THE RELIGIOUS ROLES ON YOUTH FORMATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The study focused basically on ascertaining the roles of religion on youth formation in national development. There has been an ongoing debate on the assertion that religion has any role to play in formation of positive attitude amongst youths needed for national development. The continent of Africa is facing great increase in social vices and poor level of development, and Nigeria is not left out. This is evident in her educational, social and economic deterioration. This paper sought to discover the reason for the deterioration and sketch the role religion has played in the formation of positive virtues for national development of Nigeria to ameliorate her state. Qualitative and descriptive method of inquiry was used in this study and it was discovered that lack of adherence to stipulated norms promulgated by religious organization has resulted in increased in social vices, mono economy, corruption, religious intolerance and lack of good governance which has contributed largely to underdevelopment. It also found out that religious groups have played starring roles in national growth through the provision of schools, hospitals, micro loans in partnership with directorate of rural farmers, inculcating morals through teaching in religious and political assemblies for national growth. The article recommends among others an improved partnership of the government arm and the different religions.
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