A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS PROGRAMME AND ITS EFFECT ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION
Chapter one
Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Development is at the center of government planning and activities. However, development cannot flourish especially in heterogeneous countries if there is no peace or national integration. In Nigeria, the need for unity and control of all centrifugal forces immediately after the civil war led to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973. Instrument for national reconstruction, reconciliation and reconstruction after the thirtieth month of the civil war in Nigeria (Adedayo, 2010). The unfortunate history of the nation's history required the creation of the NYSC, which clearly showed that the system had been established "with the objective of encouraging and developing in an appropriate manner the common ties between the world's youth. Nigeria and promoting national unity "(NYSC). , 2017). The heterogeneity of Nigeria and the events that preceded the establishment of the NYSC triggered an avalanche of arguments for and against the persistence of the regime (Asuka and Igwesi, 2012). With a large number of ethnic, religious and political crises that currently invade the country, reservations have been expressed about the effectiveness of the NYSC to facilitate integration as expected as provided in the decree and the law.
NYSC remained in the headlines of national newspapers in Nigeria. The northern part of Nigeria gradually descended to structural anarchy due to Boko Haram and subsequent terrorist uprisings; while militancy and kidnappings dominate in the south (Amuta, 2012). The question was raised as to whether the NYSC could operate in these areas of undeclared and unsolicited wars.
Instructively, most Nigerians doubt and even oppose young graduates deploying in these increasingly dangerous places for the NYSC program for a variety of reasons. However, analysts attach great importance to the fact that Youth Corps members have become guinea pigs, while the NYSC program has unfortunately become a true barometer to measure the degree of security in different parts of the country. If the members of the body successfully complete their year of service in their country of origin, the nation is at peace.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Almost 40 years after its creation, protests caused by security problems threaten the existence of the NYSC system. Protests by members of the NYSC corps stationed in such states, who feared for their lives due to the insurgency of Boko Haram, kidnappings and violence raised fears that the NYSC plan would have survived its relevance (Banji, 2012). Tension in the country continues to increase and several groups are mobilizing for restructuring. Nysc has sent young graduates to different parts of the country for a mandatory one-year service. This project would consider the graduates themselves entering their year of service as we seek their knowledge about the National Youth Services Corps program and its impact on national integration
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine the impact of NYSC programme and its effect on national integration.
The specific objectives are;
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To have an overview of the of NYSC programme
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To determine the challenges being faced by the programme and implications for national integration.
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To examining if the NYSC programme has helped in fostering national integration.
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It also seeks to ascertain if the NYSC programme serves as a platform to preach peace in Nigeria.