SOCIAL VICES

This study examines social vices in the poetry of Kola Eke’s August 1985 and other poems from a formalistic perspective, so as to show how social vices are presented in different forms. Exploring how the poet uses poetic expression, like language, stylistic
devices, structural elements to articulate, criticize these social vices prominent in Nigeria society and provoke public awareness. This study dives into the various themes, style techniques in this collection to understand its role in shaping the society and promoting social change. By focusing mainly on the collection’s formal attributes, this study seeks to show the relationship between poetic form and thematic meaning, making us understand how Eke’s work reflects societal issues.

The high rate of unemployment in Nigeria has been linked to a rise in social vices, particularly among young people. With limited opportunities for employment, many youths turn to criminal activities such as drug trafficking, fraud, kidnapping etc as a means of survival. This does not pose to the safety and security of society but hinders the country’s economic development. This study will focus on the pressures that make youths in the Nigerian society settle for social vices because of their unemployed state. It makes use of the qualitative research method to carry out textual analysis of the novels as it helps understand the view that both authors have towards Youth unemployment in the Nigerian society. Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s I Do Not Come to You by Chance and Chris Abani’s Graceland depict the psychological pressure and economic factors that makes youth settle for occupation that does not speak well of them. For instance, Kingsley in Nwaubani’s I do not come to you by chance decides to become a cyber fraud and Elvis in Abani’s Graceland engages himself in different illegal jobs. This essay does not focus on government as the cause of unemployment but reveals that Youth unemployment contributes to social vices in the Nigerian society and concludes that, if reduced, will curb vices in the Nigeria society.