THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL NETWORKING AMONG THE RURAL DWELLERS IN IWO AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF OSUN STATE AN IMPLICATION FOR CHANGING SOCIAL VALUES TOWARDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Were selected for the study through a multistage sampling technique and data were collected with the use of structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentages and frequencies were used in presenting the data, while inferential statistics such as Chi-square and PPMC were used in testing the hypotheses of the study. The results of the finding revealed that the mean age of respondents was calculated as 43 years. Majority (63.2%) indicated that their worth is based on number of people with whom they network. The study also shows that religious organization provides a linkage system to respondents’ social network. About half of the respondents have a high level of social capital worth, (43.3%) benefited from all seasons livelihood due to social networking while (39.4%) and (37.2%) respectively derived security and recognition benefits respectively. Level of education (χ2 = 29.107), religion (χ2 = 7.322), Age (r = 0.165) and household size (r = 0.257) have significant relationship with respondents’ social capital worth. Similarly, benefits level have significant relationship (r = 0.356) with social capital worth. The findings further revealed that inferiority complex, low level of education, poor communication network, poor road network and dominance by superior members were the major constraints to social networking in the study area. Therefore, Existing organizations in the study area should be more strengthened by government and NGOs so as to meaningfully and adequately benefit members as well as attract others for improved livelihood.