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This study assessed the factors influencing students' interest and participation in Biology-related extracurricular activities in secondary schools within Ungogo Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 70 respondents, including students, teachers, and school administrators, using a structured questionnaire. The research addressed four key objectives: identifying factors influencing student interest, exploring the effects of non-participation, examining the roles of schools and educators, and analyzing the impact on academic performance. Findings revealed that students exhibited high interest in Biology-related extracurricular activities, with mean scores ranging from 3.70 to 4.20, and the key influencing factors included teacher encouragement, availability of resources, and engaging teaching methods. Non-participation was found to negatively affect students' perception of Biology concepts and practical knowledge, though some respondents remained neutral on its long-term career impacts. Schools and educators play significant roles in fostering participation, with institutional support and parental involvement being critical drivers. Socioeconomic factors also influenced access to extracurricular opportunities. The study concluded that while intrinsic motivation is important, extrinsic factors such as teacher support, resource availability, and parental encouragement significantly enhance participation. Recommendations include strengthening teacher engagement, increasing awareness among parents, securing funding for science clubs, and fostering partnerships with external organizations. The findings contribute to educational strategies aimed at improving student engagement in Biology and STEM fields, providing insights for policymakers and educators to enhance extracurricular programming in Kano State and similar contexts.

ABSTRACT<br> This study investigates the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) on economic sustainability in Nigeria from 1993 to 2023. It examines the influence of key fiscal and macroeconomic variables, including VAT, Government Expenditure, Foreign Direct Investment, Inflation Rate, and Exchange Rate, on the country’s economic sustainability using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The result finding shows that Government Expenditure and Inflation Rate have positive relationships with economic sustainability (13015pv 0.6221) and (1.77E+08 pv 0.528, while VAT, Foreign Direct Investment, and Exchange Rate are negatively associated. However, none of these variables were statistically significant at the 5 percent level, suggesting limited effectiveness in explaining variations in economic outcomes. The findings imply that the current VAT structure may not contribute meaningfully to long-term development under existing economic conditions. The study concludes that for VAT to support sustainability, it must be part of a transparent and well-aligned fiscal strategy. Recommendations put forward include improving VAT administration, expanding its coverage, integrating tax policy reforms with national development plans, and prioritising government spending in key growth-stimulating sectors such as education, health, and renewable energy.

This study has demonstrated that acute sleep deprivation significantly impairs cognitive recognition in rats, as assessed using the NORT. The combined stress of sleep deprivation and peptic ulcer induction further exacerbated cognitive deficits, highlighting the compounded effects of these two stressors. Although recovery from sleep deprivation showed some improvements in cognitive recognition, it was clear that full restoration was not achieved, particularly in the presence of additional stressors such as peptic ulcers. The findings suggest that sleep deprivation and ulcer induction together have a detrimental effect on cognitive function, emphasizing the importance of sleep for maintaining cognitive health.<br><br> The study also demonstrated that acute sleep deprivation, in conjunction with peptic ulcer induction, significantly impacts oxidative stress markers in the brain, which in turn affects cognitive recognition functions. The recovery phase after sleep deprivation resulted in noticeable improvements in antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly SOD and thiol levels, which are crucial for combating oxidative damage.<br><br> 5.5 Recommendations<br><br> Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made to address the adverse effects of acute sleep deprivation on cognitive functions in individuals with peptic ulcers:<br><br> 1. Promote Awareness of Sleep Hygiene: It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of adequate sleep in preventing cognitive impairments, particularly in individuals at risk for peptic ulcers or other stress-related disorders.<br><br> 2. Antioxidant-Based Therapeutics: Healthcare providers should explore the potential use of antioxidant-based therapies to mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation and oxidative stress on cognitive functions. These interventions may benefit individuals with gastrointestinal disorders who are particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline.<br><br> 3. Further Research on Cognitive Mechanisms: Future studies should investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking oxidative stress, sleep deprivation, and cognitive dysfunction. This could provide insights into new therapeutic targets for improving cognitive performance in stressed individuals.<br><br> 4. Lifestyle Interventions: Clinicians managing patients with peptic ulcers and sleep deprivation should consider incorporating lifestyle interventions, such as sleep optimization and stress management, to improve cognitive function and overall health.<br><br> 5. Expand Research to Human Models: While the results in rats are informative, further research involving human subjects is necessary to validate these findings and refine therapeutic strategies for oxidative stress-induced cognitive decline.<br><br> 6. Incorporate Stress and Sleep Management in Clinical Practice: Clinicians treating patients with peptic ulcers or related gastrointestinal disorders should consider incorporating stress management and sleep optimization strategies into their treatment plans. This may help mitigate the cognitive effects of these conditions.<br><br> 7. Public Health Advocacy: Public health initiatives should focus on promoting sleep health and reducing sleep deprivation in high-risk populations to prevent the cognitive impairments associated with oxidative stress.<br><br> 8. By implementing these recommendations, it is possible to improve the understanding, prevention, and management of the cognitive impairments caused by acute sleep deprivation in individuals with gastrointestinal and oxidative stress-related disorders.

This study examines responsiveness as a tool for customer’s satisfaction in Ogba zoo in Edo state. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between responsiveness and customer satisfaction. Survey research was adopted in the study to examine the relationship between responsiveness and customer satisfaction. The target population of the study were tourists visiting Ogba zoo between 2019-2022. A total population of 380,000 presenting the number of visitors at Ogba from 2019 to 2022 was used for this study. The sample size (328) was determine using Krejcie and Morgan's formula. Primary data were obtained using questionnaires administered to the target population of tourists visiting ogba zoo, Edo state. The study found that prompt response to customer needs had a significant impact on their level of satisfaction. Therefore, it was recommended that management of tourism industries should respond promptly to the needs of customers as quickly as possible.

With the rise of digital communication and increasing data breaches, ensuring the security of sensitive data during transmission has become paramount. This project explores and implements cryptographic techniques to protect sensitive data in network communication. It investigates various cryptographic algorithms, including symmetric encryption methods such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and asymmetric encryption techniques like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), to evaluate their effectiveness in safeguarding information against unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Practical experimentation and analysis are conducted to assess security performance, computational efficiency, and scalability. The system ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity during data transmission and provides insights into the practical application of cryptographic solutions in domains such as e-commerce, online banking, and secure messaging.

ABSTRACT<br> This study investigated the impact of organic manure, specifically cow dung, on the growth and yield parameters of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf), a medicinal plant widely used in urban and peri-urban agriculture in Benin. The research was conducted over four weeks at the biological garden of Kaduna Polytechnic, Nigeria, employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) and Treatment 2 (T2) both supplemented with cow dung, and a control group without manure. The growth parameters assessed included plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. The results demonstrated that cow dung significantly enhanced the vegetative growth of Ocimum gratissimum. Plants in T1 exhibited the most substantial growth, with heights increasing from 4 cm to 26 cm, leaf counts from 2 to 36, and leaf areas expanding from 0.4 cm² to 5.08 cm². In contrast, T2 showed slightly less growth, while the control group demonstrated considerably lower growth rates across all measured parameters. Statistical analysis through ANOVA confirmed significant differences (p < 0.001) among the treatments for all growth metrics, underscoring the effectiveness of cow dung in promoting growth. This study not only confirms the role of organic manure in sustainable agriculture but also highlights its potential for enhancing the yield and quality of medicinal plants like Ocimum gratissimum. Recommendations include further investigation into optimal application rates and long-term effects on soil health, plant quality, and essential oil production.

The growing environmental cost of modern construction has placed urgent demand on the building industry to explore sustainable alternatives. In Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, the housing sector continues to rely heavily on energy intensive materials and methods, resulting in high emissions and limited affordability. In an effort to curtail the effects the construction industry has on our environment, sometimes the way forward is a step back—into the wisdom of the soil beneath our feet. This study therefore addresses the need for more sustainable, locally responsive solutions by exploring the potentials of Rammed Earth Residential Buildings (RERBs) as a viable model for eco-friendly housing. The aim of the research is to explore the potentials of rammed earth residential buildings using green architecture principles, a case study of FOPCHEN NETZERO Center Abuja, FCT. The research employed interpretivism philosophy with a case study as a strategy in collecting data through semi-structured interview with the architect behind the FOPCHEN NetZero Training Centre. In addition, observation and photography were applied as techniques in supplementing data. The findings revealed that RERBs offer significant advantages including reduced construction costs, enhanced thermal comfort, resource conservation, and deep alignment with green architecture principles. Moreover, the study affirms that with the right technical knowledge and policy support, rammed earth can offer a replicable model for climate-resilient, culturally rooted, and low-carbon housing in Nigeria. Pen-ultimately, this work calls for a rethinking of what sustainable architecture means in the Nigerian context—one that values not just efficiency, but ecological harmony, material honesty, and cultural continuity. Ultimately, the study concludes that rammed earth holds great promise for addressing climate-resilient and culturally rooted housing needs in Nigeria because, it offers a unique blend of affordability, ecological sensitivity, thermal efficiency, and cultural authenticity. Also, the study recommends increased awareness, technical training, and the creation of more robust and supportive policy frameworks to enable broader adoption of this environmentally responsible building technique.

ABSTRACT<br><br> This study examines the influence of violent film viewership on adolescents'<br><br> social behavior in Abia State, Nigeria. Using Social Learning Theory,<br><br> Cultivation Theory, and Aggressive Cue Theory, the study explores how violent<br><br> films impact aggression, desensitization, and character formation. A survey of<br><br> adolescents revealed that 65% frequently watch violent films, and 57% reported<br><br> increased aggression. Hypothesis testing confirmed a significant relationship<br><br> between violent film exposure and adolescent character formation (χ² = [value],<br><br> p < 0.05), supporting the alternative hypothesis (H₁). However, parental<br><br> involvement mitigated negative effects, with 70% of supervised adolescents<br><br> showing lower aggression levels. The study concludes that while violent films<br><br> shape adolescent behavior, parental guidance and media literacy can reduce<br><br> harmful effects. It recommends regulatory measures and awareness campaigns<br><br> to promote responsible media consumption among adolescents.<br><br> Keywords: Violent films, Adolescents, Social behavior, Aggression, Media<br><br> effects, Nigeria