SOCIAL WORK STRATEGIES IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN UGHELLI COMMUNITY, DELTA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study investigated Social Work strategies in poverty alleviation in Ughelli community, Delta State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight social work strategies in poverty alleviation in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria. The research questions asked to achieve the objective of the study were as follows; what was the causes of poverty in Ughelli, Delta State, what were the results of poverty in Ughelli, Delta State and which social work strategies could be used in dealing with poverty in Ughelli, Delta State. The sample size was 399 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that the government at all levels and all stakeholders to wake up with renewed strength and commitment to reduce or totally eradicate the plague of poverty in Nigeria. It further concludes that concerted and programmatic efforts targeted at reducing poverty are required (Darwell, 2002). Consequently, the government at all levels must endeavour to promote an inclusive development policy that can generate productive employment opportunities for the youths, redistributes income, enhances equity and involves the active participation of these youths in order to drastically reduce the incidence of poverty in Nigeria. Recommendations were made based on the findings and they include: For poverty to be properly eradicated, there is need for all tiers of government to devote a greater part of their resources to agricultural production and there is need for government to make policies that can promote small scale companies. The SMEs, if properly developed can help serve as the engine of development for Nigeria.