IMPLICATIONS

This study critically examines the legal and human rights implications of Nigeria’s
restrictive abortion laws through a tripartite analysis of the competing interests of the
woman, the foetus, and the putative father. The background establishes that Nigeria’s
legal framework, anchored in the Criminal and Penal Codes, is highly prohibitive, permitting abortion only to save the woman's life; this restrictive stance drives the high
incidence of unsafe abortions, contributing significantly to maternal mortality. The
central problem addressed is the profound normative conflict created by the law's
failure to equitably balance the woman's fundamental constitutional rights against the
moral and legal status of the foetus and the social and relational interests of the
putative father. Adopting a doctrinal and comparative methodology, the research
systematically analyzed Nigerian statutes, constitutional provisions, judicial precedents
like Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal v Okonkwo, and international
obligations, notably the Maputo Protocol. Findings confirm that the Nigerian framework
is contradictory: while the woman holds explicit, justiciable constitutional rights to life,
dignity, and autonomy, the foetus holds the status of potential life, and the father
possesses no legal right to veto. The study concludes that the law is fundamentally
unbalanced and in direct conflict with Nigeria's binding international human rights
commitments. To achieve a coherent legal framework, the research recommends
legislative modernization to align penal laws with Article 14(2)(c) of the Maputo Protocol (legalizing abortion for rape, incest, and health risk), urgent judicial activism to
interpret constitutional rights expansively, and statutory recognition of the biological
father’s moral and relational interest through veto consultation, safeguarded by
exceptions for domestic violence.

The 21st century has witnessed a paradigm shift in the nature of political violence, marked by the evolution of terrorism from localized, state-sponsored insurgencies into highly decentralized, transnational networks. This paper examines the evolving dynamics of modern terrorism and analyzes its multifaceted implications on global security in the contemporary era. Moving beyond traditional physical threats, 21st-century terrorist organizations have increasingly leveraged globalization, utilizing advanced digital communication, encrypted networks, and cyber-warfare to radicalize, recruit, finance, and execute attacks on a global scale. The study analyzes the shift from large-scale hierarchical networks, such as Al-Qaeda, to highly decentralized franchises, lone-wolf actors, and ideologically fluid extremist movements. It evaluates how these asymmetric tactics challenge the traditional state-centric security architectures of international law and sovereign defense. Furthermore, the paper investigates the broader geopolitical and socio-economic consequences of terrorism, including the erosion of civil liberties through heightened state surveillance, the rise in forced migration and refugee crises, economic destabilization in volatile regions, and the weaponization of xenophobia in domestic politics. Through a qualitative analysis of recent global security trends, counter-terrorism strategies, and regional case studies, the research concludes that military-centric solutions are insufficient to combat modern ideological threats. Instead, the paper argues for a paradigm shift toward comprehensive global security frameworks that prioritize multilateral intelligence sharing, robust cybersecurity defense, international financial tracking, and localized community-resilience programs aimed at addressing the socio-economic root causes of radicalization.

This study investigated the implications of refresher courses on classroom management practices among secondary school teachers in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. The study was guided by five research questions. It adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study comprised all secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire titled Implications of Refresher Courses on Classroom Management Practices Questionnaire (IRCMPQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in educational management and measurement and evaluation, while reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha statistics. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that refresher courses improve teachers’ classroom management skills to a moderate extent by enhancing classroom organization, behaviour management, enforcement of classroom rules, and the creation of conducive learning environments. The study further revealed that refresher courses positively influence teachers’ confidence, adaptability, and effectiveness in handling diverse classroom challenges. Findings also showed that refresher courses expose teachers to learner-centred instructional strategies which improve learner engagement and classroom participation. However, inadequate follow-up and mentoring, insufficient resources, poor accessibility, and irregular training programmes were identified as major challenges affecting the effectiveness of refresher courses. The study equally found that refresher courses have broad positive implications for improving teaching quality, students’ learning outcomes, and overall educational development. The study concluded that refresher courses are essential for strengthening teachers’ professional competence and improving classroom management practices in secondary schools. It was therefore recommended among others that government and educational stakeholders should organize regular, practical, and well-funded refresher training programmes for teachers, while ensuring adequate follow-up support and accessibility for all teachers.

This study examined solar radiation and ultraviolet (UV) index characterisation in Benin City, Nigeria, with a specific focus on the potential implications for skin cancer among exposed individuals. The research aimed to assess the intensity, variation, and temporal distribution of solar and UV radiation across different months and seasons using secondary data obtained from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS). The analysis provided insights into the patterns of solar radiation exposure within the city, identifying periods of high UV intensity that coincide with greater risks of skin damage and related health effects. A comprehensive literature review explored the concept of solar radiation and the UV index, the global patterns of UV radiation exposure, and the biological effects (both beneficial and harmful) of ultraviolet radiation. The study highlighted the types of skin cancers commonly associated with UV exposure, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Empirical evidence from previous research reinforced the link between high UV radiation and increased incidence of skin cancer, particularly in tropical and high-altitude regions. Results from the CAMS data analysis revealed that Benin City experiences significant fluctuations in solar and UV radiation throughout the year, with peak values recorded during the dry season when cloud cover is minimal. These findings underscore the need for increased public awareness, protective measures, and policy interventions aimed at reducing the health risks associated with excessive solar exposure. The study concludes that continuous monitoring of solar radiation and UV index levels is essential for effective environmental health management. Recommendations include implementing UV index forecasts, promoting protective infrastructure, encouraging sunscreen use, and strengthening occupational health policies for outdoor workers. Overall, the research contributes valuable data and practical insights to the understanding of solar radiation dynamics and their public health implications in tropical urban environments like Benin City

Food processing methods, particularly mechanical grinding, have been identified as potential sources of heavy metal contamination in daily diets. This study assessed the concentrations and health risks of heavy metals introduced into common Nigerian food items (tomato, pepper, melon, beans, groundnut, white and yellow corn, and crayfish) during grinding with various equipment types including blenders, milling machines, hand-crank grinders, mortars, and grinding stones. Heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), and potential health risks were evaluated using Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) models. Results revealed elevated levels of essential metals such as Fe, Mn, and Zn, with concentrations highest in foods ground with older milling machines and mechanical grinders, reflecting increased leaching due to metallic wear. Toxic metals (Pb and Cd) were mostly below detection limits, indicating minimal immediate toxicity but potential for chronic accumulation. Fe showed the highest EDI (up to 5.35 mg/kg/day in hand-crank grinder samples), while THQ values exceeded 1.0 in several processed beans samples, suggesting possible non-carcinogenic risk upon prolonged exposure. Traditional grinding methods (mortar and pestle) exhibited significantly lower contamination levels compared to mechanical ones. These findings highlight that metal leaching from food processing equipment constitutes a significant but often overlooked route of dietary exposure to heavy metals in Nigeria.

This study examined the Prevalence of Social Anxiety among Secondary School Students: Implications for Counselling, four research questions were raise guide this study. The population for this study comprised of all 4,027 students enrolled in the 20 public junior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. A total of 100 students constituted the sample size for this study. Using the simple random sampling technique, through balloting with replacement, five (5) students were randomly selected from each of the 20 public junior secondary schools within the local government area. This sampling method ensured that every student had an equal chance of being selected, thereby promoting fairness and reducing sampling bias. The major findings of the study are summarized as follows: Social anxiety is prevalent among secondary school students in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Students who experience social anxiety often display low academic performance, as fear of judgment and embarrassment hinders active classroom participation and learning. Peer relationships are negatively affected, as socially anxious students tend to withdraw, avoid group interactions, and feel socially isolated. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made that counsellors should develop and implement systematic intervention programs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, and social skills development, to help students manage anxiety symptoms effectively.Teachers should be trained to recognize the signs of social anxiety and adopt inclusive teaching practices that encourage participation without intimidation or ridicule.This study examined the Prevalence of Social Anxiety among Secondary School Students: Implications for Counselling, four research questions were raise guide this study. The population for this study comprised of all 4,027 students enrolled in the 20 public junior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. A total of 100 students constituted the sample size for this study. Using the simple random sampling technique, through balloting with replacement, five (5) students were randomly selected from each of the 20 public junior secondary schools within the local government area. This sampling method ensured that every student had an equal chance of being selected, thereby promoting fairness and reducing sampling bias. The major findings of the study are summarized as follows: Social anxiety is prevalent among secondary school students in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Students who experience social anxiety often display low academic performance, as fear of judgment and embarrassment hinders active classroom participation and learning. Peer relationships are negatively affected, as socially anxious students tend to withdraw, avoid group interactions, and feel socially isolated. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made that counsellors should develop and implement systematic intervention programs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, and social skills development, to help students manage anxiety symptoms effectively.Teachers should be trained to recognize the signs of social anxiety and adopt inclusive teaching practices that encourage participation without intimidation or ridicule.

This study investigated the influence of the student industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) on the acquisition of entrepreneurial and employability skills among business education students in Edo State. Specifically, the study examined how SIWES contributes to entrepreneurial skills, the extent to which it influences employability, the challenges students face during their placements, and the alignment of industrial training with the business education curriculum. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and the population of the study comprised all Business Education students in selected universities in Edo State, from which a sample of 39 respondents were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire based on a four-point rating scale was the main instrument for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.82, indicating that the instrument was reliable. The data collected were analyzed using mean (x) and standard deviation (SD). The findings generally showed that SIWES significantly contributes to the acquisition of entrepreneurial and employability skills, though students face challenges such as inadequate placement opportunities, poor supervision, and mismatch between tasks and curriculum content. The study concluded that SIWES plays a vital role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace practice. It was recommended that government, universities, and industries strengthen collaboration to improve placement quality, supervision, and alignment with the curriculum to maximize the benefits of SIWES for Business Education students to a high extent. It was concluded that SIWES influence the acquisition of entrepreneurial and employability skills among business education students in Edo State. Based on the findings, it was recommended that a more robust monitoring and evaluation framework should be implemented by SIWES supervisors to ensure students are actively engaged and properly supervised throughout their attachment, moving beyond mere observation to active participation.

In the digital era, university students are increasingly exposed to high levels of online engagement through academic platforms, social media, and entertainment, leading to a phenomenon known as digital overload. This study examined the relationship between digital overload, mental health (depression), and academic burnout among pharmacy students at the University of Benin, Nigeria, and explored how these factors influence academic performance. OBJECTIVES: To assess th prevelance of digital overload among pharmacy students in UNIBEN. To measure the degree of academic burnout (emotional exhaustion and academic inefficacy)
among the respondents. To examine the relationship between digital overload and mental health on academic burnout. To assess the extent to which digital overload and academic burnout affect students academic performance. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, with data collected from 334 pharmacy students across all levels using a structured questionnaire comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA tests