NIN

This research project explores the complex relationship between old cultural ways and new Western influences in Adetutu Adeyeye’s contemporary novel, Sacrilege. While many African stories focus on how tradition was destroyed by colonialism in the past, this study looks at how these two forces tradition and modernity clash in present day Nigeria. Adeyeye does not choose one side over the other. Instead, he "interrogates" or questions both. The study argues that the novel encourages contemporary Africans to find a "hybrid" identity a middle ground that keeps the best parts of their culture while using the helpful parts of modern progress.

The study investigated democratic institutions and national development in Nigeria with Edo State as the focal point. The persistent challenge of weak institutional frameworks, corruption, and governance deficits continues to undermine Nigeria’s democratic
consolidation and developmental progress. As a result, key institutions such as the legislature, judiciary, and electoral bodies often struggle to fulfil their mandates effectively, thereby limiting their ability to drive socio-economic and political development in the country. Pertinent questions were raised such as, how have democratic institutions contributed to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria since the return to democratic rule? to give the research a focus. The study adopted descriptive research survey design to address issue in the subject matter. The sample size was made up of 100 respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study was anchored on the Modernization Theory, which emphasizes the role of stable, transparent, and accountable institutions in sustaining democracy and national development. The study revealed that democratic institutions have contributed to Nigeria’s socio- economic and political development since the return to democratic governance, particularly through law-making, electoral reforms, and the promotion of civic
participation. However, the findings equally showed that the influence of these institutions on good governance, transparency, and accountability remains limited due to political interference, corruption, inadequate funding, and poor institutional capacity. The study concluded that strengthening democratic institutions is essential for enhancing national development in Nigeria. Reforms such as improved institutional autonomy, stronger anti-corruption mechanisms, adequate funding, capacity building, and the
enforcement of constitutional provisions were identified as necessary for revitalising democratic institutions. The study recommended, among others, that government at all levels should priorities institutional reforms, promote transparency, and ensure strict
adherence to democratic principles to achieve sustainable national development in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

The increasing global demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources has intensified research into bioethanol production from non-food lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigates the production of bioethanol from oil palm trunk (OPT), an abundant agricultural residue generated during replanting cycles in oil palm plantations in Nigeria, to optimize pretreatment and fermentation conditions to maximize fermentable sugar yield and ethanol production efficiency.
Oil palm trunk samples were collected from Idogbo, Benin City, Nigeria, and processed through size reduction, drying, and sieving to a 500 µm particle size. Chemical composition analysis confirmed that OPT contains 29 to 45% cellulose, 12 to 29% hemicellulose, and 18 to 23% lignin, validating its suitability as a second-generation bioethanol feedstock. Pretreatment was carried out using dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at a concentration of 20% to disrupt the lignocellulosic matrix and enhance cellulose accessibility for enzymatic hydrolysis. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize three key pretreatment variables, namely acid concentration (1 to 6%), reaction time (10 to 120 minutes), and temperature (30 to 120°C), with fermentable sugar yield as the response variable. A total of 17 experimental runs were conducted, and the results were fitted to a quadratic model. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the statistical significance of the model, with an F-value
of 115.99 and a p-value of less than 0.0001. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy,
with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9933, an Adjusted R² of 0.9848, and an Adequate Precision ratio of 28.27, confirming a strong signal-to-noise ratio and reliable navigability of the design space. Acid concentration (A), reaction time (B), temperature (C), their interaction terms (AB and BC), and quadratic terms (A², B², and C²) were all identified as statistically significant factors influencing sugar yield (p less than 0.05).
The optimum pretreatment condition was established at an acid concentration of 3.5%, a temperature of 120°C, and a reaction time of 120 minutes, yielding a maximum fermentable sugar concentration of 553.54 mg/g. Three-dimensional response surface plots demonstrated that sugar yield increased progressively with moderate acid concentration and rising temperature, but declined at extreme values due to thermal and acid-induced sugar degradation and the formation of inhibitory compounds, including furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated OPT biomass was performed using commercial cellulase enzymes, followed by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fermentation performance was monitored over four days using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method at 610nm. Sugar concentration decreased progressively from 3.8 mg/g on day one to 0.405 mg/g by day four, confirming active microbial metabolism and efficient conversion of released fermentable sugars into ethanol.
The findings of this study demonstrate that oil palm trunk is a technically viable and sustainable lignocellulosic feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production. The optimized pretreatment conditions effectively balanced lignin disruption and cellulose preservation, maximizing sugar recovery while minimizing inhibitor formation. The results support the potential of OPT waste valorization as a pathway toward renewable energy generation, reduced agricultural waste burden, and enhanced energy security in palm oil-producing regions of Nigeria. Future work
should focus on co-culture fermentation systems capable of utilizing both hexose and pentose sugars, detailed techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment to establish the commercial and environmental viability of large-scale OPT-based bioethanol production.

Urban vegetable cultivation in Benin Metropolis contributes significantly to household nutrition but faces contamination risks from heavy metals. This study assessed heavy metal concentrations in vegetables grown in polluted areas (Ibiwe axis) and less contaminated zones (Oko community). A comparative cross-sectional design was adopted, and samples of Talinum triangulare (water leaf), Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) and
Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin leaf) were collected from dumpsites, mechanic workshops and residential gardens. Following acid digestion, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Independent sample t-tests (p < 0.05) showed significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Zn and Ni in vegetables from polluted sites. For instance, Cd in water leaf was 0.017 ± 0.001 mg/kg in
polluted sites compared with 0.004 ± 0.001 mg/kg in cleaner areas, while Zn in scent leaf reached 0.080 ± 0.001 mg/kg against 0.002 ± 0.001 mg/kg. Bitter leaf showed the highest accumulation across all metals, particularly Ni (p = 0.001). Although overall concentrations were below WHO/FAO limits, polluted-site vegetables contained 4–40 times more metals than those from unpolluted zones. These findings highlight that cultivation location strongly influences
metal accumulation and emphasize the need for stricter environmental controls and regular
monitoring to safeguard public health.

This project presents the design and development of a web-based portfolio site offering software solutions. The system was conceived to provide a professional online platform for individuals or organizations to showcase their technical expertise, previous projects, and range of offered services. The growing dependence on digital platforms for business visibility has made online portfolios a vital tool for branding and client engagement. The project was implemented using a combination of front-end technologies — HTML for content structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactivity — while Django, a
Python-based web framework, was employed for back-end development and server-side processing. PostgreSQL was used as the database management system to ensure reliable data storage and retrieval.
The website features multiple modules, including a landing page, services page, about page, contact form, and an administrative dashboard for managing content. Additional functionalities such as user authentication, task management for the development team, and an integrated payment system were incorporated to extend the platform’s usability for both clients and administrators. The system was tested manually to ensure that all modules functioned according to specification, and results confirmed efficient performance, responsiveness, and ease of navigation. Overall, the project successfully demonstrates the application of modern web technologies in developing an interactive and dynamic portfolio website capable of promoting professional services online. It provides a scalable foundation that can be
extended in the future to include advanced content management, analytics integration, and broader service offerings.
Keywords: Portfolio Website, Django, Web Development, Software Solutions, Database
Management, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PostgreSQL.

Academic-related musculoskeletal disorders (ARMSDs) are increasingly common among university students due to prolonged sitting, poor posture, and
extended study hours. This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of ARMSDs among undergraduates, with a focus on ergonomic behavior, academic workload, and demographic characteristics. A descriptive cross- sectional research design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to undergraduates. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the prevalence and patterns of ARMSDs, while Chi- square tests and Binary Logistic Regression were employed to identify significant associations and predictors of ARMSDs. Results: Findings revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, especially in the neck, lower back, and shoulders. The Chi-square analysis showed that academic workload and academic level were significantly associated with ARMSDs (p < 0.001), while gender and ergonomic behavior were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The Binary Logistic Regression model further identified academic level as the only significant predictor of ARMSDs (B = 0.006, p = 0.001, Exp(B) = 1.006), The model explained approximately 6.9% of the variance in ARMSDs (Nagelkerke R² = 0.069). Conclusion: The study concludes that academic workload and progression are major contributors to the development of ARMSDs among undergraduates. These findings underscore the cumulative effects of academic stress, prolonged study duration, and suboptimal posture on students’ musculoskeletal health. iii
Keywords: Academic-related musculoskeletal disorders, undergraduates, ergonomic behavior, academic workload, Chi-square analysis.

This study integrates sedimentological, mineralogical, and palynological analyses to evaluate the depositional environments and hydrocarbon potential of the XY Well in the Niger Delta Basin. The well penetrates the Agbada Formation, which forms part of the paralic sequence of the Niger Delta. A total of 190 ditch cutting samples were analyzed using standard sedimentological and palynological procedures to determine their lithological composition, textural characteristics, mineral assemblages, and fossil content. The lithological succession consists predominantly of alternating sandstone, shale, sandy shale, and clayey sand units typical of deltaic successions.
Mineralogical studies revealed quartz, pyrite, glauconite, iron oxide, mica, and carbonate minerals, suggesting mixed continental and marine influences, moderate diagenetic alteration, and cyclic depositional energy conditions. The sand units are moderately to well sorted, subrounded to rounded, and interpreted as potential reservoir facies, whereas the shales serve as potential source and seal rocks. Palynological analysis yielded 964 palynomorphs comprising 496 pollen grains, 458 spores, and 10 dinoflagellate cysts. Diagnostic taxa such as Praedapollis africanus, Peregrinipollis nigericus, and Retibrevitricol porites obodoensis enabled the
establishment of three biostratigraphic zones (P620, P580, and P560) corresponding to the Miocene age. Thirteen informal palynological zones were also recognized, reflecting alternating terrestrial, marginal marine, and shallow marine environments. Integration of the sedimentological and palynological results indicates a regressive–transgressive depositional cycle characteristic of a prograding delta system comprising delta plain, delta front, and prodelta
facies. The study concludes that the Agbada ormation penetrated by the XY Well exhibits favorable reservoir and source rock characteristics, confirming its significance in the hydrocarbon system of the Greater Ughelli Depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin.

This study examines the impact of recruitment processes on organisational effectiveness and employee productivity in Nigerian private and public sector organizations. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 respondents, achieving a
100% response rate. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0, employing descriptive statistics and regression analysis to test the research hypotheses. The findings reveal a significant difference in recruitment procedures between private and public sector organisations (p-value = 0.001 < 0.05). Additionally, the study establishes a significant correlation between recruitment processes and organisational effectiveness with an R-square value 0.343, indicating that recruitment processes explain approximately 34.3% of variations in organisational effectiveness. Furthermore, the study confirms that recruitment procedures significantly influence employee productivity, with an R-square value of 0.520 and a p-value of 0.000. Based on these findings, the study recommends that organisations adopt structured and
transparent recruitment strategies to enhance efficiency and productivity. Implementing robust recruitment policies that align with organisational goals can improve employee performance and overall effectiveness. Future research should explore additional factors influencing recruitment effectiveness across various industries.

Background: Workflow efficiency is critical to the quality and timeliness of radiological services. In many healthcare institutions, inefficiencies such as staff shortages, equipment downtime, and poor coordination negatively impact productivity and patient satisfaction. Optimizing workflow ensures better service delivery, faster turnaround times, and improved staff performance.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate workflow optimization and efficiency in the Radiology Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), identifying the major factors affecting workflow and assessing how existing work processes and staff interactions influence
efficiency.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Structured questionnaires
were administered to 41 respondents (radiographers and radiology staffs) at UBTH. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: The findings revealed that 60% of respondents perceived the departmental workflow as moderately efficient, while 26% rated it as highly efficient and 14% considered it inefficient. Major factors affecting workflow included equipment breakdown (72%), inadequate staffing
(68%), and delayed report generation (64%). Conversely, 74% of participants agreed that teamwork and proper task coordination improved workflow, and 70% affirmed that the use of digital imaging systems enhanced overall efficiency.
Conclusion: Workflow efficiency in radiology can be enhanced through improved communication, staff training, adequate resource allocation, and the adoption of automation and digital technologies. Regular workflow evaluations and continuous quality improvement
initiatives are essential for sustaining efficiency in radiological services.
Keywords: Workflow Optimization, Efficiency, Radiology Department,

This study compares the production life expectancy of vertical and horizontal wells drilled near sealing boundaries in petroleum reservoirs. Sealing boundaries such as impermeable faults restrict fluid flow and reduce pressure support, significantly affecting well performance and project economics. Analytical modeling based on the radial diffusivity equation and
image well theory was used to calculate pressure decline for both well configurations. Excel- based calculations determined flowing bottom hole pressure over time under identical reservoir conditions (permeability = 27 md, porosity = 0.27, initial pressure = 3,000 psi). Vertical wells were analyzed at five distances from the boundary (24–115 ft), while
horizontal wells were evaluated at five different lateral lengths (20–120 ft). Results showed that horizontal wells dramatically outperform vertical wells near sealing boundaries. The best vertical well (115 ft from boundary) maintained economic production for approximately 200 hours, while the optimal horizontal well (120 ft lateral) produced for about 12,000 hours—a 60-fold improvement. Even moderate horizontal wells (90 ft) exceeded the best vertical well performance by 65%. Key findings include: (1) horizontal wells maintain pressure substantially longer due to
extended reservoir contact; (2) a minimum horizontal length of 90 ft is required for meaningful performance benefits; (3) vertical wells closer than 50 ft from boundaries fail within 30–45 hours; and (4) despite higher drilling costs, horizontal wells provide 20–60 times longer production life, delivering superior economic returns.