CHAPTER ONE
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
To adequately understand the problem that result from unemployment due to poor establishment of industries in Umuahia North Local Government of Abia state, these arose the need for an attempt at defining the term unemployment.
Herby (1974) in his revised and updated Oxford Advanced Dictionary of current English defines the social evil, unemployment as the state of being unemployed and the amount of unused labour.
The global economic depression which stated in the early 1980s has caused a rapid deterioration in Nigeria economy, industries output has become very low and commercial activities were consequently reduced leading to the loss of employment by thousands of Nigerians. Ayo (1998).
This trend was confirmed by the labour force (force survey) conducted by the national manpower board in 1961/1967. this situation has become so bad that the end of 1985, the unemployment situation had reached desperate and alarming proportions (10% – 12%) not only in the urban area while 1974 was limited to the urban centres. The result affected is the increase in different kinds of anti-social activities such as, housing breaking, robbery, drugs and presently kidnapping, Eberinwa (2005).
In an effort to redress the situation and stem the tide of increase anti-social activities arising from youths unemployment, the government in 1o986 introduced (SAP) structural Adjustment Programme for two years. Agbora (2006).
Various development plans the followed suit had it as an objective to effectively solve the problems of unemployment. This has led to the initiation of various agricultural programmes. Banks and industries were in the rural areas to give job to the rural dwellers. Many other programmes and policies here established but were not effective enough as to restructure the economy.
Privatization and commercialization of certain government establishment led to workers being laid off from their job resulting in greater unemployment.
The situation has reduced to various calls by the government for all stakeholders in Nigeria nation of which Abia state is one to help in the establishment of industries that will absolve millions of youths without job which has lead to arm robbery, kidnapping and prostitution etc.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The problem of unemployment in Umuahia North Local Government area of Abia state is becoming mere unbearable as it is threatening the Nigeria economy as people find it difficult to service. An alarming structure of unemployment emerged with the rising joblessness among graduates of tertiary institutions. That is why young school leavers (graduates) now roam about the streets in search of jobs. Which they never find and it has caused untold hardship and suffering to the people.
The poor establishment of industries in Umuahia North Local Government of Abia state has increased unemployment problem in Abia state which has made our graduates to involve themselves in some anti-social activities to meet up. The problem now is finding solution to unemployment problems in Abia state