DEVELOPMENT

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 public dealing and the political system of Nigeria should reflect the ethnic, religious and socio-economic background of the people.

The study determined the Influence of Art Education on the Cognitive Development of Primary School Children in Edo state. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study and the sample size from the population coprises of 100 pupils among selected primary schools in oredo local government area of Edo state. The instrument for the study was a well structured questionaire that contained the four research questions that guided this study. The instrument was validated by two experts from the faculty of vocational and technical education and the reliability of the instrument was ensured by using the Cronbach's Alpha reliability computation which yielded a co-efficient index of 0.83. The findings of the study revealed that Art Education positively influenced primary school pupils Cognitive Development, which ebables them to develop pivotal mental abilities that are considered functional for their overall growth and development. The findings also revealed that art education improved or positively influenced their problem- solving skills, critical thinking, memory and attention, which helps them in swift decision making during academic tasks and activities. The study recommended that parents and guardians should encourage their children to take art subjects and classes as a vital aspect of their well rounded education. It also recommended that art sujects should not be given less relevance in various school's timetable schedules.

A newspaper is a form of printed publication where information about the latest news, such as current events and local activity is written. They consist of large stacks of folded paper so that readers can have an easy time flipping through the pages. A Newspaper is simply, a printed unbound paper that contains news about currentpolitical, economic, socio-cultural, educational, environmental, scientific-cum-technological and sundry affairs as well as other relevant sales information. A typical newspaper should therefore contain a blend of editorial contents news, features/news commentaries, articles, letters-to-the editors etc. Advertorial; advertisements, supplements and other paid commercial contents and pictorials pictures and illustrations that complement the news contents
.1 A newspaper is a publication containing news and information and advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint. It may be of general or special interest, most often published daily or weekly. The first printed newspaper was published in 1605, and the form has thrived even in the face of competition from technologies such as radio, television, and the internet. More so, a newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features, editorials, and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as
1 newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a day. The worldwide recession of 2008, combined with the rapid growth of web- based alternatives, caused a serious decline in advertising and circulation, as many papers closed or sharply retrenched operations.2

This study aimed at assessing the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State. To enable the study to achieve its objectives, five (5) research questions were raised. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised of all the people living in all communities under Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State from which a total of two hundred (200) are selected to form the sample size for the study. A questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State was the instrument used for data collection. The validity of the instrument was ascertained through the expert judgment approach while the test re-test method of estimating reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. A reliability index of 0.87 was obtained using Person Product Moment Correlation Statistics. Collected data were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, and mean score standard. Findings from the data among others revealed that the various types of Community Based Organization in the area are Micro-finance institutions (MFIs), Village development committees (VDCs), Common interest groups (CIGs), Networks of CBOs, Landlord Association, Women Association, Youth Association, Farmers Organization and Trade union. Also, the Community Based Organization’s activities in the communities under study are only carried out on Weekly, Monthly and Yearly bases. The roles of Community Based Organization in the area under study are to Finance Projects, Liaison with Government, Promoting mutual understanding, Raising fund for project execution, planning of programmes, Economic empowerment, Cooperation with other organizations, protect the image of the community, trade union, support Security for Community and government projects, and harmonize and ensure unity among rural dwellers for effective Agricultural and rural growth. It was recommended that formal and specific organized steps should be taken by the government to develop the rural areas to curb the problem of rural underdevelopment.

This study examined The Impact of Employee Training and Development on Employee Performance. The survey research design was adopted for this study because data was collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. Four research questions were asked and answered during the study using simple percentage analysis. The population of the study covered the entire employees (both male and female) in selected organizations within the area of study. Out of this population, a total of 100 employees were selected as the sample using a random sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a twenty-item self-structured questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that training and development play a significant role in improving employee productivity, enhancing skills, boosting motivation, and supporting organizational growth. However, challenges such as inadequate training opportunities, mismatch between training content and job requirements, and lack of follow-up after training were identified as factors limiting its effectiveness. The study further revealed that employees perceive training and development as vital for career advancement, but its success depends largely on relevance, consistency, and alignment with organizational objectives. Consequently, the implication of this study to practice highlights the need for organizations to adopt well-structured training and development programs that focus on employee growth, fairness, and organizational competitiveness. The results also indicated that organizations that actively invest in training and development for their workforce tend to record higher levels of productivity, improved job satisfaction, and better employee retention. The study recommends that organizations should provide continuous training opportunities, ensure that training programs are tailored to employee and organizational needs, and evaluate the outcomes of training to measure effectiveness. In addition, managers should give constructive feedback and create supportive learning environments to enhance employee performance and overall organizational success.

Studies have shown that there remain only few landscapes on the Earth that is still in their natural state. Due to environmental changes, the Earth surface is being significantly altered in some manner and man‘s presence on the Earth and his use of land has had a profound effect upon the natural environment thus resulting into an accelerated growth in settlement expansion.1 Settlements are products of human activities. It is on this backdrop, this study examines the trends in the development of Okokhuo town with case study of Ovia North East local government. Ovia North East Local Government Area is in the south senatorial district of Edo. Its headquarters is Okada. It occupies a total land area of 2,301km² and a population of 153,849 (National Population Commission, 2006).2 The area is lowland and rises up to about 100 metres above sea level. It falls within the rainforest zone with tall trees and oil palm trees and also possesses freshwater swamp forest. The vegetation favour the production of cereal crops like maize, tuber crops like cassava, tree crops like oil palm and fish farming.3 The major occupations of the people in the community are farming especially poultry and piggery, hunting, fishing, and trading. The major communities in the LGA are Okada, Uhen, Utese, Okokhuo, Uhiere, Isiuwa, Ekiadolor, Oluku, Iguoshodin, Utoka, Oghede, Egbeta, Ora, and Ogbese.4 Okokhuo Village is located in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is among several Villages in Ovia North East Local Government Area that have suffered continuous herders` attack resulting in loss of properties in recent times. Generally, Okokhuo people trace their origin back to Benin, Okokhuo people according to oral tradition is one of the Edo speaking groups involved in the exodus from the Benin about the nineth century, during the rule of Oba Ogiso

This study examined the relationship between skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in Nigeria. The primary objective was to determine how skill development and entrepreneurial activities contribute to economic growth, employment generation, and long-term sustainability. The study adopted a quantitative survey design, and data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 333 respondents, out of which 290 were duly completed and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression analysis, was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that skill acquisition has a significant positive effect on sustainable development, implying that individuals equipped with relevant skills contribute meaningfully to economic productivity and poverty reduction. Similarly, entrepreneurship significantly fosters sustainable development through job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. The study further identified key challenges such as limited funding, poor infrastructure, weak government policies, and inadequate access to markets as major barriers to effective skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. Similarly, the research established that strategies such as government support, public-private partnerships, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurship education significantly enhance the impact of skill acquisition and entrepreneurship on sustainable development. Therefore the government and private sector collaborate to provide adequate infrastructure, financial support, and policy frameworks to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. The study concludes that skill acquisition and entrepreneurship are critical drivers of sustainable development in Nigeria

This study examines the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in early childhood development, with a specific focus on literacy programs for orphaned children in Nigeria. The research explores how orphanages and NGO-led initiatives contribute to children's reading, writing, and spoken language comprehension. Using a survey research design approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from three selected orphanages in three local government areas in Benin City. The findings reveal that structured literacy programs within orphanages significantly enhance children's reading and writing abilities, while NGO interventions, including speech development programs and interactive storytelling, improve spoken language comprehension. Based on these findings, the recommendations made include increased funding for orphanages, expansion of NGO literacy programs, integration of these initiatives into national education policies, and enhanced community involvement. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of orphanage and NGO literacy programs in improving educational outcomes for vulnerable children in Nigeria.