Reform or Abrogate NYSC

By

Ayara Dennis Omeiza

Stden2003@yahoo.com

 

 

 

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as conceived by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) is a lofty idea. It is  worthy of its aims because the nation has just emerged from a civil war, a war that could have been averted if all the principal actors in it had a genuine love for the nation called Nigeria.

 

What more would a country that is just coming out of a self induced war need than peace and how do we achieve peace when we lack good understanding of different cultures that availes in the country?. Understanding our differences as said by the Late Northern premier is the fulcrum behind the establishment of NYSC.

 

Its establishment in 1973 can not be faulted as youths of different ethnic grouping or background transverse the nooks and crannies of this country, youths as it were are tools for peace and they are like coin with two sides. Thus, they could also be the tools for violence, so, leaders could use them (youths) to achieve whatever aim they so desire.

 

Living in a dynamic world like ours is a challenge and the earlier we realize this dynamism, the better for all of us. The idea behind the establishment of NYSC may have been eroded by the present hardship that abound in every area of our life, the lack of accommodation for corp. members in various states of the federation make a huge mockery of the whole scheme, poor sanitary situation and the lack of portable water in different orientation camps makes the whole scheme a charade and this call for reform or outright cancellation of the scheme.

 

A trip to different orientation camps is a testimony to the fact that the scheme has turned a moral burden on our leaders, in fact, discussing experiences with fellow corp members from different state shows a uniformity of feelings that the government lack ideas as to how best it could make the scheme work. Suffice to say then that abolishing it would be more meaningful to youths who are exposed to ill-treatment emanating from lack of accommodation, poor sanitary condition and harsh weather. The establishment of a governing board to me may not be the turning point the scheme needed but a genuine approach to it by those concerned is all that matters.

 

If abolishing the scheme as suggested would swell the labour market, then, the government should reform the scheme and make it more valuable and attractive to prospective corps members. It is ironical for corps members to be subjected to unpleasant situation, simply because they have to serve their father’s land. In fact, the four cardinal points of NYSC are defeated, and when the foundation of a house is destroyed, the house cannot stand and this best describes the rot in NYSC.

 

Decree 51 of 1993 by the then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babagida which made it mandatory for graduates below 30yrs to partake in the scheme is due for reform. Infact, the urgency it deserves can only be likened to the urgency in reforming the economy. While the economy is getting serious attention from government, the NYSC scheme must not suffer neglect, interestingly, there exist an inseparable link between the economy and the educated youths, the latter remain the engine room of growth and the way they (government) handle the former could bring hope or doom to a nation, Furthermore, youths with contaminated orientation or views probably from the service year could transfer such view to whatever sector they find themselves and this is the very reason why we are where we are.

 

The provision of food in camps by officials is worth mentioning with pains, the dishes are served as if corps members are in refugee camp. Infact, a state Director told her “refugees” sorry corps member that the federal government allocate one hundred and thirty naira (N130) to each corps member per day as meal allowance and that to her underscored why we eat the concoction that we eat. Even if the government gives N130 as alleged by this State Director, the Corp members are not sympathetic to her because the incidence of economic of scale would give them (camp officials) good bargains in the market. If the N130 allowance for feeding as explained by our “amiable” Director is true, then the government must wake up from their deep slumber and face the reality on ground or how can a man buy a plate of meal for N43 with the present economic situation in Nigeria today.

 

Another area that needed urgent reform is deployment to states, while it is commendable to use the scheme in achieving national unity, it would be counter productive if deployments are done without recourse to some, crucial factors such as weather, distance, culture etc.

 

Since fostering unity is one of the certain principles of the scheme, prospective Corp members from north should be deployed to southern states that are some what closer to them while those from South should enjoy similar fate. It is instructive to note that posting a man from Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri, can only be counter productive because of the long distance which kills the moral of such a person, the weather is another area worthy to be mentioned, posting a Corp member to an area without electricity, network, water supply can only increase cases of abscondment from place of primary assignment, also deploying a Corp member to an area without clinic is a mockery of the sanctity of human life.

 

Abrogating the NYSC scheme no doubt will send thousand of her staff to early grave, reforming it will in no small measure help the youths in staying alive, thus achieving national unity through constant interaction becomes a possibility.

 

 

Ayara Dennis Omeiza

Stden2003@yahoo.com