Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Age-grade associations have been identified as significant agents of rural development in many societies, particularly in Africa. This research project aims to explore the role of age-grade associations in promoting rural development within the context of a specific community in Nigeria. The study will investigate the historical evolution of age-grade associations in the community and analyze their functions in various aspects of rural development. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research will collect data through interviews, surveys, and participant observation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the activities and impact of age-grade associations. The qualitative data will be analyzed thematically to identify the key roles played by these associations in community development initiatives. The research will also examine the challenges faced by age-grade associations in fulfilling their development objectives, including issues related to leadership, resource mobilization, and sustainability. By exploring these challenges, the study aims to provide insights into how age-grade associations can be supported and strengthened to enhance their contributions to rural development. Furthermore, the project will assess the perceptions of community members regarding the effectiveness of age-grade associations in addressing local development needs. By soliciting feedback from community members, the research aims to evaluate the level of support and engagement with age-grade associations and identify areas for improvement. The findings of this research will contribute to the existing literature on age-grade associations and rural development by providing a detailed analysis of their functions, challenges, and potential for promoting community development. The study aims to generate recommendations for policymakers, development practitioners, and community leaders on how to leverage age-grade associations as effective agents of rural development. Overall, this research project seeks to deepen our understanding of the role of age-grade associations in rural development and to highlight strategies for enhancing their impact on community development outcomes. By shedding light on the experiences of a specific community in Nigeria, the study aims to offer insights that can be applied to other contexts facing similar challenges in leveraging traditional institutions for development purposes.

Thesis Overview

1.0     INTRODUCTION

This research work focuses on the age grade association as an agent of rural development this is very important especially at this time when emphasis are on developing rural areas.

It is disheartening to note that despite all the efforts of the government, federal, state and local is development at the rural areas through polices and programmes like better life for rural women, directorates of food, roads and rural infrastructure (DFRRI) rural electrification scheme power evaluation etc development in rural area still remain a mirage.

It is on this note that contemporary scholars now advocate for a better drastic approach to be adopted to rural development this strategies like the private sector, the use of non government organizations (NGOS) and the various community institutions like the age grade it is on these background that this work is set into evaluating the roles the age grade association as an agent of rural development.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In recent years the federal state and local government have been calling for all ramifications development especially from the rural areas, first to facilitated national development in the country the grassroots must be development first.

Obiukwu and Olisa (1992) defined rural development as a concerned improvement of the living standard of the population living in the rural areas on a self- sustaining basis through transforming the socio-economic, socio- spatial and structure of their productive activities, it deals with those methods and strategies designed to improve the economic and social life of the people in rural dwellers.

Age grade association is a social institution that constitutes important system in the social structure of any given society the age grade comprises of persons who are regarded as mates or born within the same age range.

Jeffery, (1950) sees age grade association as “a duty formalized social institution”. Rural development is a situation where the rural dwellers are provided with the basic news of life such as food, water, shelter enjoyed by the urban dwellers.

There are basic needs or amenities absent or lacking in Nkpor Town. The age grades association help to harness the provision of the above mentioned needs by each group taking up one or more of the needs or projects, hence making them a variable to the rural dwellers.

This study is prompted by a desire to see how this age grade association can be mobilized to assist in the development of Nkpor Uno.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Over the years, several efforts have been made by the federal, stated and local government towards the development of rural communities n the country. However, despite these giant strides by the government of different levels, the rural area has remained under developed.

        Contemporary scholars has emphasized that for rural areas to developed, effort should be shifted from government being seen as the major key players in the rural development to the participation of other key players like age grade, Non governmental organization (NGOS) etc. This research work is thus set into evaluating the role of age grade in rural development.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY                                The objectives or purpose of these study is to analyze the roles of age grade association towards rural and urban development especially in the area of Agriculture, health, economy etc. Also to determine the problem s associated with age grade association in performing their duties functions towards the development of the rural communities and make some recommendations based on the findings.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work on “Age Grade Association of rural development will be immensely significant to all and surrounding. This is because development is what will affect everybody in the society, the work will thus expose the various roles of age grade vis-à-vis rural development which any community aspiring to be developed may embraced. The study will as well beneficial to government at various levels, as it will reveal to them the need for youth improvement so as to place the age grade association in a better place to develop the rural areas. Moreover students embarking similar research of this, sort will find this work most beneficial as it will reveal to them all that is required to actualize a work of these natures.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The rising expected question which answers topic of this nature is of paramount or great important. The question, which were used to know the level or evaluate the role of age-grade association as agent of rural development towards all ramifications, development are;

i.           To what extent has age grade associations helped to the development of rural areas?

ii.         To what extent has the objectives of those age grade association been achieved in this town (Nkpor Uno)?

iii.       To what extend is the age grade association system organized in Nkpor town?

iv.         What is the their achievement in the town (Nkpor Uno) since their evolution or creation in eastern Nigeria?

v.           What levels of achievement have this age grade association reach in enhancing health and education of the rural people?

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work focuses on Age Grade Association as an agent of rural development and in view of different age grade association in Eastern or Igbo land, the study has been restricted on the Nkpor Uno in Idemili North Local Government Area in Anambra State with Nkpor Uno age grade as a case study.

1.7     DEFINITION OF TERMS

1)         Rural Development: is a method designed to improve the economic and social lives of the rural dwellers. It involves the extending of development to the poorest in the society.

2)         Age Grade:       Is regarded as a mates or persons who are born with the same range.

3)         Agent: A person or thing that has an important effect on a situation.

4)         Self Help: This is a means or strategy by which the inhabitants of the rural area or community co-operatively under take the task of improving their community by using their resources and efforts.