CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       It is no exaggeration to state from the beginning that our rural arrears have been deliberately milked to impoverishment and to the advantages of the urban areas.  This ugly condition of the rural area dates back to the colonial era of Nigeria under the British government.  This imbalance in development was inherited at independence and carried along successive government during the abundant natural resources in the rural areas were explored.  Any attempts to develop such areas, the political and administrative institution were public decision making.  Power in reality was more concentrated and centralized that dispersed especially at the federal level of power as a result of this type of political structure,

This was a clear demarcation between the urban and rural areas development. The urban areas being the seats of government were developed at the expense of the rural areas.  In recent times, the issue of rural development has become crucial in the political, social and economic life of nation.  This is as a result of the realization of fact that the rural areas and their inhabitants constitute about 70 percentage of the nation population.  In order to bring about real development in the rural areas, there must exist active collaboration between government, non-governmental organization and communication with the rural people.

The rural people need to be recognized and helped by the government to enable them form cooperation and productive organization.  They should be encouraged to participate actively in the decision making process for the determination of societal goals.

Since the past few decades, various non-governmental organization have shown interest in the development of rural areas.  Various communities that have not benefited from the limited financial resource of the government have embarked on development project.  It has stimulated and galvanized individuals into activities participation in social economic activities of the nation and has also brought development to the grassroots.