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Community development entails the provision of infrastructural facilities to the people. The provision of these social amenities can be attained through a number of ways and/or organizations which includes, the government, community development associations, Non-Governmental Organisations . Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are non-governmental, non profit making and self governing, set out to ameliorate the plight of the people in dare need of life sustaining facilities in the society. This paper examines some of the strategies for community development in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The methods of study include interview, observations, intensive local field studies and extensive travel throughout the state. The beneficiaries of NGOs activities and donor agencies -students, teachers, NGO functionaries, fire burnt victim and head of house holds were interviewed. The findings includes: 1. A number of these NGOs are into various aspects of community development such as: community mobilization, environment, health and sanitation awareness creation, promotion of child's rights law, promotion of sexuality and reproductive health education and fight against child labour and human trafficking etc. 2. Some of the NGOs are self financing -Owen Obaseki foundation, Sir Osunde foundation and Emmanuel Arigbe Osula foundation -while others relies on support from donor agencies. 3. Donor agencies in Edo state includes : World Bank, European Union and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and some individuals. 4. Some of the NGOs whose activities are prominent in Edo state includes: Body Enhancement, Annual Reconstructive Surgery (BEARS) foundation, Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), Girls Power Initiative (GPI) and Pro-Health International. It is suggested that NGOs should as a matter of necessity collaborate with each other, in order to have their efforts fully appreciated by majority of those in need of their services. Also the government should participate in the funding of NGOs activities. In general, the Non-Governmental Organization is a positive approach to rural development.

Scientific research implies careful examination of an object or situation for the purpose of effecting societal development and improvement. It is a way of acquiring functional, dependable and useful information and data about the particular object of research as well as the analysis of the data collected in order to arrive at a valid conclusion. The prime function of research therefore is to discover answers to meaningful questions aimed at remedying societal challenges. Data in the study were collected in the six Geo Political Zones in Nigeria where a total of 720 questionnaires were administered in 6 Universities and 6 research institutes. Respondents in the study consisted of students, lecturers, research fellows, administrators and parents. 84.3 percent of the respondent holds that a nation's level of development is determined by the functionality of its research structure. The study also revealed that 78.3 percent of the respondents responded that a nation's level of progress is a function of its research administrative efficiency. A nation that aimed at scientific and technological break through must evolve a clear cut philosophy of national development, which include a well defined, strengthened and independent institution operating outside of the usual political interference/manipulations. This paper is of the view that Nigerian government and its people must do what they have been doing before now in research and development differently in order to expect the desired goal and benefits associated with research and development.

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