Eugene ADEBOWALE

This study aimed at assessing the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State. To enable the study to achieve its objectives, five (5) research questions were raised. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised of all the people living in all communities under Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State from which a total of two hundred (200) are selected to form the sample size for the study. A questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State was the instrument used for data collection. The validity of the instrument was ascertained through the expert judgment approach while the test re-test method of estimating reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. A reliability index of 0.87 was obtained using Person Product Moment Correlation Statistics. Collected data were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, and mean score standard. Findings from the data among others revealed that the various types of Community Based Organization in the area are Micro-finance institutions (MFIs), Village development committees (VDCs), Common interest groups (CIGs), Networks of CBOs, Landlord Association, Women Association, Youth Association, Farmers Organization and Trade union. Also, the Community Based Organization’s activities in the communities under study are only carried out on Weekly, Monthly and Yearly bases. The roles of Community Based Organization in the area under study are to Finance Projects, Liaison with Government, Promoting mutual understanding, Raising fund for project execution, planning of programmes, Economic empowerment, Cooperation with other organizations, protect the image of the community, trade union, support Security for Community and government projects, and harmonize and ensure unity among rural dwellers for effective Agricultural and rural growth. It was recommended that formal and specific organized steps should be taken by the government to develop the rural areas to curb the problem of rural underdevelopment.