ABSTRACT

From the time of creation till date, expect in the recent time, whom have been seen generally especially by the male folk as second-class citizens, more especially in the less developed countries.

This has led to various misconceptions and bickering between the male and female group despite all efforts of women towards the development of there various communities. Even when it is obvious that women are taking the lead and vigorously help the spouses in executing various developmental projects their activities are rarely appreciated.

The purpose of this study therefore was to conduct an investigation into the contribution of Eku of the community development efforts of Eku as a case study in the “involvement of women in community development in Nigeria.” Specifically it is against this background that the researcher set out six research questions and three-research hypothesis to aid the study.

A total of 94 respondents were sampled to respond to the questionnaire, which was the main research instrument.  These were distributed to the women who participate in economic Development through their community development efforts in Eku. The responses by the women were analyzed by the use of percentage.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The study will place emphasis on the community development efforts of women in the economic development in Nigeria.

Community development involves some kind of co-operative actions by every member of a particular community to improve the well being or welfare of town members, Battern, R.T.R. (1957, p.8) in recent times, there has been noticeable change in people’s community development as the great provider.  There is now remarkable awareness that the people can now develop their community through their own efforts and with their own resources, since the states or local government, government to which people look upon her help could not attract enough revenue from the federal government to come to their rescue.

It is against this background that people organized themselves into groups for self-help activities in communities most of these condition of their members and the community in general.  Many areas they focus their attentions include the construction and building of rural road, schools, health centers, village halls, clinics, market, garri processing machines, oil processing machines and so on.

In Ethiope East for instance with a particular reference to Eku where most of these infrastruture are not available, women as vehicles for community development have now found themselves providing some of these amenities through their various groups.  It is based on this that the research sought to identify the extent those women groups have gone in their development activities since their men are chiming to be at the forefront of every development activities.

But if the recent development in the affairs and attitude of women towards economics development are anything to go by them, I can be in a better positions to appreciate the roles played by the recent past.  First ladies of this nation of Nigeria for example.  Think of the development initiatives and activities carried out by Mrs. Maryam Babangida under the better life for rural women programmes.  Recall the activities of Mrs. Maryam Abacha under FEAP.