ASSESSMENT

This study was carried out to examine the assessment and impact of outdoor seating area in campus environment using the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin as case study. To guide the study, three questions were raised and descriptive research design was used for the research work. The population of the study was students from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin from which a sample size of 50 random respondents was taken. The reliability of the research instrument was determined using the test retest reliability measure and simple percentage technique was used for data analysis. Findings from the survey conducted reveals that larger percentage of respondents strongly agreed that outdoor seating area has impact on students academics, physical and mental health, and social interactions. Most of the respondents agreed that infrastructures such as outdoor seats, lightings, green areas etc. are inadequate and also agreed with the need to construct new outdoor seating areas and renovate existing ones in the campus.

The persistent unreliability of the national power grid in Nigeria has significantly hindered economic growth and forced residential consumers to rely on expensive, noisy, and polluting diesel generators to meet their daily electricity needs. This study investigates the technical and economic feasibility of an islanded hybrid photovoltaic (PV)–wind–battery energy system designed to reliably power a residential building in Benin City, Edo State. Using HOMER Pro simulation software, the research modeled and optimized the system for a 3-bedroom apartment with a daily load demand of 21.73 kWh, utilizing local meteorological data. The optimal system configuration was determined to include a 5 kW solar PV array, three 1 kW wind turbines, a 34.8 kWh battery bank, and a 3.5 kW converter. This configuration achieved a 100% renewable fraction and high reliability, with a Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) of 0.78% and a Loss of Load Expectation (LOLE) of approximately 22 hours per year. Economic analysis revealed a Net Present Cost (NPC) of ₦132,850,500 and a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of ₦1,305/kWh, placing the system within the competitive range of diesel-based alternatives.Furthermore, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis confirmed that the system remained economically viable across all tested scenarios, affirming the suitability of hybrid renewable systems for off-grid residential applications in Nigeria

This study assessed the Human Development Index (HDI) of mango farmers in Esan South-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, with a focus on their socioeconomic characteristics, income sources, constraints, and the contribution of mango farming to household welfare. Using a two stage sampling procedure, 94 mango farmers were surveyed through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Likert-scale analysis, and the UNDP HDI methodology were employed for data
analysis. Results revealed a predominantly male (72.3%), middle-aged (mean 45years) farming population with moderate education (mean 9 years) and experience (mean 18 years). Mango farming was the primary income source (mean ₦297,414.89 annually), contributing 38.21% to household welfare, particularly in savings, food, and education. The estimated HDI was 0.665 (medium), with high longevity (0.862), low education (0.503), and medium standard of living (0.681). Major constraints included poor road networks (mean 3.81), high input costs (3.66), and postharvest losses (3.59). Findings align with studies showing that human development indices significantly influence agricultural output in Nigeria, where investments in health and education yield long-term productivity gains. The study recommends enhanced extension services, credit access, and infrastructure development to improve mango farmers’ HDI and livelihoods

Background: Inappropriate use of analgesics is becoming a serious public health problem in many
parts of the world with a number of factors contributing to this problem including unrestricted
access to drugs. Aim: To assess the pattern of analgesic use among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor L.G.A. Benin City, Edo State in order to contribute evidence for interventions/measures to curtail inappropriate practices.Methodology: This study was carried out among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. A mixed method was employed-The quantitative part of the study
was Cross Sectional in nature to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of analgesic use
while Focused Group Discussions was used to validate findings. Results: Three hundred and seventeen respondents were enrolled into the study. Knowledge of analgesic was good in 43.2% of respondents. Secondary level of education showed to be a strong predictor of positive knowledge of analgesic use. Up to 57.4 % had a poor attitude to analgesic use while 30.3 % and 12.3 % had good and fair attitude respectively. Apprentices had a significantly more positive attitude and good knowledge of analgesics was a strong predictor of good attitude towards analgesic use. There was a high (84.2%) occurrence of self-prescription and the commonest indications for self-prescription were body pain and headaches with paracetamol being the most common analgesic taken by self-prescription. Inappropriate dosing was observed in 77.9 % and their main sources were pharmacies and chemists. This study showed various forms of misuse, adverse effects and features of addition and dependence were also reported. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of analgesics is still a problem in Egor L.G.A of Edo State and Health education will go a long way to address this problem. Key words: Analgesic, Misuse, Abuse, Motor Mechanics

This research examines air quality and noise pollution within the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, to determine how environmental factors influence the health, comfort, and productivity of individuals in the university community. With increasing urban activities, traffic congestion, and generator use across the campus, the issue of environmental pollution has become more significant. The study assessed four major air pollutants, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃), and evaluated noise levels in various campus zones to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental quality in the study area. Data were gathered using an air quality monitor and ozone meter for air pollutant measurement and an Extech sound level meter for noise. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was used to interpret pollutant concentrations, while Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping helped visualize spatial pollution patterns across the campus. Results showed that air quality across the campus ranged from good to moderate, with AQI values between 26 and 55. Cleaner conditions were recorded at the College of medical sciences and Halls 6 and 7 (26 – 31), while higher values occurred at ekosodin back gate, 55 and at Main gate,47, influenced by vehicular and commercial activities. PM2.5, PM10 and CO concentrations were also higher at these gate areas, whereas ozone levels remained low reading from 0.01 – 0.07 ppm. In contrast, noise levels often exceeded standards in busy zones, reaching 86.7 dB(A) at ekosodin back gate and above 80 dB(A) in other active areas, surpassing the WHO daytime limit of 55 dB(A). The study concludes that while the overall air quality on the University of Benin campus remains within acceptable limits, noise pollution presents a more serious challenge. To improve environmental conditions, the study recommends effective traffic regulation, proper control of generator use, expansion of vegetation and green zones, and consistent air and noise monitoring. These actions will enhance sustainability and ensure a cleaner, quieter, and healthier learning environment for all campus users.

This research centers on the complex relationship between high salt intake, hypertension, immune markers and antihypertensive drugs. Despite knowing the detrimental effects of salt on blood pressure, the specific molecular mechanisms connecting these factors are not fully understood and how antihypertensive drugs affect immune function markers. The aim of this study is to see how antihypertensive medications affect immune function markers in a salt-loaded animal model. Twenty-five Sprague Dawley male rats weighing between 110g-130g was purchased from Lagos and housed in the Animal Unit of theDepartment of Pharmacology, and allowed to acclimatize for 2 weeks thereafter were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1; control received normal rat chow and tap water, Group 2; Received high salt diet of 8% NaC1 (HS) alone for 8 weeks as described by, Group 3; Received high salt diet + 2.3mg/kg/d Lisinopril, Group 4; Received high salt + 0.1mg/kg/d verapamil, Group 5; Received high salt + 10mg/kg/d Losartan. Feeding and drug administration was by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) (mmHg), heart rate (bpm) and weight measurement was done before the animals were humanely sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia. The result shows a significant increase in the Mean arterial blood pressure in salt-loaded rats compared with the control, while antihypertensive drugs caused attenuation in blood pressure increase when compared with the salt-loaded group. Lisinopril in particular reversed the trend; suggesting renin angiotensin-mediated primary pathway in salt-induced hypertension. There were no significant changes in the heart rate of the animals. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ration was significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with control and much more in Lisinopril and verapamil co-treated salt-loaded rats. The result shows a significant increase in the salt loaded group when compared with the control group, meanwhile there was no significant difference in the salt loaded group treated with different antihypertensive drugs lisinopril and losartan compared with the salt loaded while verapamil shows a significant decrease in interleukin-6 levels when compared with the high salt group. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with the control, while in antihypertensive drugs it shows a decrease when compared with the salt-loaded group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with the control; in lisinopril it shows no significant difference when compared with the salt-loaded group while lorsartan and verapamil shows a decrease in ROS activities. In conclusion, this research shows that excessive high salt consumption triggers inflammatory tissue responses which could lead to hypertension and this project study is a pointer to the fact that increases activity of immune cells could pre dispose to hypertension and this effect are ameliorated by antihypertensive drugs, especially lisinopril and verapamil.