Resource 2: A comparison of Owo and Idodo

Teacher resource for planning or adapting to use with pupils

Owo

Owo village lies about 8 km from the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway in Nkaru West LGA of Enugu state in Nigeria. Besides receiving sufficient and reliable rains throughout the year, the village is well served by natural springs.

The residents of Owo village are mostly mixed farmers. They grow a variety of crops including maize, sweet potatoes, bananas and vegetables like onions, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. They also raise poultry, goats and other small livestock.

In spite of being endowed with abundant natural resources, the residents of Owo have a very low standard of living. They receive low prices for their agricultural products.

Idodo

Idodo is a trading post on the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway. Because it is on a main commercial transport route, the residents were able, historically, to develop strong trading contacts with the cities. They have also built networks among truck drivers and other transporters, which enable them to move goods cheaply.

The residents of Idodo are mostly traders. They buy cheaply agricultural products, poultry and goats from surrounding rural villages and are able to sell them dearly in major urban areas like Enugu, Abakaliki and Oitsha.

As a result, the residents of Idodo enjoy higher standards of living compared to people in surrounding villages. Idodo has social amenities, including dispensaries, schools and piped water.

Resource 1: Living in different communities

Resource 3: Education for sustainable development (ESD)