YOUTH RESTIVENESS IMPLICATIONS FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

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International Journal of Educational Science and Research (IJESR) ISSN 2249-6947 Vol.2, Issue 2 Sep 2012 31-42 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd., YOUTH RESTIVENESS IMPLICATIONS FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA 1 DAN. I. MEZIEOBI, 2 NWAUBANI O & 3 ANYANWU J Department Of Social Science EducationUniversity Of Nigeria, Nsukka ABSTRACT The study sought to find out the factors associated with increasing incidences of youth restiveness in South Eastern States of Nigeria and its implications on nation building in Nigeria. The design of the study was a survey. The population of the study is made up of all the youths in South Eastern States of Nigeria. Purposive random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 300 respondents across the area of the study. Gender bias was controlled. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data. Data were analysed using frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study revealed the causative factors of youth restiveness, its influences on nation building, measures put in place by Nigerian government to reduce this devastating social trend, role of education sector in stemming youth restiveness, how the youths potentials can be channeled at effective nation building and obstacles against the control of youth restiveness. It was recommended on the basis of the findings of the study that: there is urgent need for economic empowerment of the youth through extensive job creation, schools should step up efforts in providing moral instruction and counselling services in order to equip the youth with fundamental ethical values against perpetrating anti-social behaviour of violence inimical to effective nation building among others. KEYWORDS: Nigeria, Youth Restiveness, Nation Building. INTRODUCTION The youth in Nigeria constitute the active citizens of the nation who are viable in transforming the economy through their productive input and services in the civil service, private and corporate organizations. The negative use of the youths in destabilizing social order, security and national stability of Nigerian state through despicable acts as unwarranted riots, willful destruction of lives and propertys unlawfully, armed robbery, religious disturbances, kidnapping, armed banditry, terrorist activities amongst others are glaring acts of sabotage antithetical to effective nation building in Nigeria. Nigeria as a developing nation state is in dire need of functional active citizens and human resources whose mental intellect would be ideal for formulating sustainable policies, programmes and laws that are capable of guiding official conducts, managing national resources, maintenance of political order and achieving political stability through national integration of diverse ethnic groups, which fundamentally is the

32 Dan.Mezieobi,Nwaubani O & Anyanwu focus objectives of nation building in Nigeria. The youth in the context of this paper are persons males and females respectively aged one to fifty. Youth restiveness in Nigeria is a negative social phenomenon that has generated alarming concern by Nigerians and foreigners interested in restoring genuine peace and political stability in Nigeria. Youth restiveness is pervasive in Nigeria but currently gaining momentum in the South Eastern states of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. Egbule (2005) observed that youth restiveness manifests in criminal behaviours as violent demonstrations, looting, stealing and robbery attacks, kidnapping of persons, intra and inter-tribal fighting, destruction and vandalization of public properties among others. It is difficult to offer a universal definition of nation building. Different societies are likely to have their own views about nation building depending on their needs and problems (Iyamu, 1992). Nation building is the process of creating unity and sense of belonging among heterogeneous groups in the state (of Nigeria) (Elaigwu, 1983:460). Nigeria as a developing nation is in dire need of social reconstruction of the citizens, specifically the youth in order to comprehensively unite the various ethnic groups in Nigeria, with peculiar socio-cultural and religious background, in addition is to inculcate in them viable attitudes, articulate values and collective vision towards building an indivisible state of Nigeria where cultural divide sentiments would be subsumed and national patriotic interests advanced. This vision is attainable when youth restiveness in various sections of Nigeria are reasonably checked. Youth restiveness pose sufficient threat to national security, economic growth, peace and unity of Nigeria. Youth restiveness are destabilizing acts of lawlessness engaged by youths that consequently disrupts public peace, social order, including the destruction of property and lives. Youth restiveness in all its entirety is a threat to national stability and nation building in Nigeria and cannot be left unchecked for the articulate maintenance of potent national security, economic stability, protected welfare and freedom of the citizens of Nigeria including foreigners in the socio-political environment of Nigeria. Mezieobi and Nwanna- Nzewunwa (2008) in a study on the attitude of parent and teachers towards youth restiveness in Rivers state of Nigeria found that parents and teachers do not support youth restiveness as it affects socio-economic development of the state. Furthermore, Okoh and Obiunu (2007) in their study established there is a significant relationship between environmental degradation and youth restiveness. Umina was cited by Eyo, Oko and Okon (2006:44) to have said our society is flooded with unskilled jobless youths, educated unemployed restive youths, and poor unskilled jobless boys and girls who are menace in the society. Abiogu (2008) observed that poor parental care, economic problems and family crises can induce youth restiveness, this is because deviant behaviour emanates from in disciplinary acts of behaviour copied from peer groups. Onoge (2004) perceives the youth as group viable for national development and liberation. This implies that the youth against all odds of occasional restiveness, constitute the active population of a nation, their potentials can be channeled into productive ventures, technology, social services and national security. It is therefore imperative to investigate the causes of youth restiveness, in order to determine where government or political leaders can come to terms with improving the social conditions of the youth. Against this background, Balarabe in Ajaero (2012:29) reported out leaders must

Youth Restiveness Implications for Achieving Sustainable Nation Building in Nigeria 33 learn to be selfless, create employment and shun corruption. This is the only way to engage the youths meaningfully so (that) they would no longer engage in the act of terrorism which is killing the Nigerian economy. Ololobou (2004) argued that youth restiveness in on the increase because of wrong socialization and desire for quick wealth. In addition, Nwanna-Nzewunwa (2008:6) opined as follows: Unemployment has become in our times, a veritable and useful social instrument in the hands of our leaders for the subjugation and control of our people for selfish political gains. Job becomes available only to those youths who have served their own tenure of political apprenticeship via thuggery, propagandism and political sycophancy, while those that are not opportune to come under the tutelage of political and economic jobbers are fenced out of the corridors of employment. To be able or well equipped to respond to the challenges of nation building and maintenance, individuals (specifically the youth) need to be educated in those areas that will allow them function fully (Iheonu, 2009). The youth should be informed that the democratic future of Nigeria lies in their effort to maintain the corporate existence of Nigeria, by maintaining peace, engaging in worthwhile economic ventures, social activities and behaviour that will progressively uplift the stability of Nigeria. The youth ought to seek conditions for their development through legitimate process than flagrantly break down societal rules, laws and order. Nation building is the stop priority of countries that desire to achieve sustained economic, selfreliance, socio-political progress, technological advancement including high level of independence in the management of her national affairs. Against this essence of inculcation of core desirable national values amongst Nigerian youths to make them functional adults for effective nation building, Nwaubani (2010:96) remarked they will assist in raising the moral principles, standards and conduct of the Nigerian (youth in the) society, thereby producing citizens who will act as moral agents of various aspects of sustainable integrated (nation- building) in the 21 st century and beyond. Ezegbe (1993) and Obasi (2000) opined that nation building is a crucial task with developing nations, who are glaringly engulfed with unquenching political instability, ethnic and religious crises, including youth restiveness as an emergent issue of concern in Nigeria. It is evident that nation building is geared at promoting political, economic, social and technological stability of nations. It is a process of improving the democratic process, social relations and welfare of the citizens. It is therefore can be said that nation challenges, problems, progressive national triumphs and crises are encapsulated in the effort at nation building (Mezieobi, Mezieobi & Uzoagba, 2009). Integration of youth restiveness education into the school curriculum will engender desirable behaviour in the youth (Mezieobi & Nwanna-Nwewunwa, 2008). Togbolo in Richard, Jack and Ajyamiwe (2008) explained that education is a potential tool for checking youth restiveness in the sense that the educated would not be involved in criminal exercise that will waste his future. Onuoha and Ifelunni (2008)

34 Dan.Mezieobi,Nwaubani O & Anyanwu in their study found that there is a gender gap in education pursuit against the males in South-Eastern states of Nigeria. They maintained that since education is a viable instrument for human capital development, boychild drop out of school is unhealthy for nation building, especially in our environment, where males are potential family bread winners. The federal government of Nigeria in appreciation of education as a tool for social transformation, economic reconstruction and stemming the rate of violent youth restiveness introduced civics education in secondary schools, peace education and entrepreneurial education in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Onuoha and Ifelunni (2008) further established that major causes of boy-child dropout of school are high rate of unemployment for graduates, and societal value system-which worship money instead of regard for hard work. In corroboration of the essence of quality education and skills acquisition as a panacea for checkmating youth restiveness in Nigeria, specifically the South-Eastern states inhabited by the Igbos, Maisamari (2006:203) said. Education is a commodity with both public and private consumption values. It is an essential infrastructure for the development of civil and democratic society. It facilitates the acquisition of skills, which economically empowers the citizenry and alleviate mass poverty causing vices to reduce. It facilitates the development of new skills and technology that enables society to break its production possibility frontiers and enhanced the level of affluence. Various efforts to build a united progressive, stable and integrated (nation-building) in Nigeria are truncated by ethnic sentiments and consciousness. Sectional interest tends to override national interest (Mezieobi, 2010:141). In addition, sustainable nation (building) will be weakly articulated and achieved in a polity without sound integration of the citizenry s values, attitudes, minds and feelings (Mezieobi, 2010:137). In order to curtail youth restiveness specifically in South Eastern states of Nigeria, Alapiki (2006:2009) comments are instructive True development has to be people-centred. It has to be directed, at the fulfillment human (youth) potential and the improvement of the social and economic well being of the people. Democratic governance should embark on programmes to equip the youth with skills for life sustenance, survival and ensure that the welfare and economic interests of the masses are not subjugated through exploitation and corruption. Iwayemi (2001) noted that Nigeria s substantial oil resources which was meant to build a great and dynamic economy for the welfare of the generality of the citizens has remained illusive. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Youth restiveness in Nigeria is deleterious to effective nation building in Nigeria, because of the grievous consequences the violent and unpatriotic activities of the youth exerts on the corporate security, economy, welfare, unity and the prospects of the state of Nigeria in achieving sustainable political, social, economic and technological development.

Youth Restiveness Implications for Achieving Sustainable Nation Building in Nigeria 35 This study is determined to investigate the causes of youth restiveness, how it affects nation building in Nigeria and in what ways can the youths be utilized for effective nation building in Nigeria? RESEARCH QUESTIONS The following research questions guided the study. 1. What are the causes of youth restiveness in Nigeria? 2. Does youth restiveness exert influence on nation building on in Nigeria? 3. What measures are taken by the Nigerian state to curb youth restiveness? 4. Are there ways the education sector can assist in curbing youth restiveness? 5. How can the youths be utilized in achieving effective nation building in Nigeria? 6. What are the major obstacles against achieving effective nation building in Nigeria? RESEARCH METHOD A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in South Eastern states of Nigeria, made up of: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. The population of the study consisted of all youths in the South Eastern states of Nigeria. For convenience, a sample of 300 youths were randomly selected and used for the study. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to get the respondent across gender. The major instrument of the study was a researchers constructed questionnaire titles Appraisal of the incidences in youth restiveness in South Eastern states of Nigeria. The instrument was validated by two experts in Social Science Education and two experts in test measurement and evaluation at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Imo State University Owerri respectively. Ambiguities and errors were corrected which made the instrument suitable for the study. A pilot test was carried on with 50 youths of Rivers state that is not the area of study, after two weeks interval, the same test was re-administered on the same respondents Pearson moment correlation was used to establish the reliability co-efficient of the instrument. A reliability index of 0.73 was obtained. The research instrument was administered through the help of two trained field assistants. This helped prompt collection of the questionnaire on the spot. All the questionnaires were retrieved as respondents were properly guided. The six research questions that guided the study were answered using frequencies and percentages.

36 Dan.Mezieobi,Nwaubani O & Anyanwu PRESENTATION OF RESULTS Table -1 :Youth restiveness causative factor S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 1 The youths are sponsored 210-70% 90 A 30% 2 Inadequate possession of skills 200 66.7% 100 A for life sustenance 33.3% 3 Poverty in the family 203 67.7% 97 32.3% A 4 Gangsterism and peer 255 85% 45 A influences. 15% 5 The influence of hard drugs. 280 93.3% 20 A 6.7% 6 For purposes of economic 200 66.7% 100 A enrichment. 33.3% 7 To improve the welfare of the 102 34% 198 D masses. 66% 8 To promote citizenship 50 16.7% 250 D education 83.3% 9 To acquire skills 80 26.7% 220 73.3% D 10 The youths are mostly 230 76.7% 70 A unemployed 23.3% The respondents accepted items 1 through 6 and 10 are causative factors for youth restiveness in South Eastern States of Nigeria. While items 7, 8, and 9 were not accepted as strong causative factors. Data in table 1 indicated that youth restiveness was not embarked upon to improve the welfare of the masses, to promote citizenship education and acquire skills. This indicates that selfish reasons peculiar to the youths stimulate youth restiveness. Table- 2: Influence of youth restiveness on nation building S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 11 It destabilizes security of the 259 86.3% 41-13.7% A state. 12 The economy is dragged down. 277 92.3% 23 7.7% A 13 Lives and property are destroyed. 230 76.7% 70 23.3% A 14 It promotes peaceful social living. 50 16.7% 250 83.3% D 15 The citizens support youth 100 33.3% 200 66.7% D restiveness. 16 It endangers the future of the 260 86.7% 40 13.3 A youth. 17 It is a way of promoting morals 64 21.3% 236-78.7% D and ethics. 18 It encourages investments. 48 16 252 84% D

Youth Restiveness Implications for Achieving Sustainable Nation Building in Nigeria 37 Generated information in table 2 indicates that items 11, 12, 13, and 16 agree that youth restiveness influence nation building in the following ways: destabilization of state security, reduction in economic productivity, destruction of lives and property, including endangering youths future. It was found that youth restiveness does not promote peaceful social living, attract public support, do not promote morals, ethics and investments, all which affect nation building. It can be deciphered that youth restiveness is antithetical to nation building Table -3: National measures to curb youth restiveness S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 19 Introduction of civics 221 73.7% 79 26.3% A education 20 Infusion of peace education 217 72.3% 83-27.7% A into school curriculum. 21 Emphasis on entrepreneurial education. 200 66.7% 100 33.3% A 22 Development of skills 199 66.3% 101 33.7% A acquisition centres. 23 The use of dialogue. 207 69% 93 31% A 24 Public enlightenment 205 68.3% 95 31.7% A against violence. 25 Rehabilitation of youths. 252 84% 48 16% A 26 Introduction of youth 249 83% 51 17% A council of Nigeria. 27 Execution of culprits. 92 30.7% 208 69.3% D Items 19 to 27 are agreed national measures to curb youth restiveness, while execution of the culprits was not accepted by the respondents. Table -4: Ways education sector can curb youth restiveness S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 28 It destabilizes security of the state. 29 The economy is dragged down. 30 Lives and property are destroyed. 31 It promotes peaceful social living. 32 The citizens support youth restiveness. 33 It endangers the future of the youth. 34 It is a way of promoting morals and ethics. 196-65.3% 104 34.7% A 200 66.7% 100 33.3% A 267 89% 33 11% A 254 84.7% 40 15.3% A 202 67.3% 98 32.7% A 32 10.7% 268 81.3% D 67 22.3% 233 77.7% D

38 Dan.Mezieobi,Nwaubani O & Anyanwu Information in table 4 indicate that items 28, 29, 30 31, 32 are accepted as ways education sector can curb youth restiveness, while items 33 and 34 which were encouraging violence and tolerating drug addiction amongst youths. Table -5: Utilization of the youth in achieving effective nation building S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 35 It destabilizes security of the state. 256 85.3% 44 14.7% A 36 The economy is dragged down. 200 66.7% 100 33.3% A 37 Lives and property are destroyed. 257 85.7% 43 14.3% A 38 It promotes peaceful social living. 197 65.7% 103 34.5% A 39 The citizens support youth restiveness. 40 It endangers the future of the youth. 201 67% 199 33% A 85-28.3% 215 71.7% D Research result in table 5 showed that items 34, 26, 37 38 and 39 which are equipping the youth with vocational skills, involvement in national defence, checkmating of crime, contributing service for national development and involvement in crucial national decision making are found to be instructive for effective nation building. The use of youths for tuggery was decried as ineffective for nation building. Table -6: Obstacles against achieving effective nation building in Nigeria S/N Item statement Agree Disagree Decisions 41 Political leadership is corrupt. 225 75.6% 75 25% A 42 Unfair distribution of national resources. 200 66.7% 100 33.3% A 43 Inadequate economic empowerment of the youth. 258 86% 42 14% A 44 Social deprivation weakens patriotism. 200-66.7% 100-33.3% A 45 Political instability. 187 62.3% 113 37.3% A 46 Moral degeneration. 198 66% 102 34% A 47 National integration. 121 40.3% 179 59.7% D 48 Social justice 120 40% 180 60% D 49 Stable democratic governance. 37 12.3% 263 87.7% D 50 National consciousness. 50 16.7% 250 83.3% D

Youth Restiveness Implications for Achieving Sustainable Nation Building in Nigeria 39 Data generated in table 6 showed that the obstacles against the effective use of the youths in achieving nation building in Nigeria are: Political leadership corruption, unfair distribution of national resources, social deprivation, political instability and moral degeneration (items 41 to 46), while items 47, 48, 49, and 50 disagreed that national integration, social justice, stable democratic governance and national consciousness are obstacles to achieving effective nation building in Nigeria by the youths. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS The study established that the causes of youth restiveness are mainly economic and socially related. This agrees with the perception of Ololobou (2004), Eyo, Oko and Okon (2006), Abiogu (2008), Mezieobi and Nwanna-Nzewunwa who collectively asserted respectively that the emergence of youth restiveness was mainly dependent on economic related and poor social upbringing from the family angle. Data information generation from the study showed that youth restiveness exerts negative influences on nation-building, this confirms the research findings of Egbule (2005) and Ajaero (2012), which blamed youths for portraying criminal activities, killings, destruction of valuable property and extension of terrorist activities. The study further found that there were national steps put in place to curb youth restiveness, such as: emphasis on entrepreneurial education, peace education, dialogue, public enlightenment as against pepetration of violence. This is inline with the findings of Okoh and Obiunu (2007) and Onoge (2004) who reported that youth restiveness are environmentally related and that the potentials of the youth can be positively redirected for effective nation building. The education sector was found to be a viable channel for curbing youth restiveness through the provision of functional education. This supports the valid opinions of Maisamari (2006), Nwanna- Nzewunwa (2008), Richard, Jack and Ajayamiwe (2008) and Iheonu (2009), who respectively posited that education provides sustainable skills for social living and inculcates values to checkmate anti-social behaviour amongst youths The study established that the potentials of the youth can be channeled into different national services responsibility areas for effective nation building in Nigeria. This concurs with Onoge (2004), Mezieobi and Nwanna-Nzewunwa (2008), who advanced the utilization of the youth for effective services for nation building as defence and integration of youth restiveness education into school curriculum as a way of controlling anti-social behaviour amongst the youth. Political, social and economic factors were established by the findings of this study as the major obstacles against effective achievement of nation building through the youth. This is in tandem with the contributions of Iwayemi (2001), Alapiki (2006) and Ajaero (2012) who noted that governance in Nigeria should ensure that the economic welfare of the masses are maintained. They maintained that economic empowerment of the youth is a panacea to stem youth restiveness and terrorism, but discouragingly they

40 Dan.Mezieobi,Nwaubani O & Anyanwu doubt the possibility of political leaders in genuine management of national economic resources for the general development of masses welfare. RECOMMENDATIONS On the basis of the findings made from this study, the following recommendations are made: There is need for economic empowerment of the youth through creation of substantial job opportunities and employment. Increasing youth restiveness is associated with severe tragic loss of lives, property, reduction in economic activities and consequent pronounced threat on national security. Against this background, youths in South Eastern states of Nigeria specifically and the nation in general should be meaningfully involved in national service in the area of defence, sports, crime control, skills acquisition among others, this has to be done in the interest of profitable nation-building. Critical emphasis on entrepreneurial education will enlarge the opportunities of the youth to become job creators and potential investors in the economy. Aggressive national consciousness sensitization and reorientation is imminent to inculcate and integrate in the youth the essence of peace, morality, healthy social living, unity and progress as veritable conditions for collective nation building in Nigeria Pragmatic functional and contemporary resource based education should be provided to make the youth fit transformatively in the challenging dynamic Nigerian society with limited resources for masses survival. Schools should step up efforts in providing moral instruction and counselling services as a measure to equip the youth with values against crime, cultism, kidnapping, violence and various anti-social behaviour perpetrated by the youth. Political leadership in various states of Nigeria and the central government owe the youth a fair distribution of national resources to uplift standard of living. Integration of youth restiveness education into the school curriculum will engender desirable behaviour in the youth (Mezieobi & Nwanna-Nzewunwa, 2008). CONCLUSIONS Youth restiveness is a pervasive anti-social behaviour growing like wild fire in Nigeria, this anomaly correspondingly endangers the chances of achieving sustainable nation building. This study was focused on incidences of youth restiveness in South Eastern States of Nigeria and its implications for achieving sustainable nation building in Nigeria. This study tried to determine the causative factors, its influence on nation building, measures put in place by Nigerian government to curb increasing rate of youth restiveness, role of education sector in arresting this severe damaging growing social trend, including the possibility of harnessing the potentials of the youths for effective nation building and what are the obstacles

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