National and state development planning efforts had always sought to ensure that socio-economic developments priorities are informed by the need to improve the living condition of the rural community dwellers. However, such efforts, especially in developing countries have not yielded the desired results in ensuring that development planning actually takes cognizance of community needs and priorities. The resultant effect of this is that the community for which these projects have been provided lacks ownership and commitment to support their operation and maintenance. Consequently, there abound a large number of such completed projects but not operational.

As an apparent retreat to the earlier approach , the advent of the present democratic regime; the Government at the Federal state and local Government have agreed to shift focus from a monolithic economy dependent on oil to one that has a broad base of products. The Center for the Upliftment of Rural Areas (CEFURA) has drawn inspiration from Government that has created investment friendly climate to mobilize both human capital and natural resources and attract investors and investment in all sectors, thus springing itself to attain the MDGs. The launching of NEEDS 1, NEEDS 2, NASEEDS and LEEDS are relevant to our approach..Read more