N-Power Scheme And Employment Generation Among Youths In Akoko South West Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria
Gabriel Olusola OWAGBEMI
Department of Sociology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.
Timothy Olanusi DANIA
Department of Sociology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.
Keywords: N-power, youth, socio-economic empowerment, skill, poverty alleviation
Abstract
Government at different point in time has introduced different types of scheme aimed at alleviating the teeming youths out of poverty. Yet, poverty is still on the increase among the youths and this is an indicator that some of these schemes have not been successfully implemented and it has not met the need of the targeted population. This study therefore assess the impact of N-Power scheme on employment generation among youths, in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State. This study adopted a survey research design. A structured questionnaire was administered on one hundred and thirty (130) respondents who were selected through snow-balling sampling technique. The data collected were analysed using frequency distribution, while chi-square was employed to test the relationship between the monthly stipend and efforts put in place by the participants. Results of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between N-power scheme and socio-economic wellbeing of the participants. This finding negates the formulated null hypothesis which states that there is no significant relationship between the monthly stipend and efforts put in place by the participants, since the calculated X2 is greater than the tabulated value. Hence, the null hypothesis was rejected, meaning that N-power has been able to provide temporary employment for youths in Akoko Southwest. The study therefore concluded that, N-power scheme has helped in reducing level of unemployment among the youths in Akoko Southwest L.G.A., of Ondo State. Based on these findings, it was therefore recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) should expand the scope of N-power so as to accommodate more youths. The monthly stipend paid to N-power participants should be reviewed upwardly by the FGN so as to meet the current economic situation.