ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF GOMBE AGENCY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN REDUCING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN GOMBE STATE

Youth unemployment has been identified as a major problem in Nigeria. It exposes many youths to criminal activities like political thuggery, kidnapping, robbery and hired assassinations. This study examined the effect of Gombe State agency for social service in reducing youth unemployment in Gombe State. The rehabilitation and reorientation programme, which is one of the core mandates of Gombe State Agency for Social Service(GSASS)was a deliberate government attempt which was designed to empower the youths and reduce the menace of ‘Kalare’ thuggery in the state. System theory was employed as a theoretical guide for the study; the study utilized both primary and secondary sources of data with 354 respondents constituting the sample size used for analysis. The findings revealed that GSASS has recorded a mixed bag of some successes and continuing challenges. It is recommended that the recruitment in to the programme should be annually so as to provide opportunity for more unemployed youths in the state to be absorbed.