The Importance of Community Service in a Nigerian Society
Community service is an act of goodwill that benefits the society at large. It is carried out by a volunteer. Although it is practiced around the world, it is not common in Nigeria. The introduction of community service in Nigeria will bring about diverse changes in many aspects of the nation. Community service is very important. It is beneficial to everyone involved in it, and also the society at which it is taking place. The benefits of community service are immense, that you could barely identify the problems associated with it. Like every other good deed it comes with disadvantages. In many high schools around the world it is mandatory to complete a certain number of community service before graduation. This pressure put on students makes them participate in the service, only because they have to and not because they want to. Community service loses its value when enforced on people. This is for the reason that community service is voluntary work “volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help a not-for-profit organization or an individual who they are not related to” (Voluntary Action Rothaham). From the definition given, volunteering is giving out time without getting anything in return (except perhaps pure satisfaction). Community service is voluntary, but if made mandatory has it not lost its purpose? Despite its importance it should not be forced, instead it should be