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ABSTRACT<br> Groundnut product demand is on the increase and the application is largely dependent on the cleanness of the nuts. The separation process is usually an energy sapping task that requires a lot of time. In order to separate the nuts from its shell effectively a shelling machine was developed. The machine employs an auger screw as a means of breaking the groundnut pod. The machine basically comprises of shelling chamber, separating chamber and a motor (1HP). The arrangement of these parts is connected by a compound belt of type B standard V-belt of pitch length 1694mm. With the Von-mises equation, the material for the shelling shaft is taken to be mild steel. The materials used in the fabrication of the machine are sourced locally so as to ensure that it is cheap, affordable and easily maintained by the peasant farmers. The shelling efficiency and material damage are 84% and 14% respectively for groundnut seeds of 86.5% dry.

ABSTRACT<br> The advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed administrative structures and workplace practices in contemporary public organisations. This study examined the changing roles of professional secretaries in adapting to digital technology for effective job delivery in Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Four research questions were raised answered while four hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. <br> <br> The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 80 professional secretaries working in 13 ministries in Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. There was no sampling because the population was manageable. A structured questionnaire titled “Changing Roles of Professional Secretaries in Adapting to Digital Technology for Effective Job Delivery Questionnaire (CRPSDTQ)” was used as the instrument for data collectionand its reliability was established using test-retest method. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while inferential statistic (t-test) was used to test the null hypotheses. <br> <br> The findings revealed that professional secretaries highly utilized digital technology tools such as computers, internet services, email platforms, digital calendars, cloud storage systems, and virtual meeting applications for effective job delivery. The study further revealed that the roles of secretaries have shifted from traditional clerical functions to more strategic responsibilities including digital record management, virtual communication coordination, online research, data processing, and technical support services. The results also indicated that digital technology has positively impacted effective job delivery of professional secretaries by enhancing speed, accuracy, productivity, information accessibility, communication efficiency, and overall administrative performance. However, challenges identified included inadequate training opportunities, limited access to advanced digital infrastructure, irregular power supply, insufficient ICT facilities, and resistance to continuous technological change. Hypothesis testing showed no significant difference between the mean responses of male and female secretaries on the level of digital technology utilization, changing roles, impact of digital technology, and challenges faced in adapting to digital tools. <br> <br> The study concluded that digital technology has redefined the professional identity of secretaries and remains indispensable for effective job delivery in modern public service. It was therefore recommended, among others, that government should organize continuous digital skills training and retraining programmes, provide adequate and up-to-date ICT facilities, improve infrastructural support, and encourage professional development initiatives to enhance secretaries’ adaptability to ongoing digital transformation.<br> <br> Keywords: Digital Technology, Professional Secretaries, Job Delivery, Office Administration, ICT, Digital Skills, Public Service.

This study examines the impact of organizational creativity and innovation on entrepreneurial success and growth among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ijebu North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. The primary objective was to explore how creativity and innovation practices contribute to revenue growth, market expansion, and sustainability in resource-constrained settings. The study adopted a quantitative survey research design, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 171 SME owners and managers selected through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis to test the formulated hypotheses. The findings reveal that organizational creativity and innovation have significant positive effects on entrepreneurial success and growth, with SMEs that actively encourage creative problem-solving and innovation reporting improved customer satisfaction, increased market reach, and higher revenue growth. The results underscore the practical importance of fostering a creative organizational culture and continuous innovation to maintain competitiveness and sustainability. This study recommends that SME owners, policymakers, and development agencies prioritize strategies that strengthen creativity and innovation capabilities as critical drivers of economic development in emerging markets.

ABSTRACT<br> Liver diseases remain a global health challenge, especially in developing countries with limited access to modern healthcare. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of methanol seed extract of Diospyros mespiliformis on paracetamol-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats. Acute toxicity tests using Lorke’s method revealed no adverse effects up to 5000 mg/kg, indicating safety. Fifty rats were divided into seven groups: normal control, paracetamol-only, four extract-treated groups (50–200 mg/kg), and a silymarin-treated group. The extract was administered orally for 14 consecutive days. Hepatotoxicity was then induced using 30% paracetamol every 72 hours, for 14 days after which the liver function was assessed by measuring serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Biochemical analysis showed that paracetamol significantly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while the extract reduced ALT in a dose-dependent manner. The 200 mg/kg dose produced results comparable to silymarin, suggesting strong hepatoprotective activity, likely due to its phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The findings confirm the safety and efficacy of Diospyros mespiliformis seed extract, supporting its traditional use and potential as a natural alternative for managing liver disorders.

The study investigated skills gap in the Labour Market: Implication for Vocational Education Students. The purpose of the study was to examine the skills gap existing in the labour market and also determine the role of Vocational Education in minimising the skill gaps in the labour market. The descriptive research of the survey type was adopted for the study. The population of the study was all the students in the department of Vocational and Technical Education in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.<br> The sample for the study was 100 students in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education (40 students from Library and Information Science, 50 Students from Business Education, Four (4) Students from Agriculture Education, and two (2) Students from Technical Education) which were randomly selected from the Department of Vocational and Technical Education. The instrument for the study was questionnaire which used to collect data. The face and content validity of the instrument was ascertained by expert in Business Education, Test and Measurement and the Supervisor. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency of simple percentage.The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency counts. The findings of the study revealed that Skills gap greatly hinders an establishment innovation and creativity among the staff. The findings also revealed that Skills gaps leads to decrease in productivity within an organizations or establishment. It was suggested based on the findings of the study that Vocational Education curriculum should be tailored towards skill acquisition and give room for students to put into practice all that they have been taughtwhile in school. The skill gaps in the labour market will be reduced to the bearest minimum cause students will acquire the skills that are relevant in the labour market

This study investigated the isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from red and white sorghum during spontaneous fermentation over a 120-hour period. Sorghum flour and water extracts were fermented and analyzed at 24-hour intervals. The results showed a steady increase in LAB populations on MRS agar throughout fermentation, while counts on Nutrient Agar decreased, indicating LAB dominance. Both red and white sorghum samples supported LAB growth, with higher counts observed at the end of fermentation. Physicochemical analysis revealed significant acid production, shown by a continuous decrease in pH and a corresponding increase in titratable acidity (TTA) in all samples, particularly in sorghum water extracts, which exhibited stronger acidification than flour samples.Biochemical characterization confirmed that all isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and oxidase-negative rods, consistent with typical LAB properties. The isolates demonstrated tolerance to varying salt concentrations and acidic conditions, maintaining growth at up to 2% NaCl and low pH levels. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed differences among isolates, with some strains being broadly susceptible while others exhibited resistance to certain antibiotics. Overall, the study successfully identified diverse LAB strains in both red and white sorghum, highlighting sorghum as a rich source of LAB and showing variations in LAB characteristics between the two sorghum varieties.

This paper discussed on the effects of sports on students union of (5) institution, sports is any activity that you do for pleasure and that needs physical efforts or skills, usually done in a special area and according to fixed rules it investigate the benefits of sports on students union members and academic performance. This descriptive survey design is considered appropriate in it is current state and seeks information more distinct and finite from the respondents which is the demand of the study. The study was consist of all students union members in five (5) institutions in Kano state, for the purpose of this study, purposive sampling techniques was adopted and fire(s) public institutions in Kano state were selected. To select the respondents purposively institutions in Kano were used for the study. This implies that one hundred (100) students union members were selected as respondents from the (5) selected institutions in Kano. A self- developed, structure and validated questionnaires was used to elicit the desire information regarding effects of sports on students union of institutions in Kano state. The result also shows that students union who participate in sports do not absent from school rather they are more motivated to remain in class school and complete their academic activities in sports always discovered that students union members who participate in sports always come first in their result and are known for their excellent academic performance because of their close relationship with their educational status the study recommended that sports management in university/college should be given proper allocation of time in the school time table and sports participation should be made compulsory for every school student except on medical grounds. <br> Keywords: Sports, Students, Students Union, College/University.

This study assessed the antimicrobial activity of Meropenem and Levofloxacin, individually and in combination, against Escherichia coli BA ATCC 254389 and evaluated biochemical variations between wild-type and mutant strains. E. coli is a major Gram-negative pathogen associated with urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and gastrointestinal diseases, and rising antibiotic resistance has made treatment increasingly difficult. The organism was confirmed through cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for Meropenem and Levofloxacin were determined, and their interaction was assessed using the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). Results showed MICs of 64.0 µg/ml for Meropenem and 8.0 µg/ml for Levofloxacin, indicating greater susceptibility to Levofloxacin. When combined, Meropenem (32.0 µg/ml) and Levofloxacin (16.0 µg/ml) produced a FICI of 4.0, demonstrating antagonism and reduced effectiveness compared to individual activity. Biochemical comparison revealed that the mutant strain lost lysine decarboxylase, urease, and arabinose activity, but gained phenylalanine deaminase, Voges–Proskauer positivity, and the ability to ferment mannitol, sucrose, and raffinose. The findings showed that Levofloxacin was more effective than Meropenem against E. coli, while their combination resulted in antagonism. Antibiotic exposure produced significant biochemical shifts in the mutant strain, highlighting the adaptive potential of E. coli and the importance of careful evaluation of antibiotic combinations to prevent reduced therapeutic efficacy and resistance development.