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:

1. Provide inter- ethnic understanding, integration and national unity.
2. 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.

• 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.

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