TABLE OF CONTENT
Chapter One
Introduction
Statement of problem
Research question
Hypothesis
Purpose of the study
Significance of the study
Limitations of the study
Scope and delimitation of the study
Definition of terms
Chapter Two
Review of related literature
Conceptual framework
Concept of community service
Concept of national youth service corps (NYSC)
Objective of the scheme
Naptip club
Anti-corruption club
Farmers club
The editorial board club
The ICPC club
Charity club
Drug free club
Mass literacy club
Tourism club
Road safety club
Community service and gender
Socio-economic background and community service
Subject of study and community service
Benefit of subject of study and community development
Social benefits
Corporation and citizenship
Improved communication skills
Cognitive benefits
Political and civil awareness
Exposure to diversity, multipluralism and different
ways of thinking
Critical thinking and problem solving skills
Summary of literature review
Chapter Three
Methodology
Research design
Population of the study
Sample and sampling techniques
Research instrument
Validity of the instrument
Reliability of the instrument
Procedure for data collection and scoring of the instrument
Method of data analysis
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The national youth service corps was set up by decree 24 in May, 1973 and modified by decree 51 of June 1993 to inculcate in Nigerian youths a spirit of selfless service to the community and to promote a spirit of oneness and unity in a nation of diverse cultures, economic and social background., it was one of the tools by which Nigeria hoped to achieve some of her post civil war objectives of a united , strong and self-reliant nation, a dynamic economy a land full of opportunities for all citizens and a free and democratic economy.
Nigeria is a country whose colonial history and experience in the immediate post independence era were characterized by ethnic loyalties, mutual group suspicion and distrust that culminated in the traumatic events of a bloody civil war which called for the emergence of National Youth Service (Gowon, 1973) Faced with the total breakdown of harmony and mutual trust as a result of thirty months of civil war of no victor no vanquish, it was necessary for solid peace to be won. With the immediate post war period, the challenge was on how to engage in deliberate social engineering, designing programmes and pursuing policies meant to promote national unity de-emphasizing points of discord among the constituent groups and foster inter-ethnic understanding and harmony. Umoden (1993), Obasa (1995) confirmed that there was need for educated Nigerians from all works of life to come together for deliberation recognizing the host of problems begging for solution. Vice chancellors, presidents of universities and other policy makers deliberated on the issue. After myriad of suggestions by policy makers, the federal government decided and agreed a one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for all Nigerian graduates. Who either passed through the university, polytechnics or other awarding institutions in Nigeria. The scheme was established in Nigeria on 22nd May, 1973 during the regime of former military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon.
The National Youth Service Corps was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild Nigeria in unity. There are two batches every year, batch ‘A’ begins February/March and ends in January/February the following year while batch ‘B’ begins in September and ends in August the following year. The primary purpose of the scheme is to inculcate in Nigeria Youth the spirit of selfless service, patriotism and brotherhood of all Nigeria irrespective of cultural or social background (NYSC, 1992).
Also the primary assignment of corpers involved in the NYSC Scheme is to serve in whatever capacity they have professional training in. They are involved in teaching, administration, industry and so on. Apart from this there is a secondary assignment known specifically as community development service (CDS). Corps are expected to contribute to the communities where they are serving.
Objectives of the Scheme
As clearly spelt out in Decree 51 of 6th June, 1993, the objectives include; the following:-
- To inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them the tradition of industry at work and patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria in a situation they may find themselves.
- To raise the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about higher idea of national achievement, social and cultural improvement.
- To enable Nigerian youth acquire spirit of self-reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self employment.
- To contribute to the accelerated growth of the national economy.
- To develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration in a study of youth corpers attitude towards community service carried out by Adedeji (1975) in Ilorin. Akintunde, O. (1978) in Ibadan and Bayo Lawal (1988) in former Gongola State, it was discovered that most corpers to be indifferent towards some areas in community service such as agriculture and technological sectors.
Meanwhile, community service is geared at:- eradicating ecological challenges; skill development and development of positive attitude. Community service which requires self sacrifice in loyalty and total devotion to the state and nieighbourhood does not seem to have been fully embraced by youth corpers in Nigeria irrespective of its value to the society due to diversity of culture and religious difference. Babangida (1993). Other factors that seem to be militating against the full realization of the value of community service include:- lack of common interest, unpatriotic attitude, low remuneration, gender, area of specialization, socio-economic background, and religious difference. (Obasa, 1995).
Statement of Problem
The NYSC could be the highest single assembly of vibrant knowledgeable citizens of Nigeria that could provide community service which will enhance the living standard of the communities where they serve. It is observable however that some corpers seem to see the NYSC scheme as enormous, deceptive and long year of wastage. Such apprehension coupled with inconsistency and instability that have characterized the operation of NYSC are likely to affect the disposition of corpers to the scheme, thereby making corpers feel indifferent towards the value of community service in Nigeria. It is this regard that this study is being carried out to address the question of the corpers and their perception on the community service in Nigeria.