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This study investigated the hydrogeological evaluation of borehole water contamination near a solid waste dumpsite in Iyowa, Benin City, Nigeria. The aim was to assess how dumpsite leachate affects groundwater quality by examining physicochemical, microbiological, and heavy metal parameters. Five borehole samples were collected at varying elevations and distances around the dumpsite (coordinates: 6°27′29″N–6°27′44″N, 5°36′10″E–5°36′37″E) using GPS mapping and WHO-recommended sampling procedures. Laboratory analyses covered pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, and selected metals (Pb, Fe, Cr, Zn) determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), alongside microbial tests for total coliforms and E. coli. The results (Tables 4.1–4.3, Figures 1–2) showed acidic groundwater (pH 5.19–6.14) below WHO limits (6.5–8.5), with low alkalinity (4–6 mg/L) and elevated metal concentrations: Pb (0.106–0.428 mg/L), Fe (2.98–7.51 mg/L), and Cr (0.37–3.87 mg/L), all exceeding the permissible limits of 0.01, 0.3, and 0.05 mg/L respectively. Potassium spiked at 55.8 mg/L in the borehole closest to the dumpsite (Sample 2), indicating direct leachate influence. Microbial tests showed absence of coliforms and E. coli, but minor heterotrophic bacteria (1 CFU/mL). Overall, the acidic and metal-enriched groundwater reveals significant leachate intrusion linked to dumpsite proximity, making the borehole water unsafe for domestic consumption without treatment. The findings highlight the need for controlled waste disposal, borehole siting regulation, and continuous groundwater monitoring in Iyowa.

Introduction: Newly certified radiographers often face various challenges when transitioning from academic training to professional practice. These challenges can affect their confidence, performance and overall professional development. This study focused on identifying the major difficulties encountered by newly certified radiographers in Benin City, as well as assessing their readiness for clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges encountered by newly certified radiographers and to assess their level of professional preparedness for independent clinical practice. Methodology: A prospective survey design was used. Data were collected from 51 newly certified radiographers working in public and private healthcare facilities in Benin City using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of the challenges identified. Results: Findings showed that most respondents experienced significant challenges during this early professional practice. The most reported issues included heavy workload (78.4%), stress and burnout (76.5%), and difficulty communicating with senior colleagues (66.7%). Although a majority (76.5%) demonstrated adequate knowledge of radiation protection, many felt less confident handling complex or emergency cases independently. The Chi-square test result (X2=201.73, p < 0.05), confirmed that these challenges were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concluded that newly certified radiographers possess good theoretical and safety knowledge but face major challenges adapting to clinical realities. It recommends the implementation of structured mentorship, improved hands on clinical exposure, and continuous professional development programs to ease their transition into independent practice. Keywords: Newly certified radiographers, professional preparedness, workload, mentorship, clinical challenges.

This study explores the discourse of political ideologies surrounding the Rivers State politics in Nigeria by examining the communicative functions and socio- political implications of Internet memes within the context of the Wike-Fubara political crisis in Rivers State. It adopts the discursive use of Kress and ven Leeuwen's Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA) to analyze the multimodal nature of the cartoons that convey the Wike-Fubara political crisis. Overtime, memes have emerged to become a powerful multimodal tool in computer mediated discourse combining both visuals and written texts to convey political information. Through the analysis of memes, a discourse is engaged to intercept the Wike-Fubara political crisis, capturing the roles and influence memes have in contributing to public perception, and shaping the Nigerian politics. This research made the following findings: citizens use memes to mock and challenge political authority by turning serious issues into humorous visuals, godfatherism, security threats, and political tensions remains a dominant theme in Nigerian politics, and also that emergency rule is both a subject of satire and a source of anxiety. In conclusion, this study concluded that memes function as instruments of communication especially during the Wike-Fubara political crisis in Rivers State. It serves as the public voice expression frustration, hope and uncertainty.

This study investigates the impact of product differentiation strategies on the sales performance of Closeup toothpaste in the University of Benin, Edo State, Benin City. The research aimed to assess how unique product features, promotional strategies, packaging design, and sustainability initiatives influence consumer purchasing decisions and drive sales growth. A descriptive survey research design was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires distributed to a sample of students from the University of Benin. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Independent Sample T-tests. The findings revealed that Closeup's unique product features, such as freshness sensation and whitening effects, significantly influenced consumer preferences. Gender and age were found to have a notable impact on consumer responsiveness to product differentiation strategies, while marital status did not. Additionally, promotional differentiation through digital marketing campaigns and influencer partnerships effectively attracted younger demographics. Packaging design also played a crucial role in enhancing product visibility and appeal, while sustainability-focused initiatives, such as eco-friendly packaging and fluoride-free formulations, resonated with health- conscious consumers. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Closeup continuously innovate its product features, intensify digital marketing efforts, and enhance packaging designs to cater to diverse consumer preferences. Furthermore, the brand should introduce personalized product variations and prioritize sustainability initiatives to maintain a competitive edge and improve sales performance. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on product differentiation strategies and provides valuable insights for marketers aiming to enhance sales performance through targeted and innovative approaches

Glaucoma is a group of degenerative diseases of the optic nerve, and it is a major cause of irreversible blindness. Glaucoma treatment and management rely on effective prescription patterns and proper medication adherence. In Nigeria, differences in the prescription patterns and poor medication adherenceremain barriers to optimal glaucoma management. This study retrospectively assessed prescription patterns and patient adherence to anti-glaucoma medications at Metroeyes Clinic, Ikoyi, Lagos, from January 2021 to December 2024, reviewing 107 patient case files. Prescription patterns were accessed by extracting data from clinical records of selected patients. The level of Adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Scale-12 (MAS-12) through structured phone interviews, and the data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression using SPSS version 27. The analysis results showed that prostaglandin analogs (59.5%) were the most commonly prescribed class of drugs, followed by fixed combination therapies (41.1%). Monotherapy was prescribed frequently than combination therapy, and most patients were given night-time (nocte) prescriptions (67.3%). Despite these rational prescription patterns, poor adherence was alarmingly high: 65.4% of patients were non-adherent, 29.9% were moderately adherent, and only were 4.7% fully adherent. The major reasons recorded for non- adherence included forgetfulness, dislike for long-term use of drugs, and perceived lack of necessity. There was no significant association found between prescription patterns and the adherence levels (p > 0.05), which is most likely due to the small number of adherent patients. In Summary, whereas the prescribing patterns at Metroeyes Clinic aligned with international standards and best practices, adherence remained alarmingly low. Rational prescribing alone has been proven insufficient to improve management outcomes. Therefore, future interventions should emphasize patient education on drugs, reminder systems, patient purchasing power, and psychological support. Strengthening these areas can improve medication adherence and reduce blindness attributable to glaucoma in Nigeria and across Africa.

This paper examines the representations of women predicament and protest in Julie Okoh's In Our Own Voices and Irene Isoken Salami's More Than Dancing. This research work adopts the feminism theory to potray how the play represents women. Julie Okoh in In Our Own Voices and Irene Isoken Salami in More Than Dancing present violence against women and cultural prejudice against women and articulate protest as response against women predicament through mass mobilization, women empowerment, and defiance.

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes significantly influence urban planning, environmental management, and sustainable development. This study examines LULC dynamics in Delta State, Nigeria, over multiple years using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. As one of Nigeria’s rapidly urbanizing regions, Delta State has witnessed extensive land cover transformations, driven by urban expansion, infrastructure growth, and economic activities.
Utilizing Sentinel-2 images from 2018, 2021, and 2024, alongside a projected land-cover model for 2030, this study employs supervised classification techniques to analyze land-cover transitions over time. Findings reveal that built-up areas increased by approximately 29% from 2018 to 2024, largely driven by urban expansion and infrastructural development. Conversely, dense vegetation cover declined by about 10.6%, primarily due to deforestation and land conversion for agricultural and residential purposes. Cropland expanded significantly by 27.8%, reflecting the ongoing transformation of vegetated areas into farmland, while bare land rose by 43%, associated with vegetation degradation and construction activities. Water bodies exhibited a moderate increase of 33.6%, likely influenced by expanded reservoirs and hydrological variations. Future projections for 2030 suggest that built-up areas will continue expanding at an accelerated rate, with a potential 31.7% increase from 2024, further intensifying pressure on natural ecosystems. Dense vegetation is expected to decline slightly, while cropland continues to expand, underscoring
growing agricultural demands. Bare land may decrease as some areas transition to built-up or reclaimed zones, and water bodies are projected to increase marginally. These trends, if sustained, could exacerbate environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, flooding, and urban heat island effects, emphasizing the need for sustainable land-use planning and effective conservation
measures

This study was designed to investigate the use of social media among public secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. To achieve the purpose intended for the study, four research questions were raised to guide the study. The questions raised and examined include to what extent does the use of social media influence student academic performance in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State? Which social networking sites public secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State visit more often? What purposes do students in public secondary schools in Egor use their chosen social media for? Which Information Communication Technologies do students’ mostly use to explore their social media? The population of the study comprised of four thousand eight hundred and sixty-four students (4,864) in the twelve (12) secondary senior schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample for the study consists of four ix hundred and eighty-six (486) students which 100% of the total population drawn from three (3) senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The simple random sampling technique was used in selecting these three schools from the total numbers of Senior Public Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. One hundred and sixty-two (162) students were drawn from each school with the use of purposive random sampling technique. The reliability index of the instrument was 0.73 using Cronbach’s alpha statistical formula from data from the pilot study carried out on it. The data collected were analysed using frequency count, simple percentage, and mean score standard. Findings from the study revealed that Male and female students use social media networks differently in different frequencies. It was discovered that female students use social networking sites more to explicitly foster social connections. It was seen that gender determines the level of social media network usage from the study it was recommended that students should be educated on the influence of social media on their academic performance. Students should be monitored by information and communications technology facilities for teaching student in senior secondary schools. Teacher should properly utilize the available information x and communications technology facilities in teaching student in senior secondary schools.

Ugbowo Road in Benin City faces persistent flooding and drainage failure driven by rapid urbanization, poor maintenance, and structural decay. This study assessed the structural integrity and hydraulic efficiency of drainage sections at four key locations: UBTH, Adolor Junction, Uselu Shell, and Ekehuan Link Road. Through visual inspections, non-destructive rebound hammer testing, and hydraulic analysis using Manning’s and Rational Methods, the research aimed to identify specific causes of failure and propose viable technical solutions. The investigation revealed significant structural defects, including cracks, erosion, and honeycombing, with concrete compressive strengths (12.7–19.8 MPa) falling below the required 20–25 MPa standard. While hydraulic analysis confirmed that the original designs possessed sufficient capacity to handle peak discharges, their performance is currently crippled by heavy siltation, waste dumping, and poor slope alignment. Consequently, the study identified functional inefficiency and maintenance neglect, particularly at the critical Adolor Junction rather than design inadequacy as the primary drivers of drainage failure. To restore optimal functionality and mitigate urban flooding, the study recommends the
reconstruction of failing sections using 25 MPa concrete and the implementation of a rigorous maintenance regime involving routine desilting. Technical enhancements, such as the installation of trash screens and inspection chambers, should be paired with the enforcement of environmental sanitation policies. Finally, the establishment of a drainage asset management plan by the Edo State Ministry of Works and Environment is essential for the long-term monitoring and sustainability of the corridor's infrastructure.