Don’t scrap NYSC
As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) clock 43, is it old enough to be called a scrap? Or is the scheme just a scam on Nigerians? Has it achieve its objective of reconstructing, reconciling and rebuilding the country after the civil war? Or has it only created more discord amongst Nigerians? Even with the […]
As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) clock 43, is it old enough to be called a scrap? Or is the scheme just a scam on Nigerians? Has it achieve its objective of reconstructing, reconciling and rebuilding the country after the civil war? Or has it only created more discord amongst Nigerians?
Even with the challenges facing the scheme, so many changes have been introduced to ease the stresses graduates go through. Even as in some places, corps members are ravaged, in some they are really revered. Innovative ideas such as the online printing of call up and posting letters, selection of three choice states outside one’s geopolitical zone, Introduction of biometric screening in some states and many more are some sources of ease. But the reduction in the number of batches and the overwhelming number of graduates stretching the scheme’s fund, more apparent with the number of postponements this year are two issues to reckon with. But are they enough justifications for abolishing the scheme?
One of the most circulated rumour before the 2015 elections was the intention of the incumbent president to abolish NYSC and dole out some half a million naira to every graduate. This leads to asking if that really helped in getting the president more votes from students. It was the sweetest story to tell a graduate preparing to go for NYSC in 2015. But Alas! The president sent some high voltage shock down our spines by pledging to continue with the scheme. In reality, the whole proposal of scraping NYSC is more sensitive than most people think. Do those people advocating for it abolishment have a different and better model to foster unity across the nation? Or are they indirectly seeking for secession? I guess from the graduates, it’s more of the euphoria and eagerness to jump into the money making market (labour market) that shroud there judgement.
The short period between printing my call up letter and traveling to camp seems longer than usual. I thought time was on a pause mode. The fear griping my heart was tantamount to approaching a traitorous dictator. The fear of been under control and command from commandant covered in kaki was a cause for confusion. The story of soldiers subjecting someone to stand under the scorching sun was soul scratching. I heard the exercises where extremely exhausting. All I told myself was to be patient. For the pain in partaking in such patriotic path is pleasant. At the end, the camp was more of a fulfilment than a fear. Even though attacks, silly and provocative questions were hauled at me because of the part of Nigeria I came from, it was the least thing not to expect from an ethnic jingoist. Constructively and convincingly countering those criticism became a necessity that earned me through elections the public relation officer of the room of almost fifty (50) Nigerians of different background. Alongside me, an Igbo was elected as the head of the room, a Hausa his personal assistant (PA) and a chief security officer (CSO). A group photograph and a small party ensued to celebrate the peaceful coexistence.
For Nigerians to fully harness the objectives of the scheme of instilling discipline, loyal service, moral toning, developing attitude of mind, spirit of self-reliance, creating common ties among Nigerian youths, promoting national unity and integration, removing prejudice and ignorance and eschewing religious intolerance, they will have to be willing in the first place.
The low number of Nigerians going through the scheme compared to her population, the unwillingness to integrate and the challenges facing the scheme might be some of the reasons why it looks defeated in fostering unity. But not enough reason to call for it scraping.
Yahaya Idris, Abuja, [email protected]