CHAPTER 1: Introduction
According to Eme et al, (2012) town unions represent an association formed by the people of the same town, local government or even district as the case may be. Town Union can also be seen as an agency of community through which innovations and development purposes are achieved for the community. Society and cultures are dynamic therefore social institutions grow with the society. The Town Union has continued to grow with the Igbo society and has acquired new names like central unions, group unions, progressive association, development union and Town Union. Thus, in developing Igbo society the Town Union has assumed the status of civil society organization with improved administrative structures. Apart from undertaking several development and infrastructural projects, it has continued to serve as the organ for local administration in Igbo land.
1.1 Background of the Study
The rural areas are characterized by pervasive endemic poverty, made manifest by widespread hunger, malnutrition, poor health, general lack of access of formal education, modern housing and various forms of social and political solution compared with their urban counterparts. Thirdly, it is being recognized that the problems of our urban centres cannot be solved unless those of the rural areas are solved, or at least contained. Hence these problems emanated from the unprecedented rural –urban migration which in turn derives from rural area underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment (Akpomuvie 2010).
Similarly Ekekpe and Ekpe (2009) noted with pity the conditions of our rural areas when they averred that whether you are in the Northern part of the country or in the southern part, you will be struck by the very level of abject poverty, mass illiteracy, unsanitized environment lack of clean water supply, lack of access roads, unavailability of health care facilities, improper and inadequate housing poor lighting particularly at night, defeatist/fatalist attitude, small land parcel ownership, out-modeled ineffective farming implement etc. these conditions cannot be ameliorated by government alone.
The importance of the community development in contemporary Nigerian society cannot be overemphasized as much as it cannot be relegated to the background as its significance stems from its recognized role in the process of achieving the improvement of economic, social, political and cultural conditions of the communities. As a strategy, community development ensures rapid national development hence Ugwu’s (2009:4) assertion “community development is one of the major planks upon which National developmental policies and their implementation are hinged”. The research seeks to investigate town union as agent of community development in Anambra state.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The ultimate goal of development is to improve the well-being of people by identifying and solving the basic problems that can hinder community development. It is also axiomatic that one of the problems facing Nigeria and indeed other African nations in the post-colonial era is that of improving the living condition of her people. This is even more in the rural population for according to Eme et al (2012). The very level of abject poverty, mass illiteracy, unsanitized environment lack of clean water supply, lack of access roads, unavailability of health care facilities, improper and inadequate housing poor lighting particularly at night, defeatist/fatalist attitude, small land parcel ownership, out-modeled ineffective farming implement etc. Cannot be ameliorated by government alone. The importance of the community development in contemporary Nigerian society cannot be overemphasized as much as it cannot be relegated to the background as its significance stems from its recognized role in the process of achieving the improvement of economic, social, political and cultural conditions of the communities. As a strategy, community development ensures rapid national development hence Ugwu’s (2009:4) asserted that “community development is one of the major planks upon which National developmental policies and their implementation are hinged”. Therefore the problem confronting this research is to appraise town union as agent of community development in Anambra state.
1.3 Objective of the Study
1 To determine the nature of town union
2 To determine the role of town union as agent of community development.
3 To determine the role of town union as agent of community development in Anambra state.
1.4 Research Questions
1 .4 RESEARCH QUESTION
1 What is the nature of town union?
2 What is the role of town union as agent of community development
3 What is the role of town union as agent of community development in Anambra state
3.1 Significance of the Study
The study proffers a structural appraisal of the nature and role of town union in community development with the view of enhancing the development of policy for the recognition and growth of town union activities in the nation.
3.2 Statement of Hypothesis
1 Ho community development in Anambra state is low
Hi community development in Anambra state is high
2 Ho Town union in Anambra state is not significant
Hi Town union in Anambra state is significant
3 Ho The impact of town union in community development in Anambra state is low
Hi The impact of town union in community development in Anambra state is high.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the appraisal of town union as agent of community development in Anambra state.
1.8 Definition of Terms
TOWN UNION DEFINED
According to Eme et al, (2012) town unions represent an association formed by the people of the same town, local government or even district as the case may be. Town Union can also be seen as an agency of community through which innovations and development purposes are achieved for the community.
DEVELOPMENT DEFINED
Development involves change, improvement and vitality, a directed attempt to improve participation, flexibility, equity, attitudes, the function of institution and the quality of life. It is the creation of wealth – wealth here means the things people value.
FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT DEFINED
Wikipedia encyclopedia (2003) described financial mismanagement as an inefficient management of money (fund) in such a way that it hampers the achievement of goals. This therefore means that financial mismanagement is a careless attitude towards the use of money (fund)
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEFINED
Ezeani (2006:346) defined financial management as part of management which is concerned mainly with raising funds in the most economic and suitable manner, using these funds as profitably, (for a given risk level) as possibly; planning future operations; and controlling current performance and future development through financial accounting, cost accounting, budgeting, statistical analysis and other means.
