Analysis of Rural People’s Perceptions on Local Leaders’ Roles in Community Development in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Donye, A.O.

 

Full Length Research Paper  I Published October,2017

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 3 (5), pp.96-102

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

This study analyzed rural people’s perceptions on local leaders’ roles in community development in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the perceptions of the respondents on the roles of their local leaders in community development; and, identify the roles played by local leaders in community development. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of the districts, wards, villages and respondents, which were involved in the study. The Cochran proportionate sampling technique was also employed in the selection of the respondents. Frequencies and percentages were used to address objective (i), while the Likert Scale rating technique was used to address objective (ii). Results indicated that only three of the local leaders’ roles studied were not perceived by the respondents as the roles of their local leaders. Though the rest of the roles were actually perceived as local leaders’ roles, the findings of the study revealed that very few of the respondents really perceived each of the roles as their local leaders’ responsibilities. Similarly, the analysis on which of the roles were actually being played by the local leaders show that only very few of the respondents agreed that their local leaders is performing their leadership roles. It was concluded that majority of the respondents have the wrong perceptions on the roles of their local leaders. Thus, majority of them did not understand most of the roles that are really the functions of their local leaders. Following the fact that they do not understand their local leaders’ roles, they were also not able to really know whether their local leaders are performing their leadership functions or not. It was concluded that the local leaders in the study area are not performing most of their roles as community local leaders, which made it difficult for the respondents to perceive their leaders’ roles. Similarly, results of the study also informed a conclusion that the extension workers have not done their work of educating the rural people on what the roles of their local leaders are. Based on these conclusions, the major recommendation made was that, agricultural extension workers should intensify their efforts towards educating the rural people on the roles of their local leaders. The local leaders on the other hand should be encouraged by the extension workers to do more on their roles or functions. This can be done by organizing workshops, seminars and symposia on the subject matter.  

Key Words: Analysis, Rural people’s perceptions, Local leaders’ roles and Community development.
 

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