FACULTY OF ARTS

This study examines Benin City residents’ perception of broadcast media reportage of Governor Obaseki’s “Edojob Policy.” The research sought to determine the level of awareness of Edojob Policy among residents, the media channels through which they accessed information, their attitudes towards the policy, and their overall perception of it. The study was anchored on Media Dependency Theory and Framing Theory. A survey research design was employed, with a sample size of 400 respondents drawn from Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor Local Government Areas of Edo State. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using frequency distribution and simple percentages. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were aware of Edojob Policy, with social media emerging as the dominant channel of information. Residents generally perceived the policy positively, acknowledging its contribution to job creation and empowerment. The study concludes that broadcast media reportage has been effective in creating awareness and shaping public perception of the Edojob Policy. The study recommends that media organizations continue to provide extensive coverage of developmental policies and that government sustains and expands the Edojob Initiative for broader impact.

This study examines the role of Public Relations (PR) in the management of the academic Theatre of the university of Benin , with a specific focus on it's impact on Audience engagement, ticket sales, and overall Organizational Success. The research was motivated 5 by the need to address the frequent oversight of strategic communication within theatre management, where artistic elements are often priortized. Employing a descriptive survey design, data was collected from a purposive sample of 150 students using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through frequency tables and percentages. The findings reveal that digital PR Strategies, particularly social media content and behind the scenes materials, are Paramount in engaging the modern student audience, whereas traditional methods like flyers are less effective. A strong direct correlation was established between PE efforts and ticket sales, with effective promotion and targeted discounts Significantly influencing purchase decisions . The study concludes that PR is a critical strategic management function essential for building reputation, fostering community, and ensuring the financial viability and long term sustainability of Theatre organizations . It is recommended that theatre management strategically integrate digital PR, professional branding, and community building initiatives into their core operational plans. Keywords: Theatre production, Technology integration, creativity, Artificial intelligence, capacity Building

This study is focused on examining the female journalism and security reportage in Edo State. The objectives of the study were to examine the contributions of women to security reporting in Edo State, identify the challenges faced by female journalists in security reporting within Edo State and explore whether female journalists have influenced the perception of women in the field of security reporting in Edo State. In terms of the theoretical framework, the study was based on the feminist theory and the social role theory. A survey research design was used, and questionnaire were given to residents of Benin City. Findings of the study revealed that female journalists play a significant role in raising public awareness on security issues in Edo State. The findings also showed that female journalists have successfully challenged stereotypes in security reporting. It was concluded that female journalists in Edo State are making significant strides in security reporting. The researcher therefore recommended that media houses should create more opportunities for women to participate in security-related journalism by assigning them to such beats and supporting their training and development. It was also recommended that government and non- governmental organisations should work with media platforms to promote awareness campaigns that encourage gender equity in journalism.

This Study examined the influence of digital learning apps on the academic performance of students in University of Benin. The widespread in adoption and use of digital technologies for teaching and learning informed the study, emphasizing the need to understand how digital learning apps impact academic performance as measured by grades, GPA and other indicators of academic success. The study was guided by four objectives: To identify the level of exposure of students at the University of Benin to digital learning apps, to determine the frequency of usage of
digital learning apps for academic purposes, to examine the influence of digital learning apps on the academic performance of University of Benin students, and to identify the challenges faced by University of Benin students while using digital learning apps. In terms of theoretical framework, the Constructivist Learning Theory and Diffusion of Innovation was adopted. Using a survey design, a sample size of 287 undergraduate full-time students was selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings revealed that there is a high level of digital learning apps awareness among University of Benin students. Digital learning apps was also found to significantly enhance students' retention and grades. However, challenges such as poor internet connection, high cost of data, digital distraction and little training on the use of digital learning apps were identified. The study concludes that digital learning apps positively influences students' academic performance despite certain obstacles. The researcher therefore recommends that the University should implement digital literacy programs that will help students learn how to effectively use digital learning apps, also call for the provision of free Internet (WiFi) within the University.

The world has been battling complex issues such as human trafficking and irregular migration. Nations on every continent have established measures to combat these societal issues. To fully understand the significance of these two concepts, it's essential to define them properly. Human trafficking can be likened to modern-day slavery, characterized by the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through force, coercion, deception, or exploitation, with the goal of exploiting them. This complex phenomenon involves various individuals, including traffickers, victims, and enablers, and can take many forms, such as forced labor, sex trafficking, and organ harvesting, with severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for its victims.

This Study examined the influence of digital learning apps on the academic performance of students in University of Benin. The widespread in adoption and use of digital technologies for teaching and learning informed the study, emphasizing the need to understand how digital learning apps impact academic performance as measured by grades, GPA and other indicators of academic success. The study was guided by four objectives: To identify the level of exposure of students of the University of Benin to digital learning apps, to determine the frequency of usage of digital learning apps for academic purposes, to examine the influence of digital learning apps on the academic performance of university of Benin students, and to identify the challenges faced by university of Benin students while using digital learning apps. In terms of theoretical framework, the Constructivist Learning Theory and Diffusion of Innovation was adopted. Using a survey design, a sample size of 287 undergraduate full-time students was selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings revealed that there is a high level of digital learning apps awareness among university of Benin students. Digital learning apps was also found to significantly enhance students retention and grades. However, challenges such as poor internet connection, high cost of data, digital distraction and little training on the use of digital learning apps were identified. The study concludes that digital learning apps positively influences students academic performance despite certain obstacles. The researcher therefore recommends that the University should implement digital literacy programs that will help students learn how to effectively use digital learning apps, also call for the provision of free Internet (WiFi) within the University.

This study seeks to determine the effect of social media, specifically Facebook, on youth involvement in politics during the 2024 Edo State Governorship election. With the recent increase in digital communication technologies, politics have been revolutionized especially among the youth who use social media for various political actions. The study evaluates the effects of exposure to political messages in Facebook on youths' engagement in political activities, their perception towards political figures, and their belief in political messages. Four main research objectives informed the study. These include determining the extent to which youth are exposed to political content in Facebook, assessing how this exposure affects their involvement in politics, analyzing the effect of peer influence on the development of political views, and determining the credibility of the information circulated politically via social media. A survey research method was utilized. Information was gathered through the use of questionnaires. From the findings of the research, it is evident that many youths are regularly exposed to political content via the social network, which has a positive effect on their political knowledge and involvement. Nevertheless, findings from the research indicate that misleading information and content play an important role in shaping perception of political messages and even inhibit political participation in some cases. Additionally, peer pressure has been established to be a key determinant of youths' political perspectives. Despite the potential benefits of using the social network in politics, issues such as misleading and unreliable political messages need to be addressed.

The study examined the role of Independent Television (ITV) and Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) in promoting civic education and community development among residents of Benin City. The objectives of the study, were to examine the extent to which Independent Television and Edo Broadcasting Service provide content that promotes civic education among residents of Benin City, assess the perception of Benin City residents regarding the effectiveness of ITV and EBS in enhancing their knowledge of civic duties, governance, and community development initiatives, compare the contributions of a private broadcast station and a state-owned station in promoting civic awareness and community engagement, and identify challenges faced by ITV and EBS in fulfilling their social responsibility mandate. The study was anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory, Agenda-Setting Theory, and Development Media Theory. The researcher adopted a survey research design, with data collected from 400 sampled residents of Benin City, drawn through stratified sampling across seven local government areas, using a structured questionnaire as the research instrument. Findings from the study revealed that ITV provides more consistent civic education content than EBS, with residents frequently encountering civic-related programmes on the station. Secondly, the study discovered that residents perceive ITV as more effective in improving their understanding of civic duties such as voting and civic participation, while EBS is perceived as more effective in improving knowledge of governance and public policies. Thirdly, the findings showed that ITV contributes more strongly to civic awareness and audience engagement, while EBS provides more detailed coverage of community development programmes, indicating that both stations possess distinct but complementary strengths. The study also found that inadequate funding and political influence remain major challenges limiting both stations’ ability to fulfil their social responsibility mandate, among others. Based on the findings, it is concluded that television broadcasting remains an important tool for civic education and community development in Benin City, and that sustained investment, editorial independence, and improved programming are needed for ITV and EBS to maximise their contributions. This study recommended that, both stations should increase the frequency and consistency of civic education programmes and combine them with interactive communication strategies such as phone-in sessions and public forums. ITV should improve its coverage of governance-related issues while EBS improves its programme appeal, and both stations should strengthen credibility and public trust through balanced, independent reporting that keeps civic content focused on public interest rather than political interests.

This study explored consumer attitudes toward the brand reputations of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City. This research aimed to identify the key factors influencing consumer perceptions, assess the impact of brand reputation on trust and loyalty, and examine the roles of social media and word-of-mouth in shaping attitudes toward SMEs. To guide this investigation, the study is rooted in the theories of “Brand Equity Theory " and " Theory of Planned Behaviour.” Using a structured questionnaire distributed to 200 respondents, quantitative data were collected and analyzed using frequency distribution and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that factors such as product and service quality, customer service, and brand consistency significantly influence how consumers perceive SME brands. The results also show that a strong brand reputation enhances consumer trust, fosters loyalty, and positively influences purchasing decisions. Social media engagement and word-of-mouth were found to be powerful tools in shaping public perception, often amplifying both positive and negative brand experiences. The study concludes that SMEs in Oredo LGA must invest strategically in building and maintaining a reputable brand image through quality delivery, customer engagement, and digital presence. Therefore, it is recommended that conducting regular brand perception surveys can help SMEs understand how they are viewed by consumers thus feedback should inform strategy and identify areas for improvement.

Flooding has been a recurring natural disaster in Nigeria, with the 2022 flood being one of the most devastating in the nation’s history. This study investigated the linguistic and discursive strategies employed in media representations of the 2022 Nigerian flood discourse, focusing on their role in shaping public perception, framing narratives, and revealing underlying ideologies. Utilising a qualitative research approach, 90 purposively selected media reports, out of which 50 excerpts were extracted and analysed, with a specific focus on those covering Delta, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Abuja—the most severely affected regions. The study adopted Teun van Dijk’s socio-cognitive theory as its framework, emphasising the interplay between language, cognition, and societal structures. The study revealed that the media employed linguistic tools such as actor description, argumentation, and evaluation to construct narratives that project dominant ideologies, shape social identities, and highlight power dynamics. The media assigned blame, constructed authority, evoked empathy and amplified the urgency of the flood crisis through language use. These strategies influenced public perception, reinforced systemic inequalities, urged collective responsibility, and advocated proactive governance. By analysing the linguistic elements and socio-cognitive dimensions of the flood discourse, this study contributed to the field of critical discourse analysis by demonstrating how language was used to frame societal crises and influence public discourse. It underscored the importance of language as a tool for critiquing, shaping, and mobilising responses to disasters in a way that aligned with Nigeria's complex sociopolitical landscape.