Edo State

The study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics on business performance. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of entrepreneurial competency, innovation and skill acquisition on business performance, also to identify the factors affecting entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research was used for the study. The population of the study was 430 entrepreneurs and the sample was 86 entrepreneurs within the University of Benin community. Data was collected through the use of a well-structured questionnaire and the copies were administered, collected and analyzed. Mean was
used for the data analysis. The findings revealed that entrepreneurial competency, innovation and skill acquisition influence business performance. The study recommends amongst others that on-the-job trainings and conferences should be encouraged in firms to increase
entrepreneurs’ competency and competitive strategies, practical entrepreneurship approach should be adopted in teaching entrepreneurship in schools, also infrastructures such as electricity, good roads, should be put in good shape to ensure the survival of business enterprise and the creation of new business venture.

All living things need water and rivers constitute one of the most important sources of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. This study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties and prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in Ogbese River, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. Water samples (twenty-four) were collected from 12 stations at Ogbese Town, and another 12 stations at Olumoye towns along Ogbese river course during the months of June to December, 2018 and February 2019. Bacteriological analysis involving membrane filtration and multiple tube fermentation techniques were employed to isolate bacterial pathogens. Extraction of genomic DNA, amplification, sequencing and blasting were used to identify bacterial isolates. Antibiogram and curing of bacterial isolates were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Hemolysin production, serum resistance, Sereny test, Ileal loop assay and suckling mouse tests were carried out on the bacterial isolates. The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals analyses were evaluated using standard methods for water quality. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and unpaired Student’s t test.

Crime appears to be a permanent feature of modern society (Shehu, 2014). Despite efforts of criminologist, law enforcement agency, personal and criminal justice professionals to minimise it, the world is becoming a more terrible place. Where crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, robbery, assault, sex offences, child molestation, burglary, environmental crime, arson (crimes without a victim), economic crime, political crime and cybercrime are the order of the day (Igba, Chimezie, Aja, Nnamani, Ogodo, 2018). Crime appears to be a permanent feature of modern society. Despite efforts of social workers, law enforcement agency, personal and criminal justice professionals to minimise it, the world is becoming a more terrible place. Where crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, robbery, assault, sex offences, child molestation, burglary, environmental crime, arson are crimes without a victim, economic crime, political crime and cybercrime are the order of the day

The study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics on business performance. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of entrepreneurial competency, innovation and skill acquisition on business performance, also to identify the factors affecting entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research was used for the study. The population of the study was 430 entrepreneurs and the sample was 86 entrepreneurs within the University of Benin community. Data was collected through the use of a well-structured questionnaire and the copies were administered, collected and analyzed. Mean was used for the data analysis. The findings revealed that entrepreneurial competency, innovation and skill acquisition influence business performance. The study recommends amongst others that on-the-job trainings and conferences should be encouraged in firms to increase entrepreneurs’ competency and competitive strategies, practical entrepreneurship approach should be adopted in teaching entrepreneurship in schools, also infrastructures such as electricity, good roads, should be put in good shape to ensure the survival of business enterprise and the creation of new business venture.

This study investigated “Fertility Behaviour in Egor Local Government Area of Benin city, Edo State”. The main purpose of this study is to describe and create an understanding of the fertility behaviour which is predetermines the fertility patterns, and is in turn determined by fertility expectations of “fertility actors” in Egor Local Government Area. Fertility behaviour is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon influenced by a range of individual, social, and cultural factors. In developed countries, fertility rates have been declining for decades and are now below replacement levels in many cases. This review examines the determinants of fertility behaviour in developed countries, including economic, demographic, and attitudinal factors. The role of women's education and employment, family policies, and individual attitudes towards childbearing are particularly highlighted. Overall, this review highlights the need for a multidimensional approach to understanding fertility behaviour developing countries such as Nigeria and the importance of considering both structural and individual-level factors in fertility decision-making.

This study was conducted in Eruvbi stream, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria, aimed at investigating community structure of cladocerans in Eruvbi stream. The sampling period was carried out from the early dry season in march 2023 to the early rainy season period of My 2023.Three sampling stations were selected. Water samples were collected in 3 replicates monthly. Fifteen (15) Physico-chemical parameters including, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate (NO3), Suphate (SO4), Phosphate (PO4), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mn) were analyzed using standard methods. Phosphate and Nitrate were the only two Physico-chemical parameters with significant difference(p<0.05) among all the physicochemical Parameters of the stations. Seven Species were uncovered within the Eruvbi stream wiz; Alonella excise, Bosmina longirostris, Moina
micrura, Pleuroxus hamatus hamatus, Acroperus harpae and moina macrocopa, Amongst which station two results appeared to have the highest diversity and evenness, while Station 1 has the lowest diversity but relatively even distribution of species. Station 3 falls in between in terms of diversity and evenness. Thus, the findings of the research study provides crucial in understanding the health and ecological dynamics of the Ervubi stream and may have
implications for conservation and management efforts.

This research aimed to investigate the cytomorphological aspects of Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand & H, Durand and Hunteria umbellata (K.Schumann) H. Hallier, both belonging to the Apocynaceae family, within Edo State. The objectives included studying cytological details, potential evolutionary rates, and distinguishing differences between the two species. Matured plant samples were collected from the University of Benin's botanic garden and various locations in Benin City. Morphological characteristics, leaf length and width, and plant height were examined. Cytological techniques involved observing meiosis in flower buds and obtaining epidermal peels for microscopic analysis. The study revealed various stomatal types and their distribution, contributing to taxonomic insights. Chromosome numbers were assessed, with 2n=22 confirmed for Picralima nitida. The chromosome count for
Hunteria umbellata couldn't be confirmed due to pollen production interference. The constancy of chromosome numbers was emphasized as a crucial species trait. Epidermal characteristics, including cuticle, shape of subsidiary cells, and stomatal wall patterns, were explored for taxonomic and systematic significance. Stomatal abnormalities, such as contiguous stomata in Hunteria umbellata, were observed, suggesting ongoing evolutionary processes.

This study examined the Influence of Financial Literacy on the Financial Behaviour of Sub-Urban Traders. It aimed to determine the extent to which being financially literate can affect the choices and decisions of sub-urban traders when it comes to dealing with finance. In line with the convention in research, five research questions were raised for
investigation on the basis of the purpose and basic assumptions of the study. The research questions are;
1. What is the level of financial literacy of sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government of Edo State?
2. What is the financial behaviour of sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government of Edo State?
3. What factors influence the financial behaviour of sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government of Edo State? 4. Is there a relationship between financial literacy and financial behaviour of sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government of Edo State? 5. Is there a difference in financial behaviour between male and female of sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government of Edo State? The design adopted for the study is the descriptive research design which provided the researcher the opportunity to conduct a general assessment of opinions, attitudes or feelings of respondents. The population was drawn from male and female sub-urban traders and in all,
250 respondents were involved. The stratified and proportionate sampling technique was used to select 125 respondents. The research instrument that was used for data collection was a questionnaire titled “Financial Literacy and Financial Behaviour Questionnaire” which was validated by the project’s supervisor and two other experts from the department of Adult and Non-Formal Education. The instrument was pilot-tested in a sample of 20 respondents who
were not part of the study sample to determine the reliability of the study. The method of data collection was through the administration of the instrument to the respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics which analyzed the hypotheses formulated. The study revealed that some sub-urban traders does not have financial literacy skill as they are not aware about savings, credits insurance, investments, etc and in return, they tend to have poor negative behaviour financially. Although, some of them make a lot of sales but it does not guarantee a balanced financial behaviour as their businesses can be at risk when issues that relates to finance arises.
Based on the findings of this research, the following conclusions were reached as yielded by the data analysed;
 There is a low level of financial literacy among sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government area of Edo State. Also, Sub-urban traders have poor financial behaviour in Ovia North east local government area of Edo State.
 The factors influencing the financial behaviour of sub-urban traders in Ovia north east local government area of Edo State are inflation and currency rates, access to current and reliable information, psychological biases such as overconfidence, and traders’ attitudes towards investments and savings. More so, there is a significant relationship between financial literacy and financial behaviours of sub-urban traders in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State.  And finally, there is no significant difference between male and female sub-urban traders in Ovia North east local government area of Edo State.