EVALUATING

This study examines the degree to which digital identity systems have enhanced access to public services in Nigeria. In recent years, initiatives such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and digital voter registration platforms have been introduced to improve identification, reduce fraud, and streamline service delivery. Despite these developments, many Nigerians still experience delays, verification challenges, and limited access to essential services. This study, therefore, investigates the level of awareness, usage, benefits, and challenges associated with digital identity systems. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured
questionnaire administered to 100 respondents across different sectors, including banking, education, health, and government services. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics
such as frequency and percentage distribution. The findings revealed that a majority of respondents have registered for at least one digital identity and frequently use it for accessing services such as account verification, SIM registration, and online transactions. The results further show that digital identity has improved service delivery by reducing manual processes, enhancing security, and increasing convenience. However, challenges such as network failures, long enrollment queues, data errors, and system downtime still limit efficiency. The study concludes that digital identity systems play a significant role in improving access to public services, but greater investment in infrastructure, public awareness, and system integration is required. It recommends improved government funding, periodic system upgrades, and better data management policies to enhance effectiveness and public trust.

Stimulants are a major constituent of psychoactive substances. They cause several untoward effects; including academic difficulty which can lead to untoward consequences for students. The understanding of the knowledge and pattern of use of stimulant will help in its prevention and control. Thus, this study intended to investigate theknowledge and practice and current prevalence rates of stimulant use, using the undergraduate students in the university of Benin as case study, age and gender of students as well monthly income and how they got to know about stimulants, specific type of stimulant used and reason for using stimulants. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic variables and the stimulant knowledge section, benefits, health effects and effects section of questionnaire for Student Drug Use Survey. It was administered on 100 undergraduate students of University of Benin selected by random technique. The current prevalence rates of stimulant use were 61%, 54% and 50% respectively for the use caffeine, alcohol and cannabis. The majority (77%) of our respondents were in the age range of 21-25. Only 2% of our respondents were married. Therefore, efforts at curtailing the use of stimulants must start early; incorporating such strategy into primary school curriculum will be worthwhile. There is need to focus more on common stimulants like coffee, Kola nut, caffeinated energy drinks. Students need to study without using stimulants.

Tight reservoirs contain a large amount of hydrocarbon resources, but producing oil from them is often difficult because of their very low permeability and complex pore structure. Conventional water flooding is commonly used to maintain reservoir pressure and displace oil; however, in tight formations it usually results in low oil recovery due to restricted fluid flow and strong capillary forces. Because of this limitation, there is growing interest in improved water flooding techniques such as smart water injection. This study evaluates the impact of smart water injection on oil recovery in a tight sandstone reservoir using numerical reservoir simulation. A synthetic reservoir model representing a typical tight sandstone formation in the Niger Delta was developed using the Computer Modelling Group (CMG) GEM simulator. Two injection scenarios were considered under the same reservoir conditions: conventional high-salinity water flooding and low-salinity smart water flooding. The smart water case involved reducing the salinity of the injected brine in order to examine its effect on oil displacement and reservoir performance. The performance of both injection strategies was analyzed by comparing cumulative oil production, oil recovery factor, water cut, and reservoir pressure over a production period of 45 years. The simulation results show that smart water injection produced a slightly higher oil recovery compared to conventional high-salinity flooding and also delayed the increase in water cut. However, the overall improvement in recovery was relatively small because fluid movement and ion transport are limited in tight sandstone formations. The results suggest that although smart water injection can improve oil recovery to some extent in tight reservoirs, its effectiveness may be limited when used alone. Combining smart water flooding with other enhanced oil recovery methods may provide better production performance in tight formations.

Infrastructure in the Merriam Webster Dictionary is conceptualized as the resources (personnel, building and equipment) required for an activity. Majority of persons have
the view that infrastructure just pertains to the school building, the architectural monument or aesthetic beauties of the school building itself. But from the Dictionary definition, it is viewed that even human resources and school facilities (audio-visual aids, school computers, laboratory, library, etc.) are all school infrastructures. The local government is the closest tier of government to the people and one of man’s earliest political institutions. The earliest form of local government existed in the form of clan and village meetings. In fact, democracy itself originated and developed along the lines of local governance initiatives in Africa and particularly in Nigeria. Though there have been changes in name, structure and composition, the system has been in operation differently all over the country (Agagu, 2004). With the advent of independence in 1960, local government in Nigeria became a de facto agent of administrating communities infrastructure and programmes at the local level (Diejomaoh & Eboh, 2010). Local government provides an existing frame work not only for decision making with respect to community, but also for coordinating assistance from other tiers of government, especially the central government (state or federal) and even from other agencies. Local government and infrastructural development are two closely related concepts. They are both primarily concerned with the development of local area. However, over the years the two concepts have been institutionally separated. One of the aims of the 1976 Local Government reform sponsored by the federal Military Government was to integrate community development into local government. The status of community development in Nigeria presently and its relationship to national development remain a serious subject for debate. The local government as the third tier of government in the Nigeria federal scheme is crucial to national development. One major objective of the local government 9 is to mobilize human and material resources towards the infrastructural development of the rural communities. It plays various significant roles in rural development and the execution of national policies, plans and programmers at thelocal communities

Background:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques, a process largely influenced by the activity of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1). Current therapeutic options are mainly symptomatic and do not alter the course of the disease, highlighting the need for treatments that can target its underlying pathology. Protease inhibitors have therefore emerged as promising candidates for modulating this key pathological mechanism.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of the protease inhibitor Ritonavir on BACE-1 gene expression, cognitive performance, and depression-like behaviours in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease induced by aluminium chloride (AlCl₃). Methods: Fifty-six Swiss albino mice were allocated into seven groups: a control group, three groups treated with Ritonavir at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, an AlCl₃-induced Alzheimer’s model group, and two positive control groups administered Donepezil (5 mg/kg) and Ascorbic Acid (100 mg/kg). After 28 days of treatment, molecular analysis was carried out to quantify BACE-1 gene expression. Cognitive function and depression-related behaviours were assessed using the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test and the Tail Suspension Test (TST), respectively.
Results: The high dose of Ritonavir (400 mg/kg) significantly suppressed AlCl₃-induced BACE-1 gene overexpression, demonstrating efficacy comparable to the positive controls. However, this robust molecular effect did not translate into significant improvements in the behavioural assays. No significant differences were observed in the NOR test discrimination index or in the immobility duration during the TST across all treatment groups. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Ritonavir is effective in normalizing BACE-1 gene expression at a high dose, indicating potential disease-modifying properties at the molecular level. However, its inability to reverse cognitive deficits or depression-like behaviour in this model suggests that BACE-1 inhibition alone may be insufficient for comprehensive functional recovery. Further investigation in chronic models and exploration of combination therapies is warranted.

This study examines the impact of inflation on Nigerians' standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration (2023–2024). Inflation has significantly affected purchasing power, food security, income inequality, unemployment, and access to social welfare services such as healthcare and education. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 127 respondents through a structured
questionnaire. The findings reveal that inflation has reduced household purchasing power, increased food insecurity, widened income inequality, and contributed to rising unemployment. Additionally, inflation has negatively impacted access to quality healthcare and education, as many households struggle to afford these essential services. Despite government efforts, existing policies have been largely ineffective in mitigating the effects of inflation. To address these challenges, the study recommends stronger monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize prices, targeted interventions to improve food security, wage and tax reforms to reduce income inequality, job creation initiatives to support small businesses, and increased investment in social welfare services. Implementing these measures can help reduce inflation's adverse effects, stabilize the economy, and improve the standard of living for Nigerians