Poverty in the developing countries has been a major cankerworm, eating deep into the lives of so many people. Local Economic Development (LED) is a fairly recent concept in the process of poverty alleviation, which tries to combine the efforts of both government and Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) in the face of available local resources to improve people’s living standard. This book exposes the extent to which the concept of LED has been embraced in a typical Local Government Area in south-western Nigeria. It reveals the extent of local government intervention and that of NPOs, especially the Community-based Organisations (CBOs) in the process of working to improve living standard in local communities. Various initiatives employed in the LED process are highlighted in the face of existing constraints encountered by the participating NPOs. Analyses reveal the extent to which the LED initiatives have impacted on people’s economy in the region. This book would be especially useful to policy makers in government, researchers in poverty or LED studies, non-profit organisations and anyone with similar interests.

Oil exploration and exploitation in Nigeria have evolved through a long history. However, they have left trail of woes in their path with so much damage to the ecosystem and problems to human life in the exploration region. In the light of this, the paper appraises the implications of oil exploration and exploitation in the coastal region of Ondo State. Data used in the paper were obtained through physical verification, regular observations, constant monitoring, documentation and records of oral history and administration of questionnaire in some selected settlements in the region. The paper highlighted several direct environmental and associated problems that emanated from oil exploration and exploitation in the region. The problems identified among others include large-scale environmental pollution and degradation of agricultural land which serves as source of income for the people coupled with social unrest arising from unpaid claims of compensation and lack of concern for the people in the exploration area. The paper advocates for oil spill management plan, control and clearance of spills; giving concessions to indigenous oil companies during bidding process by granting licenses to operate in the Niger-Delta region; adoption of long-term monitoring and surveillance mechanism; continuous provision of infrastructure for the host communities by prospecting oil companies; and development of national oil spill contingency plan among others with a view to guarantee sustainable development of the environment in the region.

Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) exist in diverse forms in both rural and urban areas. One of such expressions is the Youth Organisation. The large number and vigour exhibited by this group generate a major developmental force to be reckoned with in any community. This study aimed at investigating the developmental efforts of a selected Youth Organisation in Akure, Nigeria. The paper exposes the contributions of Isinkan Youth Forum (a Community-Based Youth Organisation in the city) towards the welfare of their host community. Focus Group Discussion was carried out with some executive members of the Organisation coupled with visits to sites of some of the projects executed by the Organisation. Findings revealed among others that Youth Organisations contribute towards infrastructural development and Environmental Management within Urban Communities. The need to work with relevant agencies which are connected to urban development is a major recommendation.

Recreation is very vital for all categories of persons in the society no matter the age, social or economic status considering the stress placed upon each individual in order to make ends meet and the resultant hazard on individuals. The assumption is that Nigerian students are too encumbered with heavy academic burden such that they are too busy to recreate. This paper focuses on the recreational pattern of students in institutions of higher learning in two contiguous south-western states in Nigeria, namely Ondo and Ekiti. In particular, the study looked into the adequacy of facilities available in the institutions, the frequency of students’ participation in recreation and factors inhibiting their participation in recreational activities. In addition, students’ preference for the different forms of indoor and outdoor recreational activities and the propensity to pay for the use of recreational facilities were investigated. Fifty questionnaire copies were administered on randomly sampled students from each of the six institutions of higher learning in both states. A total of three hundred questionnaire copies were thus administered. It was discovered among other things that more students recreate by going to parties rather than night clubs while (as a big surprise) the greatest number of students see their academic work as posing very little hindrance to their recreation and more than two-third would be willing to pay for the use of recreational facilities provided on campus if the need arises.

Idanre Hills in south-western Nigeria featured on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site on October 8, 2007. The site is at times referred to as “Idanre Hill” implying an entity or a cluster of closely knit interlocking hills which envelope the present Idanre town in Ondo State, Nigeria. It is a cluster of intimidating and imposing hills housing a combination of some wonders of nature and fascinating relics of the ancient Idanre town on the hills. This paper reviews the past efforts of governments and the community towards promoting Idanre Hills as a must-visit tourist attraction. It goes ahead to expose the very recent efforts of the state government through ongoing major development in the nearby capital city (which includes the city beautification) and the elaborate and well publicised MARE festival of December, 2009 at Idanre town. Also, several recommendations are made to complement these efforts with the aim of achieving a sustainable development of Idanre Hills as a World Heritage Site.

This paper focuses on the recreation habit of civil servants working in Akure Region of Ondo State, Nigeria. In specific terms, it highlights their familiarity and association with notable recreational centres in the study area and touches the specific forms of indoor and outdoor recreation which they engage in among other things. A multiple-choice questionnaire was employed in a survey process to elicit data from civil servants in the state and local government workforce. Inferences were made from descriptive statistical analyses. It was found that several civil servants recreate with table games during work hours while the greatest percentage patronise recreational centres which provide associated needs such as drinks, snacks and food on daily basis. Recommendations include the need to provide functional recreational centres within the residential neighbourhoods.

Three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) centre on health. These three goals are reducing child mortality by two-thirds; reducing maternal mortality by three-fourths; and halting and beginning to reverse the spread fo HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases by 2015. This paper investigates patronage of health care facilities by rural dwellers (a group that constitutes the majority of the population in Nigeria); with a view to identifying the challenges posed in the achievement of the MDGs. This paper focuses on Owo region, Nigeria to reflect the situation in Ondo State. Two sets of questionnaires were used in the collection of primary data. The first set was administered on 348 randomly selected rural household heads drawn from 22 rural settlements in the region. The second set was administered on 45 randomly selected health care facility operators. In addition to the primary data used in the study, secondary data were collected from different sources. The significant factors that were responsible for the pattern of patronage were determined using multiple regression analysis model. The implications of the results in the achievement of the MDGs in the region in particular and Nigeria in general were discussed. Finally, suggestions that will improve the quality of the health care services and their patronage by rural dwellers were enumerated.

Recreation brings physical, mental and spiritual refreshment and restoration. It is a great life necessity which leads to the mastery of physical self and provides general efficiency in adulthood (Halsaul, 1982). This paper informs about the recreation habit of civil servants working in various ministries of the Ondo State Government of Nigeria. It highlights their familiarity and association with the notable recreational centres in the city of Akure. It touches the specific forms of indoor and outdoor recreation which the civil servants engage in and their knowledge of known benefits of recreation. Additionally, their expectations towards improving recreation habits and facilities are revealed. Survey questionnaire formed the data collection tool for this paper while recommendations have been made to include increase in publicity and public sensitization and the need for government to upgrade recreational facilities and increase investment in tourism and recreation among others.

Tourism has been described as an important venture to bring or take employment into the rural areas (where there are few or no industries) with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty. The means by which such a goal can be achieved is the main focus of this paper. It examines the concept of tourism and related subjects such as recreation, transportation and provision of lodging facilities. The place of tourism in employment generation together with a succinct outline of tourism institutional evolution is highlighted in the Nigerian context. Various tourisms potentials, which exist in Ondo state, are discussed while constraints towards the development of tourism as it relates to economic empowerment were mentioned. Major attractions include Idanre hills, Ebomi Lake, Igbokoda waterfront, museums and monuments, and various festivals and ceremonies. Constraints which include poor funding, low publicity/enlightenment and the low per capita income of the people are discussed. This paper rounds off with a near exhaustive ‘cache’ of suggestions towards improving tourism development with the intention to alleviate poverty in Ondo state.

This study appraises infrastructural facilities in primary schools within Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to assess the problems associated with facility provision and maintenance in primary schools in the study area with a view to advancing appropriate planning proposals for a sustainable and conducive learning environment. The objectives include the identification of various primary schools and an assessment of adequacy of existing physical facilities in those schools. Activities of various agencies responsible for the provision and maintenance of primary school facilities and problems militating against the good functioning of these facilities were examined. Structured questionnaire and interview guide coupled with personal observation and oral interview were employed to gather data. Systematic random sampling procedure was employed to collect information from 26 primary schools in the study area. Facility adequacy index was employed for data analysis. Findings revealed, among other things, that adequate and functional school facilities have influence on academic performance of the school pupils and that facilities such as classroom blocks, library, water and electricity supply, and recreational equipment were grossly inadequate to meet the needs of the schools. Inefficient agencies and low public and private participation in the provision of the school facilities were other problems. Recommendations include the initiation of a comprehensive sanitation policy in schools and the encouragement of private sector participation in order to achieve sustainable academic environment.