ASSESSING THE ROLE OF NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC) ON DEVELOPMENT IN BIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Colonialism introduced divide and rule which emphasized our differences instead of similarities. Ethnicity became a cog in the wheel of progress in achieving nationhood. Instead of Nigerians utilizing their pluralistic nature by tapping the value of its various backgrounds for progress it became devastating factor. This accumulated in Nigerian Biafran Civil War of 1967-1970. Using descriptive and analytical approach with anecdotal evidence gleaned from a qualitative and historical relevant literature on Nigeria history from the pre-colonial colonial and post colonial times and the NYSC programme. The study revealed that the NYSC is aimed at developing common ties among the Nigerian Youths and promote national unity and integration to remove prejudice eliminates injustice and confirms at first hand the similarities among Nigerians at all ethnic groups NYSC corps members have constituted to National Development in involving themselves in election, fight against HIV/AIDS, road safety, education, community services and inter-ethnic marriages. This is because they impacted positively on their host communities during the primary assignment. Today the NYSC looks beyond the service year by training corps members on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship to make them useful to themselves after the program. NYSC is an attestation of the Nation’s will in pulling the talents and energies in rendering essential services for social, cultural, political and economic cohesion of Nigerians. Based on the findings, the study recommended amongst others that there is need for quick intervention when necessary and fulfillment of statutory objectives at all ties of government. Preferential posting and concessional deployment should be strictly enforced because some corps members have abused them.