The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, says corps members are part of the national defence policy of Nigeria and can be mobilised for war if need be.
Ibrahim said this on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday while reacting to moves to scrap the NYSC scheme which is compulsory for all Nigerians who graduate before the age of 30.
The NYSC boss said,
“Corps members are on reserve. They are part of the national defence policy of this country. So, where there is serious war, our corps members are educated, they are knowledgeable and they can be trained. You see the drill and so on.
“You can imagine within the short three weeks in the orientation camps, the corps members are moulded. They are like soldiers. You see female corps members blowing the army horn, playing with the military band.
“So, if not for the knowledge, where are you going to mobilise such young Nigerians to train them quickly to put in their best for the country? So, corps members are on reserve. They are also part of the national defence policy.”
What Is NYSC?
According to Wiki, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation building and the development of the country.
Operation Of NYSC:
Corps members (participants in the National Youth Service Scheme) are posted to states other than their state of origin where they are expected to mix with people from different ethnic groups, social and family backgrounds, and learn the culture of the indigenes in the location they are posted to.
This action is aimed at bringing about unity in the country and help the youths appreciate other ethnic groups. There is an “orientation” period of approximately three weeks spent in a military controlled “camp” away from family and friends. The camps are situated across the 36 states of the federation.
There is also a “passing out ceremony” at the end of the three weeks orientation camp after which corp members are posted to their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
They are expected to work as full-time staff at their PPA with exception of one working day devoted for the execution of community development service. After eleven months at their PPA, corp member are allowed one month of vacation before their final passing out ceremony where they would be issued certificates of completion.
Objectives Of The Program:
The objectives of the National Youth Service Corps Program are clearly enumerated in Decree No.51 of 16 June 1993 as follows:
To inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them a tradition of industry at work, and of patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria in any situation they may find themselves.
To raise the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about higher ideals of national achievement, social and cultural improvement
To develop in the Nigerian youths the attitudes of mind, acquired through shared experience and suitable training. which will make them more amenable to mobilisation in the national interest
To enable Nigerian youths acquire the spirit of self reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self employment
To contribute to the accelerated growth of the national economy
To develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration
To remove prejudices, eliminate ignorance and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups
To develop a sense of corporate existence and common destiny of the people of Nigeria.
The equitable distribution of members of the service corps and the effective utilisation of their skills in area of national needs
That as far as possible, youths are assigned to jobs in States other than their States of origin
That such group of youths assigned to work together is as representative of Nigeria as far as possible
That the Nigerian youths are exposed to the modes of living of the people in different parts of Nigeria
That the Nigerian youths are encouraged to eschew religious intolerance by accommodating religious differences
That members of the service corps are encouraged to seek at the end of their one-year national service, career employment all over Nigeria, thus promoting the free movement of labour
That employers are induced partly through their experience with members of the service corps to employ more readily and on a permanent basis, qualified Nigerians, irrespective of their States of origin.
MY OPINION:
The above statement from a supposed NYSC Director General, is really funny, annoying and sounds stupid. This is what happen when you appoint an incompetent and unqualified person to handle a post he or she knows nothing about.
Because female corps members blows the army horn and plays with the military band, therefore, they’re qualified for war? On 33K naira? Funny!
What’s your take on this? Let’s hear from you!
LET’S TALK!! Is It Proper To Mobilize Corp Members For War? Is It Their Duties?
Drop your comment below 