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ABSTRACT<br> Nigeria has been grappling with a severe shortage of healthcare workers, which thereby<br> prompted the adoption of task shifting and task sharing policy. The policy aims to address the<br> requirements of country's healthcare workforce for essential health programs and ensure<br> universal health coverage and health needs for the population. In order for the policy to be<br> effectively implemented, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of its principles,<br> guidelines and the need for it. This study sought to examine midwives' perceptions and attitudes<br> about task sharing and task shifting at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in<br> Akure. A descriptive survey methodology was used, with 61 respondents obtained using the<br> convenient sampling strategy. The data was obtained using self-administered structured<br> questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that 37.7% of the<br> respondents had worked for 1 to 5 years, 31.1% of the respondents had worked for 6 to 10 years<br> and another 31.1% of the respondents had worked for more than 11 years. 98.4% have the<br> knowledge of task shifting and task sharing. 98.4% stated that it is a form of division of labor<br> where the stipulated task is shared among health practitioners. 91.8% said it fosters the most<br> effective use of the skill and knowledge of well-trained mid-level cadres to satisfy health<br> demands. Altogether, the findings highlighted a generally positive outlook on task sharing and<br> task shifting as strategies to strengthen healthcare systems, improve access to care, and optimize<br> the use of human resources.<br> Keywords: Perception, Attitude, Midwives, Task Sharing and Task Shifting<br> Word count: 249 words

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a critical public health concern in Nigeria, especially among young adults. Traditional predictive models often rely on binary or rigid logic, which fails to account for the uncertain and complex nature of human behavior. This project presents a fuzzy logic-based predictive model designed to estimate an individual’s risk of contracting STDs, using well-documented risk factors such as age, sexual behavior, condom usage, and symptom presence.<br> The study adopts a simulation-based approach using secondary data from national health surveys, research articles, and public health reports. Key behavioral and demographic indicators were extracted to define input variables and fuzzy sets. A rule-based fuzzy inference system was then developed using MATLAB, enabling the classification of individuals into Low, Medium, or High STD risk categories.<br> The results demonstrate that fuzzy logic offers a more flexible and human-like reasoning approach, effectively handling the uncertainty inherent in sexual health data. The model provides a valuable tool for health practitioners, educators, and policymakers to identify high-risk individuals and apply targeted intervention strategies. This research highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in supporting smarter, data-driven public health decisions.<br> <br> Word Count: 248 words 

BACKGROUND<br> Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects a significant proportion of the global<br> population and is associated with a wide range of complications that impact an individual's<br> health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL, is now a crucial metric for assessing how well<br> patients with chronic, incurable conditions like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are being<br> treated.<br> AIM OF STUDY<br> The aim of the study was to assess HRQoL in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its<br> social, demographics and clinical determinants.<br> METHODS<br> This was a cross-sectional study that recruited 200 T2DM patients who were 18 years of age<br> or older who came to the clinic for follow-up for at least six months. Quality of life was<br> evaluated using the WHO health related quality of life-BREF (WHOHRQOL-BREF). The<br> study employed Pearson's chi squared test and multiple linear regression to examine potential<br> associations between the socio-demographic factors, clinical determinants, and HRQoL of the<br> participants. The significance level was established at less than 0.05.<br> RESULTS<br> The mean score for the overall HRQoL was 47.05 ± 10.04.The average scores for the domains<br> of social relationships, psychological, environmental, and physical health were 44.00 ± 19.42,<br> , 46.56 ± 14.62, 51.32 ± 16.15 and 46.31 ± 12.31 respectively. The present study revealed that<br> the social domain was the most affected domain. All HRQoL domains and overall HRQoL<br> showed a negative relationship with age, BMI, comorbidities, and complications (p

This study examines the role of Information and Communication Technology in electronic banking in Nigeria. It focuses on information access, service delivery, and data protection within a fast changing banking environment. Technological progress and customer demand push banks toward electronic platforms. Nigerian banks rely on information systems to support transactions, manage cash flow, and deliver value added services. The study highlights ICT as a core driver of efficiency and competitiveness in the modern banking system. It emphasizes the strategic importance of information systems for managers operating under economic uncertainty and intense competition.

ABSTRACT<br> This study examined the effect of corporate governance on the sustainable of multinational oil and gas firms in Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the effect of board structure on, board disclosure, executive compensation, board diversity on sustainability of performance. A descriptive survey design was employed, with a sample size of 134 respondents drawn from a population of 200 firms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The regression analysis revealed that board structure significantly influences profitability, (Multiple R = 0.9996, R² = 0.9993), with a significant but inverse effect (P = 0.000364, Coefficient = -25.59). However, board disclosure (R² = 0.0415, P = 0.7963), executive compensation (R² = 0.0397, P = 0.8008), and board diversity (R² = 0.0057, P = 0.9244) do not significantly influence sustainability of performance, respectively. The study underscored the importance of optimizing corporate governance practices to enhance firm performance. Based on the findings the following recommendations were made: Multinational oil and gas firms should optimize board structures to balance governance and decision-making speed, ensuring that more efficient structures are in place for sustainable performance. Firms should focus on enhancing the quality of disclosures, ensuring transparency while aligning them with stakeholders' needs to build trust and long-term performance. Compensation packages should be closely tied to performance metrics, encouraging executives to drive sustainability and long-term success. Companies should foster diversity in their boards, ensuring that diverse perspectives are supported by an inclusive culture to drive innovation and sustainable performance. (WORD COUNT: 242)

ABSTRACT<br> This research was conducted to evaluate the breed variation in antioxidation indices among three different broiler strains in Mubi. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) day-old unsexed Cobb 500, Arbor Acre and Ross 308 broiler chicks were purchased from a reputable Hatchery.. Birds were housed in well-ventilated deep-litter pens and provided with standard commercial broiler feed and clean water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA to determine significant differences among the broiler strains. The antioxidant enzyme activities for three broiler breeds varied significantly (P>0.05 among the three broiler strains studied. For glutathione peroxidase (GPx),(U/mg) Cobb 500 (2.45) recorded the highest activity compared to Ross 308 (2.38) and Arbor Acres (2.29). This suggests that Cobb 500 possesses a stronger enzymatic antioxidant defense, which plays a critical role in reducing hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides, thereby protecting cells against oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) (U/mg) activity followed a different trend, with Arbor Acres (34.80) and Ross 308 (34.27) exhibiting significantly higher levels than Cobb 500 (32.31). Glutathione transferase (GST) (U/mg) activity showed a non-significant difference among the strains, as Cobb 500 (2.10), Arbor Acres (2.04), and Ross 308 (1.80) suggesting that the detoxification capacity of the three strains was comparable. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (U/mg), a marker of lipid peroxidation, revealed that Cobb 500 (3.55) recorded the highest value, followed by Ross 308 (3.49) and Arbor Acres (3.42). Since the observed differences were greater than the LSD value (0.05), they were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The findings revealed notable differences in antioxidant responses among the broiler breeds. Cobb 500 recorded the highest glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) activity, followed by Ross 308 and Arbor Acres, indicating a relatively stronger enzymatic defense against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage. Ross 308 and Arbor Acres had significantly higher Superoxide Dismutase activities than Cobb 500, suggesting superior protection against superoxide radicals.

As the digital landscape evolves, traditional physical security measures such as locks and filing cabinets have become insufficient for protecting sensitive information. This research explores the critical role of cryptography in ensuring data security, privacy, and integrity in an era where information is primarily stored in digital databases and transmitted across untrusted networks.<br> <br> The study identifies a significant vulnerability in standard operating system security, specifically the weakness of simple password-based authentication against sophisticated attackers and the risks associated with "super-user" account defaults. To address these vulnerabilities, the research focuses on the development and implementation of Data Encryption as a primary defense mechanism. By transforming readable plaintext into unintelligible ciphertext, encryption ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains unreadable and secure.<br> <br> The methodology adopted for this study involves a comprehensive review of cryptographical evolution—from ancient techniques like the Skytale cipher and Polybius Square to modern standards such as the Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). The research further analyzes the application of cryptology in commercial sectors, including Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and lottery systems, to demonstrate its practical significance.<br> <br> Ultimately, this study aims to develop a platform that complements physical security by enhancing data integrity and facilitating the use of sophisticated encryption tools. Despite limitations such as time and financial constraints, the research provides a foundational framework for understanding how encryption and key management can safeguard information against hacking, cracking, and unauthorized tampering in the information age.

This study examined the effect of problem-solving strategies on academic performance in the cell concept among senior secondary school students in Gusau Local Government Area. The research employed a quasi-experimental design involving 150 SS2 students from five selected schools, out of students. Two groups was used to collect data namely experimental and control group. The experimental group was taught using problem-solving instructional strategies, while the control group received traditional lecture-based instruction. Pre-test and post-test scores were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed a significant improvement in the performance of the experimental group compared to the control group. Additionally, no significant gender-based differences were observed in performance outcomes within the experimental group. The findings highlight the effectiveness of problem-solving approaches in enhancing understanding and retention of biological concepts, especially the cell. It recommends the adoption of interactive, student-centered instructional methods to improve academic performance in science subjects.