S.E. Diamond

This study examined the impact of salesman behavioural characteristics on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of assertive behaviour, manipulative behaviour, and passive behaviour on SME sales performance. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to SME operators and sales personnel in Egor, Ovia North East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Edo State. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to respondents using a simple random sampling technique, out of which 89 were successfully retrieved and found valid for analysis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data and test the stated hypotheses. The findings revealed that assertive behaviour has a positive and significant influence on SME sales performance, while manipulative and passive behaviours negatively affect sales outcomes and customer trust. The study concludes that the behavioural disposition of salesmen is a critical determinant of SME performance. It recommends that SME owners prioritize behavioural-based recruitment, continuous sales training, and motivational strategies aimed at fostering assertive and ethical sales practices to enhance enterprise sustainability and contribute to economic 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.