NIL

This study examines the essence of effective inventories control and management to manufacturing companies with particular emphasis on Ama Greenfield Breweries plc. The aim of this study is to investigate and ascertain areas of lapses by the company and offer effective ways and solutions in which the manufacturing company can explore the services of inventory management to affect its objectives. In carrying out this study, various research instruments such as questionnaires and oral interview were used to collect data from respondents and a research design was adopted with a sample size of 52. The statistical tool used for this work is Chi square. Based on the analysis, it was discovered that inventory management plays a vital role in the manufacturing company. A well functional inventory management following the recommendations can bring about proper management thereby enhancing proper and effective production and it will equally ensure the effective, efficient and adequate use of materials and resources in the manufacturing company.

Urinary tract pathogens are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, prompting interest in plant-derived bioactive agents. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and antibacterial potential of Cinnamomum tamala bark extracts against selected clinical isolates. Dried bark samples were subjected to aqueous and ethanolic extraction, followed by phytochemical screening using GC–MS analysis. Antimicrobial activity was carried out using ditch plate and agar well diffusion methods, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined via agar dilution techniques. The ethanolic extract demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, with zones of inhibition ranging from 8.25 ± 4.8 mm at 50 µg/mL to 21.75 ± 2.93 mm at 800 µg/mL, showing significant differences across concentrations (p = 0.034). The aqueous extract exhibited no effect at low concentrations but was active at higher concentration, producing inhibition zones up to 6.50 ± 3.77 mm, significantly different across groups (p < 0.001). MIC results indicated stronger activity for the ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli (12.5 µg/mL), compared to the aqueous extract, which required higher concentrations (100–200 µg/mL) across organisms. Similarly, ethanolic MBC values ranged between 25–100 µg/mL, significantly lower than the consistent 200 µg/mL required for the aqueous extract. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenols in both extracts, while saponins and glycosides were exclusive to the aqueous extract, and steroids and resins were unique to the ethanolic extract. GC–MS analysis identified major constituents including Squalene (21.13%), 9- Octadecenoic acid (17.62%), and 13-Octadecenal (16.89%) in the ethanolic extract, while the aqueous extract was dominated by 9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (28.24%) and Cyclopropane derivatives (17.04%). These findings highlight the potent antibacterial efficacy of C. tamala ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli, with activity linked to its terpenoid and fatty acid constituents. The results suggest that C. tamala may serve as a promising source of natural antimicrobials.

This study examined the value chain addition of Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, with emphasis on its processing, packaging, transportation, profitability, and contribution to livelihoods. A total of 120 respondents, comprising traders and processors, were randomly and purposively selected from eight major markets across two Local Government Areas (Oredo and Egor) namely Ekiosa, Oba, Agbado, New Benin, Uwelu, Uselu, Oliha, and Ogida. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were sourced from relevant literature. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and simple cost and return methods. Findings revealed that 97.5% of respondents were female, with the majority (75%) having at least secondary education and over 13 years of experience in the trade. The most preferred product was the fermented locust bean (iru), processed using traditional methods. Gross margin analysis indicated that processed products were significantly more profitable than raw seeds, yielding a net return of ₦3,004.11 per kg compared to ₦786.79 per kg from raw seeds. This translates to a profit margin of 52.3% for processed products and 47.7% for raw seeds, underscoring the economic advantage of value addition. However, the study identified major challenges such as inadequate transportation (mean = 3.22), high market levies (3.51), poor access to ready markets (3.11), and limited awareness of value-added opportunities (3.41). Despite these constraints, Parkia biglobosa remains a vital source of livelihood and nutrition, particularly due to its rich vitamin A content, which supports eye health and general wellbeing. The study concludes that improving processing efficiency, adopting modern packaging techniques, and strengthening distribution channels will significantly enhance the profitability and competitiveness of Parkia biglobosa. It recommends entrepreneurial investment in branding, cooperative marketing, and value-added innovations such as powdered iru or ready-to-use condiments, which will boost income generation and promote the wider use of this indigenous, health-enhancing product

Dialium guineense fruit is an important tropical fruit which faces substantial post-harvest losses and food safety concerns due to microbial contamination. This study investigated microorganisms associated with the shell, pulp and seed of D. guineense to determine infection rates, identify microbial species (fungal and bacterial) and assess their diversity. The research was conducted at the media preparation room of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Three (3) fruit parts were studied: Shell, pulp and seed on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Nutrient Agar (NA) laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six (6) replications. It involved evaluating infection percentages, sub-culturing and identification based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Results showed a 100% infection rate across all fruit parts except one (1) replicate which had a 75% infection rate, indicating significant microbial pressure. A wide variety of fungal and bacterial species was observed, with specific microbial adaptations per fruit part. Pathogenic bacteria, including Shigella sp. and Bacillus cereus, were identified, posing potential health risks, alongside Aspergillus and Fusarium species. This study confirms the fruit's vulnerability to widespread microbial contamination. Findings underscore the critical necessity for improved safety measures against Aspergillus and Fusarium contamination, while identifying promising opportunities to utilize Saccharomyces sp. for industrial processing and seed extracts for natural preservation

The study addressed the critical challenge of ensuring safe and sustainable borehole water quality in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo Satae, Nigeria, where contamination risks from anthropogenic and environmental factors threaten public health. The study aimed to assess spatial variations in borehole water quality, evaluate compliance with national and international standards such as the NSDWQ and WHO standard and visualize contamination risk zones using GIS techniques.
Geographic coordinates were obtained using a GPS navigation tool called coordinate and water samples for laboratory analysis were collected at three borehole sites: A, B and C and their respective distribution points. Thirty-four physicochemical and microbial parameters were analyzed in accordance with the APHA standard laboratory procedures. The Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) method was applied to compute the WQI for each sampling point. The results were integrated into ArcGIS Pro software, where shapefiles were created and thematic maps generated to show spatial distribution of WQI and individual parameters relative to environmental features such as septic tanks and drainage channels. The results of the pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, values ranged from 4.8 to 6.0, 110 to 305 µS/cm, 3.48 to 4.04 NTU and 56 to 153 mg/L respectively. Calcium and Magnesium ranged from 2.87 to 7.14 mg/L and 1.61 to 4.00 mg/L respectively corroborating the low hardness values of 13.8 to 37.6 mg/L.
Concentrations of iron, manganese, zinc, copper ranged from 0.210 to 0.327 mg/L, 0.045 to 0.070 mg/L, 0.107 to 0.167 mg/L and 0.017 to 0.026 mg/L respectively. Microbiological results revealed that total heterotrophic bacterial counts were present in Borehole B and distribution points A and C at 10 × 10³ CFU/mL, all samples tested negative for coliforms and E. coli, indicating the absence of fecal contamination. Boreholes points A and B had WQI values of 61.27 and 57.30, inferring good quality, while Borehole C, distribution points A, B and C exhibited higher WQI values of 73.94, 82.79, 79.64 and 98.80 respectively reflecting post-storage contamination and influence from surrounding activities having a water quality grade of poor in line with the WHO and NSDWQ standards. The study concluded that GIS proved highly effective in visualizing spatial water quality variations and identifying areas at risk of contamination.

This study examined the influence of brand positioning strategies on consumer preference for beverage products in Benin City, Nigeria. Four key elements of brand positioning, price positioning, product differentiation, unique selling propositions (USP), and physical evidence, were analysed to determine their impact on consumers’ purchasing behaviour. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to 385 respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that product differentiation (β = 0.564, p < 0.001), USP (β = 0.290, p < 0.001), and physical evidence (β = 0.271, p < 0.001) significantly influenced consumer preference, while price positioning (β = -0.141, p = 0.077) showed no significant impact. An R² of 0.868 indicated that 86.8% of the variation in consumer preference was explained by the independent variables. The study concludes that consumers in Benin City are more responsive to beverage brands offering unique features, clear value propositions, and appealing physical attributes than to pricing strategies alone. It recommends an integrated approach to brand positioning to improve market competitiveness. The study enhances understanding of consumer behaviour in emerging markets and provides practical insights for marketing strategists in the beverage industry.

This study examined the effect of financial technology on the performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Quarterly time series data for the period 2009Q1-Q4 to 2023Q1-Q4 was generated from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and global financial index of the World Bank. The study used the ordinary least squares multivariate regression estimation method to analyze the data generated. The findings reveal that that Internet banking, ATM usage and POS terminal usage have significant impact on deposit money banks performance in Nigeria while mobile banking has no significant effect on deposit money bank performance. According to the study's findings, financial technology (FINTECH) variables play a significant role in Nigeria's deposit money bank performance. Based on the findings, the study recommends that deposit money banks should improve their security on mobile transaction and also cut down the various charges associated with mobile transaction usage in Nigeria. Also, It's also important to solve Nigeria's poor Internet access. In order to gain consumers' trust, network communications security should also be strengthened. Concerns about security when using internet banking should be addressed by banks in order to reverse the negative impact on their performance. Furthermore, deposit money banks should upgrade ATM technology to include features like cardless transactions, biometrics, and improved security measures to enhance user experience and attract more customers and with more customers using this platform it will improve the performance of deposit money banks. In addition, the adoption rate of point-of-sale (POS) terminals in Nigeria should continue to be improved so that it will continue to contribute positively to deposit money bank performance. This can be done by lowering the excessive transaction fees and making improvements to the infrastructure needed to run POS, such as network access. This will further improve the performance of banks in Nigeria.

Annona muricata (soursop) is a tropical plant widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, yet comprehensive safety data on its effects on vital organs remain limited. This research aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats weighing 180- 200g were procured from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin and maintained under standard conditions with unrestricted access to feed and water. The rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control, n=2) received pelleted feed and distilled water; Group B (n=4) was administered 250mg/kg soursop extract; Group C (n=4) received 500mg/kg; and Group D (n=4) was given 1000mg/kg extract orally via gavage for one month. Following treatment, animals were euthanized, blood samples collected for biochemical analysis, and organs harvested for histopathological examination. Results revealed no significant changes in hematological parameters, liver function tests, or reproductive hormone levels across all groups (p > 0.05). However, kidney function analysis showed significant elevation in sodium (143±3.8 mEq/L) and chloride (107.3±0.5 mEq/L) levels in the highest dose group compared to controls (p< 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture in the control group organs. Groups B and C exhibited hepatic steatosis with microvacuolar degeneration, while Group D maintained normal Liver histology. All kidney, testis, and ovary sections demonstrated preserved normal architecture across treatment groups. The findings suggest that Annona muricata leaf extract exhibits a complex dose-response relationship, with intermediate doses causing hepatic steatosis while higher doses appear protective. The preservation of reproductive organ integrity and absence of significant biochemical toxicity support the traditional use of soursop, though careful dose optimization and electrolyte monitoring are recommended for therapeutic applications.

The core of proof in criminal trials is that the accused must be proved to be the perpetrator of the crime beyond all reasonable doubt. In most cases, this is anchored on the evidence of an eye witness, however in the presence of none what becomes the fate of the victim. It appears that criminals have adopted a sophisticated scheme to commit crimes, it is therefore appropriate for our legal system to adopt a effective mechanism to ensure that crimes are proven and one way of attaining this is the use of Forensic. However the Nigerian legal system has remained redundant, primarily because criminal convictions are based on police reports, which sometimes lack credibility, as well as reliance on circumstantial evidence. This approach is a major setback to an efficient criminal justice system. The use of forensic science has been effectually deployed by other jurisdictions in combating rimes, while it is still an evolving trend in Nigeria. This study appraise the significance of forensic science in the Nigerian legal system with the aim of achieving a fair, just and robust criminal justice system that would strengthen the administration of justice in Nigeria. It also examine the relevancy and application of forensic evidence in Nigerian legal system. This study will adopted the doctrinal approach of research relying on existing principles and works of great authors and its findings will establish the essence for proper utilization of forensic science in order to restore the dignity, dependability and efficiency of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

This study investigates the impact of Social Media Marketing (SMM) on the growth of thrift vendors in Ovia North East, Edo State. The primary objective was to examine how SMM influences business promotion, customer perception, customer engagement, and sales growth among thrift vendors. A survey design was adopted, targeting thrift vendors who actively use WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. One hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed using purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings reveal that SMM significantly enhances business visibility (Mean=4.85) and customer reach. Customers hold positive perceptions of online thrift vendors (Mean=3.67), which regression analysis confirmed significantly affects business growth (p = .000). SMM strategies strongly influence customer engagement and sales growth (Grand Mean=4.46). However, vendors face challenges including poor internet access (Mean=4.48), high advertising costs (Mean=4.18), and limited digital marketing skills (Mean=3.70). The study concludes that Social Media Marketing is essential for thrift vendor growth in Ovia North East. It is recommended that government and network providers improve internet accessibility, while organizations should provide subsidized digital skills training for informal sector operators