By Akinwale Kasali
The House of Representatives are considering a bill to scrap the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Scheme. It has, over the week, been a major debate in the front burner.
But, Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports, has revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari Government remains committed to sustaining the scheme.
Dare made this statement today on his official Twitter handle, reassuring Nigerians of the stand of the Federal Government
Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a lawmaker from Rivers State, sponsored the bill at the House of Representatives, stating that the scheme has failed to achieve its intended purpose.
Dare, in his tweet, said the scheme remains a great tool in promoting national development.
He said the Government will continue to sustain the programme and will stand with the youths.
“The NYSC scheme remains one of the greatest tools for National development for our youth. The commitment of the government to sustaining the NYSC scheme remains. Dynamic Reforms and Initiatives towards current realities are ongoing. Nigeria will stand with her youth,” he said.
The NYSC Scheme was created on 22 May 1973 by the Military Government of General Yakubu Gowon, as an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the Nation after the civil war.
There was no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973, graduates of Universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps program for one year.
This is known as National service year. Ahmadu Ali served as the first Director-General of the NYSC until 1975.The incumbent Director-General is Shuaibu Ibrahim.
Nota few Nigerians are of the opinion that the programme has outlived its usefulness.
Aside from the fact that it has not succeeded in uniting the country, as Nigeria has become more divided along ethnic and religious lines than ever before, the level of insecurity in the country makes it unwise and unsafe to continue with the programme. Most parents are reluctant to allow their children to embark on the programme.
