NIL(1971)

Aspergillus flavus is a fungus known for posing significant health risks in humans and animals. This study investigates the epistatic effect of double mutations induced by sodium azide and potassium chlorate in A. flavus. The mutants were generated were generated in culture media containing the mutagens and their epistatic interactions were observed along with their nutrient
utilization and growth rates. The results of mutation resulted in significant changes in the growth rate and morphology of the mutants, compared to the wild type. The epistatic interactions between the mutations revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects on various traits. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying aflatoxin production and
fungal development in A. flavus, with implications for developing novel strategies to control aflatoxin contamination.

This study was conducted to find out the influence of knowledge on family planning Practices among women of child bearing age in Ovia North L.G.A, Edo State. To therefore achieve the purpose of the study, five (5) research questions guided the study
A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The sample size for the study was hundred (100) students. The Research instrument was a self-structured questionnaire with Section A, B and C Section A seeks to elicit responses on the socio-emographic
character of respondents, while Section B seeks to elicit responses on the level of knowledge about family planning among women of childbearing age, and Section C elicits diverse family planning practices among women of child bearing age. The
instrument was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education (H.S.E.), Faculty of Education. To determine the reliability of the instrument, the internal consistency reliability was adopted. In this vein, twenty (20) copies of the instrument were administered to the respondents who were not part of the target population. Based on the findings, it was concluded that A significant number of women in Ovia North Local Government Area have heard of family planning. While condom use is common, the use of modern contraceptives such as pills, injectables, or IUDs is relatively low. Many women have received family planning services from health facilities, although access is not universal. A considerable proportion of women have discontinued a family planning method due to side effects, indicating a need for better counseling and support for women using contraceptive methods, ensuring they are informed about potential side effects and how to manage them, thereby improving access to family planning services and enhancing the overall awareness of the health benefits of family planning. These efforts are crucial in ensuring better reproductive health outcomes and empowering women to make informed decisions about their family planning choices.

This study employed a descriptive survey design to investigate the impact of improvisation of instructional materials on students' performance in biology at senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A sample of 300 students
from five public senior secondary schools participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising two sections, including demographic information and questions related to the effectiveness of instructional materials in biology education. The analysis of data was conducted using descriptive statistics, with a criterion mean of 2.50 for assessing responses. The findings revealed that well-equipped biology laboratories significantly enhance student performance, and improvised instructional materials are crucial for improving the learning experience in biology. The study indicated that students who engaged with varied instructional materials exhibited greater interest and understanding of biological concepts. Additionally, teaching aids were found to improve motivation and knowledge retention compared to traditional teaching methods. The results underscore the need for creative improvisation by educators to address resource limitations and improve academic outcomes.
Based on the findings, it is recommended that biology teachers adopt innovative strategies, including the use of improvised materials, to enrich their teaching methods and foster student engagement. Enhancing laboratory facilities and providing access to
essential teaching aids can create a more stimulating learning environment. Additionally, teacher training programs should focus on equipping educators with the skills to effectively improvise instructional materials, enabling them to fully capitalize on practical experiences in biology education. By prioritizing these recommendations, stakeholders in education can significantly improve the quality of biology instruction and student performance.

This study investigates Ẹdo personal names from a morpho-semantic perspective to show how the internal structure of names and the cultural context of the Ẹdo people work together to create meaning. Data for the study were collected through oral interviews with native speakers and from published sources. The names were analyzed using basic morphological description and the Principle of Compositionality, which states that the meaning of a complex word is derived from the meanings of its parts.
The findings reveal that Ẹdo names are not mere labels but meaningful expressions that reflect the people’s worldview, beliefs, and social values. The study shows that Ẹdo names come from several sources, including kinship, birth circumstances, personal traits, religious beliefs, and the cultural understanding of destiny and reincarnation. Each category of names carries messages about identity, family structure, moral behavior, spirituality, and the historical pride of the Ẹdo people. The analysis demonstrates that Ẹdo names serve as tools for preserving cultural heritage, transmitting values, and reinforcing the social structure of the community. This work contributes to existing knowledge by providing a detailed linguistic analysis of Ẹdo anthroponyms and by showing how language encodes cultural knowledge. It also emphasizes the need to document and preserve Ẹdo names for future generations, as they remain an important part of the people’s linguistic and cultural identity.

This study investigates the role of religion in shaping voter turnout during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, with a particular focus on how religious institutions, faith leaders, and religious identities influenced political participation. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined survey data from respondents with in-depth interviews from selected religious leaders, the research explored four key areas: religious mobilization efforts, turnout patterns in Christian and Muslim communities, the influence of religious affiliation on participation, and voters’ perceptions of religion’s role in electoral decision making.
The findings reveal that religion served as both a motivational and moral force In the electoral process. The quantitative results showed that a significant proportion of voters believed religious institutions shaped their willingness to vote and influenced how they assessed candidates’ credibility. In-depth interviews with religious leaders also buttressed this fact, especially in communities where political
apathy had been historically high. While some religious leaders actively encouraged civic participation, many expressed a commitment to political neutrality, highlighting the tension between moral guidance and partisan restraint. The study concludes that religion remains a powerful social force in Nigeria, capable of encouraging voter participation, shaping political judgement, and reinforcing collective identity. However, it also cautions that the intersection of faith and politics must be managed with care to avoid polarization.
The research recommends greater use of religious spaces for civic education, increased collaboration between faith groups and civic organizations, and further scholarly exploration of regional variations in religious political engagement. This work contributes to ongoing debates on democracy, identity, and political participation in multi-religious societies.

Microbial contamination is a major factor affecting the shelf life and safety of bread. This study was carried out to analyze the bacterial and fungal growth in bread fortified with different levels of Scomber scombrus (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) over a three-day period immediately after processing. The bread was prepared with varying levels of Scomber scombrus and the treatments (A, B, C and D) were assigned based on the percentage of of the fish concentrate. The bread samples were stored under controlled conditions for three days, small portions of each bread samples were taken at different time points (Day 0, Day 3) and the samples were placed in sterile containers to prevent external contamination. Bacterial counts (CFU/g) on Day 0 ranged from 4.10 × 10² (Treatment A) to 1.20 × 10³ (Treatment D), while by Day 3, these values increased significantly, with Treatment D reaching 2.40 × 10³ CFU/g. Similarly, fungal counts (CFU/g) on Day 0 ranged from 1.70 × 10² (Treatment A) to 3.40 × 10² (Treatment D), increasing by Day 3 to a maximum of 4.20 × 10² CFU/g in Treatment D. Statistical analysis (P < 0.05) showed significant differences across treatments, indicating variations in microbial growth rates. The results suggest that proper storage methods and preservation techniques, such as refrigeration, airtight packaging, and antifungal agents, are crucial for maintaining bread quality and safety. Future research should explore the impact of different preservatives and environmental conditions on microbial proliferation in bakery products.

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of tuberculosis (TB) among 100-level social science students in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains a major public health issue, especially in low and middle income countries like Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 students selected through simple random sampling across the departments of Political Science, Public Administration, and Sociology/Anthropology. Findings revealed that 64% of the respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding the causes of tuberculosis, while only 21% exhibited a high level of understanding. Furthermore, 58% of respondents correctly identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative agent, yet perceptions persisted, with 35% attributing TB to sharing utensils and 29% to spiritual causes. In terms of perception, 72% acknowledged TB as a serious health issue, and
68% recognized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment adherence. However, 41% of respondents expressed uncertainty about the curability of TB, and 33% believed traditional remedies could replace medical treatment. The study also found statistically significant differences in knowledge and perception based on the students’ departments (p < 0.05). These results underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to address perceptions and improve TB awareness among non-health students. Strengthening health literacy within the university community can enhance preventive practices and support national efforts in TB control.

Environmental pollution by cadmium poses significant cardiovascular health risks, particularly in developing nations experiencing rapid industrialization.
This study investigated the ameliorative effects of watermelon peel extract on cadmium-induced cardiac
histopathology in Wistar rats. Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (distilled water), cadmium only, cadmium plus Vitamin C, cadmium plus 250mg/kg watermelon peel extract, and cadmium plus 500mg/kg watermelon peel extract. Animals received oral administration thrice weekly over 60 days following a two-phase induction and treatment protocol. Cadmium exposure resulted in elevated cardiac cadmium accumulation (0.240 mg/g versus 0.117 mg/g in controls) and suppressed body weight gain. Watermelon peel extract provided dose-dependent cardioprotection, with the 500mg/kg dose achieving 58% reduction in cardiac cadmium levels (0.102 mg/g) and improved body weight gain (74.44%), approaching the efficacy of Vitamin C (63% reduction, 0.089 mg/g). The 250mg/kg dose demonstrated moderate protection with 39% cadmium reduction.
Histopathological examination revealed preserved myocardial architecture across all groups with intact cardiomyocyte arrangement and well-defined cross-striations, suggesting the exposure period represented an early phase where biochemical changes occurred without microscopic structural damage.
The findings demonstrate that watermelon peel extract provides significant dose-dependent protection against cadmium bioaccumulation in cardiac tissue, supporting its potential as a locally accessible natural intervention for populations at risk of environmental cadmium exposure.

The production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil presents a sustainable approach to waste management and alternative fuel generation. This study investigates the use of Manganese Magnesium Binary Oxide (MMBO) nanoparticles as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. The physicochemical properties of waste cooking oil were analyzed before and after esterification, revealing significant reductions in acid value (2.973 mg KOH/g to 1.85 mg KOH/g) and free fatty acid content (1.4865 mg KOH/g to 0.925 mg KOH/g), which improved feedstock suitability for biodiesel production. A comparative analysis of biodiesel produced using MgO and MMBO nanoparticles demonstrated the superior catalytic efficiency of MMBO-NP, yielding 84.6% biodiesel compared to 65% with MgO. The biodiesel produced with MMBO-NP exhibited favorable fuel properties, including a lower kinematic viscosity (3.89 mm²/s), reduced acid value (0.35 mg KOH/g), and improved density (875 kg/m³), aligning with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. Despite meeting most standard requirements, the flash point (77°C) and cold flow properties (cloud point: 32°C, pour point: 39°C) indicate potential areas for further optimization. These results highlight the potential of MMBO nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst in biodiesel production, promoting a more effective and environmentally friendly conversion of waste cooking oil into biodiesel.

Background: Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a key physiological parameter that maintains the structural integrity of the eye and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Although normal IOP values are well established in adults, there remains limited data regarding its distribution and influencing factors among children in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the
distribution of intraocular pressure among school-aged children in Benin City, Nigeria, and to evaluate variations in relation to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Data Analysis: A cross-sectional design was adopted, involving 568 children aged 6–14 years selected from public and private schools in Benin City through stratified random sampling. Ethical approval and
informed consent were obtained prior to participation. Data were collected using a structured form and IOP was measured with a non-contact tonometer. Anthropometric parameters were recorded to calculate BMI. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation, and the Mann–Whitney U test, were conducted using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: results showed a mean IOP of 17 ± 2 mmHg, with values ranging between 14 and 21 mmHg. A strong positive correlation was observed between IOP and age (Spearman’s rho = 0.827, p < 0.001), while a moderate positive correlation was found between IOP and BMI (Spearman’s rho = 0.633, p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference in IOP between male and female participants (p = 0.027). Conclusion: The study concludes that Nigerian children demonstrate IOP distributions consistent with international findings, but population-specific reference values are required for accurate clinical
assessment.