EDO STATE

This study examined social work intervention strategies for victims of intimate
partner violence (IPV) in Iguadolor community, Ovia-North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Intimate partner violence remains a serious social problem in Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where cultural norms, economic dependence, and limited access to support services often prevent victims from seeking help. The study was motivated by the need to understand the types of intervention strategies available, how they are implemented, their impact on victims, and the challenges faced by social workers in addressing IPV within the community. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 respondents in Iguadolor community. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: Section A captured the demographic characteristics of respondents, while Section B addressed issues related to social work intervention strategies, including their types, nature, impact, challenges, and possible solutions. The findings further revealed that social work intervention strategies have had a positive impact on victims of intimate partner violence. Many respondents agreed that interventions have helped victims regain confidence, improve access to support services, and reduce repeated cases of abuse. Despite these positive outcomes, a significant number of victims remain reluctant to leave abusive relationships due to cultural beliefs, fear of stigma, emotional attachment, and economic dependence. The study identified several challenges affecting the effectiveness of social work intervention strategies in Iguadolor community. The study further established that social work intervention strategies have had a positive impact on victims of intimate partner violence in Iguadolor community. Many victims have benefited from counselling, increased access to support services, and reduced recurrence of abuse. These outcomes show that social work interventions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of victims. Increased Government Funding and Resource Allocation: The government at both state and local levels should increase funding allocated to social welfare departments and agencies responsible for addressing intimate partner violence. Adequate funding is necessary to support counselling services, legal aid, shelter provision, and rehabilitation programmes for victims. Financial resources should also be used to employ more trained social workers and provide necessary logistics such as transportation, office facilities, and communication tools. Improved funding will enable social workers to respond more effectively and promptly to cases of IPV, particularly in rural communities like Iguadolor.

Youth participation in politics remains pivotal in the sustenance of a nation’s democracy. Participation does not only ensure that government performs its duties, but also guarantees the rights of ordinary people to participate in their community development. Activities such as voting in an election, sponsoring a candidate, petitioning or participating in a protest are forms of political participation that influence public policy directly or indirectly through affecting the selection process of those who govern the people. The study attempted to examine the impacts of the youths on democratic process in Edo State: A case study of 2023 general elections. The study interrogated the following research questions: What was the level of the youths’ turnout during the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the different ways the youths participated in the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the youths’ patterns of voting in 2023 general elections in Edo State? Did the youths indulge in electoral violence in the 2023 general election in Edo State? In what ways can youth political participation and democratic process in Edo State and Nigeria be improved? Theoretically, the study utilized the system theory to explain youth political participation and democratic process in Edo State during the 2023 general election. Methodologically, the study surveyed 392 respondents in Oredo Local Government Area through a structured questionnaire. The study made the following key findings. The first finding was that there was massive youths’ turnout during the general election in Edo State. The second finding was that the youths participated in the elections by joining the INEC team as ad hoc staff, sensitizing the people on how to locate their voting centers and ways to vote in the election and campaigning for their preferred candidates. The third finding shows the patterns for which the youths voted during the 2023 general elections in Edo State. In that order, the pattern were voting to safeguard the future of Edo State and Nigeria’s democracy as well as foster national development, voting based on religion, personality of the candidates, ethnicity and political party. The last finding shows that the youths were also involved in various forms of electoral violence such as voter inducement, ballot box snatching and thuggery. The study therefore recommends that the government should create an enabling environment that can stimulate youths’ participation in the Nigeria’s democratic process, implement the various policies such as ‘Not Too Yong Run’ should be speedily implemented, need for proper sensitization of the Nigerian youths on the need to participate in politics and criminal elements are not good for the growth and development of any country.