EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF EVENT CENTRE ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE

This research is Evaluating the impact of event Centre on social activities in Makurdi, Benue State. The specific objectives are: Investigating the types of events hosted at event centers and their frequency in Makurdi, Benue State; Analyzing the economic impact of event centers, including revenue generation, job creation, and business growth in Makurdi, Benue State; Identifying the perceived benefits and challenges associated with the presence of event centers in Makurdi, Benue State; Investigating the role of event centers in promoting cultural exchange and diversity in Makurdi, Benue State. This study used simple random sampling in selecting sample size. The study was survey research. The population for this study comprised of organizers and staff of Precious Events Centre, Local community leaders and stakeholders, and Attendees of Precious Events Centre. The instrument that was used for data collection was questionnaire. In order to assure a high return rate, the researcher handed out 73 copies of the questionnaires by hand to the participants, and 70 copies were later retrieved. The degree of subject agreement was calculated using the mean. Every item with a mean of 2.5 or more was regarded agreed upon, and any item with a mean below 2.5 was deemed disagreeable. A 2.5 was utilized as the decision-making cutoff point. Analysis and presentation of data were based on the research questions for the study. The results show that Social and entertainment events as the types of events hosted at event centers in Makurdi, Benue State with a respondent mean of 3.26 which is above 2.5 mentioned above. and their frequency is Relatively high. Furthermore, Revenue generation as the Economic impact of event centers with a respondent mean of 3.29. Therefore, it was concluded that through an investigation of the types and frequency of events hosted at these centers, it was revealed that they serve as crucial venues for a wide range of social, cultural, and economic activities. Events such as weddings, conferences, concerts, and cultural festivals are commonly held, highlighting the essential role that event centers play in the social fabric of Makurdi. The recommendations were based on the findings. The recommendation among others include; event centers should foster a strong connection with the local community, event centers should implement programs that encourage community participation. Offering discounted rates or sponsorship opportunities for local events, such as school graduations, local talent shows, and community meetings, can enhance community involvement.