EMPOWERING YOUTHS FOR A CRIME-FREE SOCIETY: THE CASE OF NIGERIA
Abstract
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This paper examined the role of empowerment for youth as key to a crime-free society. This is with a view to establishing the level of socio-economic well-being and reduce crime in the society. lt highlights the factors that motivate youths to participate in organization and community development It also examines the extent to which socio-economic factors determine the outcome of people’s lives. Descriptive research design was used for the study A structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from a sample of 450 respondents for the study. Data collected were analyzed using Chi-square and t-test analysis. The findings established that there is a significant relationship between youth empowerment and attitude to crime involvement ( X2 cal = 453.025> X2 crit = 26.30 at 0.05 level of significance).It showed that there is significant relationship between capacity building of youths and reduction of youth’s involvement in crime (X2 cal = 744.301 > X2 crit = 26.30 at 0.05 level of significance).  The findings also revealed that there is significant relationship between male and female attitudes to crime involvement (tcal = 34.616 > ttab = 1.965 at 0.05 level of significance).   It is, therefore, recommended that government’s empowerment programmes should be restructured, if not re-designed, and should be centred on a “participatory approachâ€, There should also be greater investment in the human capital investment of youths. Besides, government should reach out to youths, regardless of their ethnic, cultural, religious, geographical or political affiliation.
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Key Words:Â Empowerment, youth, crime-free, society, Nigeria
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