ASSESSMENT

This study assessed the availability and utilization of physical facilities and their influence on teachers’ effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Edo South Senatorial District, Nigeria. The study was motivated by concerns over inadequate and poorly utilized educational facilities, which have been linked to declining instructional quality and teacher performance. Guided by the Resource Dependence Theory and Herzberg’s Two-Factor (Motivation-Hygiene)Theory, there search investigated the extent of availability and utilization of school facilities, differences in teachers’ effectiveness by gender, and the influence of school size on these relationships. The study employed a descriptive survey design, drawing data from selected public senior secondary schools within the district.Data were collected through a structured questionnaire validated by experts and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and z-test statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that physical facilities in public senior secondary schools were generally inadequate and underutilized, leading to reduced teacher effectiveness. Moreover, significant differences were observed in facility utilization based on gender and school size. The study concluded that adequate provision, proper maintenance,and effective utilization of physical facilities are essential to improving teachers’ performance and achieving educational goals. It recommended that government and school administrators prioritize infrastructure development, ensure regular facility maintenance, and train teachers on efficient resource utilization to enhance instructional outcomes and promote sustainable educational development in Edo State.

immune markers and antihypertensive drugs. Despite knowing the detrimental effects of salt on blood pressure, the specific molecular mechanisms connecting these factors are not fully understood and how antihypertensive drugs affect immune function markers. The aim of this study is to see how antihypertensive medications affect immune function markers in a salt-loaded animal model. Twenty-five Sprague Dawley male rats weighing between 110g-130g was purchased from Lagos and housed in the Animal Unit of the Department of Pharmacology, and allowed to acclimatize for 2 weeks thereafter were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1; control received normal rat chow and tap water, Group 2; Received high salt diet of 8% NaC1 (HS) alone for 8 weeks as described by, Group 3; Received high salt diet + 2.3mg/kg/d Lisinopril, Group 4; Received high salt + 0.1mg/kg/d verapamil, Group 5; Received high salt + 10mg/kg/d Losartan. Feeding and drug administration was by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) (mmHg), heart rate (bpm) and weight measurement was done before theNanimals were humanely sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia. The result shows a significant increase in the Mean arterial blood pressure in salt-loaded rats compared with the control, while antihypertensive drugs caused attenuation in blood pressure increase when compared with the salt-loaded group. Lisinopril in particular reversed the trend; suggesting renin angiotensin-mediated primary pathway in salt-induced hypertension. There were no significant changes in the heart rate of the animals. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ration was significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with control and much more in Lisinopril and verapamil co-treated salt-loaded rats. The result shows a significant increase in the salt loaded group when compared with the control group, meanwhile there was no significant difference in the salt loaded group treated with different antihypertensive drugs lisinopril and losartan compared with the salt loaded while verapamil shows a significant decrease in interleukin-6 levels when compared with the high salt group. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with the control, while in antihypertensive drugs it shows a decrease when compared with the salt-loaded group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased in salt-loaded rats compared with the control; in lisinopril it shows no significant difference when compared with the salt-loaded group while lorsartan and verapamil shows a decrease in ROS activities. In conclusion, this research shows that excessive high salt consumption triggers inflammatory tissue responses which could lead to hypertension and this project study is a pointer to the fact that increases activity of immune cells could pre dispose to hypertension and this effect are ameliorated by antihypertensive drugs, especially lisinopril and verapamil.

This study assessed factors affecting self-care and behavioral lifestyle practices among hypertensive patients, focusing on socio-demographic profiles, self-care practices, behavioral lifestyle patterns, and influencing factors. The increasing prevalence of hypertension highlights the need for effective management strategies emphasizing patient self-care and lifestyle modifications. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 205 hypertensive patients selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics and mean scores were utilized to evaluate self-care and behavioral lifestyle practices, while inferential statistics identified significant influencing factors. The study revealed that 79.5% of participants demonstrated good self-care practices, with high adherence to health monitoring (79.5%), dietary management (99%), and healthcare attendance (79.5%). However, mental health self-care and moderate-intensity physical activity showed lower adherence rates. Behavioral lifestyle assessment indicated positive practices in physical activity (98.5%), hydration (80.5%), and social engagement (97%), but challenges in stress management (98%) and sleep quality (95.1%). Financial constraints (97.1%), psychological factors (95.6%), and limited access to healthy food options (93.6%) were identified as primary barriers to optimal behavioral lifestyles. The findings highlight a generally positive engagement in self-care and behavioral practices among hypertensive patients, supported by health education and healthcare accessibility. However, notable gaps in mental health care, stress management, and sleep hygiene require targeted interventions. The study underscores the need for comprehensive hypertension management programs that address identified barriers. Interventions should include financial support mechanisms, improved mental health resources, stress reduction programs, and public health policies promoting food accessibility. Further research is recommended to evaluate longterm outcomes of lifestyle modifications and develop tailored interventions for specific demographic groups.

This research explores the processing and storage facilities of agricultural products in Benin City, Nigeria, analyzing the challenges and effectiveness of existing systems, The study investigates the impact of inadequate storage on food security, economic growth, and waste reduction. Using a combination of surveys and observational research, data was collected from key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including farmer, storage facility managers and consumers. The findings reveal significant gaps in infrastructure, leading to high post- harvest losses. The study highlights the need for improved preservation technologies and government intervention. Recommendations are made for sustainable storage solutions that can enhance productivity and reduce spoilage.

This study assesses the risks associated with direct commercial real estate (CRE) investment in Benin City, Nigeria, focusing on Egor, Ikpoba Okha, and Oredo Local Government Areas. As the Nigerian real estate market matures, understanding the complexities and inherent risks in CRE becomes crucial for informed investment decisions. The research adopts a pragmatic philosophy, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis, targeting key stakeholders including real estate investors, certified agents, property developers, financial analysts, and other built environment professionals. Findings reveal that market risks—such as fluctuating demand and interest rates—are primary concerns, followed by economic risks (inflation, exchange rate fluctuations), environmental risks (flooding, erosion), legal risks (land disputes, zoning laws), social risks (tenant defaults, security concerns), and political risks. The study also identifies the prevalent risk assessment techniques applied by investors, including scenario analysis, brainstorming, Delphi techniques, decision tree analysis, and advanced methods like Monte Carlo simulations and Bayesian statistics. Risk management strategies commonly employed include diversification of investment portfolios, engaging legal and financial experts, conducting due diligence, purchasing insurance policies, and adopting flexible lease agreements. The study further highlights challenges such as inconsistent government policies, lack of reliable data, and infrastructural deficits that hinder effective risk management. Despite these limitations, the study recommends adopting advanced risk assessment tools, improving legal frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and leveraging technology such as machine learning and blockchain to enhance transparency and risk prediction. These measures aim to create a more resilient commercial real estate market in Benin City, ultimately attracting local and foreign investors while promoting sustainable urban development. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on CRE investment risks in emerging markets and offers valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and industry professionals seeking to navigate the complex landscape of Nigeria’s real estate sector.

Wax deposition remains a major flow assurance challenge in crude oil pipeline systems and is particularly severe in regions such as the Niger Delta where waxy crude oils and fluctuating operating conditions promote rapid cooling and crystallisation of paraffinic hydrocarbons. This study provides an assessment of wax deposition prevention and mitigation technologies through a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published from 2022 to date. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis framework was adopted to identify, screen and analyse relevant publications. The review examines chemical, thermal and mechanical approaches with emphasis on their mechanisms, effectiveness, limitations and suitability for wax-prone crude oils. Across the collected studies, chemical methods emerged as the most extensively researched and adaptable strategy for prevention. Polymeric pour point depressants, crystal modifiers, solvent blends and plant-based inhibitors demonstrated strong capabilities in reducing Wax Appearance Temperature, altering crystal morphology and improving crude oil flowability. Several authors reported that natural inhibitors derived from jatropha oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil and other agricultural sources produced inhibition efficiencies comparable to synthetic formulations while offering environmental and economic advantages. Nanoparticle enhanced additives also showed improved thermal stability and dispersive behaviour. Thermal methods such as insulation, active heating and temperature maintenance remained effective for keeping crude oil above its crystallisation point although their energy requirements limit continuous use. Mechanical techniques such as pigging continue to dominate remedial operations whenever deposition has already occurred despite operational challenges such as pig sticking and unpredictable wax breaking forces. The findings show that no single method provides a universal solution. Effective management requires combining preventive strategies with periodic remediation while accounting for the crude oil composition, operating conditions and pipeline characteristics. The review highlights the growing potential of plant based additives, nano enhanced inhibitors as environmentally responsible and economically viable alternatives. The study therefore contributes to improving flow assurance practices and supports the development of sustainable wax management strategies within the Niger Delta and other regions producing waxy crude oils.