PRESERVATION of a significant national tool for peace-building, understanding, security, national integration development and future leadership is something that all must take seriously. This is why many discerning Nigerians find it very disturbing that some members of the national Assembly could raise a motion, calling for the scrapping of the NYSC at a period the scheme is most needed.
No lover of peace, unity and continued development of this country will want this to happen. The NYSC is a vital national tool of integration, and it provides the foundation of national consciousness and identity, and access to leadership and entrepreneurship training as well.
Arguably The TELESCOPE Magazine suspects that some elements in the House of Representatives are scheming to cancel this vital tool, so that they can divert the funds meant for the scheme for their own selfish use. Then how will Nigerian youth have a sense of national belonging? This is evil! It is an agenda of the devil!
The NYSC underpins Nigeria’s philosophy and ideology of tolerance, accommodation, national integration and mutual understanding. The ideology centres on national altruism and equilibrium in advancing the country into the future while doing away with all negative social prejudices and imposition of hierarchy in cultural, social and religious systems.
To attempt to uproot such a vital platform is to throw the country into further chaos. Of course, concerned members of the National Assembly have the right to raise their concerns on security and safety of NYSC members, serving in different areas, a place where they live in away from home. But calling for its scrapping makes no sense at all.
The day they chose to present the motion on the floor of the House of Representatives, they were lucky no stones were thrown at them with a group of young men and women hurling abuses at them. Unarguably, one understands their anger over attacks on corpers in some areas. Of course, attacks on NYSC members by deviant elements in society is a cause for concern, and must never be allowed. But calling for the scrapping of NYSC scheme is a proposition lacking in logic and intellectual vitality. To say the least, the bill looks to be a backward trend.
It is becoming a very frightening trend today to see bad behaviours and attitudes displayed by many young Nigerians in almost every corner of the country. Some behave badly and indecently in front of others and think that it is okay to do so.
Many of these bad behaviours and attitudes and violence would have become standards and a culture in younger generation today if not for the moderating influence of the NYSC Scheme. It infuses the youth with nationalism and civilizing values of national integration that make them see others as human beings whose differences, feelings, opinions, religions and rights must be accommodated and respected.
Participants of the scheme carry in them the civilizing mission of the NYSC, and are always promoting values of understanding, tolerance and national unity in their immediate environment after the service, promoting national integration and will continue to influence generations in future.
Expectedly, Corps members are supposed to feel happy, safe, secure in any part of Nigeria and not be intimidated by anyone or any group, in any form. And this is where the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and local government councils must come in, educating members of transport unions, religious organizations, market women leadership, youth organizations, CDAs and CDCs, local chiefs and community leaders on the need for proper protection and support for corp members posted to their communities.
The NYSC is a national treasure and a must keep, no matter what the circumstance is. These are many pieces of evidence to support this. Unfortunately, those criticizing the scheme do not know its significance and value as a tool of peace and national integration. Remember, to progress into future, we need peace, unity and understanding to plan that future.
We owe a great debt to General Yakubu Gowon (GCFR) and those who worked with him, especially Prof Adebayo Adedeji, that inimitable legend of exemplary stature, to build the scheme from scratch and to the government of the day, who respects its importance, independence and crucial roles in peace-building,security, national understanding, in the economic, scholarly and democratic life of the country.
The gesture by Preisdent Muhammadu Buhari to employ siblings of the 10 NYSC members killed in Bauchi State during the 2011 general elections gives credence to our belief. Here is a leader of exceptional insight who looks beyond time from the perspective of where and what Nigeria or the world is today for a peaceful co-existence of Nigerians in times ahead. Praises also go to the NYSC D-G Brig-Gen (Prof.) Shuaib Ibrahim for his stewardship of the scheme. His suggestion to government to re-open NYSC orientation camps last year helped to finish the #EndSARS Protest.
To be the “Richest black nation” in the world, we also need to live in a country with the values of tolerance and accommodation, that is safe, united, secure, healthy and environmentally-friendly. The NYSC makes these a foundation in people’s lives so they appreciate benefits, take ownership of changes and participate meaningfully to achieve goals and visions in life. They abandon negative attitudes and behavior, which are the greatest obstacles to development in Nigeria.
We believe it is time we adequately fund and improve the NYSC . Consistent funding and support for the scheme is needed to enable it to effectively manage and make youth well-trained, self-accountable, properly disciplined to take advantage of evolving technologies, and foster innovative projects and research. We understand it will be a massive effort, when our country is struggling. But remember, there is no future without peace. So all effort must be put into saving and energizing the NYSC scheme further.
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