Dr Bella Charles Olabisi, Dr Glory Emmanuel Edoho & Dr Esther Bassey Arikpo
Abstract
This study, guided by two research questions, examined the activities of UNDP promoting community development in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for this study. The population is estimated at 12,098 people in 94 autonomous communities in the study area. The sample for this study consisted of 700 community members from 53 communities in the area. The multi-stage sampling procedure (purposive, simple random, proportional, and accidental sampling techniques) was adopted for the study. A questionnaire tagged “Activities of UNDP and Community Development Questionnaire” (AUCDQ) was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated and tested for reliability estimate which ranged from .75 to .83. Data analysis was done using simple percentage analysis and pie charts. The result showed that empowerment programmes such as agriculture and fashion design have received huge attention; while on provision of educational services, it shows that UNDP has equipped laboratories, stocked libraries, erected classroom blocks, and provided computers for quality education. Based on the results of the data analysis, recommendations were made, including that governmental and non-governmental organizations should create a synergy to work together in order to promote community development.