CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Rural development is
one of the arms of the ministry of social welfare in the formal northern
Nigeria government. It was under ministry of education and community
development when kwara state was created in 1967 after about a year, the kwara
state government removed local government community development from education
and also removed local government section from governor’s office and emerged
the two together to become one ministry known as ministry of local government and
community development in the year 1969. (Rural development section was under
this ministry).
Presently, ministry of
rural development now exist. At its inception, kwara state comprised of two
provinces, namely kabba and Ilorin. The arrangement of rural development
activities was based on provisional administration, but at the end of 1968,
divisional administration was created. Among the division created form the
provinces were Igbomina / Ekiti, Ilorin, kabba, kogi etc.
Rural development is
one of the instruments used to obtain popular and renowned participation in
development. The discussion, decision, planning and implementation of
development projects are jointly done by members themselves and the rural
development promotes who parties the programme.
The attention of local
government to rural development activities is due to proper co-ordination and
must do assignment of local government administration. Nevertheless, most of
these developments are initiatives of rural community members but after all has
been said and done, rural community members are not independent of local or
state government assistance and support.
The contributions of
local government towards any rural development can never be over emphasized.
1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
In view of the
importance of local government as an instrument to transform rural areas, this
study aims at highlighting the impact of the local government (Ilorin East
local government) on rural transformation of its jurisdiction. Also to examine
the problems and solutions of economic and social activities of the area.
Moreover, the research
is conducted to expatiate on the step that has been taken by various rural
communities and local governments in rural transformation (2005-2008).
1.3 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study would be
useful and beneficial to Ilorin East local government and other agencies of
rural transformation. It will contribute to the existing knowledge and serve as
a reference to future researchers.
1.4 THE SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This project work deals
with how Ilorin east local government serves as means of transforming its rural
areas. It covers the period of local government reform of 1976 to date.
There are some
constraints encountered in the process of writing this project work among which
are collection of writing this project work among which are collection of
information from local government personnel who usually referred to some
document as “classified document” and secret files which could not be reached
or treated for this work.
Also, finance is
another constraint which is the orbit in which every other factors rotates and
since it is limited, then one or two problems were encountered, like cost of
transportation and typing.
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In carrying this work, I made use
of descriptive method. In gathering information primary and secondary method
were adopted.
The descriptive is
concerned with true investigation of the contemporary issues and then made it known
in a work like this in a descriptive way.
Primary method of data
or information collection has to do with collection of information (s) for the
first time, that is fresh and true data gotten from the use of questionnaire,
interview and observation.
On the other hand,
secondary source of data is a process or means of gathering information from
information that has been supplied by another person before on the topic or its
relevance. Information can be gotten through textbooks, magazine, journals etc.
1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This project work is
divided into five chapters.
Chapter 1 contained the
general introduction to the study and other relative issues such as the aims
and objectives importance, method of data collection and the scope of the
study.
Chapter 2, is the
review of related literature it contains the local government review in Nigeria
meaning of rural transformation, objectives of rural transformation.
Chapter 3, contains the
historical background of ilorin East local government, the land topography and
the population of the area.
Chapter 4, has to do
with presentation and finding and analysis of these findings in other to know
whether the findings are reliable, true and worth believing or not.
Chapter 5, is the
summary of what has been looked into in the study. The conclusion of the study
and any recommendation are in chapter five of the study.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS USED
Authority: this is the power granted or supported by law
Community: these are groups of people living in the same
geographical area and having the same culture.
Council: these are groups of people elected to run the affairs of
local government. They see to the smooth running of local government.
Election: this is the system used by the electorate to choose their
political representatives.
Local government: this is the third tier of government created to
monitor the affairs of the people at the grass roots.
Rural: this word is used to refer to areas of a local government
which is not developed in terms of social amenities and infrastructures, compared
to cities.
REFERENCES
Agboola A.Y (1998): Introduction to local government
administration,
Ibadan university press
Horn by A.S (2003): Oxford university press U.S.A
Kath Len A.C (1976): Local government and central
government,
London, Hutchinson and co- publisher
Nwonkwo B.C (1992): Authority in government Makurdi,
Nigeria,
Amod publisher.
Lasisi M.A (1997) Authority in government Makurdi,
Nigeria.
Almod publisher Lasisi m.A (1997) A practical approach to local government
administration. Ibadan Viritage
publisher
Olowu, D “the administration of social service in Nigeria,
the
challenge to local government published by local government training programme university
of life.
The
constitution of federal republic of Nigeria (1963) Lagos
federal government press (schedule page
366).