NIL

The study examined From the data collected and analyzed from the field, the study concludes amongst others that, the study discovered that there exists a relationship between relationship between Local government administration and economic development in Egor local government area. Also, it was revealed that Relationship between local government administration and economic development programmes and policies in Egor local government area. The study also discovered that there exists a relationship between Local government administration challenges and economic development in Egor local government area. The findings of the study have provided vital information about the the effect of local government administration in economic development taking Egor local government area as a focus. It is based on the findings of this study that the following recommendations were made: The local government administration in Ndokwa local government should engage deliberately in plans and programs targeted at economic development and also harness the natural resources available. The local administration should engage in rigorous staff training and development aimed at equipping its staff with the necessary training needed for them to be more productive and achieve economic development.

The overuse of antibiotics in poultry production has heightened resistance concerns, prompting the search for eco-friendly and plant-based antimicrobial alternatives. Both Chromolaena odorata and Vernonia amygdalina are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins, known to exhibit strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Eight (8) poultry droppings samples were aseptically collected from four poultry farms in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, using sterile universal bottles. Standard microbiological procedures were employed for the isolation and identification of enteric bacteria, including serial dilution, culturing on MacConkey agar, and biochemical characterization based on Standard microbiological techniques. Fresh leaves of C. odorata and V. amygdalina were collected, washed, blended, and filtered to obtain aqueous crude extracts. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, while the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined by broth dilution and sub-culturing methods respectively. Five bacterial isolates—Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus—were identified from the poultry droppings. Both extracts showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity against all isolates, with V. amygdalina producing larger zones of inhibition than C. odorata. The MIC and MBC results confirmed that higher extract concentrations corresponded with greater bacterial inhibition and killing effects, indicating concentration-dependent antibacterial efficacy. The findings demonstrate that Chromolaena odorata and Vernonia amygdalina possess significant antibacterial activity against enteric bacteria isolated from poultry droppings, suggesting their potential as natural, plant-based alternatives to synthetic antibiotics for controlling bacterial infections in poultry and mitigating antimicrobial resistance

Antibiotic resistance is one of the global health concern, as commensal bacteria such as Escherichia coli could serves as an important reservoirs of the spread of resistance genes. This study evaluated the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and antibiotic resistance of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from the stool samples of apparently healthy students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). A total of 70 stool samples were collected and processed using standard microbiological methods. The isolates were identified by biochemical tests, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby– Bauer disc diffusion method in line with CLSI guidelines. The Extended Spectrum β- Lactamase (ESBL) production was screened phenotypically. The overall prevalence of Escherichia coli detected across all BMI categories was 85.7%. The ESBL-producing Escherichia coli accounted for 16.7% of isolates, with a higher proportion among underweight participants (26.1%) compared to those of normal weight (11.8%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.2984). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Ofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic, while Cefotaxime showed the highest resistance rates. Statistical analysis demonstrated no significant association between BMI and antibiotic resistance patterns (p > 0.05), although a borderline association was observed with Cefotaxime (p = 0.0523). The findings indicate that while BMI may not be a major determinant of Escherichia coli resistance carriage, healthy students can harbor resistant and ESBL-producing strains that pose a potential public health risk. Regular surveillance and strict antibiotic stewardship are therefore recommended.

This study examined lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin. The study identified and classified the lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin, including synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, and polysemy. It also examined the linguistic sources contributing to these sense relations. It analyzed the socio-cultural factors influencing the development and usage of lexical sense relations. Lastly, it explored variations in lexical sense relations across different contexts of Nigerian Pidgin use. The motivation behind this study stems from the growing recognition of Nigerian Pidgin as a major tool of communication in Nigeria and across West Africa, juxtaposed with its persistent marginalization in formal linguistic research. This study employed both primary and secondary methods of data collection. Primary data were gathered through interviews and casual conversations with 10 Nigerian Pidgin speakers from different regions and backgrounds, while secondary data were sourced from newspapers, songs, comedy skits, and online content in Nigerian Pidgin. The theoretical framework used for the research was structural semantics by Trier (1931). The findings revealed that Nigerian Pidgin is rich in lexical sense relations such as synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, and polysemy. These word relationships help speakers express different meanings in creative and flexible ways. The language draws from English, local Nigerian languages, slang, and sound-based expressions to build its unique vocabulary. Social and cultural factors like class, youth lifestyle, and media also shape how words are formed and used. Meanings often depend on context, region, and the speaker’s background, making Pidgin highly adaptable. This means one word can have many meanings based on how and where it is used.The researcher recommend further study on this research work and other lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin not touched in this research work be carried out by scholars, linguists and any other person interested in the sense relations of Nigerian Pidgin.

Background / Purpose of the Study Caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) imposes substantial emotional and physical strain on caregivers, often leading to mental health issues like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. In resource-limited settings such as the South-South region of Nigeria, these vulnerabilities are exacerbated by inadequate social support and financial constraints. This descriptive cross- sectional study investigated the specific factors influencing the mental well-being of caregivers of children with CP receiving care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), with a focus on assessing mental health status, caregiving burden, and coping mechanisms. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving a purposive non-probability sample of 30 caregivers of children with CP at the UBTH Physiotherapy pediatric clinic. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42), and the Social Support Questionnaire for Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy (SSQ-CP). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Multiple Regression Analysis to test the relationship between caregiving factors and mental health. Result A total of 30 caregivers participated in the study, of whom 22 were women and mothers, and the sample showed a clear skew toward lower income groups. Findings revealed a moderate to strong positive correlation between caregiving burden measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and all indicators of psychological distress—depression, anxiety, and stress—with the overall relationship between ZBI and Mental Health Total being r = 0.712, p = 0.000, indicating a statistically significant association. Perceived social support measured by the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) demonstrated a significant negative correlation with mental health symptoms (r = −0.456, p = 0.011), suggesting that higher support functions as a protective or mitigating factor against psychological distress. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis confirmed that caregiving-related variables collectively and significantly predicted variations in mental health outcomes (F = 5.605, p = 0.001; Adjusted R² = 0.588). However, the severity of the child’s condition, represented by mobility status, did not show a statistically significant effect on caregivers’ mental health in this sample (F = 0.475, p = 0.627). Conclusion The study concluded that caregiving burden and the availability of emotional/social support are significant factors influencing caregiver mental health. Interventions should prioritize reducing the caregiving burden, enhancing formal and informal support systems, and addressing socioeconomic barriers to improve the overall well-being of these vulnerable caregivers in lowresource settings.

This study develops and applies stochastic process models to design an optimized solar-powered battery swapping hub for electric tricycles (Kekes) in Benin City, Nigeria, with the aim of reducing urban CO2 emissions. Using first-order Markov chains to model solar irradiance variability and non-homogeneous Poisson processes to capture time-varying vehicle arrival patterns, the research addresses the inherent uncertainty in both energy supply and demand. Queueing theory analysis estimates service quality metrics, while Monte Carlo simulation-based optimization determines optimal battery inventory levels balancing capital investment against system reliability. Theproposedsystemcomprises228solarpanels(91.2kWcapacity)and60lithiumiron phosphate batteries (180 kWh total storage), designed to serve approximately 95 Kekes daily during 12-hour operations (6 AM to 6 PM). Comprehensive simulations validate system performance across 100 annual cycles, projecting 96.1% service reliability and 94.4% solar energy independence. The system achieves annual CO2 emission reductions of approximately252metrictonsthroughdisplacementoffossilfuelcombustion,representing a 97% per-vehicle reduction. Economic analysis indicates a 4.3-year payback period with 22.7% internal rate of return and net present value of N11.66 million over 20 years. A small-scale prototype operated continuously for 30 days validates the theoretical framework through empirical data collection, demonstrating close agreement between predicted and observed performance across all metrics (within 3% error). Sensitivity analyses confirm system robustness under parameter variations of ±20% in arrival rates and ±10% in solar irradiance, with solar resource availability identified as the dominant performance driver. 5 The methodology presented provides a replicable framework for designing renewable energy-powered transportation infrastructure under uncertainty, applicable to similar urban contexts across developing nations. The integration of multiple stochastic processes, validatedthroughbothsimulationandempiricaltesting,demonstratesthatmathematically rigorous approaches can effectively guide sustainable infrastructure investment decisions

In this study, coconut oil (CO), which had been characterised and shown to have an Acid Value of 5.8 mg KOH/g, was utilised to optimise the synthesis of biodiesel, which was catalysed by a bio-based bi-functional catalyst, by esterifying and trans-esterifying the CO simultaneously. The carbonised and sulfurized coconut shell was used to create the acid precursor for the bio-based bi-functional catalyst, while the calcined and KOH-treated crab shell was used to create the base precursor. Both precursors were then impregnated. The synthesised bio-based catalyst was characterised using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and BET/BJH techniques. The experimental design was optimised using Box Behnken Design (BBD) for the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of CO. The measured response was the production of coconut oil methyl ester (COME). The methanol-to-oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, and catalyst loading had the biggest effects on COME yield among the factors. The study's ideal conditions were determined to be a 16.75:1 methanol to oil ratio, 1% catalyst loading, 58.19 °C, and a reaction duration of 78.76 min, yielding a COME yield of 85.73 wt% and an AV of 0.28 mg KOH/g. RSM and ANFIS models were compared using statistical data, and the results showed that the ANFIS model was more accurate than the RSM model. After characterising the COME obtained in the best possible condition, it was determined that its physicochemical parameters satisfied the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards for biodiesel.

This study analysed Benin City Residents Attitudes Towards Nollywood Portrayal of Divorce Cases in Nigeria. The study was built around the tenets of Agenda setting and Media Dependency theory of mass communication. Survey research method was employed in the course of this study and questionaires were used as primary instrument of data collection for this study. Two hundred and forty (240) copies of questionaires were physically administered to respondents within Benin City, Edo state. This was aided by the purposive Sampling technique. Also, Focused Group Discussion were used to support facts in this study. A group of six (6) undergraduates of the University of Benin selected from two (2) departments Viz mass communication, Early childhood Education. The study found out that Nollywood movies that feature divorce contents have negative impacts on members of the society. Although, the producers may have had a different agenda, but the contents of such movies are usually misinterpreted in a negative light by members of the society. Since " seeing is believing" as members of the society are constantly exposed to divorce contents. Overtime, it becomes a reality in most marriages in our contemporary society. Divorce has done more harm than good to our modern society, hence Nollywood movies ( or the Nigeria film industry) ought to sensitize members of the society on the dangers of divorce on members of the society instead or aiding and abetting it in any way. The media (film in this case) is a powerful influencer that can either make or mar any society, hence the contents of Nollywood movies should be properly seasoned instead of tearing more marriages apart it should mend broken and fix broken marriages instead of encouraging people to opt for divorce at the slightest provocation. A sane marriage is a sane family and a sane family is a sane society. If the family is at peace, the society will be haven to live in. The study recommends that Government should promulgate enabling laws that restrains extreme feminists agenda due to its negative influence on members of the society, and they should also enact stern laws that prohibits domestic violence since it is a major cause of divorce in Nigeria and culprits should be punished so as to serve as deterrent to others. The study also recommended that Nollywood movies should feature less of divorce contents due to its negative impacts on members of the society. In the same vein, this study also examined the impact of celebrities failed marriages as a key actor in promoting divorce rates in Nigeria, hence this study also recommended that celebrities should put in more efforts in making their marriages a world class model considering the influence they weild on members of the society who look up to them as role models.

Icacina trichantha is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, including antioxidative and hematoprotective effects. Over the past decade, interest has grown in exploring the impact of medicinal plants on gene regulation and hematological parameters.The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of the Signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) gene in aluminium chloride-induced anaemia bearing Wistar rats treated with Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract. 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, aluminum chloride group, ferrous sulfate group, aluminum chloride + 100mg/kg Icacina trichantha, aluminum chloride + 200mg/kg Icacina trichantha and aluminum chloride + 400mg/kg Icacina trichantha respectively. 5 milliliters (5ml) of blood sample were drawn from each rat, and haematological parameters and mRNA of STAT5 was determined using ERMA haematology autoanalyzer and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained was analyzed using the GraphPad prism software. The comparison of haematological parameters amongst the study groups showed that Mean cell volume (MCV) (µm3) was significantly lower in group F (54.64±0.96) when compared to group C (58.22±0.49) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) was significantly lower in group F (18.72±0.23) when compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p<0.05). Platelet distribution width (PDW %) was significantly lower in group E (8.96±0.27) when compared to group D (10.6±0.31) (p<0.05). Groups B, C, D, E, and F showed significantly higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups D, E and F had a higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). Group F also had a higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group D (p<0.05). In conclusion, administration of aluminum chloride and Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract led to significant effects on some haematological parameters although the mRNA expression showed dose-dependent alterations in the gene expression of STAT5.

This study examined Religiosity and Tax compliance in Nigeria, focusing on Taxpayers in Benin city, including employees and self-employed individuals from Christian, Islamic and Traditional religious backgrounds. The research explored the extent to which religious beliefs, values, and moral teachings influence individuals' willingness to comply with tax obligations. Using a questionnaire based survey, data were collected from respondents, and statistical analysis were conducted to assess the relationship between religiosity and tax compliance behavior. The findings of this study highlight the role of religious teachings, ethical convictions, and spiritual beliefs in shaping taxpayer's attitudes towards compliance. Additionally, the study evaluates whether religiosity serves as a motivating factor for voluntary tax compliance or if it is overshadowed by other determinant trust, enforcement mechanisms, and Socio-economic factors. The study also integrates perspectives from both the Bible and the Qur'an to provide a theological understanding of taxation and compliance. The results contribute to policy discussions on Tax administration by offering insights into how religious values can be leveraged to enhance voluntary tax compliance. The study recommendations that tax authorities consider faith-based approaches in tax education and public awareness campaigns to improve compliance rates.