NYSC; TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

Any nation that does not invest in it younger generation may inadvertently be heading on the pathway to perdition.  The relevance of the National Youth Service Corps which came into existence as a child of necessity to act as a healing balm in soothing the pains of the aftermath of the civil war cannot be overemphasized.  Since youth is said to be a period of credulity, the scheme became one of the optimal means through which the then military government of Yakubu Gowon aimed at achieving national integration among Nigerians.

                          

The early stage of the NYSC was glorious. It was the time one feels proud donning the uniform with glee. Then it was a delight, not a burden to serve the father land.  Then there was honour in being called “government pikin” and corps members were kings in their host communities as people hover to shower hospitality on these sojourners on national duty. But now, the story has changed, things have taken a turn in a sour direction so much so that the scheme now seems to be achieving its objectives in the reverse.

Recently, the Lagos state House of Assembly asked officials of the scheme to redeploy indigenes of the state posted to volatile states in the north.  Some other states have also followed suit.  Likewise, parents and guardians have expressed worries and concern over the safety of their wards. The gruesome killing of corps members in Jos and Bauchi state left wounds that are yet to heal in the hearts of those affected. The wanton penchant for blood by the deadly boko haram group whose “western education is a sin” ideology has made participants of the scheme a prey is another factor militating against the continued existence of the scheme. Consequently, we are witnessing the reversal of a scheme whose objective is the “encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity.

There have been calls from different quarters for the eradication of the NYSC on the ground that it has outlived its relevance. Even participants see the scheme as a waste of time and energy.

Though the resentments that have greeted the scheme in recent times seem justified, nevertheless it does not still warrant that  the NYSC should be scrapped.  Our fathers say that the antidote to an aching head does not lie in annihilation. In this case, we should not throw the baby away with the bathe water. It is on this ground that I will advocate for a continuation of the NYSC even against the odds that have been mentioned earlier.  

In canvassing for the continued existence of the scheme, I will like to advocate that modifications should be made as regarding the scheme.  Taking a critical lens into the issue of corruption is a means toward achieving this end. We have been told that NYSC gulps over N70 billion per annum. What is the evidence to show for this? Is it in the low quality uniform and substandard kits procured from Chinese and Indian firms which do not last beyond the 3 weeks of the orientation period? Corruption is an ant that eats deeps into the fabrics of the society. Drastic actions ought to be taken in exposing corrupt practices in the scheme in order to ensure efficiency.

In recent times, we have seen the proclivity of most state governments and even private bodies to patronize this scheme through the exploitations of participants. Some institutions that are reluctant at training staffs to meet their organizations needs rely on NYSC for cheap labour. This is also an act that should be checked and stopped.

Scrapping the NYSC scheme is not an option at the moment if we do not want the rate of distrust among Nigerians to worsen.  At a time like this, our response should be at addressing the problems that have bedeviled the scheme.  A way of doing this is to address the issue of leadership and how the scheme operates. Important positions such as that of the DG’s should not be allotted to soldiers who are only adept at regimentation and indoctrination but progressives who will act as social engineers.

Everyman is the architect of his own misfortune. We should not dwell on the hindrance of today but rather keep an eye on the future by working towards returning the scheme to the lofty ideas and ideals for which it was set up 40 years ago.  This will help in ensuring that the need for inculcating discipline in the youths, raising their moral tone, removing prejudice, eliminating ignorance and developing a sense of corporate existence and common destiny for Nigeria (another objective of the scheme) is achieved. God bless Nigeria!