The choice of a study of this nature is premised on the fact that official statement from government circles, especially the federal and state governments indicate that two basic objectives informed the creation and subsequent, reforms of local governments in Nigeria since its inception. The first was to bring government closer to the grassroots people in a federal arrangement so as to encourage local participation in the management of the local affairs of the people and themselves. This would go a long way to bridging the gap of communication between the government and rural people's of Nigeria. The second is to encourage and accelerate rural development. This would help to curb the menace of rural-urban migration, encourage local initiatives through development of local skills towards national economic growth, and by extension reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria. Nsukka Local Government Area is one of the earliest provinces in Eastern Region that metamorphosed to the modem local government since the 1976 local government reforms. The researcher is awakened by the quest to know and establish whether Nsukka Local Government has lived up to its expectations with special interest on rural development which no less falls within its responsibilities. To achieve this target, we divided this research report into five chapters. First chapter includes the research fundamentals/strategies. The second chapter focuses on the historical background of Nsukka Local Government Area. The third chapter examines the achievements of Nsukka Local Government and failures in a comparative framework. The fourth chapter is the analysis of findings while the fifth chapter is the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page = = = = = = = = i

Certification = = = = = = = = ii

Dedication = = = = = = = = iii

Acknowledgement = = = = = = = iv

Abstract = = = = = = = = = v

Table of contents = = = = = = = vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION = = = = 1

1.1 Introduction = = = = = = = 1

1.2 Statement of the problem= = = = = 2

1.3 Objectives of the study = = = = = 4

1.4 Significance of the study = = = = = 5

1.5 Scope and limitations of the study = = = 6

1.6 Literature Review = = = = = = 7

1.7 Theoretical framework = = = = = 18

1.8 Hypothesis = = = = = = = 20

1.9 Methodology of data collection = = = = 21

1.10 Sample Techniques= = = = = = 23

1. 11Reliability of Instrument of Study = = = 25

References = = = = == = = 27

CHAPTER TWO: BRIEF HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHICAL

ENVIRONMENT OF NSUKKA LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA = = = 29

2.1 Evolution of Local Government System in

Nsukka Municipal District = = = = 29

2.2 Nsukka Local Government Area Under Study = 32

2.3 Nsukka Language = = = = = = = 32

2.4 Occupation of People of Nsukka Local Government

Area= = = = = = = = = 33

2.5 Lack of Financial Autonomy = = = = 33

2.6 Corruption = = = = = = = 35

References = = = = = = = 37

CHAPTER THREE: ACHIEVEMENT OF NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT = = = = 38

3.1 Rural Development Projects in Nsukka Local

Government Area. = = = = = = 38

3.2 Education = = = = = = = = 39

3.3 Health = = = = = = = = 41

3.4 Agriculture = = = = = = = 42

3.5 Loan Facilities to Cooperative Societies = = 43

3.6 Infrastructures= = = = = = = 44

References = = = = = = = 50

CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY OF DATA COLLECTION, PRESENTATION, ANALYSES AND HYPOTHESES TESTING= = = = = 51

4.1 Population of the study = = = = = 76

4.2 Data presentation and analysis = = = = 52

4.3 Hypotheses Testing = = = = = = 67

References = = = = = = = 75

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION = = 76

5.1 Summary= = = = = = = = 76

5.2 Conclusion = = = = = = = 78

5.3 Recommendation = = = = = = 79

Bibliography = = = = = = = 82

Appendix I = = = = = = = 85

Appendix II = = = = = = = 86

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

A study such as this exposes the researcher with some interest problems in Government and development. First is the problem of disagreement on the concept of development. In other words, there have been global debate and conflict on the requisite indices of measuring what constitutes development. To this extent, the researcher is poised to examine some issues involve on this concept with special interest on rural development within its terrain.

Government is an institution charged with responsibilities of creation and enhancement of peace, orderliness, security and happiness within its territorial boundaries as well as encouragement of social advancement of her people. One of the cardinals for creation of local Government administration in Nigeria is to bring peace, orderliness, security, happiness and advancement in the living standard of people of grass-roots.

Since the inception of Nsukka Local Government Area, there have been doubts over the principles behind its creation consequently, communities in Nsukka Local Government Area are still crying for Government intervention towards the uplifting of their living standards with respect to the provision of social amenities/infrastructure as well as enhancement of peace, security, orderliness and provision of loans and aids to rural farmers and cooperative societies.

The above areas tends to be the link between the people of Nsukka Local Government Area and their quest for rural development.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

From our background expositions, we wish to note that the local Government area in particular have many problems. Even though Nsukka started as a province council under the Eastern Region before the 1976 Nigeria Local Government reform which led to the creation of Nsukka Local Government Area. She has not been able to meet the target needs of her.