Impact of Social Capital on Poverty Reduction: The Moderating Role of Youth Empowerment in North Central States of Nigeria (Published)
This study is to examine the influence of social capital on poverty reduction with the moderating role of youth empowerment in the North Central States of Nigeria. The motivation of the study is linked to the fact that the region is facing continued poverty in spite of the existence of robust community networks and youth populations. The focus of this study is on three dimensions of social capital namely cooperative membership, social media membership, and social club membership, while youth empowerment is used as a moderating variable. A descriptive survey design was adopted and data were collected from 459 respondents using a structured 5-point Likert questionnaire. A correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the inter-relationships between the variables. The results indicate that social capital has a significant contribution to poverty reduction as the R2 is 0.653 which means 65.3% of the variance in poverty reduction is accounted for by the predictors. Youth empowerment was the most influential (B=0.511, p<0.001), followed by cooperative membership (B=0.281), social media membership (B=0.305) and social club membership (B=0.198) showing significant association. The study has recommended strengthening of cooperative networks, expanding digital inclusion and targeted youth empowerment programmes to improve poverty reduction outcomes.
Keywords: Poverty Reduction, Social Capital, and social club membership, cooperative membership, social media membership, youth empowerment
Impact of Social Capital on Poverty Reduction in Benue State Nigeria (Published)
Benue State comprises diverse communities, each facing unique socio-economic challenges including poverty. This study examined the impact of social capital on poverty reduction in Benue State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Primary data was collected from 6 Local Government Areas of Benue State. Logit binary regression analysis was used to estimate variables used in the study in relation to its effect on poverty reduction. All variables tested improved Benue state poverty except political party membership and involvement. The results revealed that cooperative society participation, social media involvement, rural group membership, and social club membership has the tendency to reduce poverty by 50% to 68% in Benue State. Overall, with an R-square value of 0.870, there is a strong positive linear relationship between the variables. Social capital may reducepoverty based on community trust, social connection, and socioeconomic context. Addressing inequalities and distributing incentives equitably is crucial to improving social capital.
Keywords: Poverty Alleviation, Poverty Reduction, Social Capital
Entrepreneurship Education for Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Citizen Participation in Community Development Activities (Published)
Poverty has been identified as a major set-back to any economy. Poverty had become endemic to many nations of the world especially the less developed. To treat the scourge of poverty, proactive actions and plans, such as equipping citizens with entrepreneurship skills and knowledge must be put in place. This paper therefore, presents entrepreneurship education as a cure to poverty and its curriculum, a frame work for poverty alleviation programmes. The concepts of entrepreneurship education, poverty and participation are fully discussed. The objects of entrepreneurship, goal and the curriculum context of effective entrepreneurship education were also discussed. The relationship between poverty, entrepreneurship and participation were highlighted. The paper concludes that given the immense benefits crewing from entrepreneurship education, and its role enhancing community development activities, the nation should channel its efforts to improve the economy and better the lives of the citizens.
Keywords: Citizen Participation, Community development, Entrepreneurship education, Poverty, Poverty Reduction