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NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICES CORPS SCHEME AS AN INSTRUMENT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF NYSC ABIA STATE)

ABSTRACT

There is need to encourage Nigerian Youth to activelyparticipate in national integration and development, rather than have passive beneficiaries of the process of change in society. It is against the back ground that the NYSC scheme sendsteaming Nigeria graduates from various institutions within the country to serve their father land for the period of one year in states other than their states of Origin. Many peoplesee these youths in their uniform without clear knowledge of who they are or what they stand for. Some doubt the wisdom in continuation of NYSC and complain that funding of this scheme is a colossal waste. It is in realization of the above arguments ascertain the reasons behind the inauguration of NYSC scheme, to find out its achievements of as well as the problems militating against it. With the view to finding lasting solutions to these problems and making appropriate recommendations for effective operations of the scheme and enable the general public appreciate the efforts of the scheme in unity and development of the nation. These will be reviewed in five well arranged chapters of this research work.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

Every society of the world be it social political, economic, industrial and etc. calls for innovations and or renovations. As such, the National Youth Service Scheme was conceived at a time when Nigeria more than ever needed a systematic involvement of all. Particularly the youths with their abundant energies and skills in the task of nation building and acquisition of national consciousness. The event that brought about the thirty- six months of civil war (1967-1970) and the after effects lightened the need fro a deliberate programme to:

i.  Provide inter- ethnic understanding, integration and national unity

ii. Maximize the country’s human resources, utilization and accelerated reconstruction and development.

Hence, the federal military government under Gowon’s administration drew up the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) as the most appropriate programme to put the above mentioned consideration into action. As good order is the foundation of all good things, the National Youth Service Scheme widely acclaimed as one of the best legacies of General Gowon’s administration, since inception, has continued to justify its purpose and existence. One can therefore simply stated that the National Youth Service Corps. Decree 24 of 1973 stated that the scheme is being established. “With a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youth of Nigeria and the promotion of National unity”.

The scheme has like any other human organization suffered some set-backs due to a number of constraints in its efforts  to attain the desire set goals in social, polices and economic spheres of this great nation Nigeria. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the purpose and role this scheme is expected to play towards the development and unity of Nigeria as a Nation, as well as the extent to which the scheme has really achieve this purpose particularly in Abia State.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

No human organization, business or venture is devoid of one problem or the other. But as dynamic human beings in a dynamic world, these problems changes from time to time depending on the variables and organization involved. The National Youth Service Corps Scheme is no exception. The scheme has over the years had its share of problems. Some of these problem militate against the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme and have therefore.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The case study of this research work is NYSC Abia State. Therefore, it will not be out of place to give a brief account on the origin and creation of Abia as a state in Nigeria. Abia State was created on 27th August 1991. It was carved out from Imo State and Afikpo now part of Ebonyi State, as one of the nine states created by Babangide military administration. Abia is a state with about seventeen local government areas, which include, Aba North, Aba South, Arochukwu, Bende, Obingwa, Umunneochi, Umuohia south, Umuahia North, Ohafia, Osisioma Ngwa etc. with the state capital at Umuahia. Since the creation of Abia state on 27th August, 1991 five military Administrators as well as three democratically elected civilian governors have headed the state. They include; Group capt. Frank Ajobena, the first military governor, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu. The first military governor, Ike Nwosu, Temi Ejor, Moses Fasanya, Anthony Obi, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and chief T.A Orji the present governor of Abia state.

The creation of Abia State gave birth to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps. Abia state chapter in the Year 1991 under the administration of Group capt. Frank Agobena as the then military head of state. The states NYSC secretariat which in Umuahia, the state capital is located at No 13 Park Road Umuahia in Umuahia North Local Government area. The secretariat was established in 1991, and was headed by Mr. Uforth Etuk Ubom as the first state co-ordinator. National Youth Service Corps Abia state permanent orientation camp was formally at Nsulu Game village in Isiala- Ngwa North local government area of Abia state. But in 2007, the orientation camp was transferred to Igbere by the then governor of the state, in the person of Dr orji Uzor Kalu. That is to say that, Abia state NYSC orientation camp is presently located at Igbere in Bende local government area of Abia state.

At present, Nation Youth Service corps. Abia state is headed by Mr. A.N Ozornma, as the state co-ordinator while Mrs. Mary Abia was the emeritus state co-ordinator made the development efforts of the scheme more challenging. The scheme has been played with several problems ranging from lack of funding, ethnicity problems, religious/ political crisis, as well as the unwillingness of graduates and corps members to dedicated service. These and many more has been a cog in the wheel of success of the scheme. It is the aim of this research work to highlight and discuss the impact of the National Youth Service Corps scheme to National unity and development and in Abia state in particular. In addition, attempt will be made to highlight and examine services of the problems which militate against the schemes efforts to adequately contribute to Nigeria’s national development efforts.

1.2     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this research work is steered towards;

v -raying and highlighting the purpose which the scheme is designed to play towards Nigeria’s national development.

v To what extent to which the scheme has actually achieved this purpose particularly in Abia state.

v To find out the problems facing the NYSC scheme in Abia state.

v To profer lasting solution to these problems which stand as stumbling blocks on the road to success of the scheme

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

v Why was National Youth Service Corps Scheme introduced in Nigeria?

v To what extent has the scheme contributed to the development and unity of the Nation?

v What are the factors militating against the scheme’s efforts to adequately contribute to the unity and development in Nigeria.

1.5 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

For the purpose of this study, the following hypothesis are used

v That the NYSC scheme has contributed to the integration and unification of Nigeria.

v That the NYSC scheme serves an instrument to the social, economic and political development in Nigeria.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

v The researcher considers this study a timely one, especially now that a lot of things are threatening the existence of Nigeria as a nation.

v The significance of this study is based on the fact that it semi the general public and the Nigerian policy makers to the truth about the contribution of the NYSC scheme to the development, integration and unity of Nigeria as a nation.

v Moreover, it will serve as a prerequisite to the award of Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate and to many who may want to carry out more research work on the topic, this study will be useful to them.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is on all about National Youth Service Corps Scheme. Considering the fact that the topic under research touches the entire nation and due to time and other constraints, the researcher has limited the study to NYSC Abia state.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Conducting a research of this nature cannot be done without meeting some constraints. The researcher had limited time to explore the topic under research. Again, finance posed another problem. There was not enough fund for procurement of materials and to run around. This restricted the research to areas were much finance is not needed and to enable her meet the deadline. In spite of the above mentioned limitations the reliability and validity of the study is not affected.

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