Abstract

This study examines the principles of the implementation of the National Youth Development Policy (NYDP) at the local government level in Yobe State. Youth Development Policy (YDP), either written or oral, whether in the traditional society or in contemporary societies involves plan of administration as to how youth grow into better, active and smooth adult. It is through literature on the topic that we trace the several initiatives on youth development and their participation in the community and societal activities.The NYDP in Nigeria, mandated all states in the federation to make their action plans containing their ethics.

Yobe State, carefully and separately enumerated its policy with laws, programs, and workers’ roles to agree with and comply with this mandate: youth clubs and associations, in this study, become the model of implementation of the affairs of the society.It is carried out by engaging the youth in societal activities.According to the Census of 2006, the youth constitute 3/5 of the Yobe State population. This study traces the problems that affect youth activities,such as poverty and unemployment which effects the welfare of the youth. Based on these problems,the study of youth development focuses its attention to solve these problems.The government through associations, and in collaboration with the societal ethic,tries to ensure sustainability and development of the youth both in and outside the school.The study, therefore, is pursued through monitoring & supervising youth policy laws, programs, schedule of duties that are attached with societal values and reflected in government strategies. The methods adopted in this study,is the survey designs.Through sample and sampling techniques,a total of 450 questionnaires were distributed,and fitted for analysis, other methods used are the interview (conducted through focussed group discussion) and observation.The output indicates that when youth are supported and encouraged they can make effective institutional transformation of a society and any neglect of the youth, by either parents or government,it can influence this segment of people (the youth) to the negative cause, societal havoc, which may lead to destructive consequences. The study recommends to youth workers, stakeholders and the society to appropriately enforced all laws effectively and programs to reflect the national youth development policy principles in the local government areas of the study area (Yobe State).

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In  the  contemporary  world  of  today,  the  problems  of  translating plans,  policies, legislative acts, executive and judicial orders into concrete actions that will lead to the realization of the planned objectives and consquently to national development have become increasingly challenging and difficult, making many developmental initiatives of many nations unrealistic. These challenges have bedevilled many nations, cut across national and continental boundaries and have become increasingly worrisome in the developing nations, Paki and Kimiebi (2011).

This views of Paki and Kimiebi above,influenced this study to observe the translation and implementation of one of the Nigeria‟s policy and legislative act,that is the National Youth Development Policy,and its impact at the lower levels of government in Yobe State.