Edo State, Nigeria

Youth participation in politics remains pivotal in the sustenance of a nation’s democracy. Participation not only ensures that the government performs its duties, but also guarantees the rights of ordinary people to participate in their community development. Activities such as voting in an election, sponsoring a candidate, petitioning or participating in a protest are forms of political participationthat
influence public policy directly or indirectly through affecting the selection process of those who govern the people. The study attempted to examine the impacts of the youths on the democratic process in Edo State: A case study of the 2023 general elections. The study interrogated the following research questions: What was the level of the youths’ turnout during the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the different ways the youths participated in the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the youths’ patterns of voting in the 2023 general elections in Edo State?Did the youths indulge in electoral violence in the 2023 general election in Edo State? In what ways can youth political participation and the democratic process in Edo State and Nigeria be improved? Theoretically, the study utilized the system theory to explain youth political participation and the democratic process in Edo State during the2023general election. Methodologically, the study surveyed 392 respondents inOredoLocal Government Area through a structured questionnaire. The study madethefollowing key findings. The first finding was that there was massive youths’ turnout
during the general election in Edo State. The second finding was that the youthsparticipated in the elections by joining the INEC team as ad hoc staff, sensitizingthepeople on how to locate their voting centers and ways to vote in the electionandcampaigning for their preferred candidates. The third finding shows the patterns forwhich the youths voted during the 2023 general elections in Edo State. In that order, the pattern were voting to safeguard the future of Edo State and Nigeria’s democracy as well as foster national development, voting based on religion, personality of the candidates, ethnicity and political party. The last finding shows that the youths were also involved in various forms of electoral violence such as voter inducement, ballot box snatching and thuggery. The study therefore recommends that the government should create an enabling environment that can stimulate youths’ participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, implement the various policies such as ‘Not Too Young to Run’, and speedily implemented, need for proper sensitization of the Nigerian youths on the need to participate in politics and criminal elements are not good for the growth and development of any country

This study investigated the chemical composition of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) essential oils collected from Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Ovia-North East Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to comparatively evaluate the bioactive constituents and determine variations in phytochemical profiles that influence the plant’s medicinal and industrial applications. Essential oils were extracted using Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane and analyzed by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC – MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The GC–MS results revealed a complex mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenoids, phenolics, long-chain alkanes, fatty acids, esters, and sterols. Major bioactive compounds identified included thymol, caryophyllene oxide, o-cymene, neophytadiene, phytol, and squalene, with thymol emerging as the dominant bioactive constituent. Among the samples, Oredo extract showed higher concentrations of oxygenated terpenes and hydrocarbons, indicating stronger antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, while Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia-North samples exhibited broader chemical diversity. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C = O), and carbon – carbon double bonds(C = C), characteristic of phenolics, terpenoids, and aromatic compounds. These findings validate the therapeutic and aromatic relevance of O. gratissimum, highlighting its potential applications in medicine, cosmetics, and food industries. The study concludes that environmental and geographical factors significantly influence the chemical variability and quality of O. gratissimum essential

This examined the Work- Life Balance and Teachers’ Effectiveness In Private Primary Schools In Oredo Lga Of Edo State, Nigeria, Six research questions were raised to guide this study.The population of the study consist of all eighty-six (86) teachers from the 25 private primary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size selected for this study is 80 teachers from the total population, this was selected using simple random sampling technique.The following findings of the study revealed that; Teachers who reported heavy workloads, particularly extended teaching hours and administrative duties, expressed difficulty in effectively managing their professional responsibilities. This affected their teaching quality, including lesson preparation, student engagement, and individual attention. Many teachers found it hard to balance work with personal life, leading to burnout and decreased performance. Schools that offered organizational support, such as flexible working hours, reduced administrative burden, andsufficient planning time, saw an increase in teacher effectiveness. Teachers in such environments exhibited higher job satisfaction, engagement, and a more positive approach to their roles. The following recommendations were made;Private primary schools should develop and implement formal work-life balance policies (including flexiblescheduling, manageable non-teaching duties,and clear boundaries for after-hours tasks) to enhance teachereffectiveness.School administrators should monitor and regulate teachers’ workload (teaching hours, administrative responsibilities,extra-curricular duties) to ensure that these do not encroach excessively on preparation time, rest,or personal life

Cassava production remains a major livelihood activity and an important contributor to food security in Nigeria. However, farmers in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State face several production challenges that affect their efficiency and profitability. This study assessed the farm-level efficiency of cassava production in the area, focusing on the socio economic characteristics of farmers, cost and returns, technical efficiency, and major production constraints. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 cassava farmers from six purposively chosen communities. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and percentages), gross margin analysis to determine profitability, a stochastic frontier production function to estimate technical efficiency, and a Likert scale to identify production constraints. The results showed that cassava farming is dominated by middle-aged, active farmers, with 74.17% being male and a mean age of 41 years.Most respondents were married (58.33%) and had moderate to high education levels, with
37.50% possessing OND/NCE qualifications. The farmers had an average of 13 years of farming experience, and 52.10% had household sizes of 1–5 persons. The cost and returns analysis revealed that cassava production is profitable, with a total revenue of ₦1,884,166.67 and a total variable cost of ₦1,022,710.51, resulting in a gross margin of ₦861,456.16. The stochastic
frontier model indicated that farmers operated at a mean technical efficiency of 0.68, suggesting that they achieved only 68% of their potential output and could increase productivity by 32% without increasing input levels. The distribution of technical efficiency scores showed that 40% of farmers fell within the 0.51–0.70 range, 37.5% between 0.71–0.90, while only 3.33% attainednear-optimal efficiency (0.91–1.0). Farmers also faced several constraints, with unpredictable input prices (mean = 3.02), pest and disease outbreaks (mean = 2.95), and lack of mechanized equipment (mean = 2.79) emerging as the most severe challenges. The study concludes that cassava farming in Uhunmwonde LGA is profitable yet constrained by inefficiencies and
production challenges. It recommends increasing extension contact, strengthening access to subsidized inputs, and establishing community-level mechanization hubs to improve efficiency and enhance cassava productivity in the area