PGD Project

Globally, mental health disorders are a major public health issue, affecting people across all age groups. Approximately 970 million people were living with a mental disorder in 2019, with anxiety and depression being the most common conditions (World Health Organization 2022). The objective of the study was to examine the impact of community-based mental health programmes on youth development in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Hence the study ascertained he causes of mental health challenges among youth in the study area, explored the community-based mental health programs, determined how community-based mental health programs influence youth development, identified ways to improve the mental health and explored the role of social workers in community-based mental health programs in the Oredo Local Government Area. The study adopted the mixed-method type of research, also known as triangulation. This design allows to triangulate data by using multiple sources of information to confirm or validate each other’s. The study population included residents of Oredo LGA 18 years and above without prejudice to ethnic nationality, social status, or educational qualifications. LGA counsellors, health workers, and community heads in the LGA also form part of the population. A sample size of 424 was drawn from the total population of residents 18 years and above from the 12 wards in the Oredo LGA. The sample size for this was determined using an appropriate mathematical model for sample size and the multi-stage, otherwise known as area sampling, procedure in selecting respondents for the study. The structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interview (IDI) were used in data collection. The analysis and discussion were based on the data from the field using descriptive statistics and content analysis respectively. The findings from the study revealed that there were different causes of mental health
challenges in the study area. The causes could be linked to spiritual, physical, or social and psychological triggers. These triggers included spiritual factors, such as the belief in the possession of evil spirits, and psychological factors, like frequent exposure to stressful and traumatic events. The findings further identified social triggers such as family history, poverty, and drug abuse as leading causes of mental health challenges in the study area. The findings revealed that existing mental health programs, like the school-based mental health program, were very effective. It was, however, discovered that the existing mental health xi program in the study area was not participatory. That is, the community members were not drafted as partners in the process towards addressing the mental health crisis. The services was also not easily accessible thereby limiting their benefits to those who needed them most. The study therefore recommends appropriate implementation of community-based mental health programmes that are participatory. That is, the type that engage the host community in the design, formulation, and implementation of mental health programs in the study area. The programme should be designed in such a way that it engage local leaders, community members, and youth themselves.

Traditional herbal remedies according to World Health Organization, will have a place in the health-care system only if recommendations for their use are founded on research that establishes their credibility and acceptability. The goal of standardization is to validate herbal products in terms of their safety, efficacy, quality and reproducibility. Hence this research work, designed to study some inherent characteristics of the leaf of Margaritaria discoidea that determines the quality of its product. The plant leaves were collected and identified. Pharmacognostic studies for the determination of some quality control parameters for the leaves of M. discoidea were conducted using standard prescribed methods. Macroscopy of M. discoidea leaves revealed that the leaves were simple, petiolated, alternate with entire margins and reticulate venation. Microscopy showed the presence of straight-walled epidermal cells, unicellular trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals and paracytic stomata. The transverse cut through the mid-rib section showed isobilateral tissue arrangement. chemo-microscopy showed the presence of lignin, cellulose, mucilage, tannins, starch and fixed oils. Phytochemical screening of the powdered leaves showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroidal nucleus and alkaloids. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of a number of separated constituents in the methanolic extract of the plant. Quantitative determinations for proximate analysis were moisture content (8.23%), total ash (8.62%), crude fibre (3.43%), crude fat (9.10%), crude protein (19.80%)and carbohydrates (59.05%). Vitamin C was present in minute quantity. Elemental analysis showed the presence of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sodium, copper, zinc and potassium. Methanol extractive value, Foaming and Swelling indices were 25.83%, < 100 and 5 ml/g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed twelve constituents in the plant material. The compounds with the highest concentrations are kaempferol, phyllochrysine, phyllanthine and betulinic acid. From this research work, standardization indices which could be used for the proper identification of the plant (M. discoidea) so as to prevent adulteration, have been provided. These details could be recorded in an official monograph

Heterocyclic compounds are very widely distributed in nature and very abundant in plant and animal products. They are included in many biochemical materials essential for life like nucleic acids (nucleotides), sugars and their derivatives, vitamin C and also, most members of vitamin B group (vitamin B6- pyridoxine). They are also found in application of diverse field such as agriculture, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries. Researches have shown that heterocyclic nuclei give high chemotherapeutic values such as anti-malaria, anti-diabetics, anticancer and also act as a remedy for the development of novel drugs. Imidazole containing moiety occupied a unique position in organic compounds. It is a five-membered nitrogenous heterocyclic moiety that has three carbons, two nitrogens, four hydrogen atoms, and two double bonds having general molecular formula of C3H4N2. It is also known as 1,3-diazole because of the nitrogen atoms present at the first and third positions (non–adjacent position) of the ring, one nitrogen bear a hydrogen atom as the pyridine structure, and the other is called pyrrole type nitrogen
and position four and five are equivalent. It formed the basis of many therapeutic natural products such as histamine, purine, histidine among others

Home Economics Education is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective family life and productive participation in the society. At the tertiary level, Home Economics
programs prepare undergraduates for careers in education, entrepreneurship, and a range of service industries by fostering both intellectual understanding and vocational proficiency in various areas including clothing and textile. At its core, the discipline integrates theoretical principles with hands- on practice across domains such as Food and Nutrition, Family Living, Consumer Education, Housing, Child development, and Clothing and Textiles, amongst others. Clothing and Textiles, in particular, encompasses garment construction, fashion design, textile science, and clothing maintenance all of which contribute to self-reliance, sustainable living, and economic empowerment among youths and women

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by environmental stressors, particularly in regions where rivers serve as essential resources for surrounding communities. This study assessed seasonal and spatial variations in water quality and aquatic biodiversity in rivers within Ikpe Community. The research focused on evaluating physicochemical water parameters, analyzing the composition and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates, and applying a multimetric biological index to determine the ecological integrity of selected rivers including the Orhionmwon River, Irogbe River, and Okhuaihe River.

Water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, depth, flow rate, and chemical concentrations were measured at multiple sampling stations during both wet and dry seasons. Sediment samples were collected using composite sampling techniques, and benthic macroinvertebrates were preserved and identified in the laboratory. Physicochemical analyses followed protocols of the American Public Health Association, while heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Pollution indices and biodiversity metrics, including the Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index and Simpson Diversity Index, were applied to evaluate ecological conditions.

The results revealed significant seasonal and spatial variations in several water quality parameters, including electrical conductivity, transparency, and river width (p < 0.01). While most measured parameters were within the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Environment Nigeria, turbidity exceeded recommended limits in some locations. Pollution indices indicated generally low levels of metal contamination, although mild pollution was observed in certain stations. Water Quality Index values ranged from 9.35 to 16.53, classifying all sampling stations as having excellent water quality. Macroinvertebrate taxa exhibited varying sensitivities to environmental changes, with groups such as Ephemeroptera and Diptera responding strongly to habitat alterations, while more tolerant taxa adapted to impacted conditions.

The study concluded that environmental variables such as pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and nutrient levels significantly influence macroinvertebrate distribution and diversity in these freshwater ecosystems. Rivers such as Orhionmwon and Okhuaihe were identified as priority areas for conservation due to observable ecological changes. The findings highlight the importance of integrating physicochemical assessments and biological indicators in monitoring freshwater ecosystem health and guiding conservation strategies.

This study investigated the effect of the Seek by iNaturalist application on students’ interest and achievement in Ecology among senior secondary school students in Ovia North East Local Government Area. The research was motivated by the need to improve students’ engagement and academic performance in Ecology, a topic often considered abstract and difficult to relate to real-life environmental issues. The study was anchored on Constructivist Learning Theory and adopted a quasi-experimental research design.

A sample of 68 SS I students drawn from two intact classes in co-educational schools participated in the study. The experimental group was taught using the Seek App, while the control group received instruction through the conventional lecture method. Data were collected using the Ecology Achievement Test (EAT) and Ecology Interest Inventory (EII), with reliability coefficients established through Cronbach’s Alpha values of 0.74 and 0.81 respectively. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, and Analysis of Covariance at a 0.05 level of significance.

The findings revealed no significant difference in the pretest mean scores of the experimental and control groups, indicating similar entry behavior before treatment. Posttest results showed that students exposed to the Seek App recorded higher mean achievement scores than those taught using the conventional method, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, a significant improvement in students’ interest in Ecology was observed among those taught with the Seek App. The study also found no significant difference between male and female students in both achievement and interest, and no interaction effect between gender and instructional method.

The study concluded that mobile-assisted learning through the Seek App enhances students’ interest and supports learning in Ecology regardless of gender. It recommends the integration of mobile learning tools into the Biology curriculum, provision of adequate technological infrastructure in schools, and continuous teacher training on the effective use of educational technologies.

This study examined the impact of audit committee effectiveness on financial reporting quality among one hundred (100) Nigerian listed companies from 2019 to 2024. Despite governance reforms under CAMA (2020) and the NCCG (2018), concerns remain about earnings management and reporting credibility. The study analyzed audit committee attributes, independence, financial expertise, size, meeting frequency, and committee effectiveness, using a quantitative panel design and fixed-effects regression. Financial reporting quality was measured using a composite index covering accrual quality, timeliness, audit opinion quality, and disclosure compliance.
Results show that independence, financial expertise, meeting frequency, and committee effectiveness significantly improve financial reporting quality, with financial expertise being the strongest predictor. Audit committee size was not significant. Among control variables, company size and committee independence positively affect reporting quality, while leverage has a negative effect. The study concludes that competence and active engagement enhance governance effectiveness more than structural compliance and recommends strengthening expertise, independence, meeting practices, etc.

Cerebral dysfunction, a hallmark of various neurocognitive disorders, may result from congenital anomalies, progressive neurodegeneration, or exposure to neurotoxic agents. Lead (Pb), a highly toxic heavy metal, readily crosses the blood–brain barrier and accumulates in the cerebrum, where it disrupts calcium homeostasis and promotes oxidative stress. This cascade contributes to neuronal injury and cognitive decline. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary antioxidants can counteract lead-induced oxidative damage and help preserve cerebral integrity. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of aqueous Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) fruit extract on lead acetate induced cerebral toxicity. Sixty-four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight treatment groups (n=8) and treated for 28 days as follows: Group A (control – 1 mL distilled water), Group B (Pb only, 100 mg/kg [bw]), Group C (TT - 500 mg/kg [bw] + Pb - 100mg/kg [bw]), Group D (TT - 1000 mg/kg [bw] + Pb – 100 mg/kg [bw]), Group E (Vitamin E – 200 mg/kg [bw] + Pb - 100mg/kg [bw]), Group F (TT only - 500 mg/kg [bw]), Group G (TT only - 1000 mg/kg [bw]), and Group H (Vitamin E only – 200 mg/kg [bw]). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was carried out to identify the phytochemicals contained in the extract. Molecular docking results showed the polyphenols, catechol and phloroglucinol, displayed a higher binding affinity with Caspase 3, IL-6 and comparable binding affinity with NRF2 against standard drugs like Levodopa and Clonazepam. Pre-sacrifice, neurobehavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate cerebral dysfunction. Lead only exposed rats showed significant decrease in rearing frequency, and increase in grooming, thigmotaxis, sniffing, immobility time respectively. Post-sacrifice, cerebral tissues were analysed for lead concentration, antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes. Lead only exposed rats showed significant impaired (p<0.05) weight gain and antioxidant enzymes function, elevated lipid peroxidation, and increased cerebral lead levels. Histological analysis revealed vacuolation of granular cells and presence of pyknotic nuclei in the prefrontal cortex. However, pretreatment with Tetrapleura tetraptera significantly (p<0.05) mitigated these effects in lead-exposed rats suggesting strong neuroprotective properties. The study identifies Tetrapleura tetraptera potential as a natural, neuroprotective and therapeutic agent against lead-induced cerebral dysfunction. Further studies exploring the application of Tetrapleura tetraptera in other models of cerebral dysfunction are recommended.

High salt consumption is known to be detrimental to cardiovascular health and can lead to various problems. However, the effects of antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants on salt-induced vascular dysfunction remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine the influence of antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants on impact of salt-loading in platelet and endothelial function. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to control group and different test groups receiving a high salt diet with different antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants
interventions. The control group received a normal rat chow (0.3% NaCl) and water, the high salt (HS) group received rat chow containing (8% NaCl), others were fed on high salt diet (8% NaCl) with interventions including Lisinopril 2.3mg/kg/d, Losartan 0.1mg/kg/d, Verapamil 0.1mg/kg/d, Vitamin C 100mg/kg/d, Magnesium 4.8mM and Kolaviron 200mg/kg/d. Drug administrations were by oral gavage. Blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) were monitored using the cufftail artery method. At the end of 8 weeks treatment period, animals were sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia, carefully, the abdominal cavity was cut open by mid-line incision using a clean dissecting set. Left ventricle, aorta and mesenteric artery were harvested and blood samples were collected for platelet count, platelet indices and gene protein expression analyses. The result showed a significant increase in the mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic pressure in saltloaded rats compared with control, the high salt + Lisinopril, Losartan, Verapamil, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Kolaviron groups showed significant reduction in blood pressure compared with high salt group. There was a significant increase in platelet activating factor (PAF) gene expression in high salt group compared with control. High salt co-treated with Lisinopril, Losartan, Verapamil,
Vitamin C, Magnesium and Kolaviron groups showed significant decrease in PAF gene expression compared to high salt group. There were no significant changes in platelet count across groups compared with control. There was a significant decrease in mean platelet volume in HS +
Lisinopril and HS + Verapamil groups compared with control but there were no significant changes in all the other groups compared with control. There were no significant changes in plateletcrit in all the groups compared with control. There were no significant changes in platelet distribution width in all the groups compared with control. There was significant decrease in platelet large cell
ratio in HS + Lisinopril, HS + Verapamil and HS + Kolaviron groups compared with control but there were no significant changes in all the other groups compared with control respectively. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that suggests that high salt diet may alter platelets
function through oxidative, and protein enzyme receptor pathways which may be explored for improvement in therapeutic interventions.

This study investigated the relationship between toxic workplace behaviours, organisational justice, and employee performance among academics in selected private and public universities in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. The study examined how workplace ostracism, harassment, bullying, and abusive supervision influence teaching quality, research productivity, and community service, as well as the mediating role of organisational justice. Using a survey design, data were collected from373distributedquestionnaires, outofwhich305 valid responses (81.8%) were analysed through descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM).
The findings revealed that harassment significantly reduced all dimensions of employee performance, while workplace ostracism and bullying showed weaker effects. Interestingly, abusive supervision had a mixed outcome, with non-significant or positive effects on certain aspects of performance. Organisational justice was found to play both full and partial mediating roles, reinforcing its importance in mitigating the negative consequences of toxic workplace behaviours. In addition, demographic factors such as marital status, institution type, and state of origin were found to significantly shape the relationship between toxic behaviours and employee performance, while gender, age, and qualification showed no significant influence. The study concludes that toxic workplace behaviours undermine psychological resources, weaken academic performance, and threaten institutional effectiveness, while organisational justice offers a protective buffer against these negative effects. Based on the findings, the study recommends that universities strengthen fair grievance-handling mechanisms, implement policies that discourage toxic behaviours, promote supportive leadership practices, build awareness and training on workplace civility, and institutionalise transparent reward and recognition systems to sustain employee performance and academic excellence.