Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ILARO JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

FOREWORD

In welcoming our esteemed readers to Volume 8, Issue 1 of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro – Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (FEPI-JOPAS), I do so with immense pleasure. As we continue to uphold our tradition of publishing scholarly articles, we take pleasure in bringing you articles on issues of science, technology, health, and socio-economic development. The five articles that have been selected for publication in this volume clearly manifest the relevance, innovation, and rigour for which FEPI-JOPAS stands.

This highly scintillating edition begins with renown research findings from built environment by considering of the work of Eleshin et al. titled “Assessment of The State Security Actors' Response to Goods Smuggling in Yewa Region, Ogun State”. Their study objectives are to identify categories of pronounced or popular goods smuggling; identify major routes for goods smuggling; and identifying major principal state security actors in charge of anti-goods smuggling. The Study also revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)is the major and principal state security actor in charge of anti-goods smuggling activities in the study area. At the same time, Sango-Atan/Ota-Owode-Idiroko and Papalanto-Ilaro-Oja/Odan-Ohunbe axes were identified as the major/popular routes for the goods smuggling activities.

From the department of library science, Orelaja’s research contribution was titled “Knowledge Management Practices a Predictor on Job Performance of Librarians in Selected Universities, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria”. Findings revealed a moderately high level of job performance among librarians (Mean = 3.21) and a similarly high level of KM practices (Mean = 3.30). The paper recommends that higher institutions invest in knowledge-sharing platforms such as digital repositories, online forums, and professional workshops to foster collaboration and enhance job performance.

Similarly, Okoh and co-workers tackle a pressing issue in their article titled "Molecular Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria from Cow and Goat Meat in a Nigerian Market". Their findings suggest that meat sold in open markets harbors antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to poor hygiene and indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock, they are therefore, advocating for improved sanitary measures, responsible antibiotic use, and regular microbial surveillance are essential to safeguard public health. From the domain of crop production technology, Oyekale and Faremi. contributes to "Maize Response to Varying Weed Control Times: Growth, Yield, and Correlation Insights". This study examined maize response to varying weed control times in Nigeria’s rainforest agro-ecological zone using a Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments: Findings of their research confirm a critical weed control period within the first 4 WAP, essential for optimizing maize growth and yield

Finally, Ogunyemi and Alaba, deliver a crucial Nutrition and Dietetics study titled "Nutritional Qualities and Comparative Acceptability of Self Developed Flakes and Balls Produced from Oat and Cocoa Beans". It investigated the nutritional qualities and comparative acceptability of self-developed ready-to-eat flakes and balls produced from oat and cocoa beans. The study recommends that blending oat and cocoa in product development enhances both nutritional quality and consumer acceptability, food producers should prioritize using oat –cocoa composite flour in flakes and balls productions as they provide affordable, and acceptable alternatives to conventional breakfast cereals, with potential to promote healthier dietary choices.

Collectively, these efforts help to ensure that the journal continues to serve as a multidisciplinary forum for theory-and-practice bridging work. It is my pleasure to thank all authors for their dedication and scholarship, as well as our reviewers and editors for their tireless devotion to excellence. We invite our readers, academics, professionals, policymakers, and students alike, to explore the diverse insights offered in this issue. May these studies inform your work, inspire new ideas, and contribute meaningfully to scientific and societal advancement.

As we look toward future editions, we shall continue to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Thank you for your continued support for this Journal.  I am looking forward to receiving your manuscripts for evaluation and subsequent publications. This journal is indexed in Arican Journal Oline (AJOL) and can be access online at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/fepijopas. You can also visit our website (https://fepi-jopas.federalpolyilaro.edu.ng/) for more information or contact us via e-mail at [email protected]

Thank you and best regards.

Prof. Olayinka O. AJANI

Editor-in-Chief

Federal Polytechnic Ilaro - Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (FEPI-JOPAS)