INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND REVIEWS IN SOCIAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIONAL POTENTIALS OF FRESH HENSIACRINATA (ATAMA) LEAVES FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BY ATOMICABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER AND ITS HEALTH BENEFITS
Heinsia crinata is a perennial shrub of Rubiaceae family used traditionally in the treatment of skin rashes, infertility, hypertension, wound healing, gastrointestinal disorders and boosting of libido, ovulation and bowel movement. Ayurvedic medicine makes use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases due to the inherent properties of secondary metabolites. The aim of the research was to determine the mineral content of Heinsia crinata in comparison to other obtained Heinsia crinata data. The fresh leaves of Heinsia crinata were processed and the digest analysed for the mineral content with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained were: K (28.02 ± 0.02) mg/100g, Na (0.72 ± 0.15 mg/100g), Zn (11.93 ± 1.42 mg/100g), Fe (0.4 ± 0.34 mg/100g), Mg (55.93 ± 3.00 mg/100g), Mn (40.4 ± 2.30 mg/100g), Cu (3.03 ± 0.13 mg/100g) and Ca (33.12 ± 0.61 mg/100g). The results showed that Heinsia crinata had some mineral elements with the most abundant being magnesium and therefore, could be beneficial when consumed
Heinsia crinata, atama, minerals, medicinal properties, leaves, elements, symptoms and deficiencies
Copyright (c) 2026 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND REVIEWS IN SOCIAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
EFFECTIVE MEAL PLANNING FOR SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDSAND FAMILIES IN ESAN NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENTAREA OF EDO STATE
This study investigated the meal planning for special dietary needs among families in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The specific purposes of this study are to identify the key challenges and barriers faced by families with special dietary needs meal planning and preparation, evaluate the features and functions to be included in a meal planning platform to best support families with special dietary needs and evaluate the effectiveness of resources and guidelines on safe food handling practices among families in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The descriptive research design using the survey was adopted in this study. The population covers the elderly that resides in Eguare, Opoji, Emu and Ugbegun communities. A sample size of 348 elderly was selected for the study. The proportional random sampling technique was used to select 20% of the total number of elderly from the entire population. The research instrument used in collecting data was the questionnaires. The primary data gathered from the field via questionnaire was analyzed using simple percentage method. The result showed that there is a significant difference between quality of diet and dietary habit of male and female elderly in Esan North East Local Government Area. It was therefore recommended that the elderly should eat a wide variety of foods from the five food groups: plenty of colourful vegetables, legumes/beans; fruit; grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and high fibre varieties; lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds; milk, yoghurt, cheese or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat. It was recommended that the elderly should eat a wide variety of foods from the five food groups: plenty of colourful vegetables, legumes/beans; fruit; grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and high fibre varieties; lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds; milk, yoghurt, cheese or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat
Meal Planning, Special Dietary Needs, Families
DELPHI STUDIES ON FUTURE ROLES OF AGENTIC AI INEDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: IMPLICATIONS FORSECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN CROSS RIVER STATE
This study examined expert consensus on the future roles of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in educational leadership and its implications for secondary school principals in Cross River State, Nigeria. Adopting a Delphi research design, data were collected from a panel of 20 experts in educational leadership, educational technology and policy over iterative rounds. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to determine consensus, while correlation analysis tested selected hypotheses. The findings revealed significant expert consensus on the projected roles of agentic AI, particularly in administrative decision-making, data-driven leadership, student performance monitoring, and stakeholder communication. Experts also agreed on the potential benefits of agentic AI, such as improved administrative efficiency, enhanced decision accuracy, and reduced workload for principals. However, notable challenges were identified, including inadequate infrastructure, limited digital literacy, data privacy and ethical concerns, and financial constraints. The study further highlighted important implications for principals’ professional development and policy frameworks, emphasizing the need for AI literacy, ethical leadership, and strategic capacity building. The study concludes that while agentic AI presents transformative opportunities for secondary school leadership, its successful adoption depends on addressing contextual, professional, and policy-related challenges
Agentic Artificial Intelligence; Educational Leadership; Delphi Study; Secondary School Principals; Professional Development; Cross River State
DATA SECURITY AND INTEGRITY IN CLOUD COMPUTINGENVIRONMENT: AN APPROACH FOR E-BUSINESS
Today’s technical and business landscape presents formidable and evolving challenges to personal data privacy. Cloud Computing is a style of computing that provides convenient on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly deployed with great efficiency and minimal management overhead. Personal data stored in the Cloud could be used or misused by a miscreants, competitors, or persons desirous of fraudulent motives. These data are cached, copied, and archived by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), often without users’ authorization and control. In practical, self-destructing data systems secure sensitive data from disclosure in our highly mobile, social-networked, cloud-computing world. This study validates a self-destructive data security system using files of different formats and a secure metadata server to make an improvement on the existing models. All data and their copies become unreadable when an attempt to copy the file from the secure server is made and it creates a fault log to notify the administrator on an attack. This research adopted the object-oriented analysis and design methodology (OOADM) and was implemented using Php programming language and MYSQL for relational database (RDB). The model has been developed, tested and was able to deny unauthorized users access to the files stored on the cloud storage and was able to notify the admin through electronic mailing system of any threat in the system. The efficiency of the proposed model was evaluated using performance metrics and showed that the proposed model is robust and more efficient than other existing related models
Data, Cloud, Cryptography, Encryption, OTP, Security, Query, Privacy
MACHINE LEARNING MODELS FOR TRACINGCOMMUNICABLE LUNG DISEASES
Communicable lung diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and COVID-19 remain major global health concerns due to the high transmission and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where healthcare systems face persistent challenges with early detection, diagnosis, and effective control. Traditional disease-tracing and monitoring methods often fail to accurately predict real time infection severity, thereby hindering timely response, appropriate treatment, and the efficient allocation of medical resources. This project developed a single, unified machine learning model capable to distinguishes disease type (communicable and non-communicable across multiple lung conditions),classifies severity (mild/moderate/severe) in real time, and triggers public-health actions for automatic isolation built into the real working system To achieve this, a Machine Learning models was designed, combining K-Modes clustering for grouping patients with similar symptoms from categorical datasets with a Random Forest classifier for categorizing disease severity levels into mild, moderate, or severe. This integration enables both unsupervised grouping and supervised prediction within a single analytical framework. Developed using the Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology (OOADM) and implemented in Python, the system utilizes Excel as the primary data source, Excel functions as a simple storage medium accessed and managed through Python libraries, particularly Pandas, which is employed for statistical computation and detailed data analysis. SQLite database engine was used to store user biodata and profile for system authentication and authorization. The system allows real-time monitoring by analyzing patient symptoms and vital parameters upon data entry, providing immediate diagnostic and severity-level feedback without the need for laboratory tests. This facilitates rapid clinical decision-making by healthcare professionals and supports proactive public health interventions. The model achieved an accuracy of 95.6%, precision of 96.1%, recall of 95.2%, and an F1-score of 92.2%, demonstrating reliability in predicting infection severity. Ultimately, the application enhances disease surveillance, enables early isolation of high-risk patients, and strengthens national healthcare response systems
Machine Learning Models, Tracing Communicable Lung Diseases
Copyright (c) 2025 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND REVIEWS IN SOCIAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
MACHINE LEARNING AND DEEP LEARNING TECHNIQUES FORRANSOMWARE DETECTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Ransomware has emerged as one of the most destructive cybersecurity threats, necessitating intelligent and adaptive detection mechanisms beyond traditional security approaches. This study presents a comparative analysis of machine learning and deep learning techniques for ransomware detection, with emphasis on Artificial Neural Networks, Multilayer Perceptrons, Random Forest classifiers, and Long Short-Term Memory networks. The methodology adopted involved an extensive literature review of existing ransomware detection techniques, followed by an analytical comparison of traditional signature-based, behavior-based, and intelligent detection approaches. Experimental evidence from existing and proposed systems was examined to evaluate detection accuracy, precision, recall, and overall model performance. Feature-based datasets were analyzed, preprocessed, and evaluated using standard validation techniques to ensure consistency and reliability of results. The study highlights the strengths and limitations of each model, demonstrating that while machine learning algorithms offer efficiency and interpretability, deep learning models excel in capturing temporal ransomware behavior. Hybrid approaches combining deep learning and ensemble classifiers were found to deliver superior performance. The findings emphasize the necessity of intelligent ransomware detection frameworks capable of adapting to evolving attack patterns. This study contributes to cybersecurity research by providing a structured comparative framework and practical insights for selecting appropriate detection models
Ransomware Detection, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, LSTM, Random Forest, Cybersecurity, Malware Analysis
USER INTERACTION (UI) SYSTEM FOR PHISHING DETECTION AND VOICENOTIFICATION
Phishing attacks pose a challenge to web user’s world all over. These attacks from phishing URLs are many and very disturbing to internet users globally. The curiosity by well-meaning security professionals has led to further research, and thus propels the development of newer systems to solve this lingering challenge. The updated detection and notification systems which are User Interface (UI) friendly are been developed in other to curb the gaps of users experiencing phishing attacks via the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) approach. This study demonstrates the use of a user interaction system for phishing URL detection and voice notification. A temporal tokenizer was also generated and used for URL text processing which scanned, recognized characters, symbols and redundant tokens. This made it easier to separate specific features from the URL address and return as a list while also identifying directories, keyword arguments, and extensions. VB.NET was used to at the front end while MYSQL database at the backend to accomplish system goals. The proposed system was tested and delivered satisfactory result demonstrating recommendable efficiency
URL, Detection, Notification, Phishing, User Interaction
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MITIGATION OF TRAUMATIC CRISES IN SOUTHSOUTH NIGERIA
This study examined the role of public relations in the mitigation of traumatic crises in South-South Nigeria, with specific focus on Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta States. The objectives were to assess the prevalence of traumatic crises, identify prevailing misconceptions and socio-cultural barriers, evaluate the effectiveness of public relations strategies, and determine appropriate communication interventions for crisis mitigation. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 757 respondents selected across the three states. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, while data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test were used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a high prevalence of traumatic crises in the study area, alongside widespread misconceptions and stigma that discourage help-seeking behaviour. Public relations strategies were found to be moderately effective, with media awareness campaigns and community engagement forums emerging as the most effective interventions. The ANOVA result showed a statistically significant relationship between the perceived effectiveness of public relations strategies and the level of traumatic crisis mitigation (F(3,753) = 59.36, p < 0.05). The study concludes that effective public relations communication plays a critical role in reducing stigma, improving awareness, and promoting recovery and resilience in crisis-affected communities. It recommends the adoption of sustained, audience-centred, and culturally sensitive public relations strategies to enhance traumatic crisis mitigation in South-South Nigeria.
Public relations, traumatic crises, crisis communication, mitigation, SouthSouth Nigeria.
BROADCAST MEDIA AND WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN RICE FARMING INSELECTED SOUTH-SOUTH STATES
This study examined the role of broadcast media in promoting women participation in rice farming in South-South Nigeria, with specific focus on Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The objectives were to assess the level of broadcast media involvement in promoting women participation in rice farming, examine the role of broadcast media in raising awareness about government rice farming initiatives, identify challenges faced by women farmers in accessing government support programmes, evaluate the benefits of broadcast media in shaping perceptions and attitudes toward women participation, and determine appropriate media strategies for improving women participation in rice farming. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 275 registered rice farmers selected from the two states. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, complemented with oral interviews, while data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that broadcast media involvement in promoting women participation in rice farming is moderate to high, with radio and television serving as major channels for information dissemination and awareness creation. However, policy explanation and programme accessibility were found to be limited. Women rice farmers face significant challenges, including lack of access to credit, inadequate media information, cultural and gender barriers, and poor extension services. The hypothesis result showed a statistically significant difference in women participation in rice farming based on exposure to broadcast media messages. The study concludes that broadcast media play a critical role in enhancing women participation in rice farming but require improved content depth and strategic focus. The study recommended strengthening agricultural broadcast programmes, use of local languages, improved policy communication, and enhanced access to credit to promote women participation and support food security in South-South Nigeria.
Broadcast media, women participation, rice farming, agricultural communication, South-South Nigeria.
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND ARTISANALDEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
This study examined the effectiveness of government communication strategies in promoting artisanal development for sustainable economic growth in South-South Nigeria, with specific focus on Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. The objectives were to identify existing communication strategies, assess their effectiveness, determine artisans’ awareness and participation levels, and identify barriers hindering effective communication. The study adopted a mixed-methods survey design. A total of 762 respondents were selected through multistage sampling from Akwa Ibom State and Rivers State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test. Findings revealed that government communication strategies exist but vary in effectiveness between the two states, with Akwa Ibom showing higher awareness and engagement levels. Radio and television were identified as the most effective communication channels, while community meetings played a key role in Rivers State. Major barriers included inadequate communication infrastructure, poor access to information, and low literacy levels. The study recommended that governments strengthen and harmonise communication frameworks, adopt multi-channel and audience-centred strategies, and establish feedback mechanisms.
Government communication, artisanal development, awareness
ASSESSMENT OF ERGONOMIC RISK AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONGOFFICE WORKERS IN THE RIVERS STATE CIVIL SERVICE
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health concern, particularly among office workers exposed to prolonged sedentary tasks and suboptimal ergonomic conditions. This study assessed the relationship between ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers in the Rivers State Civil Service. The study adopted a correlational survey design and collected data from 217 office workers selected through proportional sampling across various departments. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire, which was validated for content and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Descriptive statistics, including percentages, were used to summarize respondents’ demographic characteristics, ergonomic risk exposure, and prevalence of MSDs. Additionally, Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed to test the hypotheses regarding the relationship between ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders. The findings revealed that the most common ergonomic risk factors included prolonged sitting, awkward postures, poor chair support, repetitive keyboard and mouse use, and inadequate workstation design. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was notably high, with lower back pain (50.7%), neck pain (43.8%), and shoulder pain (39.2%) being the most reported conditions. A positive and significant relationship was established between ergonomic risk factors and MSDs, indicating that increased exposure to poor ergonomic conditions correlates with higher incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, demographic variables such as age, years of service, and department were found to influence the level of risk and prevalence of MSDs. Based on these findings, the study concludes that ergonomic hazards are prevalent in the Rivers State Civil Service and significantly contribute to musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. The study recommends interventions including ergonomic training, workstation redesign, scheduled breaks, department-specific ergonomic assessments, regular health monitoring, and policy implementation to reduce risk and improve employee well-being and productivity
Ergonomic Risk, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Office Workers, Rivers State Civil Service, Workplace Health
STREET FOOD VENDING: ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE, CHALLENGES, SOURCESOF CONTAMINATION AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS- A REVIEW.
Street food vending plays a crucial role in urban food systems across many low- and middle-income countries by providing affordable, accessible, and culturally significant meals to diverse population groups. The sector generates substantial economic value through employment creation, poverty alleviation, and entrepreneurship, particularly among women and youth with limited access to formal job opportunities. Despite its importance, street food vending faces persistent challenges including inadequate infrastructure, poor access to clean water and sanitation facilities, weak regulatory structures, limited food safety knowledge, and socio-economic vulnerability that affects vendors’ capacity to maintain hygienic standards. These limitations contribute to multiple sources of contamination such as unsafe water, improper food handling practices, environmental pollution, cross-contamination from equipment, temperature abuse, and the use of contaminated raw materials, all of which pose significant public health risks and are linked to foodborne diseases including diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery. This review synthesizes existing research on the economic significance and operational challenges of street food vending, identifies key pathways of contamination, and proposes evidence-based strategic solutions. Recommended interventions include vendor-focused food hygiene training, provision of basic infrastructure and waste management facilities, risk-based regulatory frameworks, strengthened surveillance systems, and publicprivate partnerships to support safer vending environments. Ensuring effective implementation of these strategies will enhance food safety, protect public health, and sustain the economic and social contributions of the street food sector. Keywords: Street food
Street food vending, Economic importance, Contamination, Challenges, Strategic solutions.
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PREVENTION TOWARDS HEALTH HAZARDSAMONG ROADSIDE BARBECUE SELLERS IN EKET, AKWAIBOM STATE,NIGERIA.
The study was carried out to determine the knowledge and practice of prevention towards health hazards among Roadside Barbecue Sellers in Eket Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State. Three specific objectives were formed to guide the study while three research questions were raised and translated to three hypotheses for testing at .05 level of significance. A survey design was adopted to study a population of 526 while a sample size of 210 participants were drawn from three major roads in Eket Metropolis. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire titled “Knowledge and Practice of Prevention towards Health Hazards among Roadside Barbecue Sellers Questionnaire” (KPPHHRBSQ). The response on the questionnaire were analysed using frequency, percentages, mean, while t was used to answer the research questions and hypotheses respectively. The study revealed that knowledge of health hazards and preventive measures among Roadside Barbecue Sellers in Eket Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State was high while the practice of prevention was low as shown in the mean responses. The null hypothesis of no significant level of knowledge of health hazards among with Roadside Barbecue Sellers in Eket Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State was rejected at .05 level of significance respectively while the null hypothesis that tested the practice of preventive measures was accepted at .05 level of significance. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the Roadside Barbecue Sellers in Eket Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State are highly knowledgeable of the health hazards associated in their work while the practice of prevention towards the health hazards is low. Recommendations were made on periodic training to be organized by Public Health officers to create awareness on the health hazards associated with roadside barbecue business as well measures of preventing them among others.
Knowledge, Practice, Prevention, Health Hazards, Roadside Barbecue Sellers.
UKPE, EKA ANIEFIOK, UDO, HELEN I. Ph.D AND AGANIM, DORCAS E.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE(A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANIES)
This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and the financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. In recent years, weak governance practices have been associated with declining investor confidence, financial scandals, and poor firm performance. Given the critical role of insurance firms in Nigeria’s financial system, strengthening governance mechanisms has become imperative for enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth. The study specifically examined three corporate governance variables board size, board composition, and board independence and their impact on three financial performance indicators: earnings per share (EPS), price earnings ratio (P/E), and dividend per share (DPS). An ex-post facto research design was employed, and panel data were collected from the annual reports of sixteen (16) insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) over an eleven-year period (2011–2021). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, panel regression analysis (fixed and random effects), and post-estimation diagnostics. The findings revealed mixed relationships between corporate governance mechanisms and financial performance. Board size demonstrated both positive and negative effects depending on the chosen performance metric, suggesting that an optimal board size is essential for efficiency. Board composition, measured as the proportion of non-executive directors, did not consistently improve firm performance, indicating that independence in numbers alone does not guarantee effective oversight. However, board independence was found to have a positive and significant effect on dividend per share (DPS), implying that independent directors enhance accountability and ensure that shareholders’ interests are better protected. The study concludes that corporate governance significantly influences the financial performance of Nigerian insurance companies, although the impact varies across governance variables and financial indicators. It recommends that insurance firms maintain moderate board sizes, strengthen board composition through diversity and expertise rather than numbers alone, and reinforce board independence in line with regulatory standards. Regulators such as NAICOM should intensify enforcement of governance codes, while firms should invest in capacity-building for board members. The study is limited by its reliance on secondary data and the focus on a narrow set of governance and performance variables. Future research is encouraged to include broader governance indicators (such as CEO duality, ownership structure, and audit committee effectiveness), expand the scope to unlisted insurance companies and other financial institutions, and adopt a cross-country comparative approach
WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND FIRM PERFORMANCE(A CASE STUDY OF VIJU INDUSTRIES LIMITED)
This study investigates the effect of workplace diversity on firm performance in Viju Industries Nigeria Limited, a leading manufacturing company in the Nigerian food and beverage sector. The research was motivated by the increasing recognition of diversity as a strategic driver of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, alongside the challenges many Nigerian firms face in managing differences across gender, ethnicity, age, and education. Guided by the Resource-Based View and Human Capital theories, the study conceptualizes diversity as a valuable organizational resource and strategic asset that, when properly managed, enhances long-term sustainability. A survey research design was adopted, targeting 120 employees of Viju Industries, out of which 70 respondents were sampled across top, middle, and lower management levels. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression techniques. The results reveal that Viju Industries demonstrates considerable diversity across demographic and educational backgrounds. Findings show a significant positive relationship between workplace diversity and employee productivity (r = 0.612, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further indicates that diversity explains 34.5% of the variance in innovation and 36.2% in decision-making, suggesting that inclusive practices directly strengthen organizational outcomes. The study concludes that workplace diversity contributes significantly to firm performance by enhancing teamwork, driving innovation, and improving decision-making processes. However, challenges such as workplace conflict and communication barriers remain. It recommends that management implement stronger diversity and inclusion policies, regular sensitization programmes, and participatory decision-making processes to maximize the benefits of a heterogeneous workforce. The study is limited to a single organization, which may restrict the generalization of findings. Future research should extend to multiple firms, adopt longitudinal approaches, and consider mediating factors such as leadership style and organizational culture. Overall, the study highlights workplace diversity as both a strategic imperative and a performance-enhancing mechanism for Nigerian manufacturing firms.
Workplace Diversity, Employee Productivity, Firm Performance, Organizational Efficiency
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE(A Case Study of Nigeria Insurance companies)
This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and the financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. In recent years, weak governance practices have been associated with declining investor confidence, financial scandals, and poor firm performance. Given the critical role of insurance firms in Nigeria’s financial system, strengthening governance mechanisms has become imperative for enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth. The study specifically examined three corporate governance variables board size, board composition, and board independence and their impact on three financial performance indicators: earnings per share (EPS), price earnings ratio (P/E), and dividend per share (DPS). An ex-post facto research design was employed, and panel data were collected from the annual reports of sixteen (16) insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) over an eleven-year period (2011–2021). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, panel regression analysis (fixed and random effects), and post-estimation diagnostics. The findings revealed mixed relationships between corporate governance mechanisms and financial performance. Board size demonstrated both positive and negative effects depending on the chosen performance metric, suggesting that an optimal board size is essential for efficiency. Board composition, measured as the proportion of non-executive directors, did not consistently improve firm performance, indicating that independence in numbers alone does not guarantee effective oversight. However, board independence was found to have a positive and significant effect on dividend per share (DPS), implying that independent directors enhance accountability and ensure that shareholders’ interests are better protected. The study concludes that corporate governance significantly influences the financial performance of Nigerian insurance companies, although the impact varies across governance variables and financial indicators. It recommends that insurance firms maintain moderate board sizes, strengthen board composition through diversity and expertise rather than numbers alone, and reinforce board independence in line with regulatory standards. Regulators such as NAICOM should intensify enforcement of governance codes, while firms should invest in capacity-building for board members. The study is limited by its reliance on secondary data and the focus on a narrow set of governance and performance variables. Future research is encouraged to include broader governance indicators (such as CEO duality, ownership structure, and audit committee effectiveness), expand the scope to unlisted insurance companies and other financial institutions, and adopt a cross-country comparative approach.
Corporate Governance, Organization Performance, Nigeria Insurance companies
REWARD SYSTEM AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE(A STUDY OF EKO SUPREME RESOURCE LTD)
The study examines the relationship between reward systems and employee performance, emphasizing the critical role of both financial and non-financial rewards in enhancing organizational productivity. In today’s competitive business environment, organizations must design effective reward systems that not only attract and retain talent but also motivate employees to achieve superior performance. The study adopts a qualitative approach, relying on secondary data from books, academic journals, and scholarly articles to analyze the concepts of reward systems, their types, theoretical underpinnings, and challenges in implementation. Findings reveal that reward systems are strongly linked to motivation, job satisfaction, and commitment, which ultimately influence employee performance. Theories such as Maslow ’ s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg ’ s Two-Factor Theory, Expectancy Theory, and Equity Theory provide valuable insights into how rewards stimulate employee behavior and performance. The study also highlights that a poorly designed reward system may lead to dissatisfaction, high employee turnover, and reduced productivity. The paper concludes that an effective reward system must strike a balance between financial incentives such as salaries, bonuses, and allowances, and non-financial rewards such as recognition, career development, and work-life balance. It recommends that organizations ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment of rewards with organizational goals to maximize performance outcomes. It is further recommended that the organization place emphasis on training and developing its supervisors to enable them to provide effective support to their respective teams.
Rewards, Job Recognition, Employee Performance, Motivation, Job Satisfaction, Human Resource Management, Organization.
AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS INLISTED MONEY DEPOSIT BANKS IN NIGERIA
This study empirically assessed the financial performance of listed money deposit banks in Nigeria, focusing on the effect of deferred tax assets (DFTA) intensity on earnings per share (EPS) and market price per share (MPS). Employing an ex post facto research design, the study utilised secondary panel data from the annual reports of all sixteen listed deposit money banks on the Nigerian Exchange Group spanning an eleven-year period (2013–2023). Purposive sampling was applied to include only banks with complete and verifiable data for the variables of interest. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The Hausman test guided the selection of the random effects model as most appropriate for estimating the functional relationships in the study.The findings indicate that deferred tax assets intensity had negative but statistically insignificant effects on both EPS and MPS, with coefficients of -38.65 (p = 0.131) and -3.45 (p = 0.6447), respectively. Correlation analysis showed a weak positive relationship between DFTA and EPS, and minimal association with MPS, while EPS and MPS exhibited strong positive correlation. The results suggest that variations in deferred tax assets do not meaningfully influence profitability or market valuation of the sampled banks.Based on these results, the study concludes that increasing deferred tax assets intensity will not significantly stimulate stock returns of Nigerian listed banks. It recommends that banks may cautiously manage DFTA without expecting substantial immediate effects on stock returns. The study contributes to knowledge by providing current empirical evidence on the relationship between deferred tax assets and financial performance of Nigerian banks, filling a gap in the literature on capital intensity and stock returns
Deferred Tax Assets, Earnings per Share, Market Price per Share, Financial Performance, Nigerian Banks.
APPRAISAL OF EMBROIDERY, APPLIQUÉ, AND OTHER DECORATIVETECHNIQUES
This study looks at the cultural, economic, and social importance of traditional Nigerian decorative textile techniques, focussing on embroidery (Zane), appliqué (Asọ-Oke), and weaving (Akwete). These techniques have been a part of Nigerian culture for a long time and are still important for shaping cultural identity and marking important life events. But globalisation, mass production, and modern fashion trends have made it much harder for these traditional crafts to survive and thrive. This study looks at how these decorative techniques have changed over time, what their current status is in both urban and rural markets, and what problems artisans face in staying relevant. It does this by using a mix of methods, such as ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, consumer surveys, and documentary analysis. The results show that there is still a demand for traditional textiles, especially for ceremonial purposes. However, artisans face a lot of problems, such as competition from cheap imported textiles, not having enough access to modern tools and funding, and younger generations losing interest. Even with these problems, the study shows that Nigerian textiles are becoming more popular in modern fashion around the world and that these crafts could do well with the right support. The study ends with suggestions for giving artisans more power, promoting traditional textiles through education and marketing, and using modern technologies to make sure that Nigerian decorative textile arts can last.s
Appraisal, Embroidery,Decorative Techniques
LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO KOHAOPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE USED IN LIBRARIES OF PUBLIC SECTORUNIVERSITIES OF PAKISTAN
The purpose of the study is participation and contribution to open source Koha ILMS used in libraries of public sector Universities. Open Source software are the product of voluntary effort of developers and end users. Koha is an active Open Source library management software project make using voluntary effort of programmers and library professionals. Library professionals are end users of Koha and their involvement is very necessary in various stages of the software development. Koha user community is a growing one and the project offer variety of nondeveloper roles for library professionals. Library professionals can report bugs, documentation writing, plug-in development and training. The main aim of the survey is to know the participation and contribution of Library professionals in Koha Open Source software project implementation in their libraries.
Koha, Open Source software, Library automation
GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (GAD) STATUS IN THE IDENTIFIED BARANGAY INCEBU CITY
The GAD approach seeks to analyses the causes of gender inequality within the context of relations between women and men and social structure, and to change stereotyped division of labor as well as institutions and systems that bring about gender disparity. GAD program collaborates with government agencies, private institutions, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to hold interactive gender training activities. This research assessed the status of the Gender and Development (GAD) programs and activities in identified barangay. The researchers used the descriptive research method to gather information about the respondents’ demographic profile. The data obtained were analyzed using percentage weighted mean, and t-test for significant difference for the status of the GAD programs and activities. Based on the findings data suggested that improvement in service in gender and development area is highly suggest to meet the community expectations in our government in general. Despite the importance of GAD in respected barangays, however, the programs and activities were not enough due to lack of funds and support by the government. Moreover, significant difference was seen on the aspect of administrative, organization focus, gender roles and issues while no significant difference was seen on the aspects of client focus. The results also indicated the urgent necessity for the government to elevate its support to the local government to maximize its GAD programs and activities.
Gender and Development, Programs and activities, Client Focused, Administrative Focused, Gender Issues
ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF SMALL ANDMEDIUM SCALE TIMBER BUSINESSES IN SOUTH-SOUTH REGION OF NIGERIA
This study is centered on entrepreneurial orientation and performance of small and medium scale timber businesses in South-South region of Nigeria. The present problem regarding the performance of small and medium scale timber business is the major concern that necessitated this study. Thus, some SMEs usually collapse before their fifth year anniversary coupled with the problems of poor funding, epileptic power supply, inexperience, lack of entrepreneurial spirit/orientation, increase in multiple taxation by community, forest personnel, local and state government as well as instability in exchange rate on importing and procuring equipment, lack of creativity, and or innovations as well as competitive aggressiveness equally constitute constraints. In view of these, the objectives of the study are: to examine the effect of entrepreneurial orientations (EO) measured by innovativeness, proactivesness, competitive aggressiveness and risk taking of entrepreneur on the performance of small and medium scale timber businesses. Data was obtained from primary sources by the use of questionnaire Data from 379 respondents and analyzed using simple regression. Findings of the study showed that there is significant relationship between innovation, competitive aggressiveness, risk taking and proactiveness on the growth of small and medium scale timber businesses in South-South region of Nigeria. The study concludes that innovativeness, proactivesness, competitive aggressiveness and risk taking of entrepreneur on leads to the performance of small and medium scale timber businesses. The study recommended that entrepreneurial orientation should be seen by all as a panacea for high productivity in small and medium scale timber business. Hence, it should be practiced by all sectors of SMEs in order to meet up with the objectives of the organization. There is need for the Department of Micro and Small-Enterprise Development (DMSED) to consider in her blue print, facilitation of capacity building workshops and seminars for small and medium entrepreneurs to sensitize them on the significance of these dimensions in business performance.
This seminar paper is focused on deadlock avoidance. Deadlock can be defined as a situation where a set of processes are blocked because each process is holding a resource and waiting for another resource acquired by some other process In deadlock avoidance, the request for any resource will be granted if the resulting state of the system doesn't cause deadlock in the system. In order to avoid deadlocks, the process must tell OS, the maximum number of resources a process can request to complete its execution. A deadlock prevention algorithm organizes resource usage by each process to ensure that at least one process is always able to get all the resources it needs. One such example of deadlock algorithm is Banker's algorithm
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS’ HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:STRENGTHENING QUALITY EDUCATION
This paper examines tertiary institutions, the quality of teaching, learning process and the pedagogy competencies of the lecturers. It is aimed at Tertiary institutions’ staff development activities and the furtherance of knowledge, attitude and skills required to professionally carry out teaching and research duties in higher institutions. The objective of the paper is to stress a properly planned and well-articulated staff development programe that will facilitate a robust and well-motivated teaching, research and environment for students and the institutions’ community. This paper therefore speaks to the need of tertiary institutions’ staff development opportunities, the need for staff development and the activities involved as it relates to pedagogy development. The research method adopted is qualitative; consultation of relevant material in library and the internet. The paper also discusses some crucial challenges of human resources development in tertiary institutions, and concludes by recommending among others that, lecturers should be regularly encouraged to participate in academic activities as workshops, conferences and seminars locally and internationally. Tertiary institutions’ human resource departments should reposition their personnel units for training and retraining of their academic staff to acquire the relevant administrative and academic skills for leadership and policy implementation; higher institutions in collaboration with relevant institutions, should work out international sponsorship programs for lecturers, to expose them to practical professional standards, current pedagogical skills, and cross fertilization of ideas and knowledge.
Pedagogy, Tertiary institution, Development, Training needs.
This article is devoted to teaching English through idioms. The aim of the article is to analysis of teaching vocabulary through idioms. The authors conclude that the method of teaching English through idioms is one of the effective ways not losing interest in learning the language.
instruction, idea, choice, meaning, items, fiddle stage, analyses, communication, cloud, spirits, horse.
ETWORK ARCHITECTURE: TIERS OF CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURES
This paper examined network architecture: tiers of client server architectures. Network architecture has to do with the design of a network. The network architecture determines the physical components and the configuration to be used. Client-Server architecture is an architectural deployment style that describes the separation of functionality into layers with each segment being a tier that can be located on a physically separate computer. They evolved through the component-oriented approach, generally using platform specific methods for communication instead of a message-based approach. This architecture has different usages with different applications. It can be used in web applications and distributed applications. The two tier and N-tier client/server architectures are discussed and the criteria for selecting a given network architecture is also examined in this paper.
Client, Server, Network, Architecture, Browser
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN RELATIONTO THEIR CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE
The present study aimed to analyze the Leadership Behaviour of Secondary School Principals In Relation To Their Cultural Intelligence. The investigator has selected 40 Govt. secondary schools principals and 60 private secondary schools principals on the basis of purposive random sampling technique. The following tools used in present study; Leadership Behaviour Scale developed and standardized by Dr. Asha Hingar and Cultural Intelligence measured by Cultural Quotient scale (CQS) standardized and developed by Earley and Ang’s (2003). Keeping in mind the nature and objectives of the study the descriptive survey method was used. The descriptive statistics were computed and to find out the relationship between Leadership Behavior and cultural intelligence, product moment co-efficient of correlation (r) were computed. The result revealed that the study of leadership behaviour of principals is negatively related with the three components of cultural intelligence. This indicates that though the leadership behavior among the principal had less ratted diverse culture socially as well academically. The finding of the present study further indicates that the leadership behaviour of principals positively related with the Behavioural components of cultural intelligence.
Leadership Behaviour, Secondary School Principals, Cultural Intelligence.
ENTREPRENEURIAL POTENTIALS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONTECHNOLOGY (ICT)
This paper focuses on the entrepreneurial opportunities in Information and Communication Technology. ICT has a lot to offer and it’s one of the tools to overcome poverty. ICT can reduce poverty especially in the rural area by creating job opportunities. The role of ICT in job creation is the most important aspect of this work, while other potentials like, improving rural livelihood through geographical information systems, mobile phone as well as traditional media such as radio and TV is also discussed. In view of the important role ICT plays in all aspects of our personal and business lives, the ICT entrepreneur has become critical to development. In this era of globalization, ICT entrepreneurship allows countries like Nigeria to become producer and creators of jobs in the high value areas of the knowledge economy. ICT entrepreneurial learning is required to achieve the potentials available in the ICT use in entrepreneurship in today’s digital world.
ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF MODERN LINGUISTICS AND SOLUTIONS
It is a well-known fact that an indispensable condition for the implementation of any communicative act must be a mutual knowledge of realities by the speaker and the listener which is the basis of language communication. These values have been received in linguistics as the name of background knowledge. Not only does a word reflecting an object or phenomenon of the reality of a particular society refer to this, but also creates some background association with this word.
Foreign language, method, knowledge, skills, translation, problem
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF WAEC SECURITY SYSTEMS IN THE AGE OFTECHNOLOGICAL SHIFT AND LEAKAGES OF EXAMINATION QUESTIONS ANDANSWERS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
The integrity of national examinations in Nigeria has been a persistent concern, particularly in the context of widespread examination malpractice and technological shifts. This study investigates WAEC (West African Examinations Council) security systems in secondary schools in Cross River State, focusing on the influence of technological advancements, institutional factors, and socio-economic pressures on examination supervision and leakage. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, targeting students, teachers, and WAEC examination officers. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 400 respondents, and data were collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and mean scores, were used to analyze responses to research questions, while Chi-square tests were applied to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The findings reveal that while technological innovations such as digital certificates, mobile ID verification, and computer-based testing (CBT) are perceived to enhance examination security, their statistical impact is not significant, likely due to infrastructural and implementation challenges. Conversely, institutional factors—such as school size, location, and staff competence—significantly influence the effectiveness of examination supervision. Additionally, socio-economic pressures, including financial hardship, peer influence, and cultural emphasis on results, significantly contribute to examination malpractice among students. The study concludes that addressing examination leakage in Cross River State requires a multifaceted approach, combining technological upgrades, institutional capacity building, socio-economic support for students, and strict policy enforcement. Recommendations include strengthening technological infrastructure, enhancing staff training, providing financial support to students, and engaging communities in anti-malpractice initiatives. This research provides practical insights for policymakers, educational authorities, and examination bodies seeking to improve the security and credibility of national examinations in Nigeria
WAEC, examination security, technological advancements, institutional factors, socio-economic pressures, examination malpractice, Cross River State.