHRP2 gene) as the target antigen. The WHO then recommends that PfHRP2 gene
deletion must be monitored, especially in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine
PfHRP2 gene deletion in blood samples of malaria parasitaemic patients in Kaduna
metropolis. The Study was carried out using microscopy, PCR and RDT. All RDT- negative samples were further subjected to microscopy and molecular analysis (PCR) for
malaria parasite speciation and PfHRP2 gene and deletion. Of the 1196 samples analysed, 694 were negative and 502 were positive by RDT. Of the RDT negatives, 83 samples
were found to be microscopically positive, the 78 samples were for Plasmodium
falciparum species and 5 non-falciparum species (2P. Vivax, 2P. malariae, 1P. falciparum/Vivax). These 83 samples were further subjected NM-PCR and were equally
found positive for malaria, hence classified as RDT false–negatives. Statistical analysis
for frequencies and confidence intervals (Cl) was used for prevalence estimates. Associations were assessed by chi square test. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. The significance package used was Minitab 22.1. From the 83 samples identified as RDTfalse negative by PCR; 69 (5.8%) 95% Cl 4.6-7.0), had gene deletion both in PfHRP2
and PfHRP3, 4 samples (0.33%) 95% CI - 0.94-1.54) had deletion only in PfHRP2 but
not in PfHRP3 and 5 samples (0.42%) 95% CI-0.84-1.64) had deletion in PfHRP3 but not
in PfHRP2. With particular interest and considering PfHRP2 gene only within the total of
1196 samples 73(6.1%) 95% 4.76- 7.44) had evidence of deletion. This study provides
evidence of PfHRP2 gene deletion in Plasmodium falciparum in Kaduna and PfHRP2
deletion was detected in the 73 samples analysed. This surveillance study also discovered
that there is no significant difference (p<0.001) in Plasma level of CRP, IFN- and IL-6 of
blood samples of participants with intact PfHRP2 gene and those with PfHRP2 gene
deletion. It is, therefore, highly recommended that more surveillance studies across
different geographical zone of the country be carried out to determine the full extent of
PfHRP2 deletion frequencies. It also recommended that routine RDT kit contain
additional PfHRP3 antigen, to improve the RDT efficacy and provide broad spectrum of
diagnosis

This study examined impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on Banks efficiency in Nigeria. The empirical model for this study is formulated based on relevant reviewed literatures, theoretical postulations and significant observed variables selected from highly methodological studies. The research design employed in this study is ex-post facto. This study is based on Nigeria as such the population of the study covers Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, GTBank, and UBA across 15 years (2008–2023). The key metrics include Return on Assets (ROA), Number of ATMs, Mobile Banking Transactions, and POS Transactions. The sampled size is more than 5 percent of the population (Five deposit money banks in Nigeria). The estimation procedures adopted in this study are in the following steps: Descriptive statistic of the series in the ,Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) statistic unit root test to test for Stationary, Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model to test for long run relationship among the variables of interest, CUSUM Test to test for Model Stability, and Breusch-Godfrey Serial Correlation LM Test to check the presence of serial correlation among the variables. The regression results revealed that ATM Operations: Significantly and positively affect bank efficiency, highlighting their role in enhancing financial performance. Mobile Banking (Market Transactions): Exhibits a significant negative relationship with bank efficiency, suggesting potential implementation challenges or inefficiencies in mobile banking services. POS Operations: Shows a mixed impact on bank efficiency, with a significant negative effect in some models, indicating that while POS transactions increase convenience, they may also introduce operational inefficiencies. Based on the findings, the research therefore recommended that; Enhance ATM Services: Banks should continue to invest in ATM infrastructure, ensuring widespread availability and operational reliability to sustain and improve bank efficiency. Optimize Mobile Banking Platforms: Address the challenges associated with mobile banking by improving user experience, security features, and infrastructure to harness its potential for enhancing bank efficiency. Refine POS Operations: Evaluate and streamline POS transaction processes to reduce associated costs and inefficiencies. Training and support for merchants using POS systems should be enhanced to ensure smoother operations. Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Banks should implement robust monitoring systems to continuously evaluate the performance of electronic banking services, making necessary adjustments to optimize efficiency

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with radiographers playing a crucial role in TB diagnosis through chest radiography. However, gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding TB among radiographers may compromise both diagnostic quality and infection control. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of radiographers towards TB cases in selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 43 radiographers from University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Lily Hospital, and Raytouch Diagnostic Center. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi- square tests (p<0.05). The majority of respondents (88.4%) demonstrated good knowledge of TB transmission, symptoms, causation, diagnosis, and prevention. Most participants (83.7%) exhibited positive attitudes toward TB patients, with 83.7% acknowledging professional duty to care for TB cases and 93% agreeing TB patients deserve equal care. However, practice levels were lower, with only 48.8% demonstrating good adherence to universal precautions, while 32.6% showed fair practice and 18.6% poor practice. No statistically significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and KAP levels (p>0.05). While radiographers in Benin City possess adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward TB, practice gaps exist in implementing universal precautions. Findings emphasize the need for continuous professional training, improved access to personal protective equipment, and strengthened infection control policies to enhance TB management and reduce occupational exposure risks.

This study examined the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Benin Metropolitan Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of senior secondary school students from selected public secondary schools, with a sample size of 331 respondents selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among the respondents was 15.4%, while the majority (84.6%) reported no history of substance use. The most commonly used substances identified were tramadol (6.3%), alcohol (6.0%), and codeine (3.0%). In terms of usage pattern, a higher proportion of students reported occasional use (6.3%), while others used substances daily or weekly (4.5% each). The study also showed that substances were mainly obtained from friends, schoolmates, and street vendors. The study concluded that psychoactive substance use exists among secondary school students in Benin Metropolis, with identifiable patterns and influencing factors. It is therefore recommended that schools, families, and government agencies strengthen preventive strategies through health education, counseling services, and stricter control of substance accessibility among adolescents.

The study investigated entrepreneurial orientation and business performance. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were raised and answered. The research design adopted for this study is the cross-sectional research design. The population for this study was made up of all 5,401 registered small scale business in Egor
Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size for this study was made up of 100
respondents. The data collected for this study were analyzed using linear regression
analysis. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions and
percentages, were employed to provide a preliminary summary of the respondents’ demographic characteristics and response patterns. Findings from the study revealed that that entrepreneurial orientation represents a vital strategic resource that drives the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It was concluded that entrepreneurial orientation, when reinforced by innovation, provides a transformative pathway for sustainable growth, market leadership, and long-term survival in dynamic and competitive business landscapes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that entrepreneurs should deliberately cultivate entrepreneurial traits such as risk-taking, proactiveness, and innovation, as these behaviours directly contribute to improved performance and competitiveness