The need for road infrastructure arises from the fact that there is a greater need for accessibility and smooth movement of abundant agricultural products especially from the rural areas to the markets in urban centres. The improvement of transportation network in the rural area in this regard becomes imperative. This study was conducted to reveal the importance of development of road infrastructure as a panacea for socioeconomic advancement in the rural areas. The study area was stratified into three zones i.e Ibiono Central, Ibiono Northern and Ibiono Southern. The Gamma index was used to determine the level of connectivity of each zone in relation to the distribution of socioeconomic activity or services in the area. In analysis of the road network connectivity the gamma Index was used. The results indicate a low connectivity, index of 0.26 for zone A, 0.40 for zone B and 0.31 for zone C, in each of the three zones. This implies that there is poor accessibility, poor connectivity, which result in low level of socioeconomic activity in the area. The analysis of the socioeconomic development variables was carried out based on quality point assigned to the variables. Finally the correlation analysis was employed to determine the relationship between road infrastructure and socioeconomic development. The correlation coefficient of 0.87 indicates a strong, positive relationship between road infrastructure and socioeconomic activity. From the findings it is recommended that a major road that links all the zones should be constructed while, other roads should be expanded and tarred; new roads should be developed to improve accessibility. Greater community participation in road development and rehabilitation should be encouraged and a comprehensive transportation plan should be put in place at the local government level. It is hoped that this detailed research work will serve as a basis for the improvement and development of road infrastructure in rural areas which is a catalyst to rural transformation.

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Abstract.Urban poor have suffered significantly from structural adjustment through reduction in employment creation and downward pressure on real wages. The precarious effects of fluctuation in the formal and informal sectors on urban men and women are seldom noticed in the upsurge of urban violence and conflicts. The study specifically examined the impact of privatization and commercialisation on social conditions and livelihood of urban people as the cause of gender differentials in urban violence. Metropolitan Lagos, the study area has been chosen for her level of urbanization and diverse characteristics. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data gathering. For quantitative data 252 questionnaires were administered and for qualitative, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and In-depth interview were respectively used to enrich the study. The study revealed that more than two thirds of the respondents were affected by the economic reforms which have negative impact on their living conditions. It was also discovered that, there is strong relationship between incomes, education and ever participated in any forms of violence in the study area. The copping strategies adopted in the study area include; involving children in street hawking, reduction in domestic consumptions, living in low-cost houses, entering big buses popularly know as "Molue" to reduce transportation cost within the metropolitan Lagos, sending children to public school or low-paying schools, and having sizable family size.

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Sports and associated facilities form a major tourist attraction and contribute to the development of host communities across the globe. This includes the benefits accruing from golf tourism to host settlements. This research focused on the benefits of Smokin Hills Golf Course which is located in a suburban settlement, IlaraMokin, in Ondo State, Nigeria. It investigated the benefits of the existence of the golf course to the community at large and to its residents. It equally obtained the negative sentiments of residents of the community about the existence of the golf course. Clustered and stratified sampling techniques were employed to obtain data from a purposive sample size of 150 residents in a culturally and economically homogenous Ilara-Mokin. A structured questionnaire and an interview guide were utilised to obtain relevant data from selected residents and the golf course officials. Among other findings, it was discovered that social benefits outweighed economic benefits accruing to the community while the economic benefits were dominated by sales of consumables such as foods, drinks and farm produce. Recommendations include further infrastructural development of the town and an improved wage for workers at the golf course as indicated by residents.