Counseling for sustainable livelihoods in developing national economy

Agbaje AA and Agbaje AO

Department of Educational Foundations, Guidance and Counselling, University of Uyo, Uyo Nigeria.

Union Bank of Nigeria Amuwo Odofin Branch FESTAC Town, Lagos.

*Corresponding author Email: mercyukpana_mrs@yahoo.com

Accepted 01 March, 2013

Abstract

In considering, the contribution that rural local institutions (RIS) can make to sustainable livelihoods (SLS) two important concerns are brought together that emerged among development practitioners in the 1990s-2000s. In methodological terms, the consideration is grounded in the many influences of context and also the effects of policies, laws and external interventions. Livelihoods as a central concern in development planning and evaluation have added concreteness and urgency to government, donor and non- governmental organization efforts to reduce poverty. It was transparently observable in literature review that fewer rigors in dealing with this subject than anticipated were identified. While there have been some systematic, analytical treatments sustainable livelihoods, for the most part sustainable livelihoods are referred to rather abstractly usual in the aggregate and lacking any systematic typology. An important analytical element that is missing in the very fragmented literature that the researchers have been able to review on the relationships between rural local institutions (RLIS) and sustainable livelihoods (SLS) in some specification of what are the capabilities and functions of rural local institutions (RLIS) that can be expected and enhanced to increase the number, productivity and sustainability of livelihood opportunities.      

Keywords: counselling, national economy, sustainable livelihood, rural local institutions.