Aside from sporting activities like soccer, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is arguably the most symbolic of Nigeria’s unity today. Sadly, most of the sensitive institutions that should entrench the cause of a united Nigeria have fallen flat in the face of tribal and religious sentiments.
Therefore, it was a huge surprise when a member of the House of Representatives about a fortnight ago came up with a Bill to make the NYSC scheme optional.
Thankfully, the Bill didn’t pass for a second reading. It was stepped down for further legislative consultation. But, before the proponents of this Bill repackage same and reintroduce it for whatever reasons they have, let me warn against the devastating effect of bastardising the intent and purpose of the NYSC scheme under whatever guise.
My friend, who is now a building contractor served in a remote local government area of Anambra State between the years 2010 and 2011. He now feels more comfortable doing business with the Igbo people, his usual language is “It is very good to do business with Igbo people, they will always factor in your interest, even if your clients got the best deal with them already.”
When I inquired about the source of his confidence, he said: “I served in Anambra, and I understand them better through that opportunity, they are mostly misunderstood, yet they are the best business partners anyone can have.”
As common as the above story may seem, that is likely the experience of everyone who genuinely and truthfully participated in the NYSC scheme, including this writer.
But to my dismay, a member of the House from Delta State, Rolland Igbakpa, sponsored and argued a Bill seeking to make NYSC optional for graduates.
The proposal by Mr Igbakpa seeks to amend Section 2 of the principal Act of the scheme, to remove the word “shall” and replace it with “may” to allow the hitherto mandatory national service to become optional.
“Subject to the provisions of this Decree, every Nigerian shall—if, at the end of the academic year 1972-73 or, as the case may be, at the end of any subsequent academic year, he shall have graduated at any university in Nigeria,” Section 2(1) of the principal Act reads.
The proposed amendment provides that an exemption letter should be given to any graduate that applies for it.
“Provided that any category of Nigerians who have applied to the Directorate to be exempted from the Service shall be exempted forthwith and shall not be bound by any provisions of this Act that may affect his rights as a citizen of Nigeria,” the proposed amendment reads.
Although, another part of the Bill seeks to address the remuneration package of Corps members in line with present economic realities, however, the major component of the proposed legislation, which seeks to make the scheme optional raised eyebrows.
“With changing times, I believe that the activities should not be compulsory. In this amendment, we are proposing the use of the word “shall”, and bring in “may” hence make it optional for them,” the lawmaker said.
But as offensive as that part of the bill is, it was wrapped with some attractive clauses, hence the baby should not be thrown away with the bath water. One of them is part of the Bill which proposes that Corps members at the orientation camps that are desirous of joining the military and paramilitary must get automatic employment.
“While in the orientation camp, any Corps member who is desirous to be employed into the Service of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security Services, and Paramilitary Institutions should be offered automatic employment,” the proposed amendment reads.
I may not have great ideas on how to improve the NYSC scheme, but I know how not to destroy the laudable efforts of the scheme towards integration and national cohesion. The lawmakers should rather devise means to strengthen the NYSC Act to ensure that manipulations in the mobilisation of Corps members are reduced to the barest minimum.
While I understand that the incessant breach of security is a great factor in all these, nevertheless, I have not discovered any part of the country where insecurity is targeted at Corps members alone.
I insist, making NYSC optional for graduates will only make nonsense of the scheme.
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