Thesis Abstract

Evaluation of the Contribution of Community Based Organisation (CBOs) to the Development of Communities in Nigeria (A Study of Offa Local Government Area Kwara State), these CBOs provide socio-economic facilities for the common benefit of the community. This type of organization has been in existence in Offa Local Government Area even before the creation of the Local Government in 1991. In the past, these CBOs have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Offa LGA by the provision of schools, community health centres, feeder roads, market stalls, motor parks etc but of recent we have notice a decline in the performance of these organizations. Our research problem is therefore the poor performance of these CBO’s. The objectives of this study among others therefore, are to find out the immediate and remote causes of this problem. In doing this, two assumptions were postulated. The study mostly used secondary data, and supplemented by primary data. Simple percentages were used to analyze data collected. Our major findings among others are that the poor performance of these CBOs is due to the poor working relationship between them and the local government particularly financial assistance. We recommend that Offa Local Government should assist these CBOs in order for them to perform and achieve their objectives.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

The use of Community Based Organizations for development is a process of social action in which the people of a community will organize themselves for planning and action. They execute their plans with maximum reliance upon community resources and supplement these resources, with services and material from outside. However, CBOs approach to self-help involves the fullest participation of all members‟ in the decision making process.

Participation of local people in Community Based Organizations (CBO‟s) activities is an act involving residents in a project which requires a democratic approach.

The belief is that, all members make their contributions to decisions which affect them. Indeed, people are more likely to be committed to a rural project, if they are involved in its planning and implementation because they are more likely to identify themselves with its use and regard it as their project, Ugal (1992:29).