BENIN CITY

Background: Physical inactivity is a major global public health concern, contributing to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and premature mortality. Despite the widely acknowledged importance of sporting activities for physical, mental, and social well-being, there is a dearth of comprehensive data on the participation of undergraduate students in Nigeria. Understanding the role of sports among this population is crucial for developing effective health promotion strategies. Objectives: To assess the role of sporting activities among undergraduate students in selected tertiary institutions in Benin City in order to inform policy and program development regarding sports. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 undergraduate students in selected tertiary institutions in Benin City, Edo State. Data was collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The study utilized the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS), and the Academic Achievement Questionnaire (AAQ) as tools. Data was entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.95 ± 2.834 years, with a slight predominance of females 207 (51.7%). Knowledge of sporting activities was poor with only a little over one-third 147 (36.8%) of the undergraduates demonstrating good knowledge of sporting activities. Majority 292 (73.0%) of undergraduates expressed a positive attitude towards sporting activities. Only 135 (33.8%) of the undergraduates participated in sporting activities. The most common sports were running (49.8%), football (45.8%), and high jump (41.1%). Key determinants of 1 non-participation included lack of time and heavy academic workload. Students who engaged in sporting activities had better academic performance compared to those who did not, though it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although undergraduate students largely possess a positive attitude towards sporting activities, their knowledge is low and participation is low. The study highlights the need for structured interventions to improve knowledge and remove the structural barriers to participation, which, in turn, contribute positively to the academic performance of students.

Information Technology is the study or use of systems (especially computers and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information. This study examines the Impact of Information Technology on the Development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Benin City. Survey research design was employed in the study. Primary data was collected through hand-administration of questionnaires to respondents with a convenience sampling method. The data obtained was gotten from a total of 50 respondents from business owners/managers as well as small and medium scale businesses in Benin City. Furthermore, descriptive and percentage/inferential statistics was used to analyze the data that were collected with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings revealed that There is a relationship between Information Technology and business development in Benin City. Based on the findings of this research work, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Benin City have the potential to increase its productive capacity through the efficient use of Information Technology. Recommendations is made on Modern Technologies, communicating with key stakeholders such as Producers, Manufacturers and Suppliers in order to foster a better working relationship.