Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Town Unions and Community Development in Ebonyi State: A Case Study of Onicha Local Government

Izunna O. CHUKWU

Abstract

This research delves into the Town Union's role in community development within Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, emphasizing its significance in propelling national development within the state. With a sample size of 384 respondents determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table method, data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire and oral interviews. Statistical techniques including simple percentages and mean calculations were applied to analyze the data, supplemented by Pearson Correlation and Focus Group Discussions to test research hypotheses. The study uncovered that community development efforts led by the Town Union in Ebonyi State are not significantly deficient. It suggested that with adequate resources and support, Town Unions could serve as effective channels for community development. Recommendations included infrastructure enhancement, advocacy for governmental attention to community needs, job creation for youth, establishment and maintenance of educational facilities, construction of essential infrastructure like roads and markets, facilitation of clean water supply, promotion of agriculture and mining activities, and ensuring peace and security. The research concludes that equipped and empowered Town Unions have the potential to significantly contribute to community development initiatives in Ebonyi State. By undertaking diverse projects aimed at improving infrastructure, socio-economic prospects, and overall well-being, Town Unions can play a crucial role in fostering sustainable development and progress within the region.

Keywords

Town UnionDevelopmentCommunity Development and Local Government

References

Abang, T. (2001). Community involvement and corporate social responsibility: A study of Transnational Companies in Niger Delta region. Journal of Arts and Social Science Research, 6 (3), 27-39. Archibong, E. (2017). Road Infrastructure and Economic Development. Lagos: Greenfield Publishers. Ake, C. (1996). Democracy and Development in Africa. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd Akpomive, B. O. (2010). Self-help as strategy for rural development in Nigeria: Bottom-up. Lagos: African Education Press. Aroh, C. (2003). Community development and mass mobilization in Nigeria: Concept and approaches. Enugu, Snaap Press Ltd. Anyanwu, C. (2017). Water Supply Systems Operation and Maintenance: Best Practices for Community Development. Journal of Community Health, 12(3), 45-57. Aroh, C. (2003). Community development and mass mobilization in Nigeria: Concept and approaches. Enugu, Snaap Press Ltd. Battern, I. (1975). Communities and their Development, London: Oxford/University Press. Bonsu, S. (1983). Rural development and bureaucracy in Nigeria. Ibadan: Longman. Brown, C. (2020). Impact of Town Union-Led Projects on Community Development: A Study of Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State. Journal of Infrastructure Development, 25(4), 210-225. Chadwick, E. R. (1947). Our community effort in east. Lagos: Crownbord Publication. Chamber, R. (1994). The origins and practice of participatory rural appraisal. World Development, 22(7),953-969.https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-750X(94)90141-4. Chukwuemeka, E. O. (2000). Public and local government administration in Nigeria issues, theory and practices. Enugu: Computer Age Publishers. Dunham, A. (1970). The new community organization. New York: Thomas Crowell Company. Ejere, S. E. I. and Udofia, A. (2019). Fundamental of local government administration: A Nigeria perspective. Calabar: University of Calabar Press Ekongson, P (2007). The Challenges of Communities’ Development in Nigeria; Akwa Ibom State Perspective. Uyo: Robert Minder Publisher. Eme,O.I.,Chukwu, O. & Anochiwa , L. (2015). Participation in local government system in Nigeria. Review of Public Administration and Management,3(6). Emejulu, I. and Okafor, H. I. (2018). Town union and community development: Contributions of Nzuko-Arochukwu to the socio-economic growth of Arochukwu, 1981 – 2017. International Journal of Development and Management Review (INJODEMAR), 15(1), 63 – 82. Emenalo, F. and Ibekwe, C. (2013). Appraisal of community involvement in secondary schools development in Okigwe Education Zone of Imo State. Ezeani, E. (2017). Cultural Festivals and Identity Formation in Oshiri. African Cultural Studies Review Ezeani, E. O. (2004). Local government administration. Enugu: Zik-Chuks Printing Press. Ezeani, E. O. (2006). Fundamentals of public administration. Enugu: Zik-Chuks Publishers. Ezeibe, C. C. (2018). The political economy of town unions and rural development in Nigeria: A focus on the South-East. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences (NJSS), 7(1): 31 – 46. Goel, P and Gusioami, H (2010). An Introduction to Economics. Assam: Turshar Publishing House. Hornby, A. S. (2000). Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary. London: Oxford University Press. Igwe, O. (2007). Introduction to Sociological Theories. Port Harcourt: Sunny Books. Iroegbu, A. (2016). Community Cohesion and Communal Labor in Oshiri. Journal of Social Anthropology. Iwuagwu, N. (2018). Agricultural Practices in Oshiri: Past and Present. Journal of Ebonyi Agricultural Science, Igwe, O. (2007). Politics and globe dictionary. Enugu: Keny and Brothers Enterprises. Ikeme, A. I. (1990). The challenges of agriculture in Nigerian development. Enugu: optimal Computer Solution Ltd. Ikechukwu, E. (2021). Stakeholder Engagement in Market Development: Best Practices and Case Studies. Onicha Community Publishers. Jenking, J. & Obara, E. (2010). Community Resilience and Development Strategies. Port Harcourt: River Valley Publications.Udu and Onwe [2019] Johnson, R. (2018). Assessing the Role of Town Unions in Infrastructural Development: A Case Study of Selected Communities in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State. International Journal of Rural Development, 15(3), 112-125 Kenyon, P. (1994). Ready set go: Action manual for community economic development. Melbourne: Municipal Association of Victoria. Lele, U. (1999). The design and rural development. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press. Martinez, M. (2022). Challenges and Opportunities in Town Union-Led Infrastructure Projects: Lessons from Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State. Journal of Urban and Regional Planning, 30(3), 150-165. Mbiti, P. (1974). Rural sociology and rural development, Its application in Kenya. East African Literature Bureau. Nkwede, V. I. (2009). Community development and urbanization in Nigeria (Theories and Applications). Onitsha Chambers Books Ltd. Nkwede, V. I. (2009). Community development and urbanization in Nigeria (Theories and Applications). Onitsha Chambers Books Ltd. Nnoli, O. (1981). Path to Nigerian development. Darkar: Codesria. Nwadike, A. (2018). Assessing Water Supply and Sanitation Needs in Onicha LGA: A Comprehensive Approach. Water Resources Management Journal, 17(2), 89-102. Nwaorgu, K. (1998). Political Structures and Functions. Owerri: Unique Press. Nwaorgu, O. C. (2002). Dimensions of politics. Port Harcourt: Amethyst and Colleges Publishers. Nweke, F. (2017). Town union governance: A community service in eastern Nigeria, Adonis and Abbey. Nwoba, E. and Udoikah , J (2017). Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility in Ebonyi State: an Investigative Study of Selected Mining Firms and Communities. Journal of Policy and Development studies 10(2): 54-62 Nwobashi, H. N. and Iturno, A. (2017). Democracy and contributions of town union to educational development in Ebony State: A focus of some selected rural communities. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8(4): 467 – 61. Nwobi, G. (2007). Rural development. Theories and strategies. Nino Rev: Charles and Patrick Ltd. Nwogwugwu (2007). Industrialization and Natural Development.Awka: Nnadi Azikiwe University Press. Nwosu, L. (2020). Language Dynamics in Oshiri: A Sociolinguistic Perspective. Journal of Nigerian Languages. Obasi, I. N. (1999). Research methodology in political science. Enugu: Academic Publishing Company. Obi, O. (2018). Religious Syncretism in Oshiri: Indigenous Beliefs and Christianity. Journal of Religious Studies. Offong, J. G. and Bassey, A. O. (1989). Community development: Principle and practice. Calabar: Radiant Ventures Nig. Ltd. Ogbazi, J. U. (1995). Introduction to rural development planning. Enugu: Computer Age Publishers. Ogbonna, C. (2019). Market Development and Economic Growth: A Case Study of Ebonyi State. Journal of Development Economics, 15(2), 78-91. Ogu, U. (2018). Community Development and Market Infrastructure: The Role of Town Unions in Nigeria. Community Development Journal, 25(3), 145-159. Oji, A. (2020). Market Planning and Design: Principles and Practices. Ebonyi State University Press. Okafor, I. (2022). Cultural Heritage Conservation Initiatives in Oshiri. Heritage Preservation Quarterly. Okoro, C. (2015). The Historical Evolution of Oshiri Community. Oshiri Chronicles. Okonkwo, U. (2019). Trade Networks and Economic Development in Pre-colonial Oshiri. Journal of West African History. Okorie, N. (2017). Market Management and Governance: Lessons from Onicha Local Government Area. African Journal of Economic Development, 10(1), 45-57. Town Union and provision of Portable Water Supply in Onicha Local Government Okoye, N. (2019). Promoting Hygiene and Sanitation: Community Engagement Strategies for Sustainable Development. Onicha LGA Community Health Bulletin, 5(1), 12-24. Okoli, F. C. (1985) Western ideology and community devel

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Building National Analytics Capacity: Advances and Future Pathways

Author: Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu

Root-Cause and Thematic Analysis for Major Incident Management: A Review

Author: Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu

Data-Quality and Single-Source-Of-Truth Frameworks for Inter- Agency Reporting: A Review

Author: Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu

Human-In-The-Loop Decision Systems: Advances and Future Directions

Author: Funmilayo Ashore-Onisemo, Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey, Okwesa,

Roles of Oil Subsidy Removal on Transportation Cost and Water Factory in Cross River South, Nigeria

Author: Onwuzurike Peter Tobechi, Owoh Akwa Owoh, Unoh Grace Inyang, Umaru Musa