By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has advocated enhanced security measures and increased funding for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The Civil Rights Advocacy Group, also, rejected calls for the suspension of NYSC, as its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko at a press conference in Abuja Tuesday, emphasized the NYSC’s integral role in shaping national identity, fostering unity, and empowering the youth over its five-decade history.

HURIWA categorically rejected the proposition to suspend the NYSC, highlighting its enduring mission to bridge ethnic and cultural gaps among Nigerian youths.

Onwubiko praised NYSC’s achievements, citing millions of Nigerian youths who have emerged as influential professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

“The core mandate of the NYSC, which is linked with national development, is a unifying force that instills discipline, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility in the youth” Onwubiko added.

He expressed concern that suspending the NYSC would undermine these foundational principles and deprive the nation of a vital institution.

Onwubiko acknowledged the prevailing security challenges in the country but emphasized that the NYSC is a victim and not the root cause. The rights group called on the government to implement comprehensive security measures that safeguard all citizens, including NYSC members.

The urgent need for enhanced funding was reiterated, with HURIWA calling on President Tinubu to expedite the passage of the NYSC Youth Trust Fund.

HURIWA National Coordinator further explained that, “ The proposed fund, derived from one percent of companies’ profits, aims to scale up the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) of NYSC, dedicated to training corps members for self-reliance after national service.”

Additionally, the critical shortfall of teachers in the country, as per the 2018 National Personnel Audit report, was highlighted.

HURIWA argued that scrapping the NYSC would be tragic for education in Nigeria due to the invaluable contributions of NYSC teachers.

Onwubiko affirmed HURIWA’s unwavering support for the NYSC and called on the government to address insecurity, create a conducive environment for the NYSC to thrive, and preserve its legacy.

The NYSC, through its mandate, was emphasized as a key institution instilling discipline, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility in the nation’s youth.

In the same vein, A civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has chided those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme over security concerns saying doing so will only amount to cowardice.

The CSO contended that the security challenges in the country cannot be used as yardstick to call for the scrapping of the NYSC adding that doing so will amount to emboldening the criminals and making a caricature of the nation and undermining gallantry of security personnel who are working day and night to ensure the total defeat and elimination of all forms of insecurity in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, SNM convener, Rev Solomon Semaka  described such idea as retrogressive and highly detrimental to the interest of the nation.

SNM wondered why the Human Rights and Justice Group International chose to hide under the banner of CSOs to attack the NYSC and by extension the unity of the country without any justification.

“This is not the first time a self-styled group will call for the scrapping or suspension of the Scheme and we like many Nigerians must rise up in defense of the mandate of scheme as given to us by our founding fathers”, it noted.

Outlining the imperative of sustaining the NYSC scheme and its invaluable legacies, SNM contended that it would amount to an act of cowardice to shut down the NYSC scheme because of insecurity.

“What Human Rights Group and Justice International are suggesting is as unpopular as asking people to stop traveling because of a few cases of accidents on our roads. Does anyone call for suspension of festivities because of increased roads accidents?

“Military barracks and Police Stations have also been attacked in most parts of the country but nobody has asked for the disbandment of the military or police, why is the case of NYSC different?

“For the unpatriotic groups and individuals calling for the disbandment of the Scheme as a solution to insecurity in the country, it is important to remind them that the NYSC is not a security agency. The reported incidents of kidnapping or death of Corps members and indeed that of any Nigerian is a painful and emotionally traumatizing experience that is highly regrettable but it is not the NYSC that should be held responsible.

“It is equally unpatriotic to blame security personnel directly because they are doing their best, even though there’s room for much improvement. Asking for the suspension of the Scheme is therefore, totally out of context as one cannot ask that a hospital be shut down because a few patients have died of a particular disease.

“What all Nigerians, including those calling for the suspension of the NYSC should do is to assist security personnel with the right intelligence to safeguard their communities from criminals. One thing is clear, suspending the Scheme won’t end insecurity in the country.

“We must remember the objectives of the NYSC scheme especially that of fostering unity and social interactions amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country. As a post-civil war initiative, the founding fathers of the Scheme were deliberate in ensuring that educated young Nigerians be given the opportunity to interact across cultural divides and foster unity and oneness.

“Not even a spineless critic will deny the fact that the NYSC scheme has not just achieved its objective of uniting Nigerians by putting an end to the suspicions and stereotypes that once existed but has helped to forge business partnerships and marriages across tribal and cultural divides. This alone should make the scheme  a sacred child of the state regardless of the challenges we face as a nation.

“Aside its immense and immeasurable contribution to fostering national unity and cohesion, the NYSC scheme has also contributed greatly in sustaining and driving the educational sector as well as the civil service. It is no longer news that most schools and government offices in both urban and rural areas are now staffed mainly with Corps members.

“In fact, most Corps members act as Principals and Head Teachers in most of those schools.  The situation is the same in the health sector where medical Corps members are heavily depended upon to ensure seamless health care provision in both rural and urban health centres and hospitals. What would now become the fate of these schools, hospitals and government offices if the federal government decides to listen to a few naysayers whose idea of a solution is nothing but to set fire on a house just to catch the mice destroying the crops in the house?

“The contribution of the Scheme in national programs such as Elections, Census, routine immunisation and Birth registration can also not be easily dismissed. The NYSC scheme offers a pool of ably qualified, patriotic, hardworking Nigerians who selflessly help to facilitate national programs with such efficiency that was never seen before.

“In fact with the introduction of Corps members as Presiding Officers and other supporting roles during elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election management has greatly reduced without a doubt. Could it be the reason why some persons are obsessed with scrapping the scheme? Who in his right senses will ask the federal government to suspend a scheme that has been very beneficial and the pride of every Nigerian youth except it is standing against his selfish and parochial interest?

“The benefits of the Scheme far outweighs the reasons our enemies are advancing for its suspension. The Scheme remains the largest employer of labour in Nigeria with more than a million Nigerian youths passing through its three batches annually. In fact every household in Nigeria either has a Corps member currently, an ex-Corps member or a prospective Corps member including the households of those calling for its suspension.

“What would have happened if those who have benefited from the employment opportunity offered by the NYSC were left jobless? We, therefore vehemently resist their lack of foresight or pure wickedness and stand shoulder to shoulder with the NYSC Scheme and its management in the pursuit of the Scheme’s vision and objectives across the country.

“It is rather unfortunate that those calling for the suspension of NYSC did not even deem it fit to acknowledge the excellent work the Scheme is doing to integrate skills acquisition in its programmes. While many well-meaning Nigerians are urging Mr. President to assent to the NYSC Trust Fund Bill to give the Scheme a financial backing to empower Nigerian youths towards ending unemployment and poverty, others, driven by selfish motives are calling for the suspension of the Scheme”.