The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in Community Development: Focus on Edo State–Nigeria

ABSTRACT Community development entails the provision of infrastructural facilities to the people. The provision of these social amenities can be attained through a number of ways and/or organizations which includes, the government, community development associations, Non-Governmental Organisations. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are non-governmental, non profit making and self governing, set out to ameliorate the plight of the people in dare need of life sustaining facilities in the society. This paper examines some of the strategies for community development in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The methods of study include interview, observations, intensive local field studies and extensive travel throughout the state. The beneficiaries of NGOs activities and donor agencies – students, teachers, NGO functionaries, fire burnt victim and head of house holds were interviewed. The findings includes: 1. A number of these NGOs are into various aspects of community development such as: community mobilization, environment, health and sanitation awareness creation, promotion of child’s rights law, promotion of sexuality and reproductive health education and fight against child labour and human trafficking etc. 2. Some of the NGOs are self financing – Owen Obaseki foundation, Sir Osunde foundation and Emmanuel Arigbe Osula foundation – while others relies on support from donor agencies. 3. Donor agencies in Edo state includes: World Bank, European Union and Niger Delta Development Commissio