ABSTRACT

 The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which age grades undertake developmental projects in Abia State. Five research questions and five null hypotheses were posed and formulated respectively to guide the study. Related Literature to the study was reviewed under four main headings namely: conceptual framework, theoretical framework. Review of related empirical studies and summary of literature review. The population for the study is 5,100 which made up registered age grades and council members. This study used a descriptive survey research design. A total of 1,503 registered age grade members were used as sample size for the study. A 30- item questionnaire modelled on a four point rating scale was used to collect data for the study. Three experts validated the instrument. The instrument was trial-tested using the test re-tested method to established its reliability. The overall reliability coefficient was 0.83 on Cronbach's Alpha Scale. The Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results of the study revealed among others that Age Grades to a great extent participate in community development projects in Abia State. Poverty, inadequate fund raising, mismanagement of funds, inadequate monitoring of projects for successful implementation were the factors that affect the participation of age grades in implementation of community development projects in Abia State. The result also revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean ratings of the age grades on the extent age grades participate in the planning of community development projects in Abia State and it was recommended among other things that state government should strengthen the role of age grades using appropriate legislative provisions so that age grades would be seen as partners in sustainable community development and in the overall progress of the society.