THE SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME AMONG YOUTHS IN LAPAI COMMUNITY

THE SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME AMONG YOUTHS IN LAPAI COMMUNITY

ABSTRACT

The study examined the socio-economic impact of unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai community, Niger state. The study indicated that youth unemployment has many negative effects to the society, economy, family, and individuals. From the response got from the questionnaires revealed that youth unemployment leads to poverty, low productivity, losses in foreign direct investment, low revenue generation, rural urban migration, illicit activities which increases crime, insecurity, anti-social activities such as armed robbery, prostitution, political thuggery, violence, kidnapping, restiveness and other social vices evident among the unemployed youths and this constitutes danger to the stability, growth and development of the state. The research concludes that, addressing the problems of youth unemployment, must involve all stakeholders. Suggestions from the analysis therefore, are that effective policy measures such as re-prioritization or revitalization of agricultural sector, reformation of educational system, provision of enabling environment and building of industries be pursued vigorously which will drastically reduce unemployment and poverty as well as eradicate the menace of youth unemployment in Lapai community in Niger State and Nigeria as a whole.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

Globally, the world is experiencing mass unemployment of qualified and able-bodied youths and these have generated much concern for both governmental and non-governmental organizations, public and private sectors of the economy. The global economic recession of the 1980’s has caused rapid deterioration in Nigeria’s economic industrial output. In the 60’s and 70’s youth unemployment was not pronounced like today because the government then were proactively involved in providing jobs for graduates churning out from various higher institutions.

Over the years, youth unemployment has taken a centre stage in most socials and economic discourse in Nigeria because the youths remain the greatest asset and the life wire of any nation. Youth employment in any nation is universally acknowledged as the basic source of survival and economic development (Ajaji, 2008). The central issue in socio-economic development is how to create conditions necessary for rapid and sustained growth and productivity where, the ultimate goal is to improve people’s quality of life and standard through production of goods and services at affordable prices, provision of basic infrastructures, reduce poverty, create employment opportunities and conducive political, religious, social and economic environment. (Echeriri, 2007).

In Nigeria, youth unemployment is soaring high despite laudable programmes provided by federal, states and local governments to curb the growing concern of joblessness among the teeming population of the country. Several governments both past and present have tried to solve this issue but day to day it increases. President Ibrahim Babangida’s regime from (1984-1993) was the first administration to be confronted with mass unemployment which led to introduction of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to tackle the scourge of unemployment but to no avail. President OlusegunObasanjo’s administration (1999-2007) came up with the national Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) but could not solve this menace.

President UmaruYaradua’s administration (2007-2010) with the view of solving this problem initiated the seven (7) points agenda, yet no meaningful achievement was recorded and President Goodluck Jonathan (2011-2015) administration launched Youth Enterprise with New Innovations (YOUWIN) and Alhaji BolajiAbdulahji the minister of youth also organized a youth forum to help youths realize their goals in life, still there is high prevalence of youth unemployment in the Nigerian Sectors (Ikemefula, 2012).

The level of unemployment and crime among youths in Nigeria as well as Niger State and Lapai community in particular appears to grow in geometric progression every year, in contrast to its regional neighbours most of whom have far less resources. Anameza (2000), stated that Nigeria will have no prospect of measurable development or of improving the welfare of its people; unless it enhances the chances of employment for its graduates. The menace of unemployment has increasingly been recognized as one of the socio-economic problems currently facing many developing countries like Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Overall, unemployment in Lapai community has affected youths from a broad spectrum of socio-economic groups, both of well and less educated, although it has particularly stricken a substantial fraction of youths from low income backgrounds and limited education. From the foregoing, it is obvious that unemployment, especially the unemployment of graduates, impedes the progress of Lapai community in many ways. Apart from economic waste, it also constitutes danger for political stability (Ipaye, 1998). It is disturbing to note that Nigeria’s graduates have limited chance of becoming gainfully employed. It is even more disheartening that the country’s economic condition is such that, it is hardly able to absorb an optimal proportion of the production of its own educational system. Gone are the days when employers went about looking for employees. It is now the turn of employees to move from one office to the other seeking for non-existent jobs. These days, thousands of young people are found waiting to be interviewed for just one, two or few vacant positions in some organizations or firms. Most people who cannot earn their living are prone to social vices. They look at themselves as second-class citizens for being unable to contribute to the society.

Youth unemployment is a crucial issue in Niger state and Nigeria at large because the youth constitute a major part of the labour force and they have innovative ideas, which among other factors are important in the development process of the country. A large proportion of the youths however are unemployed. The negative consequences include psychological problems of frustration, depression, hostility and gradual drift of some visible unemployed youths into all manner of criminal behaviours (Okafor, 2011). Unemployment is generally is indeed a pathetic situation that calls for urgent attention, to address the socio-economic effects accompanied by it.It is on this background that the study is undertaken with the view of examining the socio-economic impact of unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai with the view of suggesting ways of improving and ameliorating youth unemployment in the community and Niger State at large.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Youth unemployment and crime in Lapai community is alarming as the rate is growing geometrically. Youth unemployment in the state is becoming unbearable as it threatens the growth of the state. It is apparent that youths in any society are the greatest assets of national development if given the opportunity of employment. Due to non-availability of ample employment opportunity in the state, the teeming youths with vibrant energy cannot contribute effectively and efficiently to the economic growth and development of the state but rather utilizes such energy in unacceptable means of satisfying their needs, wants and goals in life by engaging themselves in social vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, violence, political thuggery, cybercrimes, fraud (419), murder, killing human beings and drug trafficking, with prostitution as the only means of survival. Our present society is not helping matters as it places much emphasis and values on materialism.

The problem of youth unemployment in Lapai and the state has also affected the local government area, individuals, families, communities, society and government, and has indeed hindered the socio-economic growth and development of Lapai and the state, thereby challenging the leadership and people of Niger State as it brings about poverty, high crime rates and deviant behaviours, malnutrition, poor health condition which later results in high death rates (Brown, 2011).It is these seemingly insurmountable problems that necessitate this academic work, to examine the socio economic impact of unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai community.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai community.

In view of this, the specific objectives of the research work are as follows:

1.         To examine the effects of youth unemployment and crime situation in Lapai community.

2.         To examine the effects of youth unemployment on the crime in the study area

3.         To find out the extent youth unemployment has affected the socio-economic well being of the individuals of Lapai community.

1.4       Research Questions

The following constitutes the research questions for the study.

1.         What are the effects of youth unemployment and the level of crime in Lapai community?

2.         What are the effects of youth unemployment on the level of crime in the study area?

3.         What are the consequences of youth unemployment in the study area?

1.5       Research Hypotheses           

Following the objectives of the study as outlined in section 1.3 and the research question as outlined in 1.4, the research hypotheses are as follows:

1.         Ho: There is no significant relationship between youth unemployment and crime in Lapai.

            H₁: There is significant relationship between youth unemployment and crime in Lapai.

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2.         Ho:      There is no significant relationship between youth unemployment and crime the study area.

            H₁: There is significant relationship between youth unemployment and crime the study area..

3.         Ho: There are no consequences of youth unemployment in the study area.

            H₁: There are consequences of youth unemployment in the study area.

1.6       Significance of the study

The justification of this study lies in the fact that this is another effort to effect a social scientific evaluation of the extent and cause of unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai community.

This work will also provide  insight on the critical problem of graduate unemployment and its various ramifications in Nigeria. It will therefore provide information to non-governmental organizations (NGO) working on the area of unemployment and poverty alleviation.

It is felt that knowledge of facts and their relationship must come before any national policy decision could be made and meaningfully executed. Hence, the present study is a step towards that direction.

This study is also intended to encourage other researchers to carry out research on the urban unemployment questions.

1.7       SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The research deals specifically with the socio-economic impact unemployment and crime among youths in Lapai community and not unemployment on an international or global scale which is explicitly beyond the scope of this research.

The reason for choosing this area was that Niger state is represented by virtually many tribes due to its industrial and administrative nature.

Also, in the course of this work, the researcher encountered certain problems which constituted limitation to the study.

The major problem is the difficulty in dealing exhaustively with such an all pervading vice as a graduate unemployment in urban centres in Niger state. Very few want to be identified as unemployed as its affect them.

Secondly, the Librarian strictly observed a rigid protocol. The table for consultation with library offered the student the opportunity to use the library strictly followed by order. This strictness was exacerbated by the hesitation of the librarian in lending out some materials for consultation.

1.7       Definition of Terms  

Socio-economic: In the context of this study, refers to the social and economic realities of social problems in our society and the extend it affects the society. It is concerned with the study of the society.

Effects: It refers to the causes, implications, result, or outcome of a thing.

Youth: Official policy defines a youth as a young person aged 18-40 years who is passing through mental and physical developmental processes in preparation to face life challenges, a period between childhood, teenager and adulthood.

Unemployment: when a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results. It can also be defined as the inability to obtain a job when one is willing and able to work. Also, it occurs when the supply of labour outstrips the demand for labour. It also means lack of sufficient employment in the formal and informal sector.

Youth Unemployment can be defined as the conglomeration of young persons with diverse background, willing and able to work but cannot find any. It is the situation when young persons aged 18 – 35 years who are actively looking for work but fail to find any one during a long period of time.

In this study, Youth Employment according to the opinion of my respondents is defined as a situation where the working age (human resources) are not resourceful, or engaged in the labour market both in public or private sector of the economy.

Armed Robbery: According to the Nigerian constitution and Police report, it can be defined as the use of guns or other dangerous weapons to inflict intimidation and fear into another person to gain access to someone’s house, shop, office, or social institution. It is the use of force and arms to steal from someone. But in this study, it will be defined as those unlawful or unapproved means where young men and ladies use violence, to inflict people and property and get what they want from them.

Kidnapping means the unlawful seizing or carrying away of a person by force or fraud in order to obtain ransom for his or her release. It is the taking away or transportation of person to hidden and isolated area usually false imprisonment against the person’s will either to kill or to receive money as ransom. In this study, according to my respondents, is the method of hiding people, used by poor young men to get their own share of money from the rich.

Poverty: means the state where someone cannot satisfy the basic needs of life such as food, shelter, clothing, money and other basic necessities of life. It is the state of being poor, inferior or insufficient in amount. Here, it means the condition where one lacks wealth, money or job as a result of no opportunity or certain factors of life.

Political Thuggery: This can be defined as sponsored thugs used by politicians during political rallies, campaigns and election to win their opponents and acquire a position or office. It also means using violent, brutal behaviour, intimidate and all manners of weapons to attack, or kill an innocent opponent for reason of political differences. In this study, it is a tool or means of killing, abduction, violence or threat to life used by politicians to overthrow their opponents and acquire power or political office.