C. N. ATEDHOR

This study assesses the influence of social media on the health and safety of students in the university of Benin. Three research questions were raised to guide this study. The survey research design was adopted for this study; this is because the data was collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. The population of the study comprised 43,679 undergraduates from the University of Benin. Out of this population, 230 students were selected as the sample, representing those who completed and returned the questionnaire. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a 25-item self-structured questionnaire. The instrument for the data collection was personally administered by the researcher to the respondents. The findings of this study indicates that students at the University of Benin possess a high level of awareness of the influence of social media on their health and safety. However, exposure to social media was found to negatively affect sleep patterns, academic performance, face-to-face interactions, and psychological wellbeing. The strategies implemented by the university to mitigate these effects, including awareness programmes, counselling services, peer support groups, and digital literacy initiatives, were moderately implemented. The study recommends that the university strengthen these programmes, improve accessibility, and expand digital literacy and peer support initiatives to promote safer social media use among students.

This study evaluated waste management practices among residents of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The research examined how residents handle their waste, their knowledge level on proper waste management, and the key factors influencing their disposal practices. Descriptive survey design was used, and data were collected from 180 respondents across selected wards using a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that although many residents use public bins and engage private waste collectors, some still practice open dumping and burning of refuse. The study also found that most residents have a fair knowledge of waste management meaning and principles such as the 4Rs; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover, but this knowledge is not fully reflected in their daily practices. Factors such as irregular waste collection, inadequate public bins, weak enforcement of environmental laws, and poor infrastructure were identified as major barriers to effective waste management. The study concludes that improving waste management in Oredo requires stronger policy enforcement, public education, and better waste collection systems. It recommends collaborative efforts between government agencies, private waste collectors, and residents to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

In Nigeria, flooding is a frequent environmental danger that disrupts infrastructure, the economy, and society. This study examined an evaluation of perceived vulnerability and mitigation strategies for flooding among residents of Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State. The main objective was to assess residents’ understanding of flood hazards, factors influencing their perceptions of susceptibility, and the adaptation and mitigation strategies they employ. Three research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and 150 residents were randomly selected as the sample Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed to measure flood awareness, perceived susceptibility, and mitigation practices. Findings revealed that residents of Egor LGA have a good understanding of flood hazards, identifying poor or blocked drainage systems, heavy rainfall, building on natural water channels, and improper waste disposal as primary causes. Factors influencing perceptions of susceptibility include elevation, proximity to drainage channels, poor urban planning, and blocked drains. Residents reported adopting several mitigation strategies, such as raising building foundations, avoiding dumping waste into drains, regularly clearing drainage channels, heeding flood warnings, and supporting community cleanliness campaigns. Based on these findings, the study recommended enhancing community awareness programs, improving drainage infrastructure, enforcing urban planning regulations, and strengthening public education on flood preparedness to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in Egor LGA.