Authors :
Daniel Bingel; Dr. Silas Sarkes Wankir; Katsen Ngyal Dagap
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/8u46he5p
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8376527
Abstract :
The study seeks to determine and propose a
model of community development that would prove
effective in Nigeria. The basis of the study is a critique of
extant approaches to development that maintain a top-
down approach, where beneficiaries of development look
up to a ‘superior’ authority/power to trickle down
development. These models of development include
modernisation, dependency and global reformism. This
critique holds that, while such an approach ensures
dependence on local, state or national authorities, it takes
away the dignity of the person by neglecting the unique
role of the individual person in society. Alternative
development, also known as transformational
development, offers another model of development, where
the nature of community is upheld and the individual’s
place respected. Karol Wojtyla’s notion of participation
as the foundation for authentic action is used as a
theoretical foundation to propose another model of
development in Nigeria. The study includes Twelve (12)
communities in Nigeria, drawn from diverse locations,
engaging them while they participate in a community
development project. The aim was to stimulate
participation by all, while observing the attitudes,
commitments and progress which their common
participation engendered. The method employed was
participant-observation method infused with survey,
where the researchers involved themselves in the
communities as development stimulators. Small scale
community projects were targeted and monitored to
determine the motivations, incentives and benefits of
individual participation. Data collected included: type of
project, reach of beneficiaries, types of individual
participation/contributions, level of accountability and
speed/success of completion and attitudes of participants.
Research outcomes were analysed using Pearson’s
product-moment correlation coefficient.
Keywords :
Model; Effective Community Development; Participation.
The study seeks to determine and propose a
model of community development that would prove
effective in Nigeria. The basis of the study is a critique of
extant approaches to development that maintain a top-
down approach, where beneficiaries of development look
up to a ‘superior’ authority/power to trickle down
development. These models of development include
modernisation, dependency and global reformism. This
critique holds that, while such an approach ensures
dependence on local, state or national authorities, it takes
away the dignity of the person by neglecting the unique
role of the individual person in society. Alternative
development, also known as transformational
development, offers another model of development, where
the nature of community is upheld and the individual’s
place respected. Karol Wojtyla’s notion of participation
as the foundation for authentic action is used as a
theoretical foundation to propose another model of
development in Nigeria. The study includes Twelve (12)
communities in Nigeria, drawn from diverse locations,
engaging them while they participate in a community
development project. The aim was to stimulate
participation by all, while observing the attitudes,
commitments and progress which their common
participation engendered. The method employed was
participant-observation method infused with survey,
where the researchers involved themselves in the
communities as development stimulators. Small scale
community projects were targeted and monitored to
determine the motivations, incentives and benefits of
individual participation. Data collected included: type of
project, reach of beneficiaries, types of individual
participation/contributions, level of accountability and
speed/success of completion and attitudes of participants.
Research outcomes were analysed using Pearson’s
product-moment correlation coefficient.
Keywords :
Model; Effective Community Development; Participation.
