The Ubuntu Philosophy in Community Development in Iyowa Community, Edo State, Nigeria.

2023-05-19T22:26:47+03:00

Purpose: The concept of Ubuntu philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of communal relationships, has gained attention in various fields, including community development. The Sustainable Development Report 2019 points out that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) might not be achieved, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a gap in the literature on how Ubuntu philosophy has been applied in practice in community development initiatives. The extent to which Ubuntu philosophy has been applied in community development initiatives in different regions and contexts remains unclear. The main objectives of this study is to focus the Ubuntu philosophy on community development in Iyowa Community.

Methodology: The research design for this study was qualitative in nature, using a phenomenological approach. The sample size for this study was 30 participants, including community leaders, development practitioners, and community members. Participants will be selected based on their knowledge and experience with Ubuntu philosophy and community development. The study used purposive sampling to select participants who had experience in community development and are familiar with the Ubuntu philosophy.

Findings: The study found that there was good knowledge of the Ubuntu philosophy among community members. Based on the Ubuntu Philosophy, there was increased collaboration in the community has led to access to resources like water, roads, community security, and other amenities that have aided in community development. There was a mixed feeling on whether the Ubuntu Philosophy had ushered in development in Iyowa Community. While some acknowledge that it has greatly aided in bringing about community development, others believe it has only helped a little, and some feel it has made a small contribution but is not enough.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: In conclusion, the Ubuntu Philosophy has been successful in fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility among community members, which has enabled them to achieve common goals and support each other during difficult times, and has had a positive impact on community development in Iyowa community and that the government creates an enabling environment for community development initiatives.

Moral Integrity in African Political Leadership: A Philosophical Reflection on Ujamaa

2023-05-13T02:26:45+03:00

There is a tendency of defining various continental blocks under conventional views. The image of the African is of one desperately wanting to be heard. Trying to outdo himself to show that he actually belongs in the society of humankind, he would eagerly display his prowess in the fields of culture, of sport, of intellect and of civilization. All these efforts seem to meet with a rather listless audience who, it seems, will always require double evidence to doctor their credulity and would then give a complement more from courtesy than from solidarity. The African knows it. This being the case, the Africans leaders and their people in general need to liberate themselves from the chain. They must without option, seek the true freedom; Freedom from both the absolute mechanical coercion of physical force and the relative intellectually or moral coercion of a predetermined end. Freedom here does not mean not acting but a freedom that carries with it a responsibility, in all spheres of undertaking for the common good. This freedom of indifference is not a means to an end in itself. The good society is characterized by the absence of restraint in every walk of life. There is no such thing as the "perfect form of government" on earth, but any other form of government produces even less desirable results than democracy. Until today, no other form of government has been invented that could regulate public affairs better than democracy. Nyerere was trying to bring to his people an identity that was theirs but was lost in at a given point of time. Ujamaa was a call to the people of Tanzania to go back to their roots if they are to embark on anything. The family to the AFRICANS was an institution that was so much natural that its age to them was as old as the age of humanity. You cannot talk of the human person without touching directly or indirectly on the family. To this understanding, Nyerere called his people of Tanzania to embrace this noble call of Familyhood that helped them come together and stay together. This attitude was shared not only in Tanzania, but also in the Africa proper. Africa's family structure is alive and well. Retirement homes are rare because older people live with their families. Children are greatly valued. Extended family members take care of each other. Many African languages do not even have a word for "niece" or "nephew" because people regard the children of a sister or brother as practically their own children. Life in Africa involves the village, the tribe, the clan, the family. We see individuals and families demonstrate this spirit in every part of life. Not only in Tanzania, in Africa, the village, is the soul of life. We no doubt lack ideals in the present leadership in Africa. Dictators in Africa are under dictators (foreign masters). Morality and integrity, which acted as norms for African leadership are lost (most times, in the name of education and modernization).

International Journal of Philosophy

The Ubuntu Philosophy in Community Development in Iyowa Community, Edo State, Nigeria.

Moral Integrity in African Political Leadership: A Philosophical Reflection on Ujamaa