COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGER STATE

Abstract

The reality of rural development is in the extent to which it addresses the needs of rural people for whom it was meant. It is not just a matter for economic growth with emphasis on industrialization, favourable salaries and savings or transfer of large amounts of money as foreign aid. Neither is development is all about index numbers of national incomes, savings or capital. This implies a deliberate re-orientation of the administrative system, local organization and institutions supporting production towards the entire rural people and their needs. It is the perception of this paper that development of the rural people in such a continuous manner is to enable them most effectively and efficiently utilize their intellect, technology and other resources for further development for both themselves and their resources. This paper concludes that community leadership is concerned with the process of mobilizing community resources for the well being of that particular community. The paper recommends among others that rural community leadership should ensure the provision of infrastructure such as roads, markets, Malls, electricity, water and storage facilities to reduce rural-urban migration.