ASSESSMENT

The research project an assessment of the level of political interference in the implementation of public procurement in public institutions. The objective of this study aimed at assessing the level of political interference in the implementation of Public Procurement process, identifying other factors affecting public procurement implementation in public institutions and suggesting some possible remedies to preventing political interference in public procurement implementation in public institutions. For this study, the survey research design was adopted. The choice of the design was informed by the objectives of the study as outlined in chapter one. This research design provides a quickly efficient and accurate means of assessing information about a population of interest. The population for this study were workers in Civil Service Commission in Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 134 respondents were selected from the population figure out of which the sample size was determined. Public procurement activities suffer from neglect, lack of direction, poor co-ordination, lack of open competition and transparency, differing levels of corruption and most importantly not having a cadre of trained and qualified procurement
specialists, who are competent to conduct and manage such procurements, in a professional, timely and cost-effective manner. Inflexible and bureaucratic systems of procurement contribute to unacceptable contract delays, increased costs, the potential for manipulation of contract awards and lack of fair competition, all of which create the perception in the population at large, that public expenditure is slow, ineffective, expensive and often corrupt

Urban parks form an integral part of urban forest ecosystems, providing a wide range of ecological, socio-economic, and cultural benefits essential for human well-being and sustainable urban development. This study assesses the socio-economic value and public awareness of ecosystem services provided by trees within the Faculty of Social Science Park at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 95 respondents selected through proportional sampling based on visitor frequency. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII). Findings showed that respondents demonstrated a high ability to identify key ecosystem services such as shade provision, aesthetic enhancement, air purification, recreational support, medicinal resources, and habitat provision. Cultural benefits such as recreation, landscape beauty, and stress reduction recorded the highest RII values, with beautification (RII = 0.808) and shade provision (RII = 0.80) ranked most important. Awareness of ecosystem services was also high, especially for provisioning services such as medicine (RII = 0.85) and timber (RII = 0.84). Despite this, willingness to pay (WTP) for park conservation was low, with 80% unwilling to contribute financially. Economic constraints accounted for over half (53.9%) of the reasons for refusal, highlighting the influence of income on environmental support behaviour. The study concludes the need for stronger environmental education, improved park infrastructure, and the integration of green-space management into university planning. This study recommends enhanced awareness, and policy backing of urban forest ecosystem services, in order to promote its long-term conservation and optimize the park’s role in supporting environmental quality, cultural values, and campus well-being

This study assesses the efficiency of activated carbon in treating copper nitrate contaminated borehole water for domestic and irrigation purposes. The increasing contamination of groundwater by heavy metals and nitrates poses serious environmental and public health concerns, particularly in developing regions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the ability of activated carbon to reduce copper and nitrate concentrations in borehole water and to determine its suitability for sustainable water reuse. Borehole water samples contaminated with copper ions (Cu²⁺) and nitrate were treated with activated carbon at different contact times under laboratory conditions. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, copper concentration, and nitrate concentration were analyzed before and after treatment using standard laboratory methods. Adsorption behavior was evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, while adsorption kinetics were investigated using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models to understand the mechanism of adsorption. The results showed a significant reduction in copper and nitrate concentrations after treatment with activated carbon. The Langmuir isotherm model showed the best fit with correlation coefficients (R²) of 0.9949 for copper and 0.9861 for nitrate, indicating monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. The Freundlich model also showed good correlations (R² = 0.9500 for copper and 0.9624 for nitrate). Kinetic analysis revealed that the pseudo-second- order model better described the adsorption process, with R² values of 0.9824 for copper and 0.8049 for nitrate. The treated water quality improved and was suitable for irrigation and moderately improved for domestic use, confirming that activated carbon is an effective and low-cost adsorbent for reducing copper nitrate contamination in borehole water

In the competitive market of goods and services, language plays a pivotal role in attracting the target audience, customers and residents within the Benin metropolis. It is against this backdrop that the study assesses the effectiveness of the use of Pidgin English language by brands in the promotion of their products and services among residents of the Benin Metropolis. Through a comprehensive approach incorporating quantitative surveys, data were collected from the residents of Benin metropolis. Findings revealed that the use of Pidgin English in advertisements by some brands
seem more persuasive than advertisements made with the standard English language within the Benin Metropolis. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that the adoption of the use of Pidgin English by brands to reach out to a wider audience and also make relatable advertisements would resonate with the target audience experiences in order to capture their attention and make more sales

This study investigated the occupational health risks at an airport, focusing on air pollutant concentrations, their spatiotemporal variation, and the associated respiratory health effects among airport workers (N=129). Air quality monitoring was conducted in four areas (Runway, Parking Lot, Departure area, and Reception) during the morning and afternoon periods for carbon dioxide (CO2 ), coarse particulate matter (PM10 ), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ). The data were analysed via ANOVA and paired samples t tests. A survey collected data on workers' sociodemographic, workrelated risks, and self-reported respiratory symptoms. Environmental monitoring identified PM2.5 as the primary air quality hazard. The highest observed mean PM2.5 concentration (24.1 μg/m3) exceeded the strict WHO 24-hour guideline. Statistical analysis confirmed significant spatial variation in PM2.5, with the Runway and Parking Lot acting as hotspots and a highly significant temporal spike in the afternoon (p=0.001). Coughing was the most prevalent reported symptom (57.4% of workers). Chi-square tests revealed a strong correlation between respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, and chest pain) and both smoking and a family history of chronic respiratory issues (p≤0.007 for all). Furthermore, workers demonstrated critical systemic failure in safety protocols, with 83.7% lacking knowledge of the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 96.9% unaware of routine air quality monitoring. The airport environment presents a substantial and avoidable health risk driven by noncompliant PM2.5 levels and systemic safety management failures. Recommendations include implementing mandatory, hands-on PPE training, establishing a transparent PM2.5 monitoring system in hotspots, and creating an occupational health program to screen and counsel high-risk

This study examined the comparative quality of borehole water, sachet water, and bottled water consumed in Ikhueniro Community, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research adopted an investigative and analytical approach to evaluate the safety and suitability of the major drinking water sources used by residents. In response to increasing public health concerns associated with waterborne diseases and the widespread availability of inadequately regulated water sources, the study provided a scientific basis for water quality assessment and proposed recommendations for enhanced water safety and regulatory control. The primary objective of the study was to compare the microbiological and physicochemical quality of borehole, sachet, and bottled water and to determine their compliance with established drinking water standards. Specifically, the study assessed the physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters of the three water sources; evaluated their quality using national and international guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ); computed the Water Quality Index (WQI) for each source to facilitate interpretation; and identified potential contaminants as well as the effectiveness of treatment and purification methods. Both field and laboratory methods were employed in the study. Physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, temperature, and concentrations of selected heavy metals such as lead, iron, magnesium, and cadmium.

Background: Doping, or the use of performance-enhancing substances, threatens fairness and athlete health worldwide. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are well-positioned to prevent both intentional and inadvertent doping by guiding athletes on safe drug, supplement, and herbal use. However, in Nigeria, pharmacists’ involvement remains limited, with gaps in knowledge, training, and policy integration. Understanding their awareness and perceptions can inform strategies to strengthen their role in promoting clean and ethical sports. Objective: This study evaluates community pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of anti-doping practices in Benin City, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured self- administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceptions, information sources, and barriers related to anti-doping. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression to explore associations and significance. Results: All 169 community pharmacists invited participated in the study. Most were male (65.7%), aged between 26 and 35 years (66.9%), held a BPharm degree (67.5%), and had 1–5 years of work
experience (53.3%). The majority occupied senior roles (92.3%). Their anti-doping knowledge was generally fair (53.3%) or poor (42.6%), with noticeable gaps related to beta-blockers, CPD content, and legal aspects. Overall perceptions of their anti-doping role were strongly positive (75.1%). Longer professional experience and higher qualifications were linked to greater role awareness, though knowledge had only a weak influence on perceptions (p = 0.028, R² = 0.028). Conclusion: Community pharmacists demonstrated fair to poor knowledge of anti-doping, yet they held strongly positive attitudes toward their role in prevention. Significant gaps remain in training, access to resources, and procedural awareness. While more experienced and highly qualified pharmacists recognized their responsibilities better, knowledge had minimal impact on attitudes. Focused CPD, integration of WADA resources, and clear professional guidelines are crucial to fully equip pharmacists for doping prevention.

Forest degradation remains a pressing environmental issue, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem functionality worldwide. This study evaluates tree seedling diversity and growth dynamics in a forest restoration site at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. The research aims to assess species composition, growth performance, and biodiversity indices within a designated 100m x 86m sample plot. Data collection involved identifying tree species, recording their abundance, and measuring key growth parameters, including height, number of leaves, number of branches, and collar girth. The study employed descriptive statistics and diversity indices such as Shannon-Wiener, Simpson’s, and Margalef’s indices, while growth data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). A total of 194 trees, representing 28 species from 19 families, were recorded. Among these, 19 species regenerated naturally, while 9 were deliberately planted. The diversity analysis indicated that naturally regenerated species exhibited higher diversity indices (Hˡ = 2.813, D = 0.947, M = 4.195) compared to planted species, highlighting the significance of natural regeneration in enhancing biodiversity. Growth analysis revealed that Terminalia ivorensis demonstrated the highest growth rates across all measured parameters, while Entandrophragma cylindricuvvvvvvvvvvv m recorded the lowest performance. This study underscores the role of human activity in shaping forest regeneration outcomes. The findings suggest that deforestation and land-use change significantly impact species diversity, thereby affecting ecosystem stability. To promote effective forest restoration, it is recommended that reforestation efforts prioritize the selection of resilient native species, enhance conservation strategies, and conduct further research on the ecological factors
influencing seedling establishment and growth. These initiatives are essential for fostering long-term forest sustainability and biodiversity conservatio

This study was designed to investigate the assessment of the factors influencing the non-participation of women in community development programmes: A case study of Oredo local government area of Edo state. The sample for the study comprises of 75 women selected from government workers, teachers and traders in Oredo local government through simple random sampling procedure. The research design used for this study is the survey and the questionnaire was used for the collection of data. The analysis of the data lead to the following findings women don’t participate in community development programmes and that the level of their participation is at the lowest ebb, that husband and societal values is a hindrance to women participation, culture and religion also impede women’s participation, also education help to encourage women to participate in community development programmes. It was therefore recommended that community leaders should be those that could be trusted by the entire community, campaign for women participation should be made more effective through the use of local dialects, necessary mechanism should be put in place through which the women’s felt need can be met and more women should be involve in the planning and policy making in all aspect of our national life and development.

Rapid urbanization and land-use modification have intensified surface temperatures in many developing cities, including Benin City, Nigeria. This study assessed the spatio-temporal variations in Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity in Benin City from 2014 to 2024, and examined the relationship between land-cover changes and surface thermal patterns using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite imagery was processed to derive LST, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Land-Use/Land-Cover (LULC) maps. Change detection analysis, raster differencing, and statistical evaluation were used to quantify temperature variations, land-cover transitions, and UHI development. Results showed a noticeable increase in surface temperature over the study period, particularly within built-up areas where expansion and conversion of vegetated land were observed. Vegetation loss weakened natural cooling functions, while the growth of impervious surfaces contributed to higher thermal retention. Correlation analysis further confirmed a strong negative relationship between NDVI and LST, indicating that areas with dense vegetation experienced significantly lower temperatures. UHI hotspots intensified within densely urbanized zones, reflecting the impact of urban growth on thermal conditions. The study concludes that urbanization in Benin City is a major driver of increasing surface temperature and strengthening UHI effects. It emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning strategies, including urban greening, heat-responsive development, and environmental regulation, to enhance thermal comfort and climate resilience. Findings provide valuable geospatial insight for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental stakeholders in promoting climate-adaptive development within the city