L. O. ENADEGHE

This study examines the influence of women in politics in the pre-colonial Benin Kingdom, with particular focus on Queen Idia as a case study. The research explores the political, social, and military roles played by women within the traditional governance system of the Benin Kingdom, challenging the common perception that leadership in pre-colonial African societies was exclusively male-dominated. Using a historical and qualitative approach, the study draws on oral traditions, archival materials, and existing literature to analyze the contributions of Queen Idia, the Iyoba (Queen Mother), to statecraft and power dynamics.

Findings reveal that Queen Idia wielded significant political authority, serving as an advisor to the Oba, influencing decision-making processes, and playing a pivotal role in military strategy, particularly during the reign of her son, Oba Esigie. Her leadership during periods of conflict and consolidation contributed to the stability and expansion of the kingdom. The study further highlights the institutional recognition of the Iyoba title as evidence of women’s formal participation in governance.

The research concludes that women, exemplified by Queen Idia, held substantial influence in the political structure of the pre-colonial Benin Kingdom. It recommends a re-evaluation of African historical narratives to more accurately reflect women’s contributions to governance and leadership, thereby enriching contemporary discussions on gender and political participation.

This study examines the impact of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating women trafficking in Edo State between 2003 and 2019. Edo State has long been identified as a major hub for human trafficking in Nigeria, particularly involving the exploitation of women and girls for forced labor and sexual exploitation abroad. The research explores the extent to which NAPTIP’s interventions—through prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership strategies—have addressed this challenge over the specified period.

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study analyzes policy frameworks, case records, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with local and international stakeholders. Findings indicate that NAPTIP has made significant progress in raising awareness, rescuing victims, and prosecuting traffickers. However, persistent socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, cultural practices, and weak community-level enforcement continue to undermine these efforts.

The study concludes that while NAPTIP has played a crucial role in reducing trafficking activities in Edo State, more sustained efforts are needed, particularly in grassroots sensitization, economic empowerment programs, and stronger inter-agency collaboration. It recommends policy strengthening and increased funding to enhance the agency’s effectiveness in the ongoing fight against women trafficking

This study is designed to give an explicit elaboration of the ethnographic background, women role played in conflict resolution, social economic foundation and traditional system contributing to the community of when Okada region local government of Edo state. The study shall begin with a proper introduction of the people of Uhen communities and traces of its origin in the ancient Benin Kingdom in history. The study underscores the law and customs of Uhen people backed up with that of the general traditions of Bini people, in the areas of family and marriages, social groups and along the rest of body research in the rest chapter, a self-report questionnaire based on oral
evidence are designed to be used in the study which is adopted in such sensitive area concerning the role played by women in conflict resolution socially within family unit and with conclusion to finalize the documented research.

Women participation in governance in Nigeria and Edo State in particular, remains a burning issue in nearly every political discourse in Nigeria. For years, it has been observed that women have played comparatively less role as political office holders to their male counterparts.1 In Edo State, Nigeria, the political arena is not different from other parts of the world where political participation is imbalance in favour of men.2 Women‘s participation in the political process has therefore become the focus of many local and international debates in the past two decades.3 Different fora such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration, the 1995 Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women held in Kenya and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, had recognized the plight of women‘s participation in politics especially in the developing countries.4 Against this backdrop, this study seeks to assess the political under- participation of women in politics to Edo state and investigate the reasons for this
umbalances.

Child trafficking involves the illicit trade of children for various purposes, such as forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. Child trafficking is a major problem that still exist both in developed and developing countries around the world including Nigeria.1 The main purpose of this project is to secure the rights of children also known as minors below the age of 18 years, used for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labour, criminal activities, sales of organs and adoption. International trafficking in Nigeria is mainly concentrated in Edo State where families try to escape poverty by sending a family member to Italy and other countries. Traffickers often offer women and mirrors to travel to Europe with promises of good jobs with an agreement of incurring debt which takes 1 – 3 years to pay.2 Edo State, the heartbeat of Nigeria has been labeled as the most endemic source of human trafficking particularly in Benin City as it gained notoriety particularly for sexual exploitation. As the world has experienced globalization, the trafficking of human beings most especially minors for sex trade has taken yet another turn. Human traffickers, aware of the risks involved in the trafficking of human beings especially children have set up sophisticated channels and networks for the easy and undetected flow of trafficked children. Irrespective of the intervention by international bodies, non-governmental organization and nation agencies to combat trafficking in Edo State, the region is still a hub for trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation.4 Though in this recent times children are not only trafficked for sexual exploitation but rather more for the extortion of their organs for organ buyers, trafficking of drugs and other illegal products and also for adoption

Women participation in governance in Nigeria and Edo State in particular, remains a burning issue in nearly every political discourse in Nigeria. For years, it has been observed that women have played comparatively less role as political office holders to their male counterparts.1 In Edo State, Nigeria, the political arena is not different from other parts of the world where political participation is imbalance in favour of men.2 Women‘s participation in the political process has therefore become the focus of many local and international debates in the past two decades.3 Different fora such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration, the 1995 Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women held in Kenya and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, had recognized the plight of women‘s participation in politics especially in the developing countries.4 Against this backdrop, this study seeks to assess the political under- participation of women in politics to Edo state and investigate the reasons for this umbalances.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a global economic crisis with farreaching consequences within Nigeria. This crisis did not emerge in isolation but rather as a consequence of our increasingly interconnected world. In December 2019, the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in Wuhan, sparking what would soon become a worldwide pandemic. The virus's origin, believed to be linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, underscores the complex interplay between human activity and the natural world, where zoonotic diseases can easily jump from animals to humans. From its epicenter in Wuhan, the virus swiftly spread across international borders, facilitated by global travel networks, eventually reaching Nigeria in early 2020. The first confirmed case in Nigeria, involving an Italian citizen who had recently traveled from Milan to Lagos, highlighted the pandemic's transnational nature and the interconnectedness of nations in the face of infectious disease threats.

This study is designed to give an explicit elaboration of the ethnographic background, women role played in conflict resolution, social economic foundation and traditional system contributing to the community of when Okada region local government of Edo state. The study shall begin with a proper introduction of the people of Uhen communities and traces of its origin in the ancient Benin Kingdom in history. The study underscores the law and customs of Uhen people backed up with that of the general traditions of Bini people, in the areas of family and marriages, social groups and along the rest of body research in the rest chapter, a self-report questionnaire based on oral evidence are designed to be used in the study which is adopted in such sensitive area concerning the role played by women in conflict resolution socially within family unit and with conclusion to finalize the documented research.1 The ancient kingdom of Benin produced today numerous remote communities placed in their sub regional location existing today present day, local government areas such as Ovia north, Oredo East, Ovia South West, Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan South-East, Esan Central, Etsako East. Each district areas is made up of towns and various villages dwelling in their respective areas, one social participation which makes town and villages in one district share a relationship through trade point such as market, Okada a district in Ovia North East share wide relationship to its neighbours such as Uhen community our area of study and Okada relationship with Uhen community is said to be ancient right from the formation of Uhen in the Mid15th century Ancient Bini Kingdom. Uhen community or rather people also share common interest of trade with other villages and towns neighbouring people such as Utesse, Egbetta, Ogbessa and the other communities that comprises Okada region as earlier mentioned. Uhen is said to be among the oldest community or village that sprung into a developing community in Edo state.