1.1 Introduction
The term Non-Governmental Agencies (NGAs) is comprehended to refer to that autonomous, non-membership, relatively permanent or institutionalized intermediary organizations, which work with grass-roots organizations in a supportive capacity. The Non-Governmental Agencies play a major role in hosting the needs of youth, especially those who are ignorant and marginalized in their access to social and health care education. Non-Governmental Agencies provide youth with opportunities to participate in decision- making, especially in issues related to their education, health and lifestyle. Furthermore, those organizations help them to realize their abilities and develop the skills and talents that help them to participate effectively in society.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Non-governmental agencies in Nigeria have demonstrated appreciable interest towards the provision of amenities to both the rural and urban population of the country. The interest shown by these non-governmental agencies could be derived from their genuine intension of uplifting the liking standard of the people. There is therefore no gain saying the fact that there have been some noticeable increases in educational institutions, health centers, road constructions, water supply and so on as they store to impress the people. Experience has shown that the provision and maintenance of amenities cannot be handled by government alone because it will be too onerous for government to satisfy the need of all communities, bearing in mind the limitation of time and resources. It is therefore, necessary for the agencies of government to educate the people to appreciate the fact that the transformation of their country for enhancement of their standard of living should be a joint responsibility between the community and the government or its agencies. This is why series of reforms and restricting have been undertaken.
The term Non-Governmental Agency considered in the largest sense means every organization which is not a part of governmental institutional system. It includes all kinds of associations, trade unions, political parties, churches and confessional organizations, private foundations, cooperatives and even private enterprises. The common consensus is limiting the scope of this notion to non-profit organizations. But even so, it can include churches, political parties and trade-unions. In general use, the term of NGA addresses to the non-profit organizations created in view to satisfy, promote or defend some general interests of smaller or bigger community. Even more narrow meaning of this term is used by the European Union which is defining NGA as a non-profit, private organization created to participate with the state in public function.
This theory of punishment is more concerned with offenders’ reform, than using punishment to deter criminals.
According to Rabie and Strauss, theory of punishment rests upon the belief that human behaviour is the product of certain causes, that these causes can be identified, and that therapeutic measures can be employed to effect positive changes in the behaviour of the person subjected to such treatment. The new Constitution underlines individual rights and freedoms and avoids developing collective ones. Probably for these reasons, it doesn’t use the term Non-Governmental Agencies and in opposition to the old one, is not mentioning any general obligation of government to consult civic society. However it contains two fundamental principles for NGAs creation and activities: freedom of association and subsidiarity.
Non-governmental organization in general provides various social service research in many vital fields such as health, education, scientific and local development. Such services are performed through many institutions activities and NGAs forming the basic construct of voluntary and charity sector. NGAs play a significant role in social development in all fields.
Non-Governmental Agencies (NGAs) are considered part of a civil society that includes multiple voluntary, civil and social organizations, which are a basis for comparison with the legislative, administrative and judicial authorities supported by the government. They provide people of all age groups with a range of perspectives and aspirations to express their views and draw attention to the problems of the community; they gather together those who hold certain convictions to take practical steps to achieve common goals through volunteering, conversation and dialogue, or good deeds. Although civil society organizations may collide with administrative authorities, their impact is historically significant for education and religion.
Therefore, in UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Nexus between Role of Non-Governmental Agencies in Poverty Alleviation and the Development of Community.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the common task facing developing and under − developed nations today, including Nigeria, is the development of rural area. Development of the rural areas or communities means an improvement or advancement in the socio-economic, political and cultural life style of people. In most rural comities, there is insignificant provision of basic human needs like Hospitals, pipe-borne water, tarred and motorable roads, schools etc, by government. This attitude on the part of government creates an impression in the minds of people that they are not part of the body politics.
Consequently, the people rely on what they can afford to fend for themselves. It is this quest for self-reliance that leads to initiation of community development project of community development projects by Non-Governmental Agencies.
The problem of non-development of rural areas spreads across all states of Nigeria but in more pronounced in UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria − which is my area of study. In this community there is object neglect of provision of these facilities by government. Developmental activities are borne by Non-Governmental Agencies like Town Unions, Churches, Age Grades, and Social Clubs etc with little or no contributions from government.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Role of Non-Governmental Agencies in Poverty Alleviation and the Development of Community using UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out what kind of problems that confront these Non-Governmental Agencies in it’s quest to improve the life of the Citizens in the Northern Part of Nigeria;
- To analyze the contributions of Non-Governmental Agencies towards the encouragement of UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria;
- To ascertain the personal characteristic of each members of the UNICEF in the Northern Part of Nigeria;
- To examine some of their experiences while undertaking these UNICEF developmental endeavours in the Northern Part of Nigeria; and
- To examine the factors inhibiting the contribution of Non-Governmental Agencies towards the development of the Society in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors inhibiting the contribution of Non-Governmental Agencies towards the development of the Society in the Northern Part of Nigeria?
- What are the contributions of Non-Governmental Agencies towards the encouragement of UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria?
- What are the NGA experiences while undertaking these UNICEF developmental endeavours in the Northern Part of Nigeria?
- What are the problems that confront these Non-Governmental Agencies in it’s quest to improve the life of the Citizens in the Northern Part of Nigeria?
- What are the personal characteristic of each members of the UNICEF in the Northern Part of Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: UNICEF’s Activities of Non-Governmental Agencies do not promote community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
- H1: UNICEF’s Activities of Non-Governmental Agencies promote community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Group conflicts do not undermine the ability of Non-Governmental Agencies to affect UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
- H1: Group conflicts undermine the ability of Non-Governmental Agencies to affect UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: Inadequate financial resources do not limit the activities of Non-Governmental Agencies in UNICEF community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
- H1: Inadequate financial resources limit the activities of Non-Governmental Agencies in UNICEF community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: Insufficient human resources do not hamper the efforts of Non-Governmental Agencies to contribute to UNICEF community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
- H1: Insufficient human resources hamper the efforts of Non-Governmental Agencies to contribute to UNICEF community development in the Northern Part of Nigeria.
1.7 Significance of Study
This research draws the attention of government to the need for stepping up their matching grants as well as provision of human and material assistance to communities, in UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria who are embarking on one development project or the other. Through this research communities in UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria will realize once again that government owes her a duty to assist her in her development efforts and thereby which government will be made up to perform her own part of the obligation.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Role of Non-Governmental Agencies in Poverty Alleviation and the Development of Community using UNICEF’s Activities in the Northern Part of Nigeria as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definitions of Terms
Role: Persons task or duty in an undertaking Non-Governmental − Any group set up, that is outside direct government control or involvement.
Agency: A business or an organization that provides a particular service especially on behalf of other business or organization.
Organization: They are social and technical devices or instrument that helps in the accomplishment of goals that are too large and complex to be handled by one person.
Community: A territorially bounded social system within which people live in harmony, love, intimacy and share common social, economic and cultural characteristics.
Development: A continuous process of positive change in the quality and span of life of a person or group of persons.
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