Thesis

This study investigated the influence of COVID-19 lockdown on food purchase, consumption and hunger among married secondary school teachers in Delta State, Nigeria. Nine (9) research questions were raised and answered. Six (6) hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of Significance.

The study employed a descriptive survey research design which targeted twenty-two thousand one hundred and twenty one (22,121) married secondary school teachers in the twenty-five (25) Local Government Areas of Delta State. The sample size of the study consisted of eight hundred (800) respondents. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. The instrument used to elicit responses from the subjects was a 70 item statement questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisors and a psychometrician. The reliability was determined using twenty (20) married secondary school teachers randomly selected from the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State who are part of the population but not part of the sample size and the data generated were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha statistics and yielded the coefficient of 0.85. Data analysis was done using mean (x), Standard Deviation (SD), two independent sample t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC).
The findings revealed that COVID-19 lockdown influenced food purchasing habits, consumption pattern and hunger among married secondary school teachers in Delta State, Nigeria. It was discovered that COVID-19 lockdown increased the level of food insecurity and also affected the psychological wellbeing of married secondary school teachers in Delta State. The study therefore concluded that measures taken to control rapid spread of pandemic such as COVID-19 lockdown affected food purchase, consumption and hunger among married secondary school teachers. The study recommends, among other things, that Government should establish agricultural policies focused on boosting food production at the community level, institutions should train teachers on how to develop effective coping strategies during crisis such as home gardening, meal planning and food preservation techniques.

The increasing recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") among women of reproductive age raises critical concerns regarding fertility and pregnancy outcomes. This study investigated the reproductive and developmental toxicity of MDMA in adult female Wistar rats, focusing on hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, histopathology, and gestational effects following pre-gestational and gestational exposure. A total of 140 Wistar rats (120 females, 20 males) were assigned to pre-gestational (Category A) and gestational (Category B) protocols. Treated groups received oral MDMA at 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg, while controls received distilled water. Serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured alongside oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, MDA) and histological analyses of the pituitary, ovaries, and uterus. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with LSD post hoc test (p < 0.05).
MDMA induced dose-dependent reductions in body and reproductive organ weights, likely due to serotonergic suppression of appetite, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hormonal assays revealed significant disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, including reduced LH (p = 0.02), elevated estradiol (p = 0.00), and progesterone (p = 0.05). A biphasic testosterone response was observed: reduced in the 80 mg/kg group (0.48 ± 0.00 ng/mL vs. 1.12 ± 0.14 ng/mL in controls) and elevated in the 160 mg/kg group (1.48 ± 0.09 ng/mL; p = 0.00), suggesting dysregulation of androgen synthesis via theca cell dysfunction or disrupted HPG feedback. Reproductive outcomes mirrored endocrine alterations. Pre-gestational exposure reduced conception rates (100% in controls vs. 20% and 0% in treated groups). Gestational exposure impaired implantation, fetal viability, and growth, leading to increased resorptions, intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirths, and postnatal abnormalities. Biochemical assays revealed dose-dependent suppression of antioxidant enzymes and altered lipid peroxidation, indicating oxidative damage in ovarian and uterine tissues.
Histopathological evaluation showed progressive degeneration: the pituitary exhibited chromophobe predominance and vacuolation; ovaries showed follicular atresia, degeneration, and vascular injury; and uterine tissues demonstrated glandular atrophy, edema, inflammation, and myometrial disruption. These structural changes aligned with the observed biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. In conclusion, MDMA exposure before or during pregnancy disrupts female reproductive function in a dose-dependent manner. It impairs fertility, alters endocrine signaling, induces oxidative stress, and causes tissue-specific toxicity, with profound consequences for implantation and fetal development. These findings reinforce the public health risks of MDMA use during reproductive years and the need for targeted reproductive toxicology awareness.

Itebukunmi is a riverine community in Ondo State Nigeria, known for its high traffic in fishing activities. The economic importance of fishing activities in Itebukunmi to the Nigerian economy necessitate the need to study the harvesting strategy of fishing in Itebukunmi waters and where necessary determine scientifically regulatory policy that will ensure sustained growth in population.
The Mathematical model of three species of fishes in Itebukunmi couple with human activites was derived using systems of ordinary differential equations. The qualitative analysis of the model such as the local, global, stability and bioeconomic analysis were done using linearization approach and bifurcation analysis. The result of the quantitative analysis showed that : as the control of the harvesting rate of cat fish increases, the population of cat fish and African knife fish, in Itebukunmi river increases, while the Ophiocephalus fish population decreases. Also, as the control of the harvesting rate of Ophiocephalus fish increases, the population of Ophiocephalus fish and African knife fish, in Itebukunmi river increases, while the cat fish population decreases. Furthermore, as the control of the harvesting rate of African knife fish increases, the population of African knife fish , in
Itebukunmi river increases, while the cat fish and Ophiocephalus fish population decreases

Enterohepatic Circulation (EHC) is the process by which bile acid are secreted from the liver into the bile, excreted into the small intestine and then reabsorbed back into the liver. This efflux process is spurred by drug saturation, which is a condition in
which the rate of absorption of the drug is limited by the rate of transport to the liver or the rate of secretion into the bile. EHC plays a crucial role for several liver and gastrointestinal functions such as bile flow, solubilization and excretion of cholesterol,
clearance of toxic molecules, intestinal absorption of lipophilic nutrients, as well as metabolic and antimicrobial effects. Despite its positive impact in human homeostasis, it is known that EHC can increase toxicity of drugs(due to incomplete elimination
during recycling), increased risk of gallstones which result to systemic diseases such as cholelithiasis, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer and hepatotoxicity(drug liver injury). In the formulation of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of EHC Drugs
with Saturation Kinetics is formulated. The model is affected by secreted drug in the hepatocyte and gastrointestinal compartment with delay effect on metabolites. The drug toxicity threshold parameter and delay effect accounting for gallbladder and intestine disorder(alter the rate of bile circulation) will be discussed. The model is rigorously analyzed on Drug Free Equilibria, Drug Saturation Equilibria, Toxicity Equilibria and Drug Reabsorption Equilibria. Threshold value for Pathological parameter for
which there exist a trans from Hoph bifurcation to periodic system was established. The direction of Stability (super critical and subcritical) was also established. Global and Local stabilities were also investigated. The results from the analysis showed that drug saturation induces toxicity in theabsence of pathological defect parameters when Drug Toxicity Number (DTN) is
greater than one .Whereas in the presence of pathological parameters (Mild Case), Drug Toxicity does not annul the physiological state of the compartments hence cannot effect drug reabsorption. There exist a threshold for pathological parameters
for which drug reabsorption occurs, and defect in physiological compartment progresses from mild to acute case when pathological parameters exceed this threshold τ_1+τ_2>(v_2+2m_2)/η_2 . Hoph bifurcation analysis on the Drug Free and Drug Saturation Equilibria showed that there exist an upper bound for which the system remains asymptotically stable. Numerical results obtained from this work will provide a framework for Pharmaceutical Policies and decisions on EHC.

Unintended pregnancy is one that is either unwanted or mistimed, reflecting a complex interplay of reproductive intentions, contraceptive access and usage, sociocultural norms, and health system factors. Amidst concerns for and responsiveness to Population growth, Reproductive health care delivery and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, Target 7 & 8 which emphasises that by the year 2030, it will ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes. This research thoroughly examines the multi-dimensional implications of the prevalence and the determinants of unintended pregnancies in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals in Edo South, Nigeria and probes the ways in which sexually active women utilize and meet their sexual, reproductive health-care needs and unmet needs within the research area
The study employed a dominant–less dominant mixed-method design (also called the explanatory design), in which the quantitative component drives the research process, while the qualitative component plays a supportive role (triangulation). The sample size was 1,006 women of reproductive age of which 44 percent of the respondents (pregnant women) representing 444 were selected from health facilities, while the remaining 56 percent are women (age 15 – 49 years) that is 562 from households. The primary sources of data were through the use of questionnaire and interview guide. This study also explored contraceptive use, accessibility to family planning services, the impacts of unintended pregnancy, and qualitative insights from health practitioners on barriers and strategies for family planning in Edo South, drawing on quantitative data and a reflexive thematic analysis of health facilitators’ responses. The stated hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi Square, Man-Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test, Multinomial Logistic Regression, Multivariate Logistics Regression and Inverse Distance Weight etc. ANOVA was used to test if there were statistically significant differences in the number of times respondent’s experienced unintended pregnancies across the various communities in Edo South. The result showed that there was a statistically significant difference in unintended pregnancy experiences between the groups, F(22, 179) = 2.051, p < .001. This suggests that the occurrence of unintended pregnancy varied meaningfully across the different communities studied.
The result of the findings established unintended pregnancy as a significant public health concern in the study area. It revealed that for every 100 respondents who had never experienced an unintended pregnancy, about 36 had, reflecting a prevalence consistent with global trends. It established that despite an overall contraceptive use rate, the disparity in the quality of awareness and method preference highlighted a critical gap: widespread awareness did not always translate to effective contraceptive practices. It showed critical insights into the depth of contraceptive knowledge, attitudinal barriers, and geographical disparities influencing reproductive health outcomes. Based on these findings; several actionable recommendations are presented to inform policy, program design, and service delivery. Some of the major challenges in this research include concealment of true experiences and fear of cultural and religious stigmatization.

This study examines selected syntactic processes (negation, WH-constructions and relative constructions) in the Ṣúpárè dialect of Yorùbá, a variety spoken in southwestern Nigeria. The research seeks to identify the structural properties that distinguish Ṣúpárè from Standard Yorùbá and to highlight the dialect’s unique strategies for clause formation. Data were collected through elicitation and validation from competent native speakers of Ṣúpárè across different quarters of the speech community. Analysis reveals that each syntactic operation requires two obligatory markers: one in sentence-initial or post-subject position and another in sentence-final position. In relative clauses, the subject argument is obligatorily filled with a resumptive pronoun, unlike Standard Yorùbá where the position remains empty. WH-constructions are realised through split interrogative markers at two syntactic positions, with no involvement of the focus marker “ni”. Negation is achieved through tonal alternations and low-tone syllables, in contrast to the segmental negator “kò” in Standard Yorùbá. The findings are interpreted within the Principles and Parameters framework (Chomsky 1981, 1986), which explains the observed patterns as outcomes of universal grammatical principles shaped by dialect-specific parametric settings. In particular, the study shows that Ṣúpárè grammar recognises the Aspectual Phrase as an independent projection, providing evidence for parametric variation in Yorùbá syntax. By documenting these features, the research contributes to comparative Yorùbá dialectology, advances the understanding of parametric variation in Niger-Congo languages and offers fresh insights into the interaction between universal principles and dialect-specific syntax.

This research gives attention to the non-energy use of Lignite samples collected from Ohordua
town of Edo State and Azagba-Ogwashi in Delta State. A total of six composite Lignite
samples,from ten sampled points were subjected to analytical study, with a view to determining
their humic content and properties for use in soil beneficiation and conditioning.Proximate and
Ultimate analytical technique was used to characterize the lignite from which humic acid was
extracted under alkaline condition, and precipitated using acidic medium of 6M HCl.X-Ray
Diffraction and X-Ray Fluorescence analytical methods were employed to determine the
mineralogical and elemental composition of the samples respectively,while Ultra-Violent visible
spectroscopy was used for organic characterization of the humic acid.Proximate analyses of the
Lignite show percentage composition of Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi Lignite
respectively,Fixed Carbon (65.22 wt% and 67.16wt%),Moisture Content (26 wt% and 25.4wt%)
and Ash (5.02 wt% and 4.5 wt%).Ultimate analyses shows Hydrogen (6.60 wt% and 6.22wt%), Nitrogen (1.34 wt% and 1.19wt%,) Sulphur (0.77 wt% and 0.70wt%), Oxygen (26.07 wt% and
24.73 wt%), for Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi respectively.The analytical results suggest the
existing lignite with varying thickness is of Lignite rank. The Ultimate analyses of the extracted
Humic acid show Carbon (57.5wt% and 55.8wt%)%, Hydrogen (5.1 wt% and 3.9wt%), Nitrogen
(2.5 wt% and 1.1wt%), Sulphur (Nil and 0.3wt%) and Oxygen (34.9 wt% and 38.9wt%,) for
Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi, respectively.The mineralogical composition in the lignite
samples shows Kaolinite was the main clay mineral identified. Non clay minerals such as
anorthite, drierite, yeelimite, spurite, belite, wollastonite, hematite, pyrite, bauxite and quartz
were detected.For Ultra-Violent visible spectroscopy characterization of the Humic Acid, E2/E3
and E4/E6 absorption values for Ohordua (21.69 and 4.50) respectively, while Azagba-Ogwashi
reveal (19.39 and 4.6) respectively. The humic substance has percentage aromaticity values of
33.90% and 34.06%, total acidity has 10.4% and 10.1%, COOH has 3.4% and 3.3%, Phenolic
has 7.0% and 6.8% and acidity ratio has 0.49% and 0.48%, for Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi, respectively which depicts the Humic Acid has a high degree of Humification and a very good
total acidity ratio. Results from this research indicate that the Lignite from both locations are
similar in geochemistry, mineralogy and organic properties. Although,humification is high in
both samples, Ohordua Lignite with lesser aromaticity and E4/E6 ratio, higher E2/E3 ratio and
higher acidity ratio is more suitable for soil beneficiation and conditioning than that of Azagba- Ogwashi.

The study investigated the Differential Effectiveness of Cognitive Restructuring Therapy (CRT), Social Skills Training (SST) and Assertiveness Training (AT) Counselling Techniques in Handling Shyness using Students in Public Junior Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study determined the general level of shyness as well as among male and female students in junior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study also determined if sex influenced the efficacies of the three counselling therapies in the handling of shyness among students in junior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. To address the problem of the study, nine research questions were raised and seven of them were formulated into seven corresponding hypotheses and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
The target population of the study consisted of thirty thousand, five hundred and seventy-four (30,574) students enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic session in the Public Mixed Junior Secondary Schools Two (JSS2) in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size comprised of two hundred (200) junior secondary school students which were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Quasi experimental research design which involved non-equivalent pre-test-post-test design was adopted for the study which consisted of three experimental groups. The instrument used for pre-test and post-test was the questionnaire titled; Shyness Inventory (SI). The validity of the instrument was ascertained by three experts-the researcher’s two supervisors and one test expert in the Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin-City. The instrument was administered on thirty students outside the sample of the study to determine the reliability of the instrument. Cronbach Alpha statistics was used to obtain a reliability coefficient of 0.85. The Shyness Inventory (SI) was used to identify the shy students

The study examined the influence of carbon footprint on Economic Growth (EG) of selected
African countries. Quarterly time series data and panel data of five (5) African countries from
1980 to 2023 were sourced from the World Bank Development Index (WBDI) database. Statistical techniques of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, stationarity test, cointegration test, Error Correction Model (ECM) and panel Vector Error Correction Model
(VECM) were employed to analyse the data. Findings show that four (4) out of five countries
traded-off Economic Growth to reduce carbon emissions in the long run. Thus, EKC
(Environmental Kuznet Curve) proposition is confirmed in these countries (Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt). Also, electricity consumption, human capital, and trade openness are
significant channels via which renewable energy technology may affect the countries’ Economic Growth, although in different magnitude. In Africa, Economic Growth must be
traded-off in the long run to reduce the quantum of consumption carbon emission (CO2) in
the long run. Only trade openness is identified as a significant conduit via which renewable
energy technology impact the region’s Economic Growth. From the foregoing analysis, the
study concludes that better EKC hypothesis practice and favourable trade openness is a useful
tool for preventing environmental degradation process and promoting economic growth and
development in Africa.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants that can be found on many
surfaces including grasses that are often consumed by ruminants. It was therefore
hypothesized that bacteria in the intestine of cow may have the potential to degrade PAHs. The aim of the study was to isolate PAH(s) degrading organisms from the large intestine of
cows. Bacteria were isolated from the intestinal chyme of the large intestine of a healthy cow
collected at the point of slaughter by serial dilution/direct plating and enrichment methods. Physicochemical parameters including; pH, temperature, moisture content, total solids, volatile solids and total suspended solids were analysed. The isolates were identified by
standard microbiological test protocol (Gram reaction and biochemical tests) and screened for
PAH degradation potential using the 2-6 dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) redox dye, quantified by a UV_VIS spectrophotometer. The identity of the two isolates with the highest
PAH degradation capacity after preliminary degradation tests, was confirmed following
API20e tests analysis and 16S rRNA molecular analysis. The two isolates were used to
inoculate carbon free Bushnell Haas medium containing the PAHs in single and combined
cultures for the degradation tests. Samples were withdrawn at intervals of three days and
analyzed for bacterial growth, pH, temperature, BOD, COD and changes in the concentration
of the PAHs for 16 days. The optimum temperature, pH, concentration and nutrient
supplementation for efficient degradation was analyzed following standard protocol and genes
responsible for degradation identified. The two test isolates selected after screening and identification were Escherichia coli and
Klebsiella pneumoniae. HPLC/GCMS analyses showed that the concentration of
Benzo[a]Pyrene declined by 84.8%, 91.04% and 96.44% by E. coli, K. pnuemoniae and a
combination of both respectively after 16 days. The reduction in pyrene concentration was
89.36%, 90.98% and 97.76% after exposure to E. coli, K. puemoniae and a combination of
both respectively while the decline of floranthene concentration stood at 86.4%, 90.3% and
92.3.7% after similar exposure to the test bacteria. ANOVA confirmed significant differences
in the extent of the degradation of the PAHs by the test bacteria and their combined cultures
(P<0.05). The growth of the isolates combined peaked at 1.98 log cfu/ml between days 10 and
XX
XXI
13 during degradation of BaP. With respect to pyrene, it peaked at day thirteen
with a log cfu value of 2.86 while in medium containing floranthene day 13 with a log cfu
value of 3.23. The pH of medium adjusted to 7.0 declined in the three mediums with the least
pH value for BaP, Pyrene and Flouranthene being 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7 respectively during
degradation of the PAHs. Phthalate was the major degradation product in the course of
degradation of the PAHs. The optimum temperature and pH conditions for the degradation of
the PAHs was 35°C and pH 7, respectively while PAHs ≥ 1000 mg inhibited the growth of the
test bacteria. Application of fertilizer (NPK) enhanced growth of the test bacteria and
degradation of the PAHs. The genes associated with the degradation of PAHs in E. coli and K. pneumoniae were found to be alkane monooxygenase (alkB), Napthalene dioxygenase
(NahAC) and Catechol dioxygenase (C230). It can be concluded that the intestine of Bos tarus
harbor strains of bacteria that are capable of a high degree of degradation of PAHs; and that
the consortium of the bacterial strains can be potentially useful for bioremediation of PAH- polluted environment.