Master Dissertation

Crime remains a universal socio-political reality shaped by societal norms, moral values, and legal frameworks. Scholarly perspectives commonly emphasize crime as human conduct deemed harmful to the public and subject to state sanctions. Historically, criminality in Nigeria evolved from individual and group offences in pre-colonial societies to complex contemporary crimes driven by political, economic, and social dynamics. In recent decades, kidnapping has emerged as one of the most pervasive criminal activities, escalating nationwide despite technological advances and state interventions. Edo State, particularly Edo North Senatorial District, has witnessed a disturbing rise in kidnapping, resulting in insecurity, economic losses, and increased psychological distress. Despite government measures, including demolition of criminal hideouts and intensified policing, the menace persists. This study investigates the drivers of kidnapping, the effectiveness of existing counter-measures, and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, with a view to informing evidence-based policy responses. Current literature were reviewed. Routine Activity Theory (RAT) and Social Disorganization Theory (SDT). This study adopts a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to investigate the surge in kidnapping in Edo North Senatorial District. A sample of 513 law enforcement and vigilante personnel was selected through multistage sampling. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires and interview schedules, with analysis involving descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis to examine causes, challenges, and potential solutions. Findings show that poverty, unemployment, and economic deprivation significantly contribute to youth involvement in kidnapping, while weak governance, corruption, and inadequate law enforcement capacity further enable criminal activities. Public perceptions of government strategies indicate mixed effectiveness, with respondents emphasizing the need for intelligence- driven policing, i proved operational capacity, and stronger community engagement. Structural constraints (including limited resources, inadequate logistics, and low personnel motivation) undermine the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. Despite the presence of community-based initiatives such as vigilante groups and neighbourhood watch systems, their impact is constrained by poor coordination and communication gaps. The study concludes that reducing kidnapping requires an integrated, multi-sectoral approach combining robust policing, technological enhancement, strengthened institutional accountability, community collaboration, and socio- economic empowerment. Key recommendations include equipping security agencies, fostering community–police dialogue, expanding youth empowerment programs, enforcing anti-corruption measures, and improving police infrastructure for timely response and sustainable security

Solid waste generation and management is a major concern for both developed and developing countries. Because of population density, consumption pattern, production activities and rural-urban migration, solid waste management has become a major environmental issue and problem in major cities. The purpose of the study was to view, analyze and interpret waste generation, disposal methods mechanism, environmental impacts associated with waste management; nutritional value of maize (Zea mays) husks as animal feed. The primary data were obtained via questionnaires administered to a randomly selected population in the study area. Oral interviews and field observation were also carried out for holistic assessment. The questionnaires had questions on demographic characteristics, waste management matters, and collection of maize (Zea mays) husks waste. Proximate analysis and test for nutritional value of freshly unboiled and boiled maize (Zea mays) husks were carried out in the Benin Owena laboratory. The secondary data were obtained from relevant literatures. Results indicated that streets, roads and open spaces were used as waste dumps; ineffectiveness of waste managers contributed to the problem of waste management. Data revealed that almost equal gender respondents, with (49.5%) males and (50.5%) females. The highest respondents were 50-59years. Educational status recorded highest (29.5%), followed by middle school (20.5%). Food waste accounted for the largest proportion of waste generated (40%), followed by plastics (30%). Public bins (28.75%) and roadside disposal (25.5%) were the most common waste disposal methods. However, environmentally unfriendly practices like open space disposal (15.5%) and roadside

The use of medicinal plants as traditional medicine is made possible as a result of the presence of bioactive metabolite in plants which form the basis of herbal medication. This study was carried out to assess the antidiabetic activity of cocoa extract and its effect on body weight, food and water consumption using normal and diabetes mellitus-induced wistar albino rats. Thirty five healthy male Wistar albino rats with average body weight of 200 g were purchased and grouped into 5 groups (A to E) with 7 rats in each group. Group A was normal rats fed with standard rat feed (Normal control). Group B was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed (Diabetic control). Group C was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 300mg/kg cocoa extract (Low Dosage). Group D was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 600mg/kg cocoa extract (Moderate Dosage). Group E was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 900mg/kg cocoa extract (High Dosage). The result showed that there were significant differences in water and food intake of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The histological plates also provide visual evidence of the effects of low dosage, moderate dosage, and high dosage of cocoa extracts on pancreatic tissue in a rat model of diabetes. While LD extract appears to have a positive impact on tissue architecture and islet regeneration, MD and HD cocoa extracts may have limited benefits in reversing diabetes-induced changes. These results provide a foundation for future research into the therapeutic potential of these extracts in managing diabetes.

Nigeria's unreliable power supply is a well-documented challenge that creates one of the most difficult business environments globally, undermining the country's competitiveness. The consequences are evident. To cope with the erratic electricity supply, individuals and businesses are forced to resort to expensive self-generated power solutions. One of ths Business adversely affected by the state of Power Generation and Distribution in Nigeria is the manufacturing industry. Most welders rely on the epileptic nature of power to carry out their jobs and meet consumer demands. In most instances, the business loss the goodwill/confidence of her customers as job completion schedules are not met. This project focuses on the design, development, and optimization of an inverter-based arc welding system. This work aims at helping small scale Welders Busneses Meet their need for power. Inveter Welding Systems can be deployed in rural and semi urban areas that are off-grid. With this improvement, skilled workers can carry out their job near the target use location with minimal transportation cost. With proper funding, this project can be expanded for large industial use. The optimized system demonstrates potential for applications in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction

This study determined and compared the values of exchangeable cations Mg 2+, Ca2+, Na+, K+, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of clay soil samples in Nigeria, using different pH media (4,5,7,8). Two different clay soil were analysed. Ammonium acetate displacement method was used for the analysis. The chemical analysis were performed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), to determine the Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ content; Flame photometer to determine Na +, K+ , content and Colorimeter; used to determine
ammonium nitrogen content. The result showed that Sample 1, Exchangeable cations (E.C) for Mg
2+ had its highest at pH 7(0.198±0.03) and its lowest value at pH 4(0.142±0.04), Ca 2+ had its highest at pH 7(2.692±0.08) and its lowest value at pH 5 (1.188±0.16), Na + had its highest value at pH 8 (1.884±0.05) and its lowest value at pH 5 (0.409±0.03), and K+ had its highest value at pH 7 (0.926±0.09) and its lowest value at pH 8 (0.415±0.03) The result showed that Sample 2, Exchangeable cations (E.C) for Mg 2+ , had its highest at pH 5(0.047±0.002) and its lowest value at pH 8(0.032±0.003), Ca 2+had its highest at pH 8(1.339±0.08) and its lowest value at pH 4 (0.349±0.06), Na + had its highest value at pH 8 (2.185±0.04) and its lowest value at pH 4 (1.598±0.08), and K+ had its highest value at pH 8 (0.693±0.06) and its lowest value at pH 5 (0.415±0.07). Generally there was a decrease in CEC as the pH increased in the acidic media from pH 4 to 5 and an increase in the CEC as the pH approached neutral, and also a decrease when the pH was increased to 8 (basic medium). From the results obtained, it is evident that pH is an important soil property, because when the clay sample was treated at different pH, the values of the cations as well as their exchange capacity was greatly was affected i.e they had different pH values when subjected to different pH medium.

This study examined head teacher's leadership behaviour and teachers’ job satisfaction in public senior secondary schools in Edo South Senatorial District. It also sought to determine whether there is a significant relationship between head teacher's leadership behaviour and job satisfaction based on the certain variables of directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership and job satisfaction indices such as workplace conditions, salaries/remunerations, relationships with colleagues, student behavior, parent participation, supportive, administration, supervision, responsibility, advancement and recognition. To guide the study, ten
research questions were raised and eight hypotheses formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study is a descriptive research that adopted the correlation survey design. The population of the study was 952 teachers and 136 head teachers in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Edo South Senatorial District. A sample of fifteen percent (15%) was taken from the population using the multi-stage sampling procedure and this amounted to 140 teachers and 20 head teachers in 20 schools. And 140 questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analysis. The multistage sampling procedure was used to select the sample of the study. Two questionnaires were validated with a reliability coefficient of 0.83 and were used to collect data for the study. The mean, standard deviation, percentages, Pearson r and Fisher’s Z statistics were applied to answer and test the research questions and hypotheses

This study examined workplace bullying and well-being among early-career academic staff of selected universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it assessed the relationship between verbal abuse, aggressive workplace behavior, workplace exclusion, and
academic sabotage and well-being of early-career academic staff of selected universities in Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study population comprised three thousand, one hundred and fifty-seven (3,157) early-career
academic staff of selected universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Using Yamane’s formula at a 5% margin of error, a sample of three hundred and fifty-five (355) early-career academic staff was determined, and a structured questionnaire was administered after which three hundred and twenty-five (325) valid responses were retrieved and found usable for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression (Ordinary Least Squares) with the aid of SPSS version 24. The study found that verbal abuse, aggressive workplace behavior, workplace exclusion, and academic sabotage have significant negative effects on the well-being of early-career academic staff in selected universities in Edo State. The study recommended that universities implement comprehensive anti bullying policies, establish confidential reporting and grievance redress systems, strengthen mentorship and peer support structures, and provide counselling and employee assistance programmers. Furthermore, university management should monitor and evaluate interventions through measurable well-being indicators to ensure a supportive academic environment that enhances both employee welfare and institutional productivity.

The act of mentoring is an age long practice that dates back to ancient Greek mythology when Odysseus entrusted the care of his son Telemachus to the charge of an old man named Mentor who guided Telemachus to adulthood and saved his life several times (Cartwright, 2012). Inzer and Crawford (2005) state that mentoring is a one to one relationship that exists between the mentor and the protégé with the aim of the expert (mentor) voluntarily giving time to teach, support and encourage a younger, less experienced person (Protégé). Many organizations have
come to recognize the importance of mentoring and coaching programmes and have formalized systems of doing both. The world of work is rapidly changing in Nigeria with the influx of younger persons, women and other minorities into the workforce and the exit of older workers either voluntarily or involuntarily (Agbonifoh & Idubor, 2016). It is therefore expedient that the experience and knowledge of the older workforce be passed on seamlessly to the younger generation through the act of mentoring and knowledge management (Maxwell, 1998). The importance of mentoring and its benefits not only to the organization, the mentor and protégé, have been severally demonstrated especially in Western countries (Kram, 1985; Noe, 1988; Zachary, 2000; Leidenfrost, Strassnig, Schutz, Carbon & Schabmann, 2014). The situation
may be slightly different in Nigerian organizations as noted by Okurame (2008) because the negative connotations of mentors as godfathers. The notion of godfatherism is that an employee is under the protection and influence of a more powerful person with the aim of the junior employee getting benefits he may not ordinarily be entitled to, and for him to avoid punishment 2 for infractions. Mentoring however is to ensure that the protégé acquires the requisite knowledge, experience and guidance to enable him perform exceptionally on the job in particular and in life generally. It is about getting the protégé to learn from the mentor what he may not ordinarily learn or for him to learn it faster and in greater depth.

This study examined workplace bullying and employee performance in selected agro-industrial firms in Benin City, Edo State. Specifically, it assessed the relationship between verbal abuse, aggressive behavior, social exclusion, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and employee performance in the selected agro-industrial firms. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study population comprised 3,184 employees of ten purposively selected agro-industrial firms in Benin City.
Using stratified random sampling and Yamane’s formula, a sample of 426 employees was arrived at and a structured questionnaire was thus administered after which 397 valid responses were retrieved and found usable for the study. Data collected with a structured questionnaire was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression (Ordinary Least Squares) via the use of SPSS v24. The study found that verbal abuse, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and
cyberbullying have significant negative effects on employee performance in selected agro industrial firms in Edo State. Conversely, aggressive behavior and social exclusion, though negatively associated with performance, did not show statistically significant effects on employee performance in selected agro-industrial firms in Edo State. The study recommends that agro-industrial firms implement clear anti-bullying policies, establish effective reporting and grievance redress mechanisms, provide continuous training and sensitization for employees on the dangers of workplace bullying, promote supportive organisational cultures that encourage respect and collaboration, and institute employee assistance programmed to mitigate the adverse effects of bullying. In addition, management should monitor and evaluate bullying related interventions through measurable performance indicators to ensure the creation of safe, inclusive, and productive work environments

Water quality assessment of Ashaka Community has been carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the prevalent parameters during wet and dry seasons respectively. The total of ten (10) samples; nine (9) groundwater and one (1) surface water sample(s) were collected at random to cover the area of study during both seasons. The results showed that pH, EC, Cl, TSS and alkalinity were the most prevalent parameters in both seasons. Furthermore, other parameters measured besides pH, E-Coli and Coliform counts were below the values set by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and World Health Organization (WHO). The high values of E-Coli and Coliform counts revealed the presence of biological contaminants in the water. The moderately acidic values obtained in the water samples and the high concentration of E-Coli and Coliform counts rendered the water unfit for drinking except routine treatment is administered( a neutralizing filter is used if drinking water is acidic to raise the pH to neutral synthetic magnesium oxide treats water with pH less than 6). However, the quality of water in the area can be used for crops production.