Edwin Clark University

The restoration of mangroves was essential for implementing climate change mitigation strategies. Deforestation, forest degradation, and global warming increased the amount of greenhouse gases released from the soil, which contributed to climate change. The impact of forest restoration and regenerative farming techniques was thus hindered by the absence of adequate data on Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) in the Niger Delta region, which was vulnerable to soil degradation as a result of crude oil activities. Therefore, the quantification of SOC in Gana, Saniko, and Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North of Delta State, Nigeria, was carried out to address this challenge. The findings indicated that Agbarha-Otor had the highest mean value of 1.1232 g/cm³, while Gana had the lowest mean soil bulk density (0.7764 g/cm³). A similar pattern was observed for the organic matter content, with Agbarha-Otor recording the highest mean value of 4.14% and Gana having the lowest mean soil organic matter content (2.03%). In Gana, Saniko, and Agbarha-Otor, the estimated levels of SOC ranged from 31.33 to 136.81 t C/ha. The results of this study would help policymakers develop measures that were suitable for the conservation of soil carbon.

Contemporary African life is characterized by poverty in almost every sphere of it, be it economic, political, social and even religious. Many Africans cannot afford the basic human needs such as good food, decent clothing and shelter. Indeed, Africa is a suffering continent. Next to the problem of sin, poverty is Africa’s greatest problem as seen in many aspects of African life. In spite of her vast natural resources, Africa remains one of the poorest continents in the world. Africa’s poverty could be attributed to her Philosophy (the mindset of Africans), the culture of the people and their religion. The purpose of this paper therefore, is to consider how Africans have allowed their culture and religion to influence the Socio-Economic development of the continent. The research combines both historical and phenomenological approaches in the discussion. The research findings show that Africa has a culture of destruction, a culture of oppression, a culture of corruption, a culture of injustice, a culture of betrayal, a culture of greed and a culture and religion that promotes darkness. Religiously, Africans practice a kind of religion, where everyone feels his religion is the best and this has been one of the causes of religious crises in almost every part of the continent. This paper therefore recommends, that for the continent to have a sustainable Socio-Economic development, Africans should of necessity restructure their culture and religion in tandem with world best practices, because the society is in a flux.

Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this chapter, students should be able to: 1. Define corporate sustainability and explain its linkage to good governance practices.2. Discuss the principles of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility.3. Analyze how governance structures promote sustainable corporate strategies and long-term value creation.4. Identify mechanisms through which boards and management integrate sustainability goals into decision-making.5. Evaluate the impact of governance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and stakeholder engagement.6. Discuss global and Nigerian examples of sustainable governance practices.

Abstract This research investigated the extraction, isolation, and characterization of natural dyes from Persea americana leaves for application on polyamide fabrics. The solvent extraction process was optimized through Response Surface Methodology using a Central Composite Design (RSM-CCD), while techniques such as Vacuum Liquid Chromatography (VLC) and preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were applied for dye isolation and purification. Characterization techniques like UV-Vis spectrophotometry, HPLC, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy were used to identify the compounds responsible for the dyes’ colouring properties. The study evaluated physical properties such as light fastness, wash fastness, perspiration fastness, and dry and wet rubbing fastness on polyamide fabrics. Optimal dye extraction conditions were found to be 55.6 ℃ over 3 hours. UV-Vis spectrophotometry revealed the presence of chromophores like conjugated systems in the dye fraction (VLC 13), while HPLC identified key compounds, such as quercetin and isoquercetin. FTIR spectroscopy detected functional groups typical of natural dyes, such as O-H, C-O-C, and C-O, while NMR spectroscopy confirmed the structures of two key constituents (quercetin and isoquercetin) of the dye. Mordanted fabrics showed deeper colour strength and improved fastness ratings ranging from fair to excellent (4-8 for light fastness, 2-4 for wash fastness and 2-5 for others). In contrast, unmordanted fabrics exhibited lower ratings (3-6 for light fastness, 2-4 for others, and 1-4 for rubbing fastness). These findings highlight the potential of utilizing Persea americana leaves, an often-underutilized agricultural by-product, to create bio-based textile treatments that promote green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing.

The study investigated the influence of CEO psychological traits on CSR disclosure patterns: a metadata perspective. The study acknowledged that CSR reports are far more heterogeneous in tone, structure, and credibility despite attempts to add standardisation by such frameworks as the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the Integrated Reporting. The study also acknowledged that the nexus between executive psychology and CSR reporting is under-researched. While studies on narcissist CEOs have revealed the leaders to be prone to self-promotional behaviour, empathetic leaders may focus on inclusivity and orientation to stakeholders. The study utilised a panel of 85 non-financial listed firms on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) that was unbalanced between 2011-2023. The data are collected based on notices on firm websites, the GRI database, and the Bloomberg ESG repository. Biographical information on the CEO and compensation data are captured in BoardEx, local filings/proxy statements, and annual reports of the firms. Following the elimination of the firm-years with either missing outcome or key predictors, the working panel includes 3,500 observations outcome of the firms. The finding revealed that CEO openness greatly predetermined future-focused CSR articulations and embracement of new models, in line with open-minded leadership tendencies of adopting innovative strategies and thinking into the future. The study concluded that openness of the CEOs is the most significant determining factor in the change towards adoption of novel CSR frameworks, although the other attributes have an intermediate or indirect effect. It was recommended that Firms must use empathetic CEOs to improve the prosocial tone of the disclosure without compromising technical accuracy and simplicity of the report.

This study aims to investigate the impact of "Yahoo boys" on the cost of renting a house in Warri and the surrounding areas.As they seek accommodation in more upscale areas, traditional pricing structures are disrupted, prompting landlords to adjust their rates accordingly.Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the data, using two regression models: linear and log-linear.Each model revealed different impacts on the relationship between housing rental prices and their influencing factors.Notably, the linear and log-linear models produced similar findings, indicating that general inflation, limited housing supply, the presence of Yahoo boys, and population growth are all significant and positively correlated with housing rental prices.However, the landlords' decisions were significant only in the linear model, while they did not show significance in the log-linear model.The log-linear model emphasized the significance of electricity supply and fences, while the linear model showed no significance.The study recommends that the federal government address internet fraud and the rising housing prices in Warri, Delta State.The increase in "Yahoo boys" scams threatens financial security and the community's reputation.To combat this, stricter regulations, cybersecurity awareness programs, and community outreach initiatives are necessary.The high demand for affordable housing in Warri exacerbates socio-economic disparities.To address this issue, the government should promote the construction of affordable housing, incentivize local developers, and provide financial assistance to low-and middle-income families.Additionally, controlling inflation and supporting sustainable urban development can help reduce living costs and improve the quality of life for low-income earners.

This paper observes the role of the female gender in today's Africa, as depicted by Donald Besong in Bleeding Stubs. We begin by drawing inspiration from works on liberal feminist theory and recent critical insights on gender elements in African oral and written literary traditions. We purport that Besong uses the powerful female character, Seyena, to demonstrate higher educational levels among Cameroonian women today. Despite being stereotyped as sexiness clad in a military uniform, Seyena's strength is evident in her education, mannerisms, skills, professionalism, leadership and high rank.

Background: This study aims to offer insights into the knowledge, awareness and prevalence that exists among undergraduates in Delta State regarding the appropriate use of NSAIDs and other pain relievers. Methods: This study was a simple, randomly selected cross-sectional descriptive study that utilize a pre-tested questionnaire from a similar study for data collection. The questionnaire was well structured and pretested, comprising 19 open and closed-ended questions, including sub-questions that covered topics from social demographics to knowledge and prevalence. For associations with demographic variables, data analysis employed frequency and percentage counts, as well as chi-square inferential statistics. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study found that 56.8% of participants were female, mostly aged 21-25. Painkiller use was prevalent at 83.3%, with common choices being Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Diclofenac, and Indomethacin for various pains. Effectiveness influenced drug selection for 26.5% of respondents, while healthcare professionals prescribed 33% of the drugs used. For pain management, 45.9% sought hospital advice, and 27% visited chemists. Additionally, 54% of respondents knew the correct dosage, but only 48.3% adhered to it. Over 20.3% rated their awareness of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as good. Common side effects included sweating, heartburn, chest pain, and stomach pain. The P-values for associations between sociodemographic variables and prevalence were 0.250 for gender and 0.0001 for both age and ethnicity respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that over half (54%) of respondents had good knowledge of NSAIDs and a high prevalence (83.3%) of NSAID use, with 30% of respondents stating their awareness of ADRs associated with undergraduate students in Delta State. The high prevalence of NSAIDs use underscores the need for continued public health education on the safe and effective use of these medications.