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

Mbagwu, F O,Ezema, M C,Mannir, Abba,Ewelum, J N

doi:10.5539/res.v8n4p240

Abstract

<p>In developing countries like Nigeria, every citizen has the right to be involved in any development activities that is targeted at meeting the “felt needs” of their community rather than wait endlessly for government intervention. Self-help community development activities like construction and maintenance of community roads and rural electrification among others, are expected to be facilitated by all the stakeholders in the community, including the youths who are legitimately the future custodian of the welfare of their community and the greatest investment that can be utilized to mobilize local material resources for the community as well as the country’s development. This study therefore poses that, if youths are recognized as clear assets in self-help community development projects, the youths with their wealth of experiences and energy can be engaged effectively in meaningful tasks for the improvement of their environment. Thus, the issue of youth migration or abandonment of projects can also be ameliorated. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on self-help projects embarked on in the communities studied, areas of youths involvement in self-help projects and the constraints encountered by youths. Findings of the study revealed that the Nsukka communities studied embarked on rural electrification, construction of boreholes and water drainage facilities among others; the areas of youths involvement in self help community projects was low; while youths not given free hands to be involved in SHCPs and parents not allowing their youths to be involved in SHCPs among others, were constraints to youths involvement in self help community projects. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.</p>

Highlights

From the earliest period of human history people have enjoyed and shared together the good tidings of nature because of the existence of communities and the social activities engaged by the people for the progress of their community, which is better called Community Development (CD)
HO2: There will be no significant difference between the mean ratings of community leaders and youths on the constraints to youth’s involvement in self-help community development projects in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu state
This design is considered appropriate for this study because it helped in eliciting information from the respondents on youth’s involvement in self-help community development projects in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

From the earliest period of human history people have enjoyed and shared together the good tidings of nature because of the existence of communities and the social activities engaged by the people for the progress of their community, which is better called Community Development (CD). Community development marks the stage in the life of a community where by members come together to take collective actions in order to generate solutions to their identified problems. For Hill (2011), it means a coordinated approach whereby the community members undertake programs and projects in order to better the living condition of the people residing in that community. This according to Johnson (2008) implies the improvement in the physca and material wellbeing including livelihood of people in the community.

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion