Roles Of Community Development Programmes In The Achievement Of Sustainable Development Goal One In Rivers State

Abstract

This study examined the roles of community development programmes in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal One in Rivers State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted in the study with a population size of 7463 consisting of 772 leaders and 6691 members of various community-based organisations in 23 local government areas of Rivers State. A sample size of 645 respondents consisting of 228 leaders and 417 members of Community Based Organizations was drawn using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data for the study were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire titled “Roles of Community Development Programmes in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals One Questionnaire”. The instrument was validated by two experts in Community Development. The internal consistency of the instrument was tested using Cronbach Alpha statistics. The Mean statistics and standard deviation were used in analysing the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using the z-test statistics at 0.05 level of Significance. The findings of the study revealed among others that educational programmes increase people’s efficiency in doing business, discourage laziness, make people identify their inherent potentials, inculcate the habit of continuous learning, help people access job openings and establish their own businesses. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that Local Government authorities have the constitutional responsibility of establishing and maintaining adult literacy centres and other educational programmes. If they organize these programmes, they will build the capacities of beneficiaries and make them either self-employed or gained paid employment. This has the potential of reducing poverty.