PGD Project

Background: Tear break up is an important indicator of tear film stability, representing the interval between a complete blink and the first appearance of a dry spot on the corneal surface. Humidity plays a crucial role in tear film dynamics. Increase humidity decelerate evaporative water loss from the tear film, increasing tear break up time (TBUT) and alleviate ocular discomfort. Objective: This study investigated the effect of increased humidity on tear breakup time (TBUT) amid fifty (50) participants attending University of Benin Optometry teaching clinic. Studies have shown that increased humidity leads to a significant increase in tear break up time (TBUT), resulting in increased ocular comfort. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effect of increased humidity on TBUT. Method: Close observation on fifty (50) participants with convenient sampling design. Data on age, gender was carried out, an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to grade the participants into normal, mild, moderate and severe tear dry eye , they were then exposed to ideal humidity and increased humidity level, after 10 minutes of acclimatization in each humidity condition, non-invasive tear break up time (NITBUT) was measured in both conditions and findings were recorded. Result: Increase in humidity between 50% and 70% relative humidity (RH) were statistically significant (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes (r = 0.80-0.95), participants with normal, mild and severe ocular surface disorder index (OSDI) score all showed significant increase in tear break up time (TBUT) and increased ocular comfort. Conclusion: Result demonstrates that increase in humidity level markedly improved tear film stability from all groups regardless of age, gender, ocular surface health (normal or dry eye). The results of this study confirmed that humidity is a critical environmental factor that influences ocular surface health. The study also revealed that controlled increase in humidity level yielded statistically significant tear film stability (p<0.001) in all groups.

This study examined the role of older adults in family stability in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and a total of 520 questionnaires were administered to older adults across Egor LGA. In addition, an In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide was used to collect qualitative data from selected stakeholders to complement the survey findings. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and mean scores), while qualitative responses were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that older adults play crucial roles in family stability, with overall mean score of 3.74 out of 5.0 max for 5 likert scale (representing 74.8%) confirms that older adults play positive and multifaceted roles in sustaining family stability; and inferentially X 2=608.5 (p<0.05) reveals that older adults have significant role in family stability. Secondly, there was a positive and significant impact of the economic status of older adults have on family stability (overall mean = 3.78 (75.6%); X 2 = 538.9, P <0.05). Thirdly, there was also a positive and significant effect of support networks of older adults on family stability (overall mean = 3.50 (70%); X 2 = 450.1 (P<0.05). Lastly, the health status of older adults has no positive and significant impact on family stability (Overall mean = 3.31 (66.2%), X 2 = 329.3, P<0.05). these results were complemented by IDI responses. The study recommended targeted policies and interventions by government, families, social workers, and community organizations to support older adults’ economic empowerment, health, and social integration

The increasing reliance on digital technology in personal, commercial, and institutional activities has significantly transformed the nature of evidence presented in civil litigation. This study examines the admissibility of electronic evidence in civil proceedings, with particular reference to the legal framework governing its reception, authentication, and evaluation by the courts. The research explores the provisions of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended), relevant rules of civil procedure, and judicial decisions that have shaped the admissibility of electronic evidence in Nigeria. Employing a doctrinal research methodology, the study relies on primary sources, including statutes and case law, as well as secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles, and legal commentaries. The findings reveal that while the Evidence Act has expanded the scope for admitting electronic evidence, challenges remain regarding compliance with statutory requirements for authentication, the reliability and integrity of electronic records, technological complexities, and varying judicial interpretations of the law. The study further identifies issues relating to digital manipulation, cybersecurity concerns, and inadequate technical expertise among legal practitioners and judicial officers as factors affecting the effective use of electronic evidence in civil proceedings. It concludes that electronic evidence has become indispensable in modern litigation and that its admissibility is essential to ensuring efficient and effective justice delivery. The study recommends continuous judicial training, legislative reforms to address emerging technological developments, improved digital forensic capacity, and greater awareness among legal practitioners to promote the consistent and reliable application of the law governing electronic evidence in civil proceedings.

The study focused on availability and adequacy of Physical facilities in University of Benin, Benin City. In the course of this study, twelve (12) research questions were raised to guide this study. The Researcher adopted a descriptive survey design in this study. The Population of this study consisted of the undergraduate students of University of Benin, Benin city with sample size of 80 students in five (5) sampled Faculties of the Institution. The Researcher also adopted simple random sampling design and the research instrument used for the data collection was the questionnaire titled: “Availability and Adequacy of Physical Facilities in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State Questionnaire (AAPFQ)” and analyzed using the descriptive statistic instrument of Mean and Simple Percentage. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were proffered by the researcher which included but not limited to following: that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and National Universities Commission (NUC) should increase budget allocation to the Universities particularly University of Benin for infrastructural development in order to improve on the low- availability and inadequacy of these physical facilities in these sampled Faculties of the University of Benin, Edo State thereby meeting the needs and yeaning’s of her growing population, the Management of University of Benin should set up a monitoring Committee to consistently evaluate and monitor the usage of these physical facilities under review in this stud in other to sustain their usability in the Institution, the Federal Government should create enabling environment for all stakeholders in the Education business like Banking Institutions, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOS), Alumni, well-meaning Agencies and spirited private individuals and other Organisations to invest on the provisions of physical facilities so as to make teaching and learning processes more meaningful and worthwhile for students as well as other users within the academic walls of the Institution. A certain amount of money from Acceptance Fees paid by Students admitted every session should be contributed to their Faculties of Study to upgrade and maintain the school physical facilities. The said amount having been expected to be paid once on the point of entry into the University, The University Management should provide modalities to improve on the available school physical facilities and ensure its adequacy for its ever increasing population in order to create a more healthier and sustainable learning environment for its students as this would encourage the students give back to their alma mater and the Universities should focus on developing the frontiers of e-library in other to enhance all-encompassing speedy, wide range or quick access to information and purposeful leading environment to boast students’ moral, academic performance and research work in the corridor of the educational system. The implication of the findings is that the low-availability of the physical facilities such as electrical and electronics, e-library, fitting furniture and library and physical library holdings as well as the moderately available furniture in these sampled faculties being subject of this study can lead to unconducive and poor learning environment within the academic system of the Institution. Also, the inadequacy of these physical facilities in the sampled faculties could hinder students’ performances ix and overall well-being of students, if not improved. The issue of inadequacy of these physical facilities in these sampled Faculties would hinder students’ performances and overall well-being of the students, if not checked. The suggestion for further studies borders on areas such that this study should be extended to the Ekenwan Campus of the University of Benin in order to ascertain the actual state of availability and adequacy of these school physical facilities in the University of Benin, Benin City, the study should equally extend to the level of utilization and maintenance of the physical facilities in the Universities and also the study should be replicated in all Universities in Nigeria. Based on the Findings of this study, it appeared that the items such as electrical and electronics, e-library, fitting furniture and library and physical library holdings facilities subjected to investigation in this study are low-available and not adequate in the sampled faculties of the University of Benin, Edo State while physical facilities such as furniture facilities are moderately available and not also adequate. Based on the Findings of this study, it is established that the items such as electrical and electronics, e-library, fitting furniture and library and physical library holdings facilities subjected to investigation in this study are available but low-available and are not adequate in the sampled Faculties of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State while physical facilities such as furniture are moderately available and not also adequate. It should be noted that where school physical facilities are low-available and inadequate or insufficient, could hinder desired Educational goals as well as create unhealthy and unattractive teaching and learning environment within the school system.

Probiotics are products containing live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amount confer health benefits to the host. Lactobacillus can confer therapeutic benefits in aerobic vaginitis and ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti- adhesion, and comparative GC-MS profiling of some probiotic strains against Escherichia coli in the presence of some suppository bases. Gram staining reaction and biochemical test were conducted to authenticate all microorganisms. Double-layer agar method was used for the evaluation of the antibacterial effect of Lactobacillus strains. Solidified albumen was prepared and afterward the weight, surface area, and linearity studies were examined across all microorganisms. The de-adhesion of Lactobacillus strains from solidified albumen was evaluated using Tween 20. Co-cultivation assay of individual Lactobacillus strains against Escherichia coli was determined in the absence and presence of Glycerogelatin, Polyethylene glycol and Theobroma. Survival of Lactobacillus strains in the presence of Escherichia coli and bases was quantified. Adhesion assay of individual Lactobacillus strains against Escherichia coli was determined in the absence and presence of the bases. The anti-adhesion of Lactobacillus strains against Escherichia coli in the absence and presence of the bases was determined. A comparative GC-MS analysis profiled compounds produced in Lactobacillus-Escherichia coli-bases interactions. Regression plots and P-values were determined using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) via SPSS version 27. Gram staining reaction and biochemical test confirmed Lactobacillus reuteri CF48-3A, Lactobacillus gasseri JV-VO3, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LMS2-1 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Double-layer agar method showed a bacteriostatic range of 30.8 to 31.5 mm. Solidified albumen showed: 1.86 g, 817.15 mm with a strong linearity (R2 = 0.83-0.96) for all microorganisms. Tween 20 exhibited a 50% de-adhesion concentration. There was a significant reduction of Escherichia coli in the presence of Lactobacillus strains (p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant reduction of Escherichia coli in the presence of Lactobacillus strains combined with Glycerogelatin base (p < 0.001) and in combination with Polyethylene glycol base (p = 0.001) were observed. No detectable reduction of Escherichia coli in the presence of Lactobacillus strains combined with Theobroma (p = 0.879). Lactobacillus strains survived (0- 40h) in the presence of Escherichia coli combined with Glycerogelatin (p = 0.001); Polyethylene glycol (p = 0.566) and Theobroma (p = 0.614) respectively. The differences were not significant for the anti-adhesion effect of Escherichia coli in the presence of Lactobacillus strains (p = 0.96). A significant anti-adhesion effect of Escherichia coli in the presence of Lactobacillus strains- Glycerogelatin (p = 0.001) and Lactobacillus-Polyethylene glycol (p = 0.001) were demonstrated. xviii Anti-adhesion effect of Escherichia coli in the presence of different strains of Lactobacillus and Theobroma were consistent with control (p = 0.523). Lactobacillus strains showed poor adhesion in glycerogelatin (p = 0.137) while, polyethylene glycol (p = 0.492) and Theobroma (p = 0.302) showed detectable presence of Lactobacillus strains between 25-48 h. Lactobacillus–Escherichia coli-polyethylene glycol interactions produced compounds such as n-Tetracosanol-1, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 2-Piperidinone, and exacosane. This study showed glycerogelatin and polyethylene glycol as pharmaceutical formulation bases can positively affect the antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties of Lactobacillus probiotic strains. The study also revealed some bioactive lead compounds for further studies

This study empirically examines the role of banking institutions in Nigeria’s economic development. It focuses on four specific objectives: assessing the impact of market capitalization in the banking sector on Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP); analysing the influence of interest rates on GDP; evaluating the effect of monetary policy on GDP; and examining the relationship between financial deepening in the banking sector and GDP. The study utilizes aggregate data from all financial institutions listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) annual statistical bulletin. Given the broad scope of the financial sector, the research specifically considers annual reports of banking institutions from 1995 to 2024. A unit root test was conducted to determine the integration order of the variables, ensuring their compatibility with the selected econometric framework. An Error Correction Model (ECM) was employed to capture short-term dynamics while maintaining long-term equilibrium. Descriptive statistics and various econometric tests including t-tests, R-squared, and F-tests were applied to analyse the data using E-Views 11. The findings reveal that financial development in Nigeria has a mixed impact on economic growth. While financial system deposits positively contribute to short-term growth, other aspects of financial development demonstrate limited significance. In the long run, financial inefficiencies and instability pose challenges to sustained economic growth. These results highlight the need for policymakers to enhance financial sector efficiency, strengthen monetary policy implementation, and promote financial inclusion to ensure that economic growth translates into broader economic benefits. Given that Nigeria’s financial sector remains underdeveloped compared to emerging economies, it is essential to strengthen financial institutions. This can be achieved by empowering deposit money and microfinance banks to serve as effective credit sources for both large and small businesses. Additionally, improving access to funding particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and encouraging financial institutions to adopt innovative lending models tailored to underserved sectors will further enhance economic development.

In recent times, the entire world has been in consistent search of cleaner and safer ways of
generating and producing energy. Due to continuous industrialization in different parts of
the world, there has been a huge deterioration in the natural state of the environment. This
is reflective in different areas and the most prominent has to be Climate change. This paper
therefore focuses on the exploitation of the abundant solar energy to gotten from the sun to
drive a lawn mower. The designed solar powered lawn mower comprises of electric motor,
a charge controller, battery (12V, 40ah), Solar Panel (100W), rotational blade and a control
switch. The entire operation frame work is achieved using the electric motor which is able
to provide the necessary torque needed for the rotation of the blade which is mounted to
the shaft of the motor. The solar powered lawn mower is operated by a switch on the board
which closes the circuit and allows current flow to the motor and ultimately, causing the
actuation of the blade. The battery took about 5hours to charge and 50 minutes of
operation time before completely discharging. However, under a very sunny condition
battery charges and operates simultaneously, taking a longer time to discharge. Finally, the
performance evaluation of the battery was carried out with the machine and it was found
to have a theoretical efficiency of 85%

Chemical industries increasingly rely on catalytic processes, and more than 90% of large scale chemical transformations depend on catalysts. Some of the commonly used homogeneous catalysts in Fridel Crafts alkylation reaction are; BF3, H2SO4, HF, AlCl3. Though, readily available at low cost, they have several limitations and these include toxicity, difficulty in separation and recovery and disposal problems. These limitations have intensified the demand for sustainable, efficient, and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalysts. This study focuses on the development of metal-doped coconut-shell biochars as robust heterogeneous catalysts for the Friedel Crafts benzylation of toluene. Biochars derived from the coconut shell produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (350, 400, 450, 500, 600 and 700 °C) were characterized in terms of their physicochemical and textural properties, surface oxygen functional groups and surface morphology using standard methods. The coconut shell biochar (CSB) sample with the optimal textural properties (CSB450) was then co-pyrolysed with Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺/Zn²⁺ ions to produce metal doped biochars (Fe³⁺ - doped, Zn²⁺- doped, and Fe³⁺/Zn²⁺-doped biochar). Central Composite Design (CCD) of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process variables (metal loading, pyrolysis temperature and pyrolysis time) for the co-pyrolysis reaction. Similarly, RSM was used to optimized the process variables (mole ratio of toluene: benzyl chloride (T:BC), reaction temperature and reaction time) on benzyl chloride conversion to benzylated toluenes with the metal doped biochars. RSM-derived optimal conditions resulted in enhanced specific surface areas of 2098.04 m2 .g-1 for the Fe³⁺-doped biochar, 1721.40 m2 .g-1 for the Zn²⁺-doped biochar, and 2124.5 m2 .g-1 for the Fe³⁺/Zn²⁺-doped biochar. Compared with the pristine biochar (CSB450), the metal doped biochars (MBCs) showed improved physicochemical properties and textural properties. In addition, surface elemental analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of the Fe (10.09%), Zn (5.17%) and Fe/Zn (9.44/6.51%) on the MBCs. The results of the conversion process showed that the reaction temperature, mole ratio, and reaction time significantly affected benzyl chloride conversion with the metal doped biochar. Three novel models were developed for benzyl chloride conversion process. From the models, we predicted optimized process conditions; optimum benzyl chloride conversion of 93% was found for Fe3+/Zn2+ - doped biochar, with values of 87 and 81% for the Fe3+ - and Zn2+ - doped biochar respectively. This research established metal doped coconut shell biochar as an effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformations, presenting a viable alternative to conventional corrosive and non-recyclable catalysts in industrial alkylation processes.

This study examined the influence of community engagement on public project effectiveness in three selected Local Government Areas in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the direct effects of three core dimensions of community engagement: information transparency, participatory decision-making, and community empowerment/monitoring, on public project effectiveness. The study further tested the mediating role of perceived government accountability in the engagement-effectiveness relationship, the moderating role of community capacity, and whether the engagement- effectiveness relationship varied across LGAs and project types. Employing a cross- sectional survey design, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires from 333 respondents comprising residents/users, community leaders, project committee members, business owners, and other stakeholders involved in public projects. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, Baron and Kenny mediation steps with Sobel test, moderated regression, and subgroup analysis. The results revealed that neither overall community engagement nor its individual dimensions (information transparency, participatory decision-making, and community empowerment/monitoring) had a statistically significant positive effect on public project effectiveness (p > 0.05). Perceived government accountability did not mediate the relationship between community engagement and project effectiveness, while community capacity did not moderate the relationship. Subgroup analyses by LGA and project type similarly showed no significant heterogeneity in the engagement-effectiveness link. These findings indicate that, in the context of Benin City, current community engagement practices are largely superficial and have not translated into measurable improvements in project outcomes. The non-significant relationships may reflect inadequate depth of participation, weak institutional accountability mechanisms, and limited community capacity to influence project processes. The study therefore recommended a deliberate shift from tokenistic to genuine, power-sharing engagement models; institutionalisation of transparent and responsive accountability mechanisms; sustained capacity-building programmes for community structures; and the adoption of clear, measurable indicators for monitoring both engagement processes and project effectiveness. Implementing these recommendations will help unlock the potential of community engagement as a driver of successful and sustainable public projects in Edo State and similar contexts.

This study examines the relative impact of remittance and foreign direct investment on Nigeria economic growth for the period 1981-2023. Real gross domestic product growth (RGDPG) is taken as proxy for Nigeria’s Economic growth. The study utilizes the Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to investigate the relative impact of remittances and foreign direct investment on Nigeria’s economic growth for both the short and long run term. The long-run ARDL coefficient estimates reveal that remittances is the only variable with statistically significant positive effect on Nigeria’s economic growth with a coefficient estimate of 0.3204 implying a unit rise in remittance leading to 0.32 percent increase in real GDP growth (RGDP). Conversely, FDI, gross capital formation (GCF) and exchange rate exhibited statistically insignificant long-run effects in the estimated model. The result indicates that remittance have a strong and positive long-run influence on Nigeria’s economic growth, suggesting that sustained in flows of remittances funds contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth trajectory. Foreign directs investment (FDI), Gross Capital Formation (GFC) and exchange rate are statistically insignificant, suggesting that their long-term impacts on Nigeria’s GDP growth are weak or unstable within the examined period. On the overall, policy makers are to ensure continuous improvement on remittances channels as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth and tackle factors responsible for instability in FDI such as political instability, insecurity, insurgency, volatile business environment amongst others as both remittances and FDI are critical to the long-term Nigeria’s economic growth process.