1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Before the administration of General Abacha came into the helm of affairs of the state, unemployment has acquired the notorious status of being one of the many problems defying solutions by successive government. The problem became compounded in the mid 1970 when the government increases the unemployment rate into the society through massive entrenchment exercise.
The permanence that unemployment seemed to have acquired has become a big worry to successive administration, that is the reasons why General Ibrahim Badamosi Barbangida's Administration transition programme, this problem was addressed in the concept of the mass mobilization economic recovery, self reliance and social justice (MANSER).
According to Anthony (1985:93) the fact that the federal government strengthened the federal ministry of labour to include among other things, the national directorate of employment, shows its way prepared to tackle the unemployment issue. The primary function of the directorate is job creation for the jobless.
The main thing is to explore the effort in tackling the unemployment issue in the country in General and the state in particular through national directorate employment, this project works through the National Directorate of employment's philosophy is the creation of employment with emphasis on self reliance and entrepreneurship; under its four core programme that was initiated to free our youths from unemployment and to re-orient them from paid employment to self employment.
Lastly, National Directorate of employment operation underwent fundamental re-direction meant to shake off opportunities and some of the unserious applicants. Programme showed that most of the trainees were more interested in the fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) monthly allowance than to acquire useful skills, the directorate then abolished a stipends in 1991. Saving accruing there form is now invested in training programme and also to provide take off dutiful trainees at the end of joining programme period.
The trust of directorate programme is to assist applicants to set up their own business. In agriculture, small scale business and to enable them to put additional hand in their establishment and hence achieve the aim of reducing the level of unemployment.
According to Barry (1975:20) in the urban areas, the unemployment rate was so high which is over 10% in the rural areas. The youths and graduates are employed with the growing joblessness. There was a growing dependency among youths among their parents. Ex-president Ibrahim Badamosi Babandiga in hi 1991 budget speech directed the N.D.E charged with the establishment “to concentrate its effort of the reactivity of public works, promotion of direct labour, promotion of self employment organization of artisans into co-operation and encouragement of a culture maintenance and repair. The board of directors of the National Directorate of employment ensures proper implementation of the directives, have articulated four practical programmes nationwide, each operating as a separate department. The programmes are:
- National youth employment and vocational skills development programme.
- Small scale industries and graduates employment programme
- Agriculture sector employment programme
- Special public work programme
These programmes are backed by the necessary administrative monitory and support personnel, thus enabling optimum use of resources and prompt response to the requirement of the public we serve.
National directorate of employment was designed to utilize valuable manpower resources in carrying out some public important works using labour intensive technology an to enable the participants obtain short-term employment which acquires new skill and trade experiences.
Farmers could become possible for them to market their products for the well being of their immediate family in particular. The fact here is that while the farmers strive to improve the harvest from his farm the government through agencies, provide facilities that could enable the farmers' process and market his products.
1.2 Statement of Problems
School leavers constituted the greatest number of unemployed youth in the state; moving round the state in search of jobs. Some people in the state claimed the directorate have been able to reduce the rate of unemployment among graduate and school leavers to 60% from its original 80% since the inception of the national director of employment in 1986. In spite of the promise made by the national directorate of employment in 1987 to create technically oriented job for Nigerians twelve years have passed yet the rate of those waiting for the NDE's promise had increased.
1.3 Objective of the Study
Based on the above, this study is:
- To find out the extent the National Directorate of employment has gone in reducing the unemployment problem in Imo State since its inception in 1986.
- To find out possible solution to this problems.
- To reveal and highlight some problems militate against its operation in the state.
1.4 Research Questions
This research on the National Directorate of employment and unemployment problem in Nigeria with reference to Imo State has raised some questions among exports and professionals which this study has attempted to address. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, the following research questions intended or have been asked by the researcher:
- What are the method of job creation for unemployed person in Imo State?
- What are the effects/impacts of unemployment in Imo State?
- How does National Directorate intend to create job opportunity for school leavers?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This project work is design to offer possible solution to the problem facing National Directorate of employment so that the high population of unemployed youth in Imo State will be significantly reduce.
It will also be a relevant document for further research in related areas.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study deals mainly on the effect of unemployment in Nigeria especially in Imo State. It cause motivation and also tries to determine the possible solutions to the problem of unemployment. The study will be limited to Imo State in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
The researcher during the course of this research, encountered some forces or limitations. The limitations include:
- Lack of materials: This is one of the major constraints faced by the researcher. The scarcity of material contributed to the setback of the research.
- Literature on National Directorate of employment. Hence, reliance on Newspapers, journals, magazines and others. Some of the respondents and answer to some of the completed questionnaires were not retuned by some of the respondents.
1.8 Definition of Terms
For the purpose of this study, the following terms are used:
NDE:
National Directorate of Employment charge with the responsibility of creating self employment among the citizens through its different programmes.
Unemployment Rate:
Unemployment rate is a ration between the number of employment and number of people in labour force.
Retrenchment:
This is a general phenomenon whereby people who are able and willing to work loose their work everyday in Nigeria.
ILO:
International Labour Organization is a body in charge of workers affairs world wide.
…
