Bolstering the Impact of Town Unions’ Administration and Community Development Initiatives in Igboland: A Study of APU in the Awgbu Community of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, communities have suffered neglect by the government, resulting in their united efforts to develop through self-help. This research focuses primarily on the Awgbu Progress Union (APU) in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The study aims to evaluate the impacts of town unions on community development activities. The purpose of the study is to comprehend how town unions affect the general growth of a community and neighbourhood. Three research questions and hypotheses were developed to guide this study. The Community-Action Model by Paulo Freire in 1973 was employed as the theoretical framework of analysis. This study adopted a survey research design; thus, the purposive method of sampling technique was used in determining the population size while the sample size of the study was 200. Data were generated via primary and secondary sources i.e. questionnaire was the major instrument used. The questionnaire was designed using a four-point Likert scale method. From the distributed questionnaires, 120 respondents correctly completed and returned their questionnaires. The data analysis was done using a frequency distribution table, simple percentages, and weighted mean. The study finds out that APU has played significant roles in promoting community development initiatives in Awgbu town and that they face many challenges which recommendations were made to address as; there is a need for the town union to establish proper participation, collaboration, communication link with the community and government, peaceful dialogue, provision of adequate infrastructures, seeking various means of sourcing fund among others.