Youth Empowerment and Crime Reduction in Selected Communities in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria

The Study Youth Empowerment and Crime Reduction in Nsukka local government of Enugu state was undertaken to examine among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu model developed by Chinman and Linney (1998) was adopted to advance the understanding of the impact of empowerment schemes on adolescent development. A Descriptive and survey design was adopted to study the population Nsukka local government Area. The sample size of The findings of the study revealed that acquisition business to the youth by the government OF Enugu state helped in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu The study recommended that and Nsukka LGA should scale up their effort at the acquisition to the youths. Government should further strengthen their effort in providing loans and other credit facilities to the youth wh reduce crime perpetuated by the youths


Introduction
Youths according to the United Nations Organization are those between the ages of 18 (UN, 2015). Nigeria's National Youth Development Policy (2001), defines the youth as a person within the age bracket 18 years to 35 years who are .Globally, youth occupy a prominent place in the development of any given human society. They have in numerous ways contributed to sustenance and destruction of societal values and principles.Onyekpe (2017), held defines the pace of development and security of a nation. Through their innovative skills and physical strength, nations across the globe have made giant strides in socio economic development (Ukwayi and Okpa, 2017). The above assertion acknowledges the role of the youths not only in the economic development, but also in maintenance of peace, tranquility, and security of a nation. As the most active segment of any society, youth a determinants of peace and stability of a nation (Sulaiman, 2016).
Conversely, the degree of disorderliness and instability in any society is also determined in part by youth. A significant proportion of youths are involved in criminal activit 2019). Crime is any act regarded as illegal and threatens peace and unity of a given society (Oriola, 2019). According to National Bureau of Statistics (2020), over 50% of the crime committed between 2000-2019 in Nigeria was perpetrated by yo 252 crime out of the 379 crime recorded between 2015 the ages of 20 to 30 years (NBS, 2020).
kidnapping, armed robbery, destitution, distort economic activities, peace in society and sap substantial government revenue in tackling the insecurity (Okoye, 2019). unemployment and lack of skills, Nwokocha (2019) maintains that a sincere approach to crime control requires a pragmatic approach that will supports youth empowerment programmes that would make the poor, unemployed and underemployed to become self Conversely, the degree of disorderliness and instability in any society is also determined in part by youth. A significant proportion of youths are involved in criminal activit 2019). Crime is any act regarded as illegal and threatens peace and unity of a given society (Oriola, 2019). According to National Bureau of Statistics (2020), over 50% of the crime 2019 in Nigeria was perpetrated by youths. In Enugu State, a total of 252 crime out of the 379 crime recorded between 2015-2019 were committed by those between the ages of 20 to 30 years (NBS, 2020). These crimes ranging from internet and other frauds, kidnapping, armed robbery, destitution, prostitution, terrorism, political thuggery, among others distort economic activities, peace in society and sap substantial government revenue in tackling the insecurity (Okoye, 2019). Acknowledging that youth criminality is triggered by ack of skills, Nwokocha (2019) maintains that a sincere approach to crime control requires a pragmatic approach that will supports youth empowerment programmes that would make the poor, unemployed and underemployed to become self-reliant. painting, solar inverter installation and maintenance, wallpaper installation, POP installation and wall screeding, and concrete construction work (Onusi, 2021).
The state government also established at Enugu City and Obollo Afor, the Enugu State Government The hub targets to create more than 1,500 small scale tech businesses in the region; employing more than 10,000 youths within the short space of time. The services to be rendered at the Tech Hub centres for the benefit of the people of Enugu State, especially the youth, include computer training programmes, solar skills acquisition training, computer coding, web site designs, graphic designs, confectio hands-on technical skills training, among others (Ude, 2020). In July 2020, The government launched e-YES (Enugu Youth Empowerment Scheme) as an initiative of the Enugu SME  (Eze, 2020). The trainees are also sensitized on key issues including the core mandate of the WYEP programme, Guidelines on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and intensive residency training programme is designed to equip the beneficiaries with relevant skills along their value chains of choice, with the ultimate aim of increasing production, enhancing productivity and value hains, and to foster job creation and livelihood improvement. (2) What is the relationship between funding business for youth and crime control in rural communities in Nsukka Communit

Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of the study is to examine the relationship between empowerment and crime reduction in selected communities in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The specific objective of the study include; (1)To examine the relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
(2) To establish the relationship between funding business for the youth and crime control in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. To what extent has skills acquisition reduce crime rate among youths in rural communities in Nsukka Communities of Enugu State?
(2) What is the relationship between funding business for youth and crime control in rural communities in Nsukka Communities of Enugu State?
The broad objective of the study is to examine the relationship between empowerment and crime reduction in selected communities in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The specific objective of the study include; To examine the relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths (2) To establish the relationship between funding business for the youth and crime control in P a g e | 552 To what extent has skills acquisition reduce crime rate among youths in rural communities in (2) What is the relationship between funding business for youth and crime control in rural The broad objective of the study is to examine the relationship between youth empowerment and crime reduction in selected communities in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The To examine the relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths (2) To establish the relationship between funding business for the youth and crime control in

Review of Related Literature
The Concept of Youth There are many usages of youth; however, frame of differing sociological perspectives, which could also depend on cultural contexts. For instance, in some African cultures, one would remain a youth until one is married and/or has a paid job to meet personal and extended family responsibilities, or is able to move out of the family house (YIAGA Africa, 2019).
However, in terms of more formal institutional definitions, for the purposes of regional This study is guided by the following hypothetical statements; : There is no significant relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
There is a significant relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
: There is no significant relationship between funding business for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
There is a significant relationship between funding business for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
There are many usages of youth; however, the concept of 'youth' is defined within the frame of differing sociological perspectives, which could also depend on cultural contexts. For instance, in some African cultures, one would remain a youth until one is married and/or has a sonal and extended family responsibilities, or is able to move out of the family house (YIAGA Africa, 2019).
However, in terms of more formal institutional definitions, for the purposes of regional making and planning, a more age-based definition has been considered, even though some are overlapping. For the United Nations, Youth are persons between the ages of 15 also recognizes that this varies without prejudice to other age groups ted by member states such as 18-30. A useful distinction within the UN itself can be made between teenagers (i.e. those between the ages of 13 and 17) and young adults (those between the ages of 18 and 32). While seeking to impose some uniformity on statistical approaches, the UN itself is aware of contradictions between approaches in its own statutes (Edike, 2016 right from time are notable to be change agents and drivers of societal transformation (Dede, 2019).
Youths have constituted the most significant subcategory of growth in the Nigerian demography, since the early decades of the twentieth century. They have consistently accounted for over 40 per cent of the entire population, which points to one of the largest youth bulges in the world, in relation to other segments of the general population (Dede, 2019).
numbers ought to be a source of huge demographic dividend, from the productivity capable of being unleashed by a greater youth population engaged in economic activities, growing the country's gross domestic product (GDP), and enhancing human developmen conversely, the rise of unfortunate anti increasing activities of youths has shown that this demographic bulge could not necessarily be an essential asset to society (Omoju and Abraha Data on youth employment in Nigeria are scarce due to under resourced agencies responsible for their collection. In 2012, 11.1million unemployed. In a recent report by Bloomberg, it was revealed that as at Unemployment rate has increased to 33.3% making it the second highest on the global list of unemployed countries monitored by Bloomberg (Blomberg, 2021). The Nigeria employment rate has increased drastically over the last five years because the country has been through two different recessions and this has cast a shadow of gloom on the economic policies implemented by the President Mu numbers ought to be a source of huge demographic dividend, from the productivity capable of being unleashed by a greater youth population engaged in economic activities, growing the country's gross domestic product (GDP), and enhancing human development as a whole. Yet, conversely, the rise of unfortunate anti-social behaviours and adverse manifestations from the increasing activities of youths has shown that this demographic bulge could not necessarily be an essential asset to society (Omoju and Abraham, 2020).
Data on youth employment in Nigeria are scarce due to under resourced agencies responsible for their collection. In 2012, 11.1million ] youths in Nigeria were believed unemployed. In a recent report by Bloomberg, it was revealed that as at March Unemployment rate has increased to 33.3% making it the second highest on the global list of unemployed countries monitored by Bloomberg (Blomberg, 2021). The report also revealed that Nigeria employment rate has increased drastically over the last five years because the country has been through two different recessions and this has cast a shadow of gloom on the economic policies implemented by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Due to some main rural-urban migration, rapid population growth, low standard of education, the rapid expansion of the educational system, lack of steady and sustainable . Nigeria youths constitute 64 percentages of unemployed Nigerians. There is high rate of unemployment which in turns caused insecurity or crime, rising poverty rate and The foregoing reveal that youth is the time of life when one is young, and often means and adulthood (maturity). Youth is an experience that may shape an individual's level of dependency, which can be marked in various ways according to different perspectives. For certain uses, such as employment statistics, the term also sometimes P a g e | 555

The Concept of Empowerment
According to , empowerment is defined as the activity of teaching, educating, training, imparting knowledge and skills to the youths both within th education system to enable them fully participate in the development of society. He further held that when such empowerments target the youth s it will give the young people the privilege to take charge of their lives. The empowerment action in order to improve their access to resources to become self according to Salami (2013), is a means of assisting people to overcome obstacles which might prevent them from achieving their potentials in life. He further asserts that the need to empower the people arises from the inability to actualize their dreams and reach their greatest potential due to artificial barriers created by either individuals or groups in the society.
being denied of employment through sale of job positions, inability to attend school because of high low cost among others. Therefore empowerment is often made to tackle the aforementioned problems.
In a related development, Indab process of enhancing feelings of self removal of conditions that reinforce powerlessness. The authors further explain that empowerment has to do with the terms of being well informed and equipped with regards to education and finance. For (2017), youth empowerment is the process whereby young people gain the ability and authority to make informed decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people. It is a means of encouraging youths to achieve reputable economic status for themselves and also to make great impact in their society. It help the youth to identi their potentials, develop confidence and self accountability and imbibe in youth the eagerness to create a change for their socio well being. The benefits of empowerment also i According to , empowerment is defined as the activity of teaching, educating, training, imparting knowledge and skills to the youths both within the formal and informal education system to enable them fully participate in the development of society. He further held that when such empowerments target the youth s it will give the young people the privilege to take charge of their lives. The empowerment examines their unemployment status and then takes action in order to improve their access to resources to become self-reliant. Empowerment according to Salami (2013), is a means of assisting people to overcome obstacles which might ving their potentials in life. He further asserts that the need to empower the people arises from the inability to actualize their dreams and reach their greatest potential due to artificial barriers created by either individuals or groups in the society. These barriers include being denied of employment through sale of job positions, inability to attend school because of high low cost among others. Therefore empowerment is often made to tackle the aforementioned In a related development, Indabawa and Mpofu (2014), defines empowerment as a process of enhancing feelings of self -efficiency in communities through identification and removal of conditions that reinforce powerlessness. The authors further explain that empowerment has to do with the ability of people to take an effective control of their lives in terms of being well informed and equipped with regards to education and finance. For is the process whereby young people gain the ability and authority ke informed decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other . It is a means of encouraging youths to achieve reputable economic status for themselves and also to make great impact in their society. It help the youth to identify, utilize and maximise their potentials, develop confidence and self-identity, encourage them to grow together in accountability and imbibe in youth the eagerness to create a change for their socio well being. The benefits of empowerment also include reduction of the level of ignorance and P a g e | 556 Copy Right: © Author (s) refers to a specific erson's life, unlike youth which is a According to , empowerment is defined as the activity of teaching, educating, e formal and informal education system to enable them fully participate in the development of society. He further held that when such empowerments target the youth s it will give the young people the privilege to examines their unemployment status and then takes reliant. Empowerment according to Salami (2013), is a means of assisting people to overcome obstacles which might ving their potentials in life. He further asserts that the need to empower the people arises from the inability to actualize their dreams and reach their greatest potential due  crime among young people, serves as an opportunity for the youth to develop their skills and talents which they use to add economic value to the society ( helps young people to be responsible, self reliant and to invest in their future. In his own contribution, Curtin (2014), states that there is a general consensus that empowerment programmes will lead to increased capacity of people to have control over relevant skills, intellectual resources and ideology. It also help them obtain physical necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter, employment, equality, participation in government, political and economic independence, adequate education, sustainable development and peacekeeping (Curtin, 2014). In other words, it is an intervention that regularly involves young people as partners and participants in the decision making process that d

Meaning of Crime reduction or control
A crime is an offence that merits community condemnation and punishment, usually by way of fine or imprisonment. This is against an individual that requires compensation or restitution crime refers to those social vices that area committed by people within or outside their area.
Author added that it is an act done by a person who is  (Curtin, 2014). In other words, it is an intervention that regularly involves young

Meaning of Crime reduction or control
an offence that merits community condemnation and punishment, usually by . This is different from a civil wrong (a tort), which is an action against an individual that requires compensation or restitution. According to Shinde (2017), crime refers to those social vices that area committed by people within or outside their area.
r added that it is an act done by a person who is against the laws of a country P a g e | 557  (Curtin, 2014). In other words, it is an intervention that regularly involves young Internationally, Nigeria is infamous for a form of bank fraud dubbed of advance-fee scam (named after Section 419 of the Nigerian Penal Code) along with the "Nigerian scam", a form of confidence trick (Nkem, 2018). These scams involve a complicit Nigerian bank (the laws being set allow it) and a scammer who claims to have money he needs to obtain from that bank (Mabh, 2018). The victim is talked into exchanging bank account information on the premise that the money will be transferred to them and they will get to kee instead, and/or large fees (which seem small in comparison with the imaginary wealth to be infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Each criminal offense is differentiated by the severity of the crime committed which determines its classification. Onoge (2018), explains that Nigeria is home to a substantial network of organized crime drug trafficking, shipping heroin from Asian countries to Europe and from South America to Europe and South Africa. Var or student "campus cults" are active in both organized crime and in political violence as well as providing a network of corruption within Nigeria (Ebigbo, 2013).
In lower levels of society, there are the "area boys", organized gangs mostly active in allow it) and a scammer who claims to have money he needs to obtain from that bank (Mabh, 2018). The victim is talked into exchanging bank account information on the premise that the money will be transferred to them and they will get to keep a cut. In reality, money is taken out instead, and/or large fees (which seem small in comparison with the imaginary wealth to be Nigeria has been attributed to unemployment. Crime is a threat to the economic, political and social security of a nation and a major factor associated with underdevelopment; because it discourages both local and foreign investments, reduces the quality of life, destroys human and social capital, d between citizens and the states, thus undermining democracy, rule of law and the ability of the country to promote development Furthermore, Ekott (2019) states that organized Armed Violence in Nigeria is mostly perpetrated by youths due caused by mass poverty and unemployment. Unemployment problem, which now seems beyond remedy, has produced army of idle hands and some of them have decided to punish the society that fails to provide them with means of li property at gunpoint.
Okafor (2020), adds that unemployed youths are disproportionately more likely to be perpetrators, as well as victims of crime and violence. The growing gap between the rich and poor affects the society through increased violence. The self employed are in quandary as scant infrastructure makes it impossible for them to ply their trade. This is exacerbated by political corruption, poverty, poor governance, increasing population, and l implementation to some extent encouraged criminal groups to thrive across Nigeria. June 2010), dropping to ₦200 million and then ₦50 million before he was released without a ransom being paid because of the refusal of the government to negotiate with the kidnappers (Ogbodo, 2020). Much of the crime in Enugu Nigeria has been attributed to unemployment.
Crime is a threat to the economic, political and social security of a nation and a major factor associated with underdevelopment; because it discourages both local and foreign investments, reduces the quality of life, destroys human and social capital, damages relationship between citizens and the states, thus undermining democracy, rule of law and the ability of the country to promote development Furthermore, Ekott (2019) states that organized Armed Violence in Nigeria is mostly perpetrated by youths due to disenchantment and frustration caused by mass poverty and unemployment. Unemployment problem, which now seems beyond remedy, has produced army of idle hands and some of them have decided to punish the society that fails to provide them with means of livelihood and dignity by robbing its members of their Okafor (2020), adds that unemployed youths are disproportionately more likely to be perpetrators, as well as victims of crime and violence. The growing gap between the rich and r affects the society through increased violence. The self employed are in quandary as scant infrastructure makes it impossible for them to ply their trade. This is exacerbated by political corruption, poverty, poor governance, increasing population, and lack of policy initiatives and implementation to some extent encouraged criminal groups to thrive across Nigeria.   (2021), opined that the various scheme will drastically reduce unemployment and crime rate. He however stated that this is possible and if other challenges such as politicization, diversion of fund for the project and mismanagement did not set in. he therefore advised that government should put in place adequate mechanism and ensure scheme.

Skills Acquisition and Crime Reduction
Empowerment of youths especially the unemployed ones is expected to take off their mind from ideas that poses threat to the society. Sk schemes and programmes expose beneficiaries to technical known that is acquired through on the job training. This in turn prepares the ground for those who completed the skill learning to s and even grow to empower others. In this way, more jobs are created and unemployed persons stand the chance of working.
Samuel (2019) (2021), opined that the various scheme will drastically reduce unemployment and crime rate. He however stated that this is possible if subsequent administration will sustain the scheme and if other challenges such as politicization, diversion of fund for the project and mismanagement did not set in. he therefore advised that government should put in place adequate mechanism and ensure institutional efficiency in order to actualize the targets of the

Skills Acquisition and Crime Reduction
Empowerment of youths especially the unemployed ones is expected to take off their mind from ideas that poses threat to the society. Skill acquisition is one such empowerment scheme. Skills acquisition schemes and programmes expose beneficiaries to technical known that is acquired through on the job training. This in turn prepares the ground for those who completed the skill learning to start similar ventures and even grow to empower others. In this way, more jobs are created and unemployed persons stand the Onusi (2021)  Aniago (2021), notes that the act of giving students local and foreign studies is a prerequisite for attaining a buoyant economy. He added that most youths have good initiatives to become self reliant after education but often times lack the money to go to school. He specifically stated that in a situation whereby employers of labour demand education certificates for conditions for employment calls for government support for students' education. This may be true but if the government do not divert such intentions to thei or even children thereby neglecting the greater number of aspiring youths who already have good motives of transforming their education skill to practical job.

Theoretical Framework
The Adolescent Empowerment Cycle (AEC) is a model developed by Chinman and Linney (1998) to advance the understanding of the impact of empowerment schemes on adolescent development. The model is help to avert or mitigate some of the social hitches facing contemporary societies. According to the proponents of AEC, the empowerment scheme can function as a preventive intervention to a number of problematic behaviours unveiled by adolescents as a result of identity crisis and formation as well as role (Amoke, 2018). Furthermore, the AEC model is a derivative of developmental and social control theories. It postulates that the empowerment programme is vital tool in the promotion of a positive, socially acceptable development process through adolescence and social bonding. This implies that engaging adolescents in varying social, economic and political activities will reduce the extent to which they g social vices.
The introduction of empowerment schemes in contemporary Nigerian society is stimulated by the dire need for a lasting solution to the problem of unemployment and its concomitant social vices. The manifestation of youth Nigeria led to the establishment of numerous schemes which are geared towards engaging unemployed youths in different socio management, fire service, solid waste m particular consciousness that when youths participate in these positive activities; the issue of identity crisis and formation, as well as the lack of meaningful roles that influence youth involvement in negative behaviours will be resolved (Onusi, 2021). More so, development experts strongly believed that engaging the youths in varying empowerment programmes and initiatives will enable them to learn new skills, ways and manners in which they can cont meaningfully to the development process and social bond. It is in this direction that this study investigates youth empowerment initiative as a means to overcoming crime through the engagement of youths within their empowerment cycle.  (Amoke, 2018). Furthermore, the AEC model is a derivative of developmental and social control theories. It postulates that the empowerment programme is vital tool in the promotion of a positive, socially acceptable development process through adolescence and social bonding. This implies that engaging adolescents in varying social, economic and political activities will reduce the extent to which they get involved in negative

Methodology
The introduction of empowerment schemes in contemporary Nigerian society is stimulated by the dire need for a lasting solution to the problem of unemployment and its concomitant social vices. The manifestation of youth unemployment challenges in Enugu State, Nigeria led to the establishment of numerous schemes which are geared towards engaging unemployed youths in different socio-economic activities and roles (ranging from traffic management, fire service, solid waste management, information, and orientation). This is with a particular consciousness that when youths participate in these positive activities; the issue of identity crisis and formation, as well as the lack of meaningful roles that influence youth t in negative behaviours will be resolved (Onusi, 2021). More so, development experts strongly believed that engaging the youths in varying empowerment programmes and initiatives will enable them to learn new skills, ways and manners in which they can cont meaningfully to the development process and social bond. It is in this direction that this study investigates youth empowerment initiative as a means to overcoming crime through the engagement of youths within their empowerment cycle. This study adopted a descriptive and survey design that employed the used of questionnaire in generating data from the study population.
The population of the study comprises youths in three communities in Nsukka Local Government Area. The selected communi According to the Ugwu (2021), the total number of youths from the selected communities is 5685. This study adopted a descriptive and survey design that employed the used of questionnaire in generating data from the study population.
The population of the study comprises youths in three communities in Nsukka Local Government Area. The selected communities include Ede-oballa, Obukpa and Opi According to the Ugwu (2021), the total number of youths from the selected communities is The study used simple random sampling technique to sample a population of 5 youths. The ermined using the Taro Yameni formular below, e = level of significant or degree of freedom 0.05 Therefore the sample size is 374.
technique was employed to choose the respondents from the P a g e | 567 Copy Right: © Author (s) This study adopted a descriptive and survey design that employed the used of questionnaire in The population of the study comprises youths in three communities in Nsukka Local oballa, Obukpa and Opi -Agu.
According to the Ugwu (2021) : There is no significant relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
There is a significant relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State ) method of analysis was used from the contingency To compute the degree of freedom (df) or critical value (r Where R = 5 C = 2 Therefore df= (5-1) (2-1) = 4 x 1 df Critical value of X 2 at 4 d.f is 9.488 Therefore since the tabulated value of x (270.48) is greater than the critical value 9.488, the null hypothesis which stated that acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu St Therefore, it is concluded that provisoin of skills acquisition programmes has led to crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State

Test of Hypothesis Two
H 0 : There is no significant relationship between among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. H A: There is a significant relationship between among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State The chi-square (X 2 ) method of analysis percentage. The formular for chi-X 2 = ∑(oi-ei) ei Where: X 2 = calculated chi-square value ∑ = is summation Oi= observed frequency Ei = expected frequency The error of acceptance is 0.05 (5%) There is a significant relationship between among the youths of To compute the degree of freedom (df) or critical value (r-1) (c-1) Cell x row = (C at 4 d.f is 9.488 Therefore since the tabulated value of x (270.48) is greater than the critical value 9.488, the null hypothesis which stated that there is no significant relationship between acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu St Therefore, it is concluded that provisoin of skills acquisition programmes has led to crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State : There is no significant relationship between funding business for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
There is a significant relationship between funding business for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State ) method of analysis was used from the contingency table drawn from the -square is given as square value The error of acceptance is 0.05 (5%) There is a significant relationship between funding business for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Expected Frequency (E) = 318 = 63 5 P a g e | 569 Copy Right: © Author (s) 1) Cell x row = (C-1) (R-1) Therefore since the tabulated value of x (270.48) is greater than the critical value 9.488, there is no significant relationship between skills acquisition and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State is rejected. Therefore, it is concluded that provisoin of skills acquisition programmes has led to crime youth and crime reduction funding business for youth and crime reduction was used from the contingency table drawn from the funding business for youth and crime reduction

Total
To compute the degree of freedom (df) or critical value (r Where R = 5 C = 2 Therefore df = (5-1) (2-1) = 4 x 1 df Critical value of X 2 at 4d.f is 9.488 Therefore, since the tabulated value of x (107.41) is greater than the critical value 9.488, the null hypothesis which says that for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State is rejected while alternate hypothesis is accepted.Therefore helped in crime reduction among the youths of N

Findings
The major findings of this study include; (1). Provision of skills acquisition led to crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The engagement of the youths in various learning programmes drew many from roaming the street to acquire skills and technical knowhow that help t employed upon graduation (2) Provision of fund for business helped in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The fund helps ventures thereby taking away their mind from crime.

107.41
To compute the degree of freedom (df) or critical value (r-1) (c-1) Cell x row = (C at 4d.f is 9.488 since the tabulated value of x (107.41) is greater than the critical value 9.488, the null hypothesis which says that There is no significant relationship between for youth and crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State is rejected while alternate hypothesis is accepted.Therefore, it is concluded that provision of fund for business helped in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
The major findings of this study include; n of skills acquisition led to crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The engagement of the youths in various learning programmes drew many from roaming the street to acquire skills and technical knowhow that help t (2) Provision of fund for business helped in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA the previously unemployed youths to be engaged in economic ventures thereby taking away their mind from crime.

Conclusion
This study has shown that empowerment scheme for youths be it in education or in businesses contributes immensely to crime criminal activities are either the jobless or drop out from school. Therefore, youth development programmes that target youth empowerment is considered as an antidote to criminal activities in our society. The findings is also a pointer that Nigeria government need to look towards empowerment of youths through skill a and offering of scholarship scheme as significant approach to crime reduction in Niger

Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: (1). Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should scale up their effort at provision of skills acquisition to youth so as to reduce crime perpetuated by youths State.
(2) Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should sustain their efforts for provision of fund for business since it helps in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
(3) Government of Enugu State an through scholarship scheme as it has proven to aid in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. This study has shown that empowerment scheme for youths be it in education or in businesses contributes immensely to crime reduction. It is a known fact that most youths who criminal activities are either the jobless or drop out from school. Therefore, youth development programmes that target youth empowerment is considered as an antidote to criminal activities in . The findings is also a pointer that Nigeria government need to look towards empowerment of youths through skill acquisition programme, provision of fund for businesses and offering of scholarship scheme as significant approach to crime reduction in Niger Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: (1). Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should scale up their effort at provision of skills acquisition to youth so as to reduce crime perpetuated by youths in Nsukka LGA of Enugu (2) Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should sustain their efforts for provision of fund for business since it helps in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu (3) Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should continue to empower the youths through scholarship scheme as it has proven to aid in crime reduction among the youths of P a g e | 571 Copy Right: © Author (s) (3) Scholarship scheme aided in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu

engage in criminal
This study has shown that empowerment scheme for youths be it in education or in businesses . It is a known fact that most youths who engage in criminal activities are either the jobless or drop out from school. Therefore, youth development programmes that target youth empowerment is considered as an antidote to criminal activities in . The findings is also a pointer that Nigeria government need to look towards n of fund for businesses and offering of scholarship scheme as significant approach to crime reduction in Nigeria.
(1). Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should scale up their effort at provision of in Nsukka LGA of Enugu (2) Government of Enugu State and Nsukka LGA should sustain their efforts for provision of fund for business since it helps in crime reduction among the youths of Nsukka LGA of Enugu d Nsukka LGA should continue to empower the youths through scholarship scheme as it has proven to aid in crime reduction among the youths of