By Yusuf Adua
Understandably, very few good phenomena join us together as a people. Football, where Ghana Jollof seeped into our throat in the world cup qualifiers, and the National Youth Service Corps Scheme are the twins you can think of on a spin.
That being said, it is worrying that the NYSC scheme is failing to live up to its billing just like the overhyped super eagles 2022 squad because 67.5% of 122 corps members who camped in Imo state for the 2021 Batch A orientation course that was reached out to were exasperated with the stagnant and outdated processes of the scheme.
Kayode Olafimihan and Nura Wakilu being young entrepreneurs, said that it would have benefitted them more if the government could gift them a one-off #200,000 than the uninspiring route of the NYSC.
“I am matching here under the hot sun in Eziama Obiare, but there’s one Mr Pretender out there who faked being unwell to escape the drilling. I don’t blame him because the whole matching has neither basis nor material benefits”, Olawuyi Seun submitted.
The onset of the registration for the scheme is deficient, according to Pauline Adams, looking at how prospective corps members forge their documents and lay pretentious claims only to relocate to desired states reneging the basis and theme of the programme.
According to nysc.gov.ng, the primary goal of the scheme that tops the list of 14 others is 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,” one will wonder if NYSC which its operation and activities have been static and fixed since 1973 has the power to make this happen.
Rather Mr. Alfred Okanlawon said, “the scheme has developed to become the abode of all irregularities.”
“In this technology-driven age, it is shocking that we are not allowed into the orientation course with our gadgets,” a corps member from Lagos state who prefers to be anonymous told our correspondent.
She furthered that the orientation course would have been worth the while if she was able to learn a particular software handling technique a fellow corps member told her she knew so well.
“I could not reconnect with the lady after the orientation course . She redeployed to another state, and I couldn’t reach her line.”
She battered the scheme that she would not have lost a precious opportunity presented on a platter if the scheme had been dynamic.
For all it is worth, Samuel Arowolo expressed that the scheme has lost the uniqueness and values it looks to uphold since it has now allowed for loopholes to be exploited.
“People now pay for special posting, DG directive reposting, and outright ghosting. These have dumped the values of NYSC into the mud if it earlier had any.”
In the same vein, the idea of the scheme being the only way to share the national cake was displaced by our senior reporter, who narrated how his monthly allowance was not paid until he passed out of the scheme.
‘It was life in the hell experience. When others would be receiving allowances, some of us would not in due time.
” It got to a point that I was owed for 3 months. I had to turn to a professional beggar”, he reminisced.
WAY FORWARD FOR THE SCHEME
According to Imo state coordinator of the NYSC for the 2021 batch A orientation course, Mr Jimba O. Chris, one of the most pleasurable enjoyments for every educated Nigerian is the NYSC scheme.
To this end, this report is positioned to give remedies to the malises and menaces intruding into the scheme in recent years. It is a make or make-or-break situation.
Either these core areas are looked into or the system be axed as earlier demanded by some Nigerians.
* The NYSC uniform should be remade in such a way that it will be wearable after the completion of the national service or returned and burnt just as the like the NSC identity cards.
* The staple part of the orientation course should be reviewed. More community-driven programmes need to be brought in. At a time when the porousness of the society is at the Zenith, parade, and Mr and Mrs NYSC should not be the core values of the scheme.
* The community development services need to change in manner and outlook. Our children and societies need liberation, mentorship, and di,discouragement against “wealth at all cost.”
* NYSC is a national initiative, state government should not be allowed to play politics with it. If Oyo state pays corps members #15,000, other states should start as well. If Imo state does not pay corps members at all, Lagos state should not do so too. With this, the system will gain credibility.
* Technology, self-awareness, and self-discovery need more recognition as National unity is being emphasized through the NYSC.