FACULTY OF ARTS

This study examined the influence of Christian missionary activities in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. The research explored the historical emergence of Christian missionary work in the community and assessed its contributions to the social, educational, religious, cultural, and economic development of the area. The study also investigated the interaction between Christian missionaries and indigenous religious practices, as well as the challenges encountered during the spread of Christianity in Onicha-Ugbo. A historical research design was adopted, utilizing both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were obtained through oral interviews with community elders, church leaders, and residents, while secondary data were sourced from books, journal articles, archival materials, church records, and other relevant publications. The collected information was critically analyzed using qualitative historical methods. The findings revealed that Christian missionaries played a significant role in transforming the socio-cultural landscape of Onicha-Ugbo. They established churches, schools, healthcare facilities, and other social institutions that enhanced literacy, improved healthcare delivery, and promoted moral and religious values. The study further found that missionary activities contributed to the decline of certain traditional religious practices while encouraging Western education and modernization. However, the introduction of Christianity also generated conflicts with some indigenous customs and beliefs, leading to cultural adjustments and the gradual transformation of traditional institutions. The study concludes that Christian missionary influence has had a lasting impact on the religious, educational, and socio-economic development of Onicha-Ugbo. Although some aspects of indigenous culture were diminished through missionary activities, the overall contributions to human capital development, social welfare, and community advancement remain significant. The study recommends continued documentation of the history of Christian missions in the community and encourages harmonious coexistence between Christian values and the preservation of positive aspects of the indigenous cultural heritage.

This study delves into Festus Okwekwe’s poetry collections, Our Mother Is Not a Woman and Second Class Breeds, which serve as a powerful critiques of the patriarchal worldview prevalent within Igbo society and across Nigeria. These works expose the multifaceted nature of gender inequality, highlighting the subjugation of women, the rigid enforcement of traditional gender roles, and the resulting imbalances of power. Through a combination of stark realism and evocative imagery, Okwekwe’s poems depict the consequences of patriarchal dominance, focusing on women's experiences of marginalization, exploitation, and violence. The collections challenge the notion of women as mere objects or possessions, disrupting the prevailing narratives that define women solely through their reproductive capacity and domestic roles. The collections employ a range of poetic techniques, including metaphor, symbolism, and narrative voice, to deconstruct oppressive structures and expose their inherent contradictions. Okwekwe’s poetry doesn't merely represent the struggles of women; it actively engages with the sources of their oppression, offering a platform for resistance and the envisioning of more equitable gender relations.

This research explores the influence of social media in shaping political attitude among first-time voters in Nigeria, focusing on the 2023 National Assembly Elections in Karu Community, FCT Nigeria. Social media has become a crucial factor in modern electoral processes, and understanding its impact is essential for democratic consolidation. The study aims to examine the social media platforms predominantly used during elections, understand social media's influence on voters' perception, and identify the challenges associated with the use of social media in the democratic process. The study surveyed respondents in Karu Community, FCT Abuja, gathering data on their social media usage, political engagement, and perceptions. Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are the predominant platforms used by voters. Social media played a pivotal role in shaping voters' perceptions and influencing electoral outcomes. It is a key source of political information, but also spreads misinformation and hate speech. Respondents overwhelmingly agree that social media influences their views on political candidates. Misinformation is the top challenge, followed by lack of credible sources and perceived bias. The study highlights social media's significant role in modern electoral processes, shaping voter perceptions and influencing outcomes. While it provides a conduit for politicians to reach voters, it also poses challenges like misinformation and hate speech. Electoral stakeholders and policymakers should harness social media's potential while mitigating its challenges. Regulations can ensure social media platforms are used responsibly and ethically during electoral processes, promoting a more informed and engaged citizenry essential for democratic consolidation in Nigeria and other emerging democracies

This study examines the role of festivals in fostering cross-cultural
understanding, cooperation, and development, with particular focus on the Igue
Festival in Edo State, Nigeria. Festivals are important cultural institutions that
preserve indigenous heritage, promote social interaction, and strengthen
communal identity. The study investigates how the Igue Festival serves as a
platform for cultural exchange, peaceful coexistence, tourism promotion, and
socio-economic development among the people of Edo State and visitors from
diverse cultural backgrounds. The objectives of the study are to examine the
cultural significance of the Igue Festival, assess its contributions to inter-cultural
relations and cooperation, and evaluate its role in promoting social and
economic development within the community. The study adopted a historical
approach of data collection, using primary which was gathered through oral
interviews and personal observations, while secondary data were obtained from
books, journals, newspapers, and internet materials relevant to the study.
Findings revealed that the Igue Festival plays a significant role in promoting
unity, mutual respect, and cultural appreciation among different ethnic groups.
The festival also contributes to tourism development, economic activities, and
the preservation of Benin cultural heritage. Furthermore, it encourages social
cohesion and strengthens relationships between local communities and visitors.
However, challenges such as inadequate funding, modernization, declining youth
participation, and poor government support were identified as factors limiting
the full potential of the festival. The study concludes that the Igue Festival
remains an important cultural heritage that promotes cross-cultural
understanding, cooperation, and development in Edo State. It recommends
increased government support, effective cultural preservation policies, improved
tourism infrastructure, and active youth involvement to sustain the relevance and
developmental contributions of the festival in contemporary society

This research examines Igbo traditional marriage songs as a vital aspect of the Igbo people’s oral literature and cultural heritage. The study explores the linguistic, stylistic, thematic and cultural features of the songs performed during traditional marriage ceremonies. It aims to reveal how these songs serve as instruments of communication, education, entertainment and cultural preservation. Data for the study were collected through oral interviews, observation and recordings of live performances. The analysis focused on the language use, poetic structure, stylistic devices and underlying meanings of the selected songs. The study is anchored on two theoretical frameworks – the Semiotic/Structuralist Theory and the Performance Theory. The Semiotic/Structuralist approach provides a framework for interpreting the symbols, signs, ad structures embedded in the songs, helping to uncover the deeper cultural meanings conveyed through linguistic and poetic patterns. The performance Theory, on the other hand, views the songs not just as texts but as dynamic acts of performance that involve interaction, participation, and emotion, reflecting the social and cultural context of Igbo marriage ceremonies. Finding shows that Igbo traditional marriage songs are rich in imagery, metaphor, repetition, proverbs and call and response patterns that promote communal participation and aesthetic beauty. Thematically, the songs express love, unity, fertility, respect and moral instructions all of which reflect the Igbo worldview about marriage as a sacred and communal institution. The songs also serve as a means of transmitting cultural values and social norms from one generation to another. The study concludes that Igbo traditional marriage songs are not merely for entertainment but are powerful tools for sustaining the people’s language, traditional and identity. It recommends the documentation, preservation and promotion these songs as an essential part of Nigeria’s intangible cultural heritage.

This study investigates the awareness and responsiveness of Egor residents to broadcast media campaigns against open defecation. Using a survey method with a sample size of 400 residents, the research examined the level of exposure to sanitation messages, the effectiveness of broadcast media campaigns, and the behavioral response of the community. Findings revealed that while a majority of residents are aware of the campaigns and find them useful, challenges such as inadequate facilities and entrenched habits limit full compliance. The study concludes that broadcast media campaigns significantly influence awareness but must be supported with community-based interventions and infrastructure development to achieve sustainable sanitation practices.

Cette étude examine le rôle des réseaux sociaux dans l’apprentissage et l’enseignement de la langue française, en prenant comme cas d’étude les étudiants de deuxième année du Département des Langues Étrangères à l’Université du Bénin. Avec l’évolution rapide des technologies numériques, les réseaux sociaux sont devenus des outils importants dans le domaine de l’éducation, offrant de nouvelles possibilités d’interaction, de communication et d’accès aux ressources pédagogiques. Cette recherche analyse la manière dont les plateformes sociales contribuent au développement des compétences linguistiques des apprenants en français, notamment à travers l’amélioration du vocabulaire, de la communication écrite et orale, ainsi que de la compréhension culturelle. Elle examine également les avantages et les limites de l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux dans le processus d’enseignement et d’apprentissage de la langue française. Adoptant une approche qualitative basée sur des questionnaires, des entretiens et l’analyse de sources pertinentes, l’étude met en évidence l’influence des réseaux sociaux sur la motivation des étudiants et leur engagement dans l’apprentissage du français. Les résultats révèlent que les réseaux sociaux peuvent constituer des outils pédagogiques efficaces lorsqu’ils sont utilisés de manière appropriée et intégrés aux méthodes d’enseignement traditionnelles. L’étude conclut que l’utilisation pédagogique des réseaux sociaux favorise un apprentissage plus interactif, autonome et adapté aux réalités numériques contemporaines.

Cette étude examine le rôle des festivals dans la préservation du patrimoine culturel, en mettant particulièrement l’accent sur le cas du Festival d’Orogun. Les festivals constituent des institutions culturelles importantes qui favorisent la transmission des traditions, des valeurs, des croyances et des expériences historiques d’une génération à une autre. Cette recherche analyse la contribution du Festival d’Orogun à la préservation de l’identité culturelle à travers les pratiques traditionnelles, les représentations culturelles, les rituels et la participation communautaire. Elle explore également l’importance sociale, culturelle et éducative du festival, ainsi que les défis qui menacent sa continuité dans la société contemporaine. À travers une approche qualitative basée sur l’analyse historique, les entretiens et l’étude de documents pertinents, cette étude met en évidence l’importance des festivals comme moyens de conservation du patrimoine culturel et de renforcement de l’unité communautaire. Les résultats montrent que le Festival d’Orogun joue un rôle essentiel dans la sauvegarde des connaissances autochtones, la promotion de la cohésion sociale et la sensibilisation des jeunes générations aux valeurs culturelles. L’étude conclut que des stratégies efficaces de préservation, telles que la documentation, l’implication des jeunes et le soutien institutionnel, sont nécessaires pour assurer la continuité et la pérennité du Festival d’Orogun en tant qu’élément important du patrimoine culturel.

Cette étude analyse les transformations socioculturelles de la cuisine française en mettant l’accent sur les interactions entre la tradition, la modernité et les influences sociales contemporaines. Véritable symbole du patrimoine culturel et de l’identité nationale, la cuisine française a connu de profondes mutations sous l’effet de la mondialisation, des progrès technologiques, des migrations, de l’évolution des habitudes alimentaires ainsi que d’une prise de conscience croissante des enjeux sanitaires et environnementaux. Cette recherche examine la manière dont les pratiques culinaires traditionnelles sont préservées tout en s’adaptant aux exigences de la vie moderne et à la diversité culturelle. Elle s’intéresse également à l’influence des réseaux sociaux, du tourisme, de l’urbanisation et des nouvelles structures familiales sur les modes de préparation, de consommation et de transmission des savoir-faire culinaires. Adoptant une approche qualitative fondée sur l’analyse documentaire d’ouvrages scientifiques, de sources historiques et des tendances culinaires actuelles, l’étude met en évidence le caractère dynamique de la gastronomie française, qui parvient à concilier innovation et préservation de son héritage. Les résultats montrent que la cuisine française continue d’évoluer grâce à l’intégration de nouvelles techniques, de nouveaux ingrédients et d’influences culturelles variées, tout en conservant les valeurs qui fondent son identité. L’étude conclut que la cuisine française constitue un patrimoine vivant, capable de refléter les mutations de la société contemporaine tout en demeurant un marqueur essentiel de la culture française.

The study examined press coverage of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria
through selected national newspapers, namely Vanguard, Punch, and The
Nation of 2025. The study was anchored on the Agenda Setting Theory and
Social Responsibility Theory. The researcher findings of the study, adopted a
content analysis research design, with data collected from 92 sampled
editions of the selected newspapers using a coding sheet as the research
instrument. The study revealed that Nigerian newspapers gave considerable
attention to banditry and kidnapping, with Punch recording the highest level
of coverage, followed by Vanguard and The Nation. Secondly, the study
discovered that coverage of banditry and kidnapping was largely occasional
and event-driven, with limited follow-up reports and investigative stories.
Thirdly, the findings showed that stories on banditry and kidnapping were
given significant prominence, as many reports appeared on the front pages
and centre spreads of the newspapers, indicating the importance attached to
insecurity issues, among others. Based on the findings, it is concluded that
media organisations should move beyond event-based reporting by investing
in investigative journalism and explanatory reports that address the causes
and consequences of insecurity. Additionally, journalists should receive
continuous training on conflict-sensitive and ethical security reporting to
reduce sensationalism and promote responsible coverage. Newspapers
should also increase the use of analytical genres such as features and
editorials to provide deeper understanding of banditry and kidnapping. Finally,
media organisations should strengthen their commitment to social
responsibility by adopting reporting practices that support public safety,
accountability, and peaceful resolution of security challenges in Nigeria