Thesis

This study examined the determinants of later life satisfaction among senior citizens in
Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The study arose from the limited context-specific
evidence on later life satisfaction in Nigeria, particularly the absence of an integrated
analysis of how socio-economic factors, health care status, social support networks, and
place of residence shape well-being among older adults. Guided by Disengagement Theory
and Activity Theory of Ageing, the study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic
factors and later life satisfaction, assessed the influence of health care status on
well-being, evaluated the role of social support networks, compared later life satisfaction
between rural and urban senior citizens, and identified areas of later life conditions that
require improvement. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods approach and used a
correlational survey research design. The population comprised male and female senior
citizens aged 60 years and above in rural and urban communities in Benin Metropolis. A
sample size of 1,350 respondents was selected, and 1,309 valid questionnaires were
retrieved and analysed, representing a response rate of 97.0 percent. The study used
multistage sampling, while accidental sampling was adopted at the community level because
no comprehensive sampling frame for senior citizens existed. The researcher collected
quantitative data through structured questionnaires and qualitative data through in-depth
interviews with purposively selected elderly participants. The study analysed quantitative
data with descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS), while it analysed qualitative data through manual content analysis and
thematic analysis.
The study found that later life satisfaction in Benin Metropolis is multidimensional and
strongly influenced by socio-economic conditions, health care status, social support
networks, early life experiences, and place of residence. Among the socio-economic
variables, age, marital status, education, and economic status significantly influenced later
life satisfaction. Younger seniors aged 60–64 years reported higher satisfaction than older
age groups, while married respondents expressed greater satisfaction than widowed or
divorced respondents. Health care status emerged as another major determinant. Seniors
who engaged in regular health check-ups, had access to health facilities, and rated the
quality of care positively reported higher satisfaction, whereas poor access to health care and
frequent health challenges reduced satisfaction. Seniors who enjoyed emotional support,
financial assistance, and active participation in community life reported greater well-being
than those who experienced weak family ties or social isolation. The study identified
financial security, housing conditions, health care access, social support, recreation, and
participation in community decision-making as the key areas requiring improvement.
The study concluded that later life satisfaction among senior citizens in Benin Metropolis
depends less on inevitable withdrawal from social life and more on the extent to which older
adults retain economic security, access to quality health care, supportive social relationships,
and opportunities for meaningful participation. The study therefore recommended the
expansion of pension support, improved geriatric health services, stronger community-based
social support programmes, targeted rural interventions, and broader opportunities for social
inclusion and participation among older adults.

This study evaluates the functionality of satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Satellite towns are usually designed to ease pressure on major cities. The objectives of this study were to examine the sociodemographic attributes of residents in the satellite towns; examine the functions of satellite towns in the FCT; evaluate their effectiveness in reducing population pressure in the Federal Capital City (FCC); assess the availability of infrastructural facilities; and examine residents’ perceptions of the quality of life (liveability) in these towns. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to achieve these objectives, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative analyses of socio-demographic characteristics, infrastructure facilities, housing conditions, healthcare access, environmental quality, and governance. Data was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and an interview guide from a total of 1,110 respondents across selected satellite towns including the more developed satellite towns such as Kubwa and Bwari and the less-developed satellite towns like Kusaki-Yanga and Anagada. Interview was conducted with 5 purposively selected key informants. The study employed a multistage and systematic sampling technique with data analysis encompassing cross-tabulations and inferential statistical methods of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ANOVA, and Multiple Regression. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that satellite towns play a critical role in reducing urban congestion, decentralizing economic activities, and fostering urban growth. However, disparities in
infrastructure and service delivery emerged as significant challenges, with underdeveloped satellite towns experiencing acute infrastructural deficits. Key infrastructural gaps identified in these satellite towns include unreliable electricity, inadequate water supply, poorly developed road networks within some satellite towns, and ineffective waste management system. Healthcare and educational facilities were found to be moderately available, although disparities persist between towns. Additionally, environmental quality concerns, including poor air quality, inadequate drainage systems, and limited access to recreational and open spaces, further constrain the liveability of these towns. Residents expressed moderate satisfaction with governance, citing deficiencies in civic engagement, enforcement of urban planning regulations as critical governance challenges. Despite these constraints, the potential of satellite towns to significantly enhance urban functionality and liveability in the FCT is evident. To address the identified challenges, the study recommends prioritizing investments in critical infrastructure, such as electricity, water supply,
road connectivity, and waste management system, particularly in the less-developed satellite towns. Improving access to affordable housing, healthcare, and educational services are also essential to enhancing the quality of life of residents. Furthermore, targeted environmental interventions, including urban greening and air quality improvement, are necessary to promote sustainable urban life. Strengthening governance mechanisms and in enhancing community participation in urban planning are also advocated. By so doing, the satellite towns would be fulfilling their functions of easing population pressure on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Employees’ involvement in decision making is a process to make the employees feel that they are not just an ordinary worker of the organization, but an important part of the machinery. This study examined employee's involvement in the decision-making process on the organization as well as the motivational level of the employees. Survey design was used in this study. Since all the entire population cannot be studied, a sample size of 72 was used. The research instrument used for gathering information is the questionnaire. Tables, percentages were used to answer the research questions and chi square technique was used to test the hypotheses formulated. From the findings, it was discovered that employees are allowed to participate in decision making; when employees participate in decision making it usually boost productivity; employees are motivated when involved in decision making process; management also change decisions when rejected by employees; and that employees are consulted by management when new products are to be added to existing products. Management should ensure that employees are part of the decision-making team because, if employees are allowed to take part in the decision-making process, they feel that people in ownership or management position value them as a significant contributor to the team’s success. When people feel valued, they will usually raise their level of effort and commitment to ensure that the company succeeds.

Material exploration has become a fixture in art production, particularly in sculpture. Artist derives academic and research satisfaction from the intentional pursuit of novel materials for sculptural piece, drawing inspiration from diverse philosophical perspectives within their immediate environment. However, the researcher has observed that much exploration seems not be observed in animal bone assemblage. In effect the study was an attempt to adopt a procedure for maceration of skull and techniques for modeling the skull into low relief, high relief, and sculpture in the round, and mix-media sculptures. Methods used in this study is studio exploration methodology. The creative use of animal skulls specifically camel and cow skull and components employed to produce variety sculpture images. The woks are both in the round and relief forms. It focused on the use of the unique anatomical structures, textural characteristics and inherent aesthetic potentials of these skulls. The study revealed that animal skull can be clinically treated and used as a medium of expression in sculpture through carving techniques such as cutting/slicing, engraving drilling and assemblage. It was observed that during the study technique and method employed were able to produce sculptural works like “Motherhood passion”, “Exodus”, “Political Thieves”, “Awon
Amuludun”. It was therefore recommended that other animal skull bones and bone parts should be explored to produce sculptural artworks based on the unique inherent qualities observed in the skull of camel and cow. It was also envisaged that this study would serve as a source of references to scholars and a source of inspiration to other artists and art critics.

Over time, outdoor sculptures have often succumbed to the harsh weather conditions. Hence, the dire need to safeguard these sculptures from continued degradation. This research is premised on the observed deterioration of the outdoor polystyrene sculptures on Ekenhuan Campus, executed by John Oshoke Anabui in 2014. After nine years of exposure to harsh weather conditions, the sculpture has shown significant signs of wear. The paint coating originally applied to enhance its appearance and protect it from damage has begun to peel, and the surface texture has progressively degraded, despite a restoration effort carried out in 2015 and 2023. This research explored the use of integral colour and wax finishing techniques as an alternative to conventional surface finishing methods. The process involves mixing water-based paints with sawdust, which is then sun-dried. Additionally, natural materials such as charcoal, eggshells, and wood ash were experimented with and utilized as integral pigments in combination with sawdust. The coloured sawdust was mixed thoroughly with polystyrene that was dissolved in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) resulting in a sticky, paste-like consistency. This mixture was then transformed into a solid form using the modelling and casting technique. The initial layer of cast carried the colour, design, and patterns that defined the final appearance. The entire cast had a thickness of approximately half a centimeter. To enhance durability and to preserve both the colour and surface texture, a protective polish using beeswax and paraffin wax was applied, serving as a barrier against humidity and surface abrasion. However, after eight months of simulated outdoor exposure, it was observed that the treated samples exhibited significantly greater colour retention than painted controls and there was no abrasion on the surface texture. In addition, the liquid soap used as a release agent between the cast and the mould was found to react with PMS and visible stains on the surface of the cast in the special project, making the surface look dull and faded but after applying the wax polish, the final outlook was enhanced with no tract of the liquid soap stain.

Hydrocarbon Reservoir Characterization and Evaluation of TOKS Field, Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Southern Nigeria was carried out with the aim to achieve optimal evaluation and characterization of the reservoirs in wells of TOKS field. The study utilizes an integration of well logs, seismic data, and core data to offer unique insights into the intricate
complexities of subsurface formations.

The materials (data) used for this study includes one (1) SegY 3D seismic, seven (7) well logs and four (4) checkshot from TOK’s well in the TOK’s Field, these were use to generate logs that consist of lithology log (gamma ray log), resistivity log and porosity logs (density, neutron, sonic). The data also included base map and information
used on the sandstone tops and base. The data collected were analyzed using petrophysical and well correlation, ischore thickness map, seismic horizon interpretation, stratigraphic modelling, structural modelling, upscalling and petrophysical method to evaluate and characterize the reservoirs.

The result shows that TOKS 1000 and TOKS 3000 are the reservoir intervals. The
Petrophysical analysis of TOK 1000 for the TOKS wells 14, 15,16,17,18, 19 and 51 shows porosity value of 0.3054, 0.3103, 0.3042, 0.3252, 0.3055, 0.3108, 0.3857, water saturation values of the wells as 0.2750, 0.2645, 0.2788, 0.2521, 0.2684, 0.2638 and 0.2972, the shale volume results shows 0.05, 0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.05, 0.07 and the Net to gross (NTG) ratio result shows 0.95, 0.95, 0.95, 0.96, 0.96, 0.95, 0.93. The Petrophysical analysis of TOK 3000 for the TOKS wells 14, 15,16,17,18 and 19 shows porosity value of 0.3491, 0.3121, 0.3135, 0.2993, 0.3353, 0.2881 and 0.3857, water saturation values of the wells as 0.2349, 0.2627, 0.2615, 0.2741,
0.2446, 0.2846 and 0.2972, the shale volume results shows 0.08, 0.05, 0.05, 0.04, 0.08, 0.05 and 0.07 and the Net to gross (NTG) ratio result shows 0.92, 0.95, 0.95, 0.96, 0.92, 0.95 and 0.93. The seismic interpretation (Horizon and seed) of reservoir tops of TOKS 1000 and TOKS 3000 correspond to trough events. Facies models of both TOKS 1000 and TOKS 3000 aid in the determination of Fine sand, Coarse Sand and Shale lithofacies. The seismic interpretation of reservoir tops of TOKS 1000 and TOKS 3000 reveal trough events. Four (4) zones and five (5) layers were delineated in the TOKS wells. Isochore map shows the thickness of TOKS 3000 reservoir zone. The Subsurface map helps us to identify areas with our reservoir. This structural model helps in understanding the reservoir's structural features. The Net To Gross (NTG) value at the reservoir zones ranges from 0.78 to 0.91 for TOKS 1000 and ranges from 0.76 to 0.92 for TOKS 3000. The porosity value at the reservoir zones ranges from 0.28 to 0.39 for TOKS 1000 and ranges from 0.25 t0 0.36 for TOKS 3000. The water saturation values at the reservoir zones ranges from 0.18 to 0.5 and ranges from 0.25 to 0.39. The prospective reservoirs were coarse grained. The overall results shows From the reservoir characterization and evaluation of TOKS Field, Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria shows that the evaluated reservoirs have favourable petrophysical characteristics that will lead to excellent production of hydrocarbon from their porespores hence regarded as prospective wells.

This study examined justice in Nigeria’s managed care system, with emphasis on accountability, transparency, and the roles of Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) and Health Financing Organizations (HFOs). It was motivated by the gap between policy claims of justice and actual healthcare practice. Justice was analyzed in terms of fairness, accountability, and transparency,highlighting structural weaknesses caused by overlapping institutional roles that weaken responsibility. The study clarified the role of HMOs as intermediaries tasked with protecting enrollees’ access to affordable and quality care, and critically assessed the ethical implications of the defined health package, particularly issues of exclusion, prioritization, and accountability in healthcare resource allocation. The study adopted critical and expository analysis as its primary methodological approach, given its focus on normative, conceptual, and ethical questions rather than empirical measurement. This method enabled a systematic evaluation of ethical assumptions, institutional arrangements, and policy justifications within Nigeria’s managed care system. The theoretical framework draws on John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice (1971) as a benchmark for fairness and equity, Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian ethics for assessing aggregate welfare, Alan Witherman’s analysis of exploitation in healthcare financing, and Paul Ellwood’s foundational work on Health Maintenance Organizations. The study found that justice in Nigeria’s managed care system is largely procedural and policy-oriented rather than substantively realized in practice. Overlapping institutional roles between HFOs and HMOs undermine accountability and obscure responsibility, while the defined health package reflects a predominantly utilitarian orientation that prioritizes aggregate benefit at the expense of urgent individual needs. The study argued that access to healthcare alone does not constitute justice without transparency and moral justification for inclusion and exclusion decisions. It concluded that a just managed care system requires clearly defined institutional roles, strengthened HMO oversight, and ethical accountability mechanisms capable of protecting enrollees’ interests and promoting fairness in healthcare delivery.

Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, are bacterial infections contracted within healthcare settings. They contribute significantly to the burden of disease by prolonging hospital stays, increasing treatment costs, complicating surgical outcomes, and, in severe cases, leading to death. Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most isolated
pathogen of nosocomial infections and the most studied in the literature. Despite their impact, awareness of nosocomial infections remains limited, leaving patients, healthcare workers, visitors, and even family caregivers vulnerable to its transmission. In low-income and middle-income countries the practice of a family caregiver assisting an inpatient is common, and they can contact and transmit infections while carrying out various activities within the hospital environment. Deterministic and stochastic models have been widely applied to understand the transmission dynamics of nosocomial infections and provide valuable insights. However, existing models have often overlooked the role of patients’ family caregivers, who can act as important but underrecognized vectors of transmission. In this thesis, deterministic and stochastic models that explicitly incorporate family caregivers as a distinct transmission pathway of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are developed. For the deterministic framework, the basic reproduction number �0 is derived along with the conditions for disease-free and endemic equilibria. The stochastic framework developed using a Continuous-time Markov Chain (CTMC) extends the deterministic model by incorporating random fluctuations through its drift and diffusion terms. This provides deeper insight into the system’s variability, extinction probabilities, and outbreak risks that cannot be fully captured by the deterministic model. For the deterministic model, the basic reproduction number is evaluated and subjected to sensitivity analysis, using plausible parameter values from surveillance studies within Nigerian hospitals, whereby revealing the dominant influence of hand-hygiene compliance of caregivers and healthcare workers, as well as decontamination rates of both caregivers and healthcare workers. The stochastic simulation in MATLAB gives the stochastic sample paths, time-series behaviours of the state variables and extinction probability. The numerical results illustrate that while the deterministic model captures mean epidemic behaviours, stochastic models reveal substantial variability and probability of infection extinction especially in settings with effective hand hygiene compliance of caregivers and healthcare workers. These analyses reveal the importance of integrating patients’ family caregivers in modeling the spread of MRSA in hospitals.

The study set out to identify, examine and analyze the image of the “White man” in Francophone Caribbean islands and the calvary the black Caribbeans went through in the hands of the White man. The treatment of this subject is found mainly in the selected works of Francophone Caribbean writers such as Salvat Etchart, Aimé Césaire, Edouard Glissant, Maryse Condé and Patrick Chamoiseau. These selected works include Les Nègres servent d’exemples, Le Monde tel qu’il est, La Tragédie du roi Christophe, Moi, Tituba Sorcière noire de Salem, Dieu nous l’a donnée, Mort d’Oluwémi d’Ajumako, La Migration des cœurs, Le Quatrième siècle and Texaco. These selected works were analysed using sociocritical approache to identify, uncover and interprete specific literary periods, ideas and perspectives that each author developed in their writings.The objectives were to examine and analyse the place of the White man in Francophone Caribbean islands’ history through Francophone Caribbean Literary creations, analyse the experiences of the black Caribbean people in the hands of the white over-lords, identify the reactions of the black Caribbean people against the servile, forced labour and different kinds of impositions of the White man and identify points of convergence and divergence in the ideas and reflections on white racism shown in the texts studied.

The methodology adopted in the study were textual analytical approach and comparative approach. The authors’ works vividly depicted white racism and the sufferings the black Caribbean people went through in a society that is regulated by the racial ideology of socio-political, cultural and economic imperialism of the White man. The theoretical framework was rooted in postcolonial and sociological theories.

Based on the identification of the objectives, the research found that the White man sought to perpetually occupy, dominate and control the small Francophone Caribbean islands, assimilate and dominate the native population who are predominantly Blacks. The study also found that most Black Francophone Caribbean indigenous population have remained victims of racial discrimination, enslavement, systematic inferiorisation, subjugation, otherness and brain-washing in Francophone Caribbean islands. It concluded that this situation leaves much to be desired with regard to the liberation of the Blacks from White man’s control and domination. The study recommends protest and revolt of the black Caribbean people against the White man’s mistreatment and “organized” resistance of the black Caribbean people against the imposition of White man’s culture and values. This will help the black Francophone Caribbeans liberate themselves from the White man’s control and break loose the chain of neocolonialism in Francophone Caribbean islands. This thesis is divided into three major parts. The first part which is divided into three chapters explores pertinent literatures, identifying research gaps while establishing theoritical framework that grounds our textual analysis. It also touches on racial interactions in the slave trade era and their effets. The second part concentrates on the White man in the colonial era, focusing on the textual analysis and comparative study of the chosen texts. The third and the last part continues with thematique analysis, specifically focusing on the White man in modern or contemporary era. The impact of racial interactions and the stylistics approach as amply enunciated in the selected texts is also studied in this part. The stylistic devices employed by the writers of the selected texts enhances the import of their message in the texts The main body of the work is preceeded by an introduction and ends with conclusion

This study investigates the relationship between distrust in government institutions and voter apathy in some selected local government areas of Ekiti and Gombe States, focusing on the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria. Distrust in government institutions, including electoral bodies, contributes significantly to voters’ disengagement, leading to lower voters’ turnout and reduced political participation. The research examined how distrust in government institutions influences citizen’s political engagements especially voters’ turnout and the extent to which socioeconomic factors shape voter participation. The research further investigates the impact of factors such as weak institutions, socioeconomic status, and political mobilization on voter turnout in these two states. In order to achieve the set objective of the study, four research questions were raised and hypotheses formulated to test the variables. The theoretical framework adopted for the study was structural- functional theory, and deliberative democracy theory. The research design adopted for the study was a cross-sectional survey design, the study draws on data collected from 2,391 registered voters across six local government areas in the two states, employing multi-stage sampling, simple random sampling, purposive and judgmental sampling, technique to select respondents for this study. The 2,391 sample size was derived through the use of Taro Yamane formula as respondents was drawn from six local government areas (LGAs) in Ekiti state (Ikere-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti) and Gombe States (Gombe, Kwami, and Kaltungo). The research instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire and in-depth interview of key informants. The copies of questionnaire were administered to a total number of 2,391 respondents and 2,020 questionnaires retrieved representing 84.5.3% return rate. Additionally, in-depth interview of 12 interviewees and key informants was conducted to provide robust understanding on the factors contributing to distrust of government and voter apathy. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 24). While qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings from this study revealed that distrust of government, fueled by perceptions of electoral fraud, lack of responsiveness, and government interference, significantly contributed to low voters turnout in both states. Educational attainment was found to have varying impacts, with Ekiti showing higher levels of distrust linked to education, while Gombe’s political mobilization through community networks played a more significant role in encouraging voter participation. The study recommended the need for electoral reforms, improved voter education, and greater transparency in government institutions to restore public trust and enhance democratic participation in Nigeria.