A. ORUPKE

Rice (Orysa sativa) is still one of the most important staple foods in the world, and it is very important for Nigeria's food security, economy, and nutrition. Even though Nigeria has good weather for growing rice, a lot of people still depend on imported rice because they think it is better in terms of quality, taste, and processing standards. This study concentrated on the proximate analysis of both local and imported rice varieties, specifically highlighting Ekpoma local rice. The various nutritional composition: moisture, ash, crude protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates were determined using set standard and their quality characteristics were compared. The results showed that the rice samples were very different from each other. Ekpoma local rice had considerable amounts of carbohydrates and protein, which means it could be good for you and safe to eat. The differences seen between local and foreign rice varieties were mostly due to differences in how they were milled, how well they were processed, and the conditions in which they were grown. The study shows that Nigerian local rice varieties, especially Ekpoma rice, are very nutritious and possess all the relevant nutrients for general body function and doesn’t pose threat.

This study Analyzed Atmospheric Parameters, PM₂.₅ concentration, temperature, and relative humidity within the University of Benin (UNIBEN) using a PurpleAir
sensor between January and March 2025. The research aimed to assess the air quality and evaluate the microclimatic conditions affecting the campus environment. The PurpleAir sensor was installed at the Space-Earth Environment Research Laboratory to record real-time data at two-minute intervals. Data were processed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel for descriptive statistics, correlation, and graphical presentation. The results revealed that PM₂.₅ concentrations ranged
between 58 µg/m³ and 202 µg/m³, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of 25 µg/m³, indicating consistently unhealthy air quality. Temperature values ranged from 20°C to 33°C, typical of the tropical dry and early wet seasons, while relative humidity varied between 32% and 100%. Analysis showed an inverse relationship between PM₂.₅ and relative humidity, implying that drier air conditions intensified particulate pollution. The findings highlight the need for continuous air monitoring and pollution control measures within the university. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of low-cost IoT- based sensors in generating reliable, real-time atmospheric data for environmental management and campus sustainability