THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND NATION BUILDING IN SOME SELECTED L.G. A IN EBONYI STATE
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian economy since the attainment of political independence in 1960 has undergone fundamental structural changes resulting to structural shis
which have however not resulted in any significant sustainable economic growth and development to ensure adequate employment opportunity for her
youths. According acknowledged Akpabio, (2005:332) and Gobeli, (1995:122). Over time, the roles of the youth in national development have been. As they
continue to play pervasive roles in nation building, the youth by definition have been regarded as that segment of the population from 18-35 years (National
Policy of Youth Development, 1999) who are characteristically active, vibrant, daring and with useful energies. The development of the Nigerian nation from
pre-colonial to independent and post-independent era has been attributed to vital contribution of the youth. Despite their positive roles in national
development, they constitute the most critical and volatile segment of the society. The worsening economic situation in Nigeria from the austere periods to
the SAP and Post-SAP era has threatened the collective psyche of the youth. General unemployment, lack of consistent policy framework for youth
development, general economic hardship among others have thrown the youth into joblessness, agents of social vices and general idleness. As their
conditions worsen, they have been used as agents of political thuggery and general misadventure. Moreover, they have become the major agents in social
conflicts with diverse and devastating consequences in the nation. As their negative and pervasive roles continue to impact on the economy, several strategies of youth empowerment have been evolved over time. The strategies have, however, yielded little or no results as their activities have consistently imposed serious threats to social security, truncated economic activities and severe drainage of national income
