NYSC MAKES HISTORY...

 

The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) colors of Khaki gray (or whatever that color is called) 😉, white and yellow boots, have come to be associated with the Nigerian state itself. Mixed feelings characterize the emotion of several Nigerians as they are mobilized yearly for the mandatory exercise; mine was really a fun period (especially the three weeks we spent in the orientation camp) before 'things began to fall apart' 😏

The NYSC scheme was initiated by the Gowon-led military administration in 1973 (just as the rubbles of the Nigerian Civil War were settling) primarily to foster national integration among Nigeria's divided people. More than 4 decades since then, several Nigerian tertiary institution graduates, below the age of 30 years, have gone through the scheme in Batches and Streams (only recently), and as scheduled by the authorities; happily or grudgingly, especially when they were posted to distant land (away from whatever was familiar and sometimes away from civilization, as it were). Arguments from several quarters in the recent past years have questioned the continued relevance of the scheme; especially in the wake of security and now, economic challenges plaguing the Nigerian state. The scheme has also been forced to re-focus from merely national integration (especially as there seems to be little progress in that area) to a more cardinal issue; skill acquisition. Corp members are now expected to complete their service year with some basic skill in certain vocation that can make them employers of labour (the extent to which this objective is achieved remains subject to debate). Government has also continued to sustain the scheme (sometimes amidst the non-productivity of the scheme).

 

However, history was made today, Thursday May 19, 2016, when the management of the scheme (after earlier hinting a postponement on ground of finances) decided to postpone indefinitely the mobilization of the Stream II of 2016 Batch A Corp members across the country. This is the first of such development since the inception in the NYSC scheme and may well be the 'beginning of the end' for the scheme. It gives signal to one of two things: first that the APC-led government doesn't see the need for the scheme anymore and has prioritized other national issues above the scheme; and second that the scheme may be going through a challenge of leadership. 

Whatever the case, here is what I think...

 

Regardless how little it's accomplishment, the NYSC has not only helped in keeping this country together, but has also helped in shaping her people; consciously or unconsciously, and helping them develop certain healthy habit (of course unhealthy ones too, but that isn't my concern here) during the service year that hasn't only added value to the individuals but has also poised them properly to contribute to national development. Again, with the rise in the unemployment index and the dwindling economy, Nigerians need skill acquisition platforms, where they can also access some government support, and NYSC currently provides that... Hence, it would be unwise to 'end' such an initiative, more so as it seems to have become more relevant in recent years than it has been in the past.

SUPPORT NYSC, DEVELOP SKILLS, and BUILD NIGERIA! 

Spread the word!!!