YOUTH ATTITUDE TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN WIIYAKARA COMMUNITY IN KHANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed the youth attitude towards rural development project in Wiiyaakara community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, specifically the objective of the study was socio-economic characteristics of the youth toward rural development; examine the role played by youth in the study area. Identify the attitude of youth toward rural development in the study area, and examine their factor that hinders effective youth attitude in rural development in Wiiyaakara community of Khana local government area of Rivers state. Multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the sample size of the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 80 respondents. Descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and graphs among others were used in achieving objective (i), objective (ii) and objective (iv), while Anova and T- test statistics were used to achieve objective (iii). Results showed that majority of the youth fell within the age range of 30-40 years are with 36.3%. Regarding sex of the respondents, males (60.00%) dominated the youth in the study area. Majority (62.5%) of the respondents were married upon which they supported youth participation. More so, majority (38.8%) of the respondents had secondary education. Regarding source of information and occupation of the respondents majority of the respondents indicated are to one interaction (23.8)% and (47.5%). Finding of the study further showed that majority (81.3%) of the youth accepted sanitation exercise as a role played by the youth in community development in the study area. Result indicated that attitude of youths toward rural development in the study area were positive (or agreed) as they all had a mean value greater than 2.50. The problems hindering youth involvement as listed in the research in the study area were a major constraints as they all had a mean value greater than 2.50. From the findings, community development involves the active participation of community project/activities. This implied that if good economic structure is put in place, youth will contribute more to the development of their communities.