NIL

This study examines the historical evolution and operational efficacy of Amnesty International (AI) as a pioneer in the global defense of human rights. Founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson, the organization transformed global civil society by pioneering grassroots mobilization and impartial reporting. This research investigates how AI influenced international human rights protection from its inception through 2004—a critical period marked by the Cold War, decolonization, and the post-9/11 emergence of the global War on Terror.Using a qualitative historical methodology, this study analyzes archival data, organizational reports, and external treaty evaluations to assess AI's impact across three core areas: the liberation of prisoners of conscience, the global abolition of the death penalty, and the eradication of state-sanctioned torture. The findings reveal that AI's strict adherence to political neutrality and rigorous fact-finding gave it unparalleled moral authority, enabling it to successfully pressure repressive regimes, shape international legal frameworks (including the 1984 UN Convention Against Torture), and shift global public opinion. However, the study also highlights the strategic challenges AI faced toward the end of the 20th century, particularly as it struggled to balance its traditional civil-political rights focus with emerging demands for economic, social, and cultural rights.The study concludes that between 1961 and 2004, Amnesty International served as an indispensable catalyst for the institutionalization of global human rights. Its legacy confirms that non-state actors can effectively hold sovereign states accountable, fundamentally rewriting the rules of international relations in favor of human dignity.

Background: Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) play a crucial role in physiotherapy rehabilitation by promoting recovery beyond clinical settings. Despite their proven benefits, patient adherence remains inconsistent. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and adherence to prescribed home- based exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 184 physiotherapy outpatients selected through purposive sampling, across the following units (Orthopeadics, Neurosurgery, Neuromedicine, Geriatrics and Cardiopulmonary). Data were obtained using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) and a structured Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents’ characteristics, while inferential tests (Pearson’s correlation, t-test, ANOVA) assessed relationships and differences between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 60.8 ± 21.3 years, with 95 (51.6%) females and 89 (48.4%) males. Most respondents were married (65.8%) and self-employed (46.7%). The most common conditions managed were neurological (44.6%) and musculoskeletal disorders (43.5%). The predominant home exercise prescribed was strengthening exercises (75.0%), followed by stretching (58.7%) and balance training (28.3%). Nearly all participants (97.3%) received one- on-one exercise instruction from physiotherapists. Findings showed moderate levels of knowledge, attitude, and adherence to HBEPs. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and adherence (p < 0.05), and between attitude and adherence (p < 0.05). However, age showed a significant negative correlation with adherence (r = –0.189, p = 0.01), while gender, marital status, occupation, and health condition had no significant relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adherence to home exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at UBTH was moderate and significantly influenced by patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and age. Enhancing patient education, improving motivation, and developing age-tailored intervention strategies may strengthen adherence and rehabilitation outcomes. Keywords: Home-based exercise, physiotherapy outpatients, knowledge, attitude, adherence.

This research presents a morphological analysis of noun pluralization in Nigerian Pidgin (NP), a vital and dynamic lingua franca whose core grammar remains significantly under-documented and often misunderstood.Drawing on descriptive linguistic principles, this study rigorously analyzed corpus and elicited data from University of Benin students, affirming NP’s status as a stable, highly efficient linguistic system. The analysis reveals that NP employs an economical analytical system for plurality, a distinct approach when contrasted with English inflectional morphology. Plurality is typically marked externally by prenominal quantifiers or numerals (e.g., ten egg or plenty shoe), demonstrating a rule-governed avoidance of redundant marking. Crucially, the post-nominal marker "dem" (e.g., pikin dem) has undergone complete grammaticalization and lexicalization, acting as a dedicated plural indicator, especially in definite contexts. This key structural feature reflects a deep and successful influence from local Nigerian substrate languages. Ultimately, this study concludes that the NP pluralization system is internally consistent, rule-governed, and structurally elegant. By establishing the sophisticated stability of this core nominal feature, this research significantly contributes to creole studies and offers compelling evidence that NP is a language optimally designed for clarity and effective communication.

Background/Purpose of Study: High-heeled shoes are widely used among females for aesthetic, social, and cultural reasons. However, empirical studies examining the effects of high- heeled shoes on biomechanical alterations and energy expenditure of different body somatotypes are scarce. Aim: The study investigated the effect of 3-inch high-heeled shoe on selected biomechanical parameters (lumbar flexibility (LF), quadriceps angle (QA), limb length discrepancy (LLD), quadriceps muscle length (QL) and gastrocnemius muscle length (GL) and aerobic capacity (total lap covered (TLC), oxygen saturation rate (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR)) in female undergraduate's body somatotypes (ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph) in the University of Benin. Method: A single-blind randomized controlled trial of 75 female undergraduates recruited through consecutive sampling and blocked randomized into ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph using Sheldon’s body types classification questionnaire. Participants biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) were measured using standardized procedures. Aerobic capacity of TLC was assessed using the 6-minute walk test, while SBP, DBP, SPO2 and PR were measured using Omron digital blood pressure. All measurements of biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of participants were taken under two footwear conditions: normal heel and 3-inch high-heeled shoes. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were used to summarise data. Inferential statistics of Wilcoxon’s test, paired t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney-U, ANOVA were used to analyse data at p<0.05. Results: Biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) and aerobic capacity of TLC were significantly (p<0.001) reduced following the application of 3-inch heel shoe in the three body types, whereas aerobic capacity of SBP, PR, and SPO2 were significantly (p<0.001) increased. Only DBP of mesomorph was significantly (p<0.001) increased. Conclusion: This study indicates that 3-inch high-heeled shoe has significant effects on biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of female undergraduate’s body somatotype. Keywords: High-heeled shoes, biomechanical parameters, aerobic capacity, body somatotypes, female undergraduates

This study examined the influence of social media on the income structure of Small Businesses (SMEs) in Ekehuan campus, Benin City, Nigeria. The research focused on which social media platforms are most effective in influencing SMEs income structure, the shift from traditional sales channel to social media driven streams, how it is used to expand businesses, the challenges faced, and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges. A total of 109 respondents participated in the study. The findings revealed that social media has become a critical tool for SMEs in Ekehuan Campus with platforms such as WhatsApp Business, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram being the most preferred for business activities. A great number of respondents use social media daily or weekly to generate sales, customer engagement and create brand awareness all which contribute to expanding the business and making it known. Based on the findings, it is evident that social media plays a vital role in the growth and development of small businesses in Ekehuan campus. It serves as a powerful platform for engaging with customers, expanding market reach, and improving brand visibility. These benefits have enabled businesses to enhance their Marketing efforts, foster customer relationships, and achieve better competitive positioning in the market. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including time constraints, High advertising cost, difficulty in measuring ROI and lack of technical skills in managing social media activities.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of selected aromatic pepper spices on the organoleptic and microbial qualities of oven-dried Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) fillets stored at ambient temperature. Fresh fillets were seasoned with 2% (w/w)
of three different pepper spices Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum chinense), Cayenne (Capsicum annuum), and Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and compared with not spiced (control) samples. The spiced and not-spiced fillets were oven-dried at 100°C for 5 ours, packaged in sterile ziploc bags, and stored at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C) for 14 days. Microbiological, and sensory analyses were conducted at 7-day intervals to assess changes during storage. Results revealed that the spice treatments and storage durations significantly (P < 0.05) affected the sensory and microbial qualities of the fish samples. On Day 1, all samples exhibited high sensory ratings across appearance, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability (3.8 – 4.6), but these values declined progressively by Day 14. Cayenne and Bell Peppertreated samples retained relatively higher flavour and acceptability scores than Scotch Bonnet and the control, suggesting mild preservative or antioxidant effects. Microbial counts increased with storage time, with bacterial loads ranging from 7.0 × 10⁻³ cfu/g in Bell Pepper-treated samples to 240.0 × 10⁻³ cfu/g in Cayenne-treated fillets samples after
14 days. Proteus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus sp. were among the predominant bacterial isolates, while Aspergillus flavus, Mucor sp., and Penicillium species were the most common detected fungi. Ultimately, bell Pepper proved to be the most effective in inhibiting microbial proliferation and maintaining product acceptability

This study examines the institutional influence of the Edo State Council for Arts and Culture (ESCAC) on contemporary festival programming in Edo State, Nigeria. The research focuses on how administrative structures, funding systems, and decision-making processes shape the organization, content, and resentation of cultural festivals. The study adopts a qualitativeresearch design, combining ethnography and case study approaches. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and document analysis. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants with relevant experience in festival organization and cultural administration. Findings reveal that festival programming within ESCAC is characterized by centralized decision-making, with limited participation from community stakeholders and traditional authorities. Funding allocation is uneven and often prioritizes festivals with higher visibility and economic potential, particularly in urban areas. Corporate sponsorship plays a significant role in shaping festival content, introducing commercial elements that influence performance structure, costume design, and overall presentation. The study also identifies significant transformations in cultural expression, including the modification of traditional performances and the reduction of ritual elements. While institutional involvement enhances organization, funding, and visibility, it also raises concerns about cultural authenticity and community ownership. The findings further highlight challenges related to youth engagement, infrastructure, and audience participation. The study concludes that institutional intervention has both positive and negative implications for festival sustainability. It recommends a more inclusive and transparent framework that integrates community participation, protects cultural integrity, and balances economic objectives with cultural preservation.

Cette étude se justifie par plusieurs aspects qui soulignent son importance et sa pertinence. Sur le plan éducatif, elle permet de mieux comprendre comment un outil aussi omniprésent que les réseaux sociaux peut influencer l’enseignement et l’apprentissage de la littérature française. Sur le plan pédagogique, elle offre aux enseignants des pistes de réflexion et des orientations pratiques pour intégrer efficacement ces plateformes dans leurs méthodes d’enseignement. Elle présente également un enjeu socioculturel, puisqu’elle contribue à la préservation et à la valorisation de la littérature française dans un contexte marqué par la domination du numérique. Enfin, la pertinence de cette recherche est renforcée par l’actualité du sujet : les réseaux sociaux étant désormais partie intégrante de la vie quotidienne des étudiants, il devient indispensable de réfléchir à leur usage éducatif et à leurs implications pour l’apprentissage littéraire.

Urbanization and population growth are two of the most significant drivers of waste generation globally. As people continue to move into cities and urban centers expand, the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) being produced increases drastically. This waste includes everything from household garbage and food scraps to plastics, paper, textiles, and packaging materials. In many developing countries, waste management remains a critical challenge, as infrastructure development and policy implementation have not kept pace with the rate of waste production. As a result, open dumping, burning, and poorly managed landfills are still commonly used as disposal methods.

This project delves into the rich cultural influences that shape the artistic expressions of Pius Waritimi, a prominent sculptor from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Waritimi, often referred to as "The Master Carver of the Niger Delta," has made significant contributions to the field of sculpture, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. This exploration focuses on seven of his notable works, each reflecting distinct cultural narratives and artistic philosophies.As an academic, Waritimi has influenced a generation of artists, integrating cultural narratives into art education, thereby ensuring the continuity of cultural practices. The first chapter talks about the background, statement of problem, research problem, aims and objectives and the scope of the study. The second is a review of literature text of Waritimi. The methodology used in this research project which was a one-on-one interaction with artist Waritimi as regards to his works. The findings talks about exposition of some of his works such as; The Fisherman's Palour, Executive Stool, (S)hell, The Lumbering Man, Traditional War Canoe, Traditional Couple and The Seat of Activism. Conclusively, through this exploration, the project aims to illuminate how Waritimi's works not only serve as artistic expressions but also as cultural commentaries that engage with themes of identity, tradition, and innovation. By analyzing these seven works, the study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of cultural influences in shaping contemporary African art