ABSTRACT
This research presents the results of impact of NGOs on the community development in Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi state. The population for the study consists of 40 community which were sampled, Data were gathered using a self -constructed questionnaire and the result gotten was analyzed using the simple percentage method. The validity and reliability of instrument were ascertained. The result of the study revealed that NGOs are active and have a very great impact on the lives of people in Ezza community.There should be a high level of collaboration among the various levels of NGOs such as community based organizations, citywide organizations, National NGOs, and international NGOs. Such collaboration will enable them to work together through strategic partnership
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.8 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.2 AREA OF STUDY
3.3 POPULATION OF THE STUDY
3.4 RESEARCH SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
3.5 INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION
3.6 VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT
3.7 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
3.8 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 SUMMARY
5.2 CONCLUSION
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4 LIMITATION
5.5 SUGGESTION FOR FUTHER STUDY
REFRENCE
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The exclusion of the grassroots from participation in all community development efforts has been found to be the major setback in attaining sustainability of community development projects and ultimately community empowerment (Wangoola, 2003). This has been found to owe a lot to the erroneous notions embedded in traditional models of development which glorified the superiority of the knowledge of the development agents, and undermined indigenous knowledge of the poor people in the communities, a deliberation which provided a porous basis for their relegation from participation (So, 1990). This was found to be a misconception of reality in that it is a negation of the fact that, these ‘agents’, the so called poor people, are not mere recipients of external stimuli, but, are also active participants who, given the opportunity, can influence their outcome positively since they have ‘agency’ as Giddens’ Structuration theory purports (Giddens, 2004). The phenomenon can also be articulated and understood within the postmodernist question for objectivity and subjectivity in perceptions of development practitioners as enshrined in reflexivity. Wangoola (2003) submits that, upon realization of this unjustified and detrimental fallacy, numerous development facilitators and agents such as Non-Governmental Organizations have attempted to provide a remedy to this unwarranted marginalization by adopting the participatory approaches in their execution of community development work, particularly community mobilization. Conversely, the materialization of this deliberation has been constrained by a multiplicity of challenges which range from, institutional barriers such as legislation and government policy, culture, religion, to other factors such as limited funds, domineering development agent, illiteracy, lack of trust among community or with outsiders, limited time, intra and inter-group conflicts, selective participation, embellishment of successes, demographic composition and poor planning and management. Therefore it has become paramount to analyze the possible influence of these barriers against NGO’s efforts to mobilize communities for participation in development projects, within the theoretical ambits of the interplay between structures and actions as Giddens’ Structuration theory articulates. This was complemented by the People Centered Development Approach as a conceptual framework for analysis.
Nigeria is predominantly a rural economy. If development is to take place and become self-sustaining, it must therefore, emphasis more on rural transformation. The core problems of widespread poverty, growing inequality, rapid population growth and rising unemployment all find their origins in the stagnation and too often retrogression of economic life in rural areas. Furthermore, most of the rural people are poor and disadvantaged. Their sufferings stem not only from low income but also from illiteracy, ill-health, ignorance and various kinds of deprivations. It is universally acknowledged that rural areas are very important to a nation. They serve as the base for the production of food and fiber. They are also the major sources of capital formation for a country and a principal market for domestic manufactures. In general terms, the rural areas engage in primary activities that form the foundation of any economic development. Yet, despite the importance of the rural areas, they have been neglected for long. Usually, there is absence of infrastructures like (water, electricity supply and motor able roads) which improve quality of life. Indeed, the ongoing neglect of rural areas continues to widen the gap between the rural and urban areas regarding the levels of social and economic opportunities, physical development and available infrastructural services. Okon (2014) Development planners have recognized the fact that the upliftment of the rural economy, vis-à-vis the rural poor and backward masses is a precondition for the overall development of the country. Successive development plans of the country, therefore emphasized on rural economic development. But in the implementation of the planned objectives, the success was rather limited due to some constraints, at the top of which was the lack of participation of the stakeholders-the rural dwellers, who hardly had any influence and control over development initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of rural economic development in Nigeria with special attention to the progress made and problems encountered and to assess the role of NGOs in participatory rural economic development. The remaining part of the paper consists of four sections. The first section reviews the literature on the concept of rural economic development and also takes an exploration of rural economic development in Nigeria. The second examines the background history of Non-Governmental Organizations and the emergence of Nongovernmental Organization in the development process. The third section examines the meaning of participatory rural development and the steps in project development by a Non-Governmental Organization, while the fourth section concludes with the examination of the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in participatory rural development against rural dwellers and affect the quality of rural life (Okon 2014. It is concerned with measures which mobilize domestic resources including human resources, to boost production, stimulate employment, raise rural income, reduce poverty and improve the overall standards of living of rural dwellers. Rural development consists of a number of subsets which include agricultural development, rural industrialization development, quality education, health, and rural housing and transportation programs. Rural development may also be seen as an ideology and a practice. It may mean planned change by public agencies based outside of the rural areas such as the National Government or International Organization. It may also be the bringing in of the country-side into an active state, as well as the transformation of the inferior nature of the country-side into something more superior in terms of activities. Lele, Abakare and Moboqunje view rural development as the improvement in the living standard of the rural dwellers by engaging them in productive activities such as the establishment of rural industries that will increase their income. It is seen by these scholars as a means of raising the sustainable level of living of the rural poor by giving them the opportunity to develop their full potentials.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It is sad to note that, even in towns and cities in Nigeria today, households are fast becoming another tier of government that generates their own electricity, portable water, provide their own security etc. by themselves, while poor electricity supply is forcing lot of companies to fold up every day, laying off workers and compounding the already worst unemployment situation in the country. Those that manage to keep going are doing so at a huge cost of running power generators leading to huge cost of production and of course escalated increase in cost of goods and services. Thus, the situation in rural communities is better imagined.
However, as result of failures of the government, citizens are now rising up to infrastructural development in their communities through self-help by NGOs, CBOs or CDAs. Their activities and achievements also depend on availability of resources. In addition, illiteracy and ignorance pervades rural communities in Nigeria due to lack of access to formal school, adult and non-formal education that could lead to enlightenment of the mind to empowers the poor, vulnerable and oppressed to jointly works towards achieving common goals of improving their quality of life and for the development of their community, it is however the interest of this research to find out the impact of NGOs on the community development of Ezza rural community in Ezza LGA.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study is to find out the impact of NGOs on the community development of Ezza rural community in Ezza LGA. However specifically the study intends to:
1. Investigate the problems affecting the success of NGOs
2. Find out the impact of NGO on the development of Ezza North LGA
3. Proffer solution to the problems affecting the success NGOs
1.4 Research Questions
The following questions are formulated to guide the study arrive at a valid and reliable conclusion:
1. what are the problems associated with the success of NGOs
2. is there any significant impact of NGOs on the rural development of Ezza North LGA
3. what solution can be proffered to the problem associated with the success of NGOs
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study will serve as a public enlightenment to the community and other NGOs all around Nigeria on the importance of embarking on more community development projects themselves without the government intervening, and also expose the government to the importance of CDA on different communities, and lastly this study will serve a guide to different researcher that will embark on the same study in the nearest future.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study the impact of NGOs on the community development was carried out in Ezza North LGA in Ebonyi state.
1.7 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
However, in the course of carrying out this research work, the researcher can foresee some limitations which include; insufficient financing, insufficient data for the research work and the time required for the project to be concluded.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Impact: a marked influence of effect.