PGD Project

Expanding noncontact techniques for monitoring groundwater level variations to include laser based devices has been limited in the past by the low reflectivity of water to laser light The advances made in the realization of highly sensitive receivers has greatly enabled Laser devices with the prospect for effective noncontact monitoring of groundwater levels. In this work a real-time groundwater level monitoring devices was implemented using a LiDAR-lite v3HP laser-based sensor, an Arduino Uno rev 3 microcontroller, and an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. Hardware implementation involved interfacing the microcontroller with the LiDAR-lite, the Wi-Fi module, a 16 x 2 liquid crystal display and other necessary basic electronic components. The software implementation involved writing, editing, compiling and uploading codes through the Arduino ide unto the microcontroller. The implemented prototype was powered by a 20,000mAH, 5V power bank and deployed on two artesian wells to collect depth to water surface data which were uploaded automatically to ThingSpeak platform. Measurements at various times taken with the device were compared with manual measurements from a calibrated tape. A correction factor was applied to correct measurement residuals. Results of the validation showed that measured values were uploaded to the ThingSpeak platform an average of 33 seconds which could be reconfigured to longer timeframes. The results were remotely accessed on the platform. A correlation graph of measurement before and after applying the correction revealed a near perfect correlation coefficient of 0.99995 for the LiDAR readings for both pre-correction and post correction measurements; confirming a strong linear relationship with tape measurements. The coefficient of variation, root mean square error and limits of agreement from the Bland Altman’s plots all ascertained the improvement in post-correction measurements.

Expanding noncontact techniques for monitoring groundwater level variations to include laser based devices has been limited in the past by the low reflectivity of water to laser light The advances made in the realization of highly sensitive receivers has greatly enabled Laser devices with the prospect for effective noncontact monitoring of groundwater levels. In this work a real-time groundwater level monitoring devices was implemented using a LiDAR-lite v3HP laser-based sensor, an Arduino Uno rev 3 microcontroller, and an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. Hardware implementation involved interfacing the microcontroller with the LiDAR-lite, the Wi-Fi module, a 16 x 2 liquid crystal display and other necessary basic electronic components. The software implementation involved writing, editing, compiling and uploading codes through the Arduino ide unto the microcontroller. The implemented prototype was powered by a 20,000mAH, 5V power bank and deployed on two artesian wells to collect depth to water surface data which were uploaded automatically to ThingSpeak platform. Measurements at various times taken with the device were compared with manual measurements from a calibrated tape. A correction factor was applied to correct measurement residuals. Results of the validation showed that measured values were uploaded to the ThingSpeak platform an average of 33 seconds which could be reconfigured to longer timeframes. The results were remotely accessed on the platform. A correlation graph of measurement before and after applying the correction revealed a near perfect correlation coefficient of 0.99995 for the LiDAR readings for both pre-correction and post correction measurements; confirming a strong linear relationship with tape measurements. The coefficient of variation, root mean square error and limits of agreement from the Bland Altman’s plots all ascertained the improvement in post-correction measurements.

This study examines emotional Labour and the wellbeing of early childhood educators in Benin City. To achieve this objective, five research questions were posed and answered. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, and the sample comprised 150 early childhood teachers selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collection instrument was a self-structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts in the field of early childhood education, health and counselling psychologists. Cronbach's Alpha was used to assess the instrument's internal consistency, yielding an alpha of 0.89. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations). The findings revealed that early childhood teacher experienced a high level of emotional Labour in their professional roles. In addition, emotional Labour affects the wellbeing of early childhood teachers. Furthermore, the study indicates that the emotional Labour experienced by early childhood teachers is triggered by contextual factors such as workload, low salaries, large class sizes (high pupil-to-teacher ratios), school management policies and cultural expectations of teachers. Moreover, the study revealed that early childhood teachers employ various strategies, such as prayer, spiritual activities, positive thinking, peer support, relaxation and exercise, in coping with emotional Labour. Additionally, the study indicated that the support system available for the teachers includes family, friends, colleagues and training opportunities. However, management's institutional support was limited. Based on these findings, the study recommends, among others, that school management and educational authorities should establish structured emotional support systems for teachers, such as counselling services, mentorship programs and regular wellbeing check-ins. Government and school proprietors should reduce class sizes, provide adequate teaching resources, and ensure fair workload distribution to minimise emotional stress among teachers.

This study examined the challenges influencing exclusive breastfeeding completeness among nursing mothers in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Six research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The research adopted a descriptive survey design to identify factors affecting mothers’ ability to complete the EBF period and to explore the influence of education, occupation, and parity on breastfeeding practices. A sample of 215 nursing mothers was drawn from eight functional Primary Health Care Centres using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that while most mothers initiate exclusive breastfeeding, many discontinue prematurely due to challenges such as short maternity leave, inadequate family and workplace support, cultural pressures to introduce water or artificial feeds, breast engorgement, and perceived insufficiency of breast milk. Educational level and occupational status significantly influenced EBF completion, whereas parity showed minimal effect. The study recommends enhanced public health education, workplace breastfeeding policies, and community support initiatives to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices. These findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and maternal health advocates seeking to improve child survival and maternal wellbeing in Nigeria.

The study “Exploring Twine in Visual Representation of the New Yam Festival in Ikere, Ekiti State. New Yam Festival is a significant cultural celebration in many West African scommunities, marking the start of the harvest season. It blends religious and social traditions, emphasizing gratitude for the yam harvest and reinforcing community identity. Precisely, the innovative use of twine as a structural and conceptual tool in mixed-media painting, emphasizing its role in achieving depth, and texture. The study investigated how twine can serve as a medium to enhance the thematic and conceptual underpinnings of mixed-media paintings, emphasizing its symbolic significance. It also examined various techniques for incorporating twine into mixed-media works, focusing on how it can create texture, and depth, in visual composition, and demonstrated how twine can be used effectively with other materials to depict the cultural aesthetics New Yam Festival in Ikere-Ekiti. Over the years, artists who work in mixed-media technique have not extensively explored the symbolic and aesthetic roles other materials play like twine in the mixed-media expression associated with culture of Ekiti people. The special project was practically carried out in seven (7) stages which include: The canvas was stretched on the stretcher of 5ft by 7ft, the canvas was primed with white glue top bond to cover some holes in the canvas; making of outlines on the stretched canvas from sketch pad; the researcher gummed twine on the outlines using glue; application of sawdust on the drawing to make it tactile; the researcher created an image by extending paints on the already drawing. The study reveals that twine is a viable and meaningful material in mixed-media painting. Its tactile qualities enhance the visual impact of artworks, while its cultural associations strengthen the symbolic representation of indigenous festivals such as the New Yam Festival. The research demonstrated that indigenous materials can serve as bridges between traditional heritage and contemporary artistic innovation.

This project presents the design and development of a solar-powered smart poultry incubator aimed at improving hatchability through stable environmental control. The system integrates a forced-draft air circulation mechanism, a microcontroller-based temperature and humidity regulation unit, and an automatic egg-turning system to simulate natural incubation conditions. Solar energy, supported by photovoltaic cells and a DC battery bank, serves as the primary power source to ensure reliability in areas with unstable electricity supply. Experimental trials indicate that the implemented control system maintains consistent thermal and humidity conditions essential for healthy embryo development, resulting in improved hatching efficiency. The overall design contributes to sustainable poultry production by offering an affordable, energy-efficient, and locally adaptable incubator solution for small-scale and rural poultry farmers.

Most industrial heat exchanger devices, such as condensers, boilers, furnaces, and pipelines generate a certain amount of heat waste due to temperature gradient in the fluid. Leading to reduction of the efficiency, increased emissions, and higher fuel consumption. Thermoelectric generator (TEG) technology offers a sustainable solution by utilising the waste heat to generate electricity. This project focuses on the performance of the TEG process using the counter-flow heat exchanger and process control mechanism to monitor the results evaluated from the different thermal transfer conditions. The primary objective is to recover electricity from heat waste from industrial pipelines or heat exchanger devices, and to assess the feasibility and predict the performance of TEG for sustainable power generation. The experiment components are aluminium heat exchanger tubes, thermal paste, TEG modules (SP1848-27145), thermal paste, Arudino, Voltage and Current sensor, 16X2 LCD display, and Multimeter. The setup of the experiment utilised two aluminium heat tubes: the upper tubes flowed with Hot water, while the lower part circulated with cooling water. The five series modules were mounted between the surfaces of both heat exchanger tubes using thermal paste to ensure heat transfer. The reading of the voltage and current values was displayed using a 16X2 LCD with Arduino Nano or a Multimeter. Experimental results show that the system successfully converted a measurable fraction of waste heat into electrical energy. While the power output and efficiency were relatively low compared to the total heat transfer across the exchanger tubes, the system achieved a maximum output of 9.28 V and 3.17 W, with an efficiency of 14.5%. Based on the empirical model, 5000 thermoelectric modules (TEMs) could generate a maximum power output of 3.17 kW when properly installed, which can improve the overall efficiency in the industrial application.

Osogbo art, which previously stood at the forefront of Nigeria artistic heritage, has gradually been relegated to the background. These is, however, a pressing need to re-project it within present and contemporary artistic practice. Despite the rich artistic and cultural significance of Osogbo art style, there exists a notable gap in research regarding the specific intersection of the elements of impasto technique in painting. While impasto techniques have been extensively studied in Western art traditions, their application within the context of Osogbo art style remains largely unaccessed. The aim of the study was to produce paintings that depict the interplay of texture and alternative display of the Osogbo art style in contemporary painting. The design of the study was exploratory and studio-based to produce paintings in Osogbo art style in a contemporary format using impasto texture to be display on alternative diagonal placement using oil colour as medium painted on canvas. The materials used include oil colour, palette knives, canvas, and linseed oil using studio procedures. The procedure involved six main stages include: stretching, sizing, priming, sketching, painting, and finishing. Impasto technique. executed primarily with palette knives, was applied to create texture and are visually analyzed. The finding of the study are the following: Use of Impasto: Impasto introduced tactile qualities to Osogbo inspired paintings, adding depth, rhythm, and material presence that enhanced their symbolic and narrative strength, Cultural Relevance: The paintings successfully expressed themes rooted in Yoruba culture, such as maternal love (Donkeys in the Groove), social reflection (Sober Reflection), and memory of the past (In the 90s), while simultaneously addressing contemporary concerns, Aesthetic Enrichment: The interplay of texture expanded the expressive vocabulary of Osogbo art, allowing it to remain vibrant and adaptable to modern artistic practice. Therefore, it has established that impasto can be effectively integrated into Osogbo art, enhancing its tactile and expressive qualities, thus adding dynamism and novelty to art appreciation.

The green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles has garnered substantial interest in recent years due to their promising applications in environmental remediation. This study presents the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles and calcium oxide-copper oxide binary nanoparticles utilizing onion (Allium cepa) peel extract for photocatalytic degradation of petroleum wastewater. CuO, and CaO – CuO nanoparticles were synthesized in this study following already established methods as reported in journals. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was performed employing various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanoparticles was systematically assessed for the degradation of petroleum wastewater under sunlight irradiation. Results indicated that the calcium oxide-copper oxide binary nanoparticles demonstrated significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the copper oxide nanoparticles, achieving a degradation efficiency of 95.76 %. This superior photocatalytic performance of the binary nanoparticles can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the p-n heterojunction between calcium oxide and copper oxide, which enhances spatial separation of photogenerated electron – hole pairs, thus improving the photodegradation of the wastewater. The green synthesis methodology employed in this study represents a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach for the production of metal oxide nanoparticles intended for environmental applications

Migration is a complex global phenomenon influenced by economic, social, political, and environmental factors. It involves the movement of individuals or groups from one location to another, often driven by the pursuit of improved economic opportunities, safety from conflict, or escape from environmental challenges. The study therefore examines how selected contemporary African literary texts portrayed migration and reveal its causes and consequences on the characters. The data for this study were drawn from selected African novels that portray migration and its related experiences. The study adopts a qualitative research design using textual analysis to examine the themes, meanings, and realities of migration represented in the texts. A purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting the novels and characters relevant to the study in order to achieve a focused and detailed analysis. The selected characters were chosen based on their relevance to the theme of migration and their contribution to the development of the study. In addition, the theory of transnationalism was employed to analyse how migrants maintain social, emotional, economic, and cultural connections across national borders. The findings revealed that the major drivers of migration in postcolonial African society, as depicted in the three novels, were poverty, political unrest, and the search for better opportunities. The novels revealed that migrants experienced impacts on their identity and sense of belonging, reflecting emotional and psychological struggles that extended beyond physical relocation. Additionally, migrants in the diaspora faced significant and overwhelming challenges, including homesickness, fear of deportation, and frustration. The study contributed to knowledge by examining migration across the selected African novels through the lens of transnationalism, thereby deepening the understanding of migration as not only a physical movement but also an emotional, psychological, and transnational experience shaped by postcolonial realities.