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ABSTRACT<br><br> One of the most potent themes in African-American literature is the ongoing search for identity, which has always played a major role in African-American experience. This study examines Quest for Identity in African-American Literature using Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and Tar Baby. The study employs Critical Race Theory proposed by such scholars as Derrick Bell, Alan Freeman and Richard Delgado as its theoretical anchor and aims to reveal the profound difficulties the blacks face in their search for identity within a society that simultaneously marginalizes them and dictates standards of beauty they cannot conform to using the a foremost mentioned text. This study uses a qualitative methodology and a close reading approach in its analysis of the primary selected texts. The main sources of data for this study were Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and Tar Baby, as well as peer-reviewed scholarly publications and internet database. The investigation reveals that the fundamental factors that influence the main characters' search for identity are both internalized racism and the external pressures of societal norms which play pivotal roles in the fractured and conflicted sense of self among Morrison's protagonists. In The Bluest Eye, the study discovers that the protagonists' problem of identity is deeply tied to internalized racism and the destructive pursuit of unattainable beauty standards. In Tar Baby, the study discovers that the protagonists' problem of identity manifests in the clash between cultural heritage and assimilation into white-dominated society. The study concludes that Morrison's work illuminates the multifaceted struggle for identity within African-American Literature, as shaped by racial inequality. This quest for identity among Blacks continues till today, hampering their growth in the society, a feature that Morrison mirrors in both texts.

ABSTRACT<br> The testes are vital for male fertility, but exposure to aluminum chloride (ALCl3) can cause oxidative stress and structural damage. This study investigated the protective effects of kolaviron, a natural antioxidant from Garcinia kola, on AlCl3-induced testicular toxicity in male mice. Thirty-five adult male mice were obtained and acclimatized for a week, during which they were provided standard chow pellets and fresh drinking water. They were divided into seven groups receiving different treatments: Group A served as the control, Group B was given Tween-20, Group C received 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride, Group D was administered 100 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, Group E was treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, Group F received 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride combined with 100 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, and Group G was given 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride along with 200 mg/kg of kolaviron. Treatments were delivered daily for 15 days via an oral cannula. The mice were sacrificed through cervical dislocation, and their testes were harvested. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism Software. Aluminum chloride exposure led to testicular damage and oxidative stress by disrupting the germinal epithelium and lowering antioxidant enzymes. Kolaviron, especially at higher doses, mitigated these effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.<br> Keywords: Aluminum chloride (AlCl3), Kolaviron, Oxidative stress, Testicular morphology, Cervical Dislocation

The Study examines the Effect of Performance Appraisal on Employee’s Productivity in Commercial Banks in Nigeria, focusing on accuracy rate, completeness rate, and timeliness as a critical performance appraisal dimensions. Performance appraisal serves as a vital tool in workforce management, influencing employee motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity. The research aims to assess how the accuracy of performance evaluations impacts employee productivity, evaluate the extent to which the completeness of appraisal processes influences outcomes, and investigate how timely feedback affects overall employee performance. A mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews was adopted to gather data from employees and managers in selected commercial banks across Nigeria Findings from this study are expected to valuable insights into improving appraisal practices, fostering employee efficiency, and enhancing the overall operational performance of commercial banks in Nigeria.

Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a major cause of death worldwide and often leads to serious blood-related health problems. This study looks at how the methanol extract from the stem bark of Annona senegalensis can help protect the blood in rats with liver cancer caused by a chemical called diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Fifty-four male rats were divided into six groups: one normal group, one with liver cancer but no treatment, another with liver cancer treated with a standard drug (silymarin), and three groups treated with different doses of Annona senegalensis extract. The study measured important blood components, including red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), white blood cells (WBC), haematocrit (HCT), and platelets (PLT). The results showed that rats with liver cancer had lower levels of RBC, HGB, and PLT, which are signs of anaemia and blood clotting problems. However, treatment with Annona senegalensis, especially at a higher dose (400 mg/kg), improved these blood levels. The plant’s protective effects may be due to its natural compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study suggests that Annona senegalensis could be a natural option to help manage blood-related problems in liver cancer. More research, including human studies, is needed to fully understand how it works and ensure it is safe for use.

Menstruation is the cyclical shedding of the endometrial lining following failure of fertilization or implantation of an embryo. The physical manifestations of puberty and the lack of safe, dignified practices to manage menstruation have somehow created a complex, heavy silence around this important and positive lifecycle change. Cultural norms and taboos affect the society perception about women and menstruation often leading to a gap in gender equality. Addressing knowledge gaps is important as shame and poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) have been associated with a lack of knowledge. The general objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of menstruation and practice of menstrual hygiene among out of school adolescent girls, in Maiduguri Borno state.<br><br> A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using an interview administered questionnaire. Four hundred and fourteen interview based questionnaires were administered over the period of four weeks. The data obtained was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 20, 2014 edition.<br><br> The result showed that the age group 16 to 17 has the highest number of respondents. Out of the 414 questionnaires administered, 210 had no knowledge of menses before onset of menarche. About 216 and 199 of the respondents used disposable sanitary pads and non-disposable sanitary pads respectively.<br><br> Borno state and federal government should encourage adolescent education through legislations, subsidise menstrual hygiene management products and improve WASH facilities in public places to enable those that go to work change effectively.

ABSTRACT<br> This study investigates the impact of cryptocurrency on traditional fiat currency in<br> Nigeria, focusing on the relationship between cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes,<br> and the value of the Nigerian Naira (NGN). In recent years, the adoption of<br> cryptocurrencies has surged, raising questions about their influence on established<br> monetary systems. Utilizing quarterly data from Q1 2010 to Q4 2023, the research<br> employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze the long-term and<br> short-term dynamics between the variables. The study begins by assessing the<br> stationarity of the data using the Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) unit root<br> test, which confirms that the variables are stationary at levels and first differences.<br> Following this, the ARDL bounds test is conducted to evaluate potential cointegration,<br> revealing a significant long-run relationship among the variables. The findings indicate<br> that cryptocurrency trading significantly impacts the value of fiat money in Nigeria.<br> Specifically, while an increase in cryptocurrency prices correlates positively with the<br> value of the Naira, higher trading volumes are associated with a negative relationship,<br> attributed to liquidity challenges in the foreign exchange market. Moreover, the Granger<br> causality test results show no significant causal relationship between the variables,<br> suggesting that fluctuations in cryptocurrency prices and volumes do not predict<br> changes in fiat money value. This absence of causality underscores the limited<br> integration of cryptocurrency and traditional monetary systems in Nigeria. The study<br> concludes that while cryptocurrencies present alternative investment avenues, they do<br> not yet serve as effective substitutes for fiat currency. Consequently, recommendations<br> for policymakers include the need for regulatory frameworks to monitor cryptocurrency<br> activities and their implications on traditional financial systems, ensuring a balanced<br> approach to innovation and economic stability.

Internet is defined as a global broadcasting capability, a system for information broadcasting, and a means for interaction and collaboration between individuals and their communication devices irrespective of their geographical location. Health seeking behaviour refers to the actions taken by individuals to prevent, diagnose, and treat health problems as well as to promote overall well-being.<br> There are limited studies to determine the factors contributing to use of internet for health seeking behavior, especially in the northern part of the country and limited study was done in Borno state hence the need for this study. Due to paucity of in the northern states, this study will prompt the needed research; public health policy changes towards internet use for health information seeking behaviour. The general objectives of this study is to access the use of internet for health seeking behaviour among adults in Maiduguri.<br> A structured sampling method was carried out using interview administered questionnaire. Five hundred interview-based questionnaires were administered over the period of two weeks. The data obtained was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 27, 2020 Edition.<br> The results showed that the age group 18 to 27 has the highest number of respondents with the total of 298. Out of 500 questionnaires administered, 367 (80.5%) used internet for health seeking behaviour. About 194 of the respondents uses Google the most for health seeking. Out of 500 respondents 279 (75.9%) search for symptoms and medical conditions and most use the internet for its trust and reliability, confidentiality, time efficiency, relative cheapness, easy accessibility, and broad view of information.<br> Borno state and Federal government should create awareness regarding side effects of wrong diagnosis through media and adopt healthcare in danger initiative to improve good relationship between healthcare workers and their clients. This will immensely reduce the dependence on internet for health seeking behaviour.

ABSTRACT<br> Erelu reservoir in Oyo town with default area of 161.07 hectares was constructed in 1961 on the Awon River, it was designed to supply potable water to the local community and adjacent areas. While the reservoir provides considerable benefits and has been the subject of various investigations, a significant gap exists in the comprehensive analysis of its physical characteristics. This oversight might pose possible potential environmental hazards if not indicated. This investigation addresses this deficiency by focusing on the characterization of the Erelu riverbed, an area identified as lacking in previous research. Supplementary interviews revealed the presence of potentially hazardous underwater features. To this end, a specialized survey boat equipped with a South SDE 28S+ Echosounder and a Starfish Side Scan Sonar, integrated with GPS receiver, was employed to assess and characterize the riverbed. These instruments facilitated detailed field operations, providing depth measurements and high-resolution imagery of the riverbed for hazard identification. Data processing and analysis were conducted utilizing Hypack 2018, ArcGIS 10.4, AutoCAD, SURFER 2020 and Starfish Scanline software. The bathymetric analysis revealed a depth range of 0.50m to 5.40m, with an average depth of 2.65m. Planimetric analysis indicated a surface area of 86.2 hectares, resulting in a calculated volume of 2,167,953.199646m3. The survey identified several submerged features, including rocks, a suspected submerged canoe, and other objects, all of which were precisely located. Based on these findings, it is recommended that warning signs be strategically placed at the identified locations to mitigate potential risks, and that dredging operations be considered to increase the reservoir's water volume.