Roles of youths groups in rural community development in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Youths are dynamic force for social transformation and rural community development. This study identified types of youth groups and their roles in rural community development; constraints to effective participation of youth in rural community development and strategies to improve effective participation of youths in rural community development. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 60 respondents for the study. Data were analysed with frequency count, percentages and mean scores. Result shows that greater percentage (60.0%) of the youths was male and had mean age of 24 years. Majority (89.50%) of the respondents belonged to Afikpo youth organisation and their major roles included town hall building (86.40%), school development (81.40%) and market building (74.60%). Constraints to effective participation of youth in rural community development included limited access to finance (M=2.14; SD=0.88), inadequate skill (M=2.00; SD=0.76) and limited material benefit for the participants (M=2.14; SD=0.86). It was suggested therefore that the youths should be provided with skill (M=1.62; SD=0.63), sponsored (M=1.34; SD=0.58) and employed (M=1.32; SD=0.72).

Youths Involvement in Self-Help Community Development Projects (SHCDPs) in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…While some expressed that they are poor and as such insisted that the government should come and help them out; their source of livelihood is also being threatened. The views of discussants is in line with the submissions earlier made by Umeh and Odum (2011); Iwuchukwu et al (2015) stated that youths must no longer be relegated to the margins of the community life so that their energetic, resourceful and innovative nature could be felt. In the same line of reasoning, Udensi et al (2013) earlier remarked that, the development of communities ought to be seen as a dynamic process involving all segments of the locality including youths who are dynamic force for transformation of rural communities.…”

Youth Participation in Politics and Community Development Projects: A Study of Ota Community Ogun Nigeria

“…This goes to show that in some community's youth are being engaged in physical activities rather engaging them in discussions or activities that would directly involve them in the contribution of making strategic plans on the community development, rather relying on their youthful exorbitance only for areas that require physical strength, there is also the mental, social and emotional aspects that they can contribute to. (Iwuchuckwu & Ogbonna, 2015)Youth have been regarded as significant groups for community development. They play important roles such as providing leadership and selfless services in the construction of schools, townhalls, and markets.…”