What is the importance of a rural area in development?

Absolutely, let's compile some potential research references that you could use in your study on the rural development of Kogi State: 1. Bello, N. and Abdul, H. (2014). "Rural Development Programmes and Rural Underdevelopment: Evidence from Nigeria". International Affairs and Global Strategy. ISSN 2224-574X (Paper) ISSN 2224-8951. 2. Ezeibe, C. (2013). "Insurgency and Humanitarian Crises in Northern Nigeria, the Case of Boko Haram". African Research Review. 3. Lawal, T. (2010). "Corruption and Development in Africa: Challenges for Political and Economic Change". Humanity & Social Sciences Journal. 4. Ekong, E. (2003). An introduction to rural sociology. Uyo: Dove Educational Publishers. 5. Isyaku, U., Tamunokuro, A. M., & Ayuba, B. L. (2014). "The challenges of rural development in Nigeria". International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 6. Agbola, T., & Agunbiade, M. E. (2009). "Urbanization, slum development, and security of tenure, the challenges of meeting millennium development goal 7 in metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria". A situational analysis of metropolitan city regions in contemporary developing countries. 7. Simon, J. (2013). "Infrastructure: Critical for the Development of the Nigerian Economy". University of Ibadan. 8. Diallo, A. et al. (2017). "Determinants of income poverty in rural Africa and Asia: What is the role of natural capital?" Policy Research Working Paper No. 8302. World Bank, Washington, DC. Remember, these references are simply suggestions. Based on your specific research question or hypothesis, some may be more relevant than others. Also be sure to appropriately cite these sources in your work according to the citation style you are using.