FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Infrastructure in the Merriam Webster Dictionary is conceptualized as the resources (personnel, building and equipment) required for an activity. Majority of persons have
the view that infrastructure just pertains to the school building, the architectural monument or aesthetic beauties of the school building itself. But from the Dictionary definition, it is viewed that even human resources and school facilities (audio-visual aids, school computers, laboratory, library, etc.) are all school infrastructures. The local government is the closest tier of government to the people and one of man’s earliest political institutions. The earliest form of local government existed in the form of clan and village meetings. In fact, democracy itself originated and developed along the lines of local governance initiatives in Africa and particularly in Nigeria. Though there have been changes in name, structure and composition, the system has been in operation differently all over the country (Agagu, 2004). With the advent of independence in 1960, local government in Nigeria became a de facto agent of administrating communities infrastructure and programmes at the local level (Diejomaoh & Eboh, 2010). Local government provides an existing frame work not only for decision making with respect to community, but also for coordinating assistance from other tiers of government, especially the central government (state or federal) and even from other agencies. Local government and infrastructural development are two closely related concepts. They are both primarily concerned with the development of local area. However, over the years the two concepts have been institutionally separated. One of the aims of the 1976 Local Government reform sponsored by the federal Military Government was to integrate community development into local government. The status of community development in Nigeria presently and its relationship to national development remain a serious subject for debate. The local government as the third tier of government in the Nigeria federal scheme is crucial to national development. One major objective of the local government 9 is to mobilize human and material resources towards the infrastructural development of the rural communities. It plays various significant roles in rural development and the execution of national policies, plans and programmers at thelocal communities

The study examined the impact of revenue generation on the development of local government Area; a case study of Uhunmonde Local government area.It sought to ascertain if there is a significant relationship between of revenue generation and the development of local government taking into consideration some dimensions of revenue generation.A convenience sampling method was adopted and a sample size of 180 was used and distributed.A total number of 158 questionnaires was retrieved and analysed for the study.Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were adopted for the study.The study revealed that there Local government tax collectors yield high revenue for your Local Government Area.It also revealed that the level of local government funding on community development projects is suf icient.It was concluded that service provisions by local government is the product of the ability to generate revenue.Therefore, based on this, the higher the revenue the higher the number/quantity of services provided and vice versa.The study recommended that.The present revenue sources should also be fully tapped to improve the revenue base of the local government. Here,it is strongly recommended that the local government should adequately be involved in commercial transportation. By this, it means that commercial vehicles(cars, buses and trailers)should be purchased and operated, not on a subsidised bases but purely on commercial bases

The basis of this research was to conduct an investigation on the relationship between the legislature and the executive in the democratic system of Edo State. The investigation carries out in the course of this work revealed that indeed there exist a relationship between the legislature and the executive arms in the Edo State administration. The result from the research conducted between the legislature and executive where cordial at some point conflictual at other instance. But there was more conflictual, which brought about stability in the democratic system in Edo State.

Poverty is a pervasive social challenge affecting communities across the globe, with profound implications for the psychological well-being of young people. In many low-income settings, including Uselu in Benin City, poverty deprives adolescents of essential emotional, social, and psychological support, thereby undermining their mental health and overall development. This study was designed to assess the impact of poverty on the mental health of youths in Uselu, Benin City. Its primary objective was to contribute to existing knowledge by exploring how economic hardship influences emotional stability, self-esteem, and psychological resilience among young people in the area. Additionally, the study sought to generate empirical data that could inform teachers, social workers, counselors, psychologists, community leaders, and parents about the mental health challenges faced by youths living in poverty.
A sample size of 50 respondents was selected from the target population. The convenience sampling technique was employed to select youth participants, while purposive sampling was used to select key adult informants such as teachers and social workers who interact regularly with youths in the community. A structured questionnaire served as the main instrument for data collection. Data analysis was carried out using frequency counts and percentages, presented in tabular form for clarity and ease of interpretation. The key findings of the study revealed that a significant proportion of the respondents experience frequent feelings of anxiety, sadness, and low self-worth, which they directly

This study aims to assess the socio-economic effect of older adult neglect in Iguobhioba. The objectives of the study includes to identify the various forms of neglect experienced by older adults in Iguobhioba Community, assess the socio-economic conditions (income, housing, healthcare access, nutrition, etc.) of neglected older adults in the community, examine the impact of neglect on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of older adults, explore the role of family members, caregivers, and the wider community in either contributing to or alleviating the neglect of the elderly, analyze the availability and effectiveness of social support systems, including government and non-governmental interventions, for older adults in Iguobhioba and to recommend social work strategies and policy measures that can reduce neglect. Situational theory was adopted in the study. A qualitative approach was applied in the thesis and content analysis was undertaken. five objectives were raised for the study. The population of the study comprised of older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Iguobhioba Community. The data generated from the survey were analyzed by means of tables and percentages. The result of the analysis was tested at 0.05 (5%) level of significance. The findings of the study show that older adults in Iguobhioba Community experience multiple and interconnected forms of neglect, with physical, emotional, and economic neglect emerging as the most prevalent. The study recommend among others that The government should take active and concrete measures towards implementing a viable social welfare programme for the elderly both at the federal, state and local government levels. This would ensure uniformity in implementation.

The study was designed to examine the challenges and prospects of fraud control in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. Theobjectives of the study include the following; to find out the impact of fraud control measures, on the overall management of Egor Local Government, to find out the local government council employeesknowledge base on the concept of fraud in the public organisationsector. To find out ef ective fraud control measures influenceonprevention and detection of fraud, and to find out the problemof fraud and how to curb it. The study adopted survey researchdesign. The population of study of this research is made up of all staf s of Egor local government council which is 1,156. The sample sizeof this study is respondents selected randomly from the populationof the study. The instrument used for the collection of data was thequestionnaire which was administered to the study sampledrespondents. 150 questionnaires were distributed with a100%retrieval. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage. The study revealed amongst others that Egor local government doesnot have modern technological devices to track the inflowandoutflow of revenue in the council. Furthermore, policyrecommendations were prof ered, one of which is that Egor local government should acquire and utilize modern technological devices for transactions. This can help to track all payments andtransactions made in the council.

This study investigates the effect of health status indicators on labour force participation (LFP) in Nigeria from 2000 to 2021. Key health indicators including Life Expectancy Rate (LNLER), HIV Prevalence Rate (LNHPR), Incidence of Malaria (LNMI), and Population Growth Rate (LNPGR) were analyzed to understand their influence on LFP during the specified period. The Correction analysis is used to analyze the linkages between these variables. Augmented Dickey- Fuller (ADF) test was employed to test for stationarity of the variable in the model. Data for this study will be drawn from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin, the world development indicators and the World Bank Database. The findings reveal a significant negative association between HIV prevalence and LFP, indicating adverse effects on workforce participation. However, associations between life expectancy, malaria incidence, and population growth rate with LFP were inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research. Policy recommendations include targeted interventions to combat HIV/AIDS, improved access to healthcare, enhanced malaria
prevention efforts, and support for economic opportunities. Overall, addressing health challenges is crucial for enhancing workforce participation and productivity in Nigeria, requiring evidence-based policies and ongoing monitoring to achieve sustainable development

This study examined the socio-cultural determinants of mental health among youth in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire as the primary instrument for data collection. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to youths residing in different parts of Benin City, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequency distributions and percentages. The findings revealed that mental health challenges among youth in Benin City stem from multiple causes, including poverty, unemployment, family pressure, academic stress, and substance abuse. Furthermore, socio-cultural beliefs, stigma, and traditional perceptions of mental illness were identified as major factors influencing attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking behaviour. The study also found that social support systems remain weak, and limited access to affordable mental health care continues to worsen the problem. Social workers were observed to play a crucial role in the rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration of youth experiencing mental health issues, although their efforts are often constrained by inadequate resources and institutional support. The study concluded that mental health among youth in Benin City is largely shaped by socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors, which collectively determine the perception, experience, and management of mental illness. It therefore recommends that government agencies, community leaders, and social work practitioners intensify mental health education, challenge harmful cultural stereotypes, and expand youth-friendly mental health services. Strengthening social work practice and promoting community-based interventions were also emphasized as vital strategies for improving mental health outcomes among youths in Benin City.

This study examined the impact of farmers and herders conflict on agricultural production in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to identify the major causes of the conflict, assess its effects on crop and livestock production, and evaluate the coping strategies adopted by affected farmers. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and data were collected from a sample of farmers and herders through structured questionnaires and interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentages, and mean scores.
Findings revealed that competition over land and water resources, encroachment of farmlands by herders, and destruction of crops by cattle were the major causes of the conflict. The study also found that the conflict led to a decline in crop yield, loss of farm income, displacement of farmers, and reduced food availability in the area. Furthermore, it was observed that most farmers resorted to self-help mechanisms such as fencing, local mediation, and relocation of farms to minimize losses.
The study concluded that the recurring conflict between farmers and herders poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods in Edo State. It recommended that government and community leaders strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, provide designated grazing reserves, enforce land use policies, and promote peaceful coexistence through dialogue and awareness programs.

The study seeks to examine the naira redesign policy and public perception of government in Esan Central Local Government Area in 2023. The study objectives were to ascertain public perceptions towards the reasons for naira redesign in Esan Central Local Government Area, to investigate the impact of naira redesign in 2023 on the perception of the public in Esan Central Local Government Area and to examine the challenges faced by the public in Esan Central Local Government Area as a result of the naira redesign policy in 2023. The research design employed for this research is survey research method. This methodology enables the researcher to elicit responses from the respondents through the administration of questionnaires. Consequently, the data collected was collated and quantitatively analyzed. The population of this study comprises the total number of both adult male and female in Esan Central Local Government Area which is projected at 339,899 according to the National Population Commission (2023). Based on the Taro Yamane formula the sample size for the study is 399.5 which is approximated 400. The field survey employed the use of simple random sampling technique. The study observed amongst others that; there was large circulation of fake Naira note which led to the redesigning of Naira notes, the study also noticed that, money laundering was the major factor that led to the redesigning of Naira. Also, the study observed that, Jobs were lost during the period of change in the Naira note. Furthermore, the study recommended amongst others that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should ensure an adequate supply of the redesigned currency to avoid shortages and facilitate a smooth transition.