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Perception Of National Youth Service Corp Members On Community Development Service
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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
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