FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Domestic violence is a social phenomenon that has caught the attention of all and sundry in recent times. In Nigeria, many women are brutally treated by their intimate partners and such act do not only affect the women but also their children. Children living in homes where intimate partner violence occurs are often exposed to such violence through witnessing, seeing its effects, hearing about it, or otherwise being made aware that violence is taking place between parents or caregivers. Exposure to intimate partner violence is considered to be a form of child maltreatment, and affected children often experience negative impacts on their mental and physical development. This study was carried out to examine domestic violence against women and its impact on children development in Ohumere community in Ika South Local Government Area of. Specifically, the study examined how the psychology of a child is impacted upon by domestic violence in the family, determined the impact of domestic violence on children attitudes and beha ior with their peers and classmates, examined the psychosocial effects of domestic violence on the academic performance of students and effective intervention and strategies for curbing the negative impacts of domestic violence on children development. The study employed the survey descriptive research design and respondents were selected through the simple random sampling technique, the questionnaire was employed as the instrument of data collection. The questionnaire was semi-structured and respondents were asked to indicate by ticking strong agree, agree, neutral stongly disagree and disagree to the option that best suited their responses to the items asked. Of the 399 questionnaire distributed, 399 answered questionnaire were returned by the respondents and they were analyzed. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that domestic violence affects negatively children psychology. Also, domestic violence affect children’s interaction and relationship with their peers, more so, domestic violence have a negative impact on the psychosocial functioning of children. The study concluded that there is need for the implementation of strategies and intervention that can curb the effects of domestic violence on children.

This paper examines the impact of value added tax and budget deficit on economic performance in Nigeria. The main objective of this study is to examine the interrelationship among value added tax, budget deficit and economic performance proxied as gross domestic product (GDP) in Nigeria during the period under study. The study utilized aggregate annual data from 1980 to 2018. The data was analyzed with the co-integration/ VECM method. The major findings are: the test for stationary using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) which showed that all the variables except budget deficit were not stationary in levels but were all stationary in first difference. The Johansen-Juselius co-integration techniques were employed in testing for long run equilibrium
relationship among the variables and the results indicated that co-integrating relationship was found among the variables. The coefficient of determination reveals that about 88% of the systematic variation in the dependent variable (GDP) is explained by the five independent variables which are value added tax, budget deficit, exchange rate, consumer price index and real interest rate. Also, the vector error correction model (VECM) shows that about 22% of the discrepancy between the actual and the long run or equilibrium value in the real gross domestic product is corrected or eliminated each year. Furthermore, the result revealed that value added tax, budget deficit, and exchange rate has positive and insignificant effect on GDP in Nigeria, while consumer price index has positive and significant impact on GDP in Nigeria based on the magnitude and the level of significance of the coefficient and p-value. The result also reveals that there is long run relationship between value added tax, budget deficit and gros domestic product as evidenced by the VECM. The paper concluded that Government and policy makers should carefully study the present state of the economy and properly estimate the effects of various alternative policy measures of financing fiscal deficits. And also government should supervise the collection of VAT revenue to ensure orderly, fair and equitable dealings in the collection of VAT revenue and to forestall illegal deals by privilege insiders so as to raise the revenue as effectively and efficiently as possible.

This study critically examines gender politics and women's participation in Nigerian politics, focusing on the 2020 governorship election in Edo state. Through four key research objectives, the project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing women in Nigerian politics. Firstly, it analyzes historical trends in women's political participation, spanning from pre-colonial eras to the present day. Secondly, it explores the socio- cultural, economic, and political barriers that inhibit women's empowerment in Nigeria, including patriarchal norms and institutional biases. Thirdly, the study evaluates existing strategies and policies aimed at promoting women's political participation, such as affirmative action and gender quotas. Finally, based on these analyses, the project proposes recommendations to enhance women's political empowerment in Nigeria, encompassing legislative reforms, institutional changes, and grassroots mobilization efforts. Through this research, the study contributes to the scholarly discourse on gender politics and women's
empowerment in Nigeria, offering insights to inform policy-making and advocacy initiatives toward achieving gender equality in the political sphere. This research utilizes a quantitative data collection method. A well-structured questionnaire was
used to obtain information from 164 respondents. Findings revealed that women's participation is still at a lower level during the 2020 governorship election in Edo State. The results highlight the persistent gender disparities in political representation and engagement, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to promote gender equality and increase women's political participation. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on gender and politics in Nigeria, emphasizing
the importance of addressing the systemic barriers that hinder women's full participation in the political sphere

This study examined the impact of staff training on employee’s productivity in Edo State Civil Service. The main objective of the study was to examine the relationship between government training policies and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service. This research study utilized the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source of data collection consists of information specifically gathered through personal observations, interviews, and responses to a well-structured questionnaire. While the secondary source was drawn from existing literatures, both published and unpublished, relevant to the topic, which includes textbooks, journals, newspapers, and international financial publications related to development. The data collected were presented in a tabular form with focus on the major research questions in other to enable the researcher determine the results. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage analysis. Findings from the study revealed that there was significant relationship between staff training and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service; there was significant relationship between government training policies and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service; and there was significant relationship between career development training and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service. The study recommended that the civil service should conduct regular assessments to identify specific training needs and skill gaps among its employees. This analysis should involve feedback from staff and managers in order to tailor training programs effectively; and that the civil service should develop a range of training programs that cater for different levels of expertise and areas of specialization. These should include orientation for new employees, technical skills enhancement, leadership development, and soft skills training

This study was designed to examine the work-life balance and its impact on employee performance in Edo State Civil Service (2011 – 2021). The objectives of the study include the following: To examine if work flexibility affects the organizational productivity in Edo state civil service, to investigate if employer/employee relationship have any effect on increased productivity in Edo State civil service, to examine the influence of work environment on organizational productivity in Edo State civil service, to investigate how job security affects organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. The study adopted survey research design. The population of study of this research is made up of the population of study of this research is made up of both senior and junior staff of three ministries (Information and Orientation, Commerce and Industries and education) of Edo state civil service with a population of 6,241. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. Out of the 600 questionnaires distributed, 587 copies were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and chi square analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered amongst others that, work flexibility has an impact on organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. Also, Safe work environment affects organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, more work flexibility should be encouraged in Edo state civil service. Also, healthy employer employee relationship should be cultivated in Edo state civil service.

This research work seeks to examine the assessment of depression and anxiety among the University of Benin students, using the Faculty of Social Sciences. The study made use of a questionnaire to obtain data from respondents. Five objectives were set for the study. The study found that there was no difference between male and female students based on depression and anxiety. The results of the analysis conducted revealed that there was no significant difference between younger students and older students based on depression and anxiety. The results of this study also show that course levels did not significantly predict depression and anxiety. However, the findings suggest that students who use substances reported significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than those who do not use substances. Lastly, students with a family history of psychiatric illness reported significantly higher depression and anxiety than students with no family history of psychiatric illness. The study made recommendations that were directed toward university administrators, mental health professionals, policymakers, and students, aiming to address the underlying factors contributing to mental health challenges in the university population.

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy was introduced by the Nigerian government to promote transparency, accountability, and efficient financial management in public institutions, including universities. This study examines the impact of TSA on the management of finances in the University of Benin, Benin City. It explores the effects of TSA on revenue generation, budgetary implementation, expenditure control, and overall financial efficiency within the university system. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study collects data from university staff, financial administrators, and relevant stakeholders. Findings indicate that while TSA has improved financial discipline, reduced leakages, and enhanced accountability, it has also posed challenges such as delays in fund disbursement and reduced financial autonomy. The study concludes that effective implementation of TSA requires strategic measures to address operational bottlenecks while ensuring sustainable financial management in higher education institutions. Recommendations include enhanced technological integration, capacity building, and policy adjustments to optimize TSA’s benefits in the university system.

This study comparatively examined the politics, governance and development in pre- colonial and post-colonial Nigeria. Politics is conceived as the study of the state and its institutions and the relationship these institutions have with the people living in the state. Governance refers to the activity, process or quality of governing. Development is concerned with changes in environment, health, economy, politics, social and cultures that create and supports lives. This study was qualitative, relying on secondary materials such as books, articles, newspapers and other secondary materials. The study found that politics in pre-colonial and post-colonial Nigeria are significantly different. While both can boast of operating under checks and balances, the principle was more entrenched and respected in the pre-colonial period than in this contemporary post-colonial period. In post-colonial Nigeria, various institutions appear to be serving the interest of the executive headed by a president who wields so much power. It was also found that governance in pre-colonial Nigeria and post-colonial Nigeria are different in that in pre- colonial period, governance was based on decentralized and centralized system. The exigency of power depended on the region or community. In post-colonial Nigeria, the governance system is characterized by high corruption, foreign domination, exclusion and socio-economic crisis. Leadership is a very big challenge since independence orchestrating agitations from the people. Lastly, it was found that development in pre- colonial Nigeria and post-colonial Nigeria are different in that in pre-colonial period. Development during pre-colonial period was seen in the areas of commerce and trade which provided the needed harmony and peace for communal living. Whereas in post- colonial Nigeria, there have been preponderance of poverty, malnutrition, insecurity, health-related issues, rapid inflation and poor infrastructure. The study therefore recommended that there is need for the current post-colonial Nigerian government to revert to the era of agriculture-based economy; entrench the principle of checks and balances that would address tyranny and entrench accountability and transparency in the 12 public dealing and the political system of Nigeria should reflect the ethnic, religious and socio-economic background of the people.

The Niger Delta crisis has been a major threat to both socio-economicactivities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. At present, the amnesty programmeis six years since it implementation in the Niger Delta as the Federal Governmentof Nigeria through the amnesty package had good intentions for grantingmilitantsamnesty with the hope that the gesture would effectively put an endtoyouthsrestiveness in the region. Amnesty therefore is a guarantee of exemptionfromprosecution and pardon from punishment for certain criminal, rebel andinsurgentactions hitherto committed usually against the state. It indemnifies affectedpersonsin terms of safety and protection from punitive actions, retributions andassociatedlosses.

This study examined the impact of post rehabilitation on ex-offenders in Benin City. The objectives of this study were to identify the rehabilitation programmes available in Benin correctional centre; investigate the extent to which formal education programmes offered in correctional centre impact on the attitude of the ex-offenders in Benin City; as well as to assess how the vocational training in correctional centre impact on the attitude of the ex-offenders in Benin City. To achieve the objectives of the study, seventy-five (75) questionnaires were administered by the researcher, of which one hundred and ninety (190) were returned successfully and were used for the data analysis and presentation. At the end of the analysis, the study revealed that that there are rehabilitation programmes available in Benin City correctional centre; that formal education programmes offered in correctional centre significantly impacts the attitude of the ex- offenders in Benin City and that vocational training in correctional centre significantly impact on the attitude of the ex-offenders in Benin City. In line with these findings, it is recommended that there is need for the establishment of pre-release programmes meant to enable offenders to have smooth transitions from correctional centers to their society. Offenders and the various stakeholders including the family, community and correctional centers should be involved to develop plans, including housing, employment and participation in postrelease programmes. This will help offenders to successfully reenter their society since members of the family and the community would have been involved in the process