NIN

The increasing cost of conventional building materials such as steel, concrete, and timber, coupled with Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and environmental concerns, has intensified the search for sustainable and affordable alternative building materials. In Benin City, Edo State, rapid urban development and rising construction demand have further increased dependence on conventional materials, thereby heightening economic and environmental pressures. Bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable natural resource, has gained global recognition for its structural strength, flexibility, and environmental benefits. This study analyzes bamboo as a sustainable alternative building material using Benin City, Edo State, as a case study, with the aim of assessing its suitability for building construction within the local context. The research specifically examines the mechanical properties of bamboo relevant to structural performance and further evaluates its economic and environmental characteristics. It also compares bamboo with commonly used conventional building materials within the city. A qualitative and comparative research approach was adopted, relying on data from existing literature, technical reports, and selected case studies of bamboo applications in both local and international construction projects. The availability of bamboo within Edo State and surrounding southern regions was also reviewed to determine its viability for application in Benin City. Findings from the study reveal that bamboo possesses high tensile strength, favorable load- bearing capacity, cost effectiveness, and low environmental impact, making it a viable alternative material for low-rise and affordable housing construction in Benin City. However, challenges such as susceptibility to moisture, insect attack, lack of standardized building codes, and limited professional acceptance were identified as major constraints to its wide spread adoption. The study concludes that bamboo has significant potential as a sustainable alternative building material in Benin City if properly treated, standardized, and integrated into architectural practice. It recommends increased research, policy support, professional training, and the development of local standards to enhance the effective utilization of bamboo within Edo State’s construction industry.

Sales outlets that have poor sanitary conditions can present health risks to consumers. The direct consumption of drinks in their container can expose consumers to serious foodborne diseases, thus increasing the risk of toxi-infection and its transmission constituting a serious public health problem. This present study is aimed at evaluating the possible contamination
and determination of the prevalence of Bacteria found on canned drinks and their antimicrobial susceptibility in some selected distributing and retail points in Benin-city, Edo State. The microbiological analysis was performed from the collection of beverage cans sold in distributing and retail points Benin city. The cans were stored in sterile plastic bags and introduced into individual thermal bags for temperature maintenance. Samples were taken from the surface of beverage cans with a sterile swab and transferred to vials containing 10mL of BHI broth. After 24 hours, the same swabs were used for seeding on selective
culture media. The results showed that out of the hundred (100) samples examined, only 34 (34%) was positive for bacterial contamination, showing a general prevalence of 34%. Of the 39 sample collected from retailers, 15.38% (6/39) showed contamination while 54.09% (28/61) of samples collected from distributors showed contamination. The highest bacterial count was 7.0 × 105 while the lowest bacterial count was found to be 1.9 × 102.Escherichia coli has the most prevalence with 12 (35.3%) different isolates from the 34 positive samples followed by Klebsiella spp. and Enterococcus faecalis with 8 (23.5%) different isolates each. Four (11.8%) different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were gotten while just 2 (5.9%) isolates of Streptococcus spp. were observed in this study. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the three different antibiotics used in this study. Five isolates were resistant to Piperacillin, while one isolate was resistant to both Gentamycin and Cefoxitin. The implications of
antibiotic resistance on healthcare systems are enormous as resistance leads to the limitation of treatment options. Considering a significant p-value of ≤0.05, statistical analysis shows significant relationship between refrigeration and prevalence of bacterial contamination (p=0.015). Moreso, this research shows a significant relationship between purchase site and prevalence of bacterial contamination. More contamination was observed among canned drinks gotten from retailers when compared to distributors. This was found to be statistically significant (p=0.048). However, no statistically significant relationship existed between location from which canned drinks were gotten and the prevalence of bacterial contamination (p-value= 0.068)

This study investigates the phenomenon of conceptual metaphors in the Yoruba language, focusing on how emotions are expressed and conceptualized through linguistic discourse. These selected discourses will be subjected to qualitative content analysis and cognitive linguistic tools. The analysis will focus on identifying metaphorical expressions related to emotions and categorizing them based on the conceptual domains from which they originate. Drawing upon the Conceptual Metaphor Theory proposed by Lakoff and Johnson, the research aims to analyze selected Yoruba discourses to uncover the underlying conceptual metaphors used in expressions of emotions. The study adopts a qualitative approach, employing semantic analysis techniques to examine linguistic expressions and their metaphorical mappings onto emotional experiences in Yoruba culture. Through a careful examination of authentic spoken discourse, this project work identified recurrent metaphorical patterns and explored their cultural and cognitive implications. From the aspect of the rich linguistic and cultural context of the Yoruba language, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how emotions are conceptualized and communicated within the Yoruba community. The findings of this research sheds light on the intricate interplay between language, culture, and emotion, providing valuable insights for cross-cultural communication studies and cognitive linguistics

Diabetes mellitus is a long-lasting metabolic condition that is marked by high blood sugar levels due to problems with insulin release, its effectiveness, or both. Blocking carbohydrate-breaking enzymes like alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase has been recognized as a useful technique for controlling high blood sugar after meals. This research was conducted to assess the effects of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract on the activities of alpha-amylase and alpha glucosidase in a lab setting and to determine its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes. The leaves of the plant were gathered, dried in the air, and then oaked in ethanol to create the extract. Tests for enzyme inhibition were performed, and the IC₅₀ values were calculated to see
how the extract's effectiveness compared to the standard medication acarbose. The outcomes showed that Vernonia amygdalina effectively inhibited both enzymes in a way that depended on the concentration used. The IC₅₀ for blocking alpha-amylase was 0. 036 ± 0. 005 mg/mL, which is similar to acarbose (0. 031 ± 0. 005 mg/mL), indicating strong blocking ability. On the other hand, the extract showed a weaker effect against alpha-glucosidase, with an IC₅₀ of 0. 122 ± 0. 05 mg/mL compared to 0. 081 ± 0. 005 mg/mL for acarbose. These results imply that Vernonia amygdalina could slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, thus helping to control blood sugar levels after meals. The findings support the traditional uses of Vernonia
amygdalina for managing diabetes and emphasize its potential as a plant-based treatment option. Additional studies in living organisms and clinical research are suggested to confirm its effectiveness and safety in treating diabetes