FOSTERING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MENTORING AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper explains what mentoring represents and how mentorship programmes can effect development in communities found in Nigeria. It further explores the origin of mentoring as a concept; its types and fundamentals with stints on guidelines governing the mentor and the mentee as well as the benefit accruable to all including the community. The characteristics of potential mentors and ways to choose and approach a mentor are discussed. The paper explains that for Nigerian communities to foster 21st century compliant development, they must evolve and sponsor strategic mentorship plans aimed at developing standard skills needed within and outside the community and engender skill acquisition awareness by instituting meetings, conferences and workshops tailored towards career enlightenment. There is also need to involve successful entrepreneurs and role models in the mentoring plan of the community among other strategies highlighted. The paper concludes by imploring well meaning citizens of communities to assist in career development through mentorship activities that can trigger and drive sustainable involvements for community general enhancement for all citizens irrespective of the challenges.