International Journal of Business Management and Administration Vol. 4(2), pp. 025-036, March 2015 ISSN 2327-3100 ©2015 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Faith-based organizations and development initiatives: The “August Meeting” experience in South-East Nigeria

Charles Uchenna Onugu¹* and Nkechi C. Ojiagu²

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

²Department of Co-operative Economics and Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: challibee4@yahoo.com.

Accepted 7 March, 2015

Abstract

This study centred on Faith-Based Organizations and Development Initiatives of Women August Meeting in South-East Nigeria. The Catholics and Anglican religious women are the focus of this study. One hundred and fifty of the women were sampled from Anambra, Enugu and Imo States of South-East Nigeria. Primary data were sourced through questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from extant works. Data were analyzed through the use of percentages, crosstabs and ANOVA techniques. The result from the study showed that the meeting involves women from all socio-economic strata. Meetings are held annually, with organized management structure and admission of only married women church members. They engage in development activities, prominent among which are women emancipation, ethical/moral training of women, conflicts management, church and community development. It is suggested that engendering development process approach in decision-making, the recognition and support of government, non-governmental organization and development-aid agencies can strengthen their activities.

Key words: Faith-based organization, development initiatives, August meeting, experience, Southeast.