The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NYSC

  • Has the NYSC run its course?

    On 22nd May, 1973, the regime of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon promulgated decree 24 of 1973 which subsequently set up the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to involve the country’s graduates in the development of the country. Since we are not in a state of war and there is no military conscription in Nigeria, the NYSC- which I see as one of the most strategic moves to foster national unity – somewhat filled the gap. At the initial stage, it only involved only 3,000 universities graduates, but later polytechnics and colleges of education graduates were later included in the national service which runs into hundreds of thousands annually.

    As most are aware, what stands the scheme out was that corps members are posted to states other than their states of origin. The ideology was simple: They are expected to mix with people of other tribes, social and family backgrounds, to learn the culture of the indigenes in the place they are posted to. This action is aimed to bring about unity in the country and to help youths appreciate other ethnic groups and the complex cultural dynamics of Nigeria.

    The ideologues of the program also envision that beyond unity, it would also help in creating entry-level jobs for many Nigerian youth. An NYSC forum dedicated to members was set up to bridge the gap amongst members serving across the country which also serves as an avenue for corpers to share job information and career resources as well as getting loans from the erstwhile National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    Just like most things Nigerian – like we oftentimes say – the programme started running into murky waters years later. Members started complaining of being underpaid, paid late or not paid at all, there were also issues of welfare of corps members. But the most serious of these challenges that rocked the scheme to its foundation is that several members have been killed in the states they were sent to due to religious, ethnic or political violence.

    The first major blow came during the post-election violence in April 2011 when 11 corps members were killed in Bauchi State. Prior to the election, several other corps members employed as ad hoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were also killed in Suleja, Niger State, as well as in Jos, Plateau State. That of Jos was quite pathetic as the father of one of the victims was called by one of the assailants and told point blank that they are about to kill his son, which they eventually did while the phone was still on!

    As a result of this development, the NYSC Directorate was forced to redeploy prospective corps members previously posted to “volatile states” in the North. This followed a media campaign mounted by parents and several stakeholders against posting corps members to states that have been prone to serious security threats. By that directive, prospective members, who were earlier posted to Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna States, were directed to report to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja for redeployment. Those posted to Yobe and Borno States also carried out their orientation exercise at the NYSC camps in Nasarawa and Benue States respectively.

    As compensation for the attacks, President Goodluck Jonathan presented N5 million to families of those who lost their lives in these states. He also promised to give jobs to the other affected corps members immediately after the mandatory one-year service to the nation. But years later, the promised jobs are still in a shelf somewhere and most of the affected graduates still roam the streets looking for elusive jobs.

    The attacks and the rapidly changing dynamics in the country have ignited a very passionate debate on whether the scheme is still relevant. At the forefront of the scrapping of the programme are understandably those who lost loved ones in the senseless killings. These calls were further spurred by unguided statements made by some government functionaries who appear to spit on the graves of those killed. Some public analysts and commentators also joined the call for the scrapping of the programme because they felt it has lost its relevance due to intolerance and lack of understanding of why it was set up in the first place.

    This, I believe, was what compelled the NYSC in 2010 to come up with a policy not to post corps members to “volatile states” with weighted indicators to categorise states into red, yellow and green zones. The indicators used were incidents of bomb explosions and targeted attacks on corps members, etc.

    From a personal point of view however, I believe the programme is still relevant and can still achieve some of the reasons why it was set up in the first place. There is clear consensus that NYSC is an ideal worth preserving. What is at issue in making the scheme continue to serve the nation is the security situation that now calls for a total overhaul and minimise the probability of corps members being physically harmed wherever they may be posted to in the country. If we allow the NYSC to go, I’m afraid that will be the beginning of the disintegration of the country. Agreed, there have been enormous challenges, but these challenges are definitely man-made and can be corrected if there is the political will.

    Two weeks ago, the new Director-General, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, at a forum, unfolded a four-point agenda to directors, deputy directors, state coordinators and camp directors of the 36 states of the federation. It includes: improving the service content of NYSC for national development; enhancing the welfare and safety of corps members and staff; expanding partnership for greater impact, funding and support; and increasing the visibility and relevance of the scheme.

    Olawumi wondered why the structures and methods of 1973 are still being used “to drive a 21st century organisation that manages the most vibrant and dynamic segment of the Nigerian society.” Some of the questions he posed at the session were: “What can the NYSC do better to recapture the goodwill of the critical stakeholders? How fast can its staff and management work to regain the trust of both the Nigerian parents and the young men and women that are annually enlisted in the programme? Should the scheme wait for changes to be imposed upon it from outside, with attendant consequences?”

    I was made to understand that barely two months in office, the new DG has already met with the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry with a view to building a partnership for the empowerment of corps members, he has visited the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the bid to ensure health insurance coverage for corps members and he wants to meet the INEC chairman on a broad range of issues concerning the security of corps members when they are deployed for election management. These – I was also told – are besides several other initiatives he is already working on and planning to announce in soon.

    With these plans in the kitty, there is no doubt in my mind that the DG is effectively armed with an ambitious vision to revamp the scheme and make it relevant to our national development in this rapidly changing and technologically driven 21st century. But I do not believe that he would be naïve enough not to recognise that he needs the buy-in of the entire NYSC leadership. These are the guys on the ground, they know all the tricks in the books and they have the capacity to mar any well intended plan. I believe by seeking their buy-in he has put his right foot forward.

    I am convinced that if Olawumi can pull this through he will help to reposition the NYSC as a vital tool for national cohesion and development. This is why I am throwing my weight behind him, and will urge well-meaning Nigerians who truly love this country to support him because of the critical nature of the scheme to our unity and cohesion.

     

     

  • Court frees corps members of homosexuality

    An Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku on Tuesday discharged two corps members charged with committing sodomy on one of their students.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani, said the two accused, Daniel O’ Tega and Sulaiman Abari, were discharged but not on merit.

    Durosaro-Tijani said: “this is based on the withdrawal letter and affidavit deposed to by the father of the victim.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed the withdrawal of the case by the victim’s parents, Alhaji Hammed Sulaimon and Kafilat, of 65, Avenue Street, behind Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan.

    Sulaimon, in the affidavit, said he had forgiven the accused as Sulaiman’s father, Mr Dauda Abari and O’Tega’s guardian, Mr Michael Edewhosa, intervened in the matter.

    Sulaiman, a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo, and O’tega were serving at St. Louis Secondary School 2, Molete, Ibadan.

    The two were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, procuring as well as getting hold of their victim.

    The prosecutor, Insp  Oluyemi Eyiaromi, had told the court that the two accused persons conspired to commit the offence.

    Eyiaromi said O’tega took the male student to a room, laid him on a bed, caressed and sucked his manhood until he ejaculated.

    He also said that Abari committed the same offence on the victim in Nov. 2013 at Osungbade, Odo-Oba area of Ibadan.

    Eyiaromi said the offences contravened sections 217 and 516 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap.38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)

  • Corps member’s killer to die by hanging

    Corps member’s killer to die by hanging

    An ekiti state high Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti yesterday sentenced Theophilus Pius (26) to death by hanging for the murder of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anthonia Okeke.

    Pius, a commercial motorcyclist, colluded with others on December 19, 2008, to kidnap and later murder Anthonia. It was learnt that the late Anthonia, who was serving as a corps member at the time in Ilawe-Ekiti, hired Pius to take her to the motor park in Ikere, where she planned to board a vehicle to the east for the Christmas celebration.

    Justice Adegoriola Adeleye also handed Pius a 10-year sentence for kidnapping the late Anthonia, which led to her death in the hands of ritual killers.

    The late Anthonia, a Chemical Engineering graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, was from Umuno Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Justice Adeleye said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The late Anthonia’s elder brother, Mr. Obinna Okeke, said: “The verdict has proved that those with criminal intentions cannot have their way as long as the government is determined to apply relevant laws against them in a diligent manner.”

    Okeke thanked the Ministry of Justice, police, human rights groups and NYSC for pursuing the case to “a meaningful end”.

    The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Adeleye Familoni, said the judgment was “a victory of light over darkness and of good against evil doers”, adding that those who desire to make money by any means would always meet a dead end.

     

  • INEC is preparing for 2015 elections, says Jega

    INEC is preparing for 2015 elections, says Jega

    •Corps members, ad hoc staff assured of security

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the failure of the commission to begin elections at the stipualted time has been a major challenge.

    He, however, assured that INEC was planning to address logistic problems before next year’s elections.

    Jega said the commission was putting finishing touches to its preparation to make the poll credible and transparent.

    The INEC boss, who spoke on the paper: “The 2015 General Elections: Conversations with Nigeria’s Female Stakeholders”, at the Nigerian Women Trust Fund Workshop at the Electoral Institute, Abuja, said INEC was discussing with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) authorities to provide the addresses of the NYSC camps for security.

    Jega noted that the attacks carried out on NYSC members in 2011 occurred mostly at the NYSC camps and to prevent recurrence, the commission would provide security at the camps before and after elections.

    He said security would also be provided for the ad hoc workers, who would be deployed during the poll.

    Said Jega: “We assure that preparations for the 2015 poll have begun.

    “Learning from the experience of the 2011 elections, especially regarding the need for early preparations, INEC has undertaken the task of fundamental restructuring of its bureaucracy. It has made new policies to guide its work and has embarked on far-reaching planning of its operations through a strategic plan.”

    He disclosed the completion of the consolidating and de-duplicating of the biometric register of voters, “which now has integrity, better than the one with which the 2011 elections were conducted.

    The INEC chairman said the efforts to ensure a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections should not be left in the hands of INEC alone, adding: “All stakeholders have roles to play.”

     

  • Death of Corps member: Man to die by hanging

    A High Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of the State yesterday sentenced  Theophilus Pius, 26,  to death by hanging for the murder of a female youth corps member, Anthonia Okeke.

    Pius, a commercial motorcyclist, reportedly colluded with others on 19th December 2008 to kidnap and later murder of Anthonia, a serving corps member at the time, in Ilawe-Ekiti who had hired him (the motorcyclist) to take her to the motor park in Ikere while going for Christmas celebrations in her hometown in Anambra State.

    Justice Adegoriola Adeleye also handed Pius a separate ten-year sentence for kidnapping late Anthonia which culminated in her  death in the hands of ritualists.

    Anthonia,  a Chemical Engineering graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was from Umuno Ndiuno  in Ezeagu Local Government area of Enugu  State.

    Justice Adeleye, had submitted that the evidence as presented Mr. Adeleye Familoni, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the  State Ministry of Justice, against the accused person as sufficiently useful and reliable to  convince the court that the accused person was actually guilty.

    Adeleye said: “I submit that the Prosecution Counsel has been able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. He has been able to establish that
    the Defendant is culpable and no criminal shall go unpunished  in the
    face of law”.

    Spokesperson for the family, Mr. Obinna Okeke, Anthonia’s elder brother, commended the judgment, saying “the verdict has proved that those with criminal intentions cannot have their ways as long as the government is determined to apply the relevant laws against them in a diligent manner”.
    Okeke  also thanked the State Ministry of Justice, the police, the human rights groups and National Youth Service Corps for pursuing  the case to “its very useful and meaningful end”.

    In his comments, the  DPP, Familoni, noted the judgment  was a victory of “light over darkness and of good against evil doers”, adding that those who desire to make money by any means would always meet a dead end

    According to him, the Justice Ministry would continue to ensure that judicial means were applied “against those with criminal tendencies in the State”.

  • Jonathan tasks NYSC on national unity, development

    Jonathan tasks NYSC on national unity, development

    President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to promote national unity and development.

    He made the call in his address to mark the passing-out of Batch `A’ 2013 corps members across the country, after the one-year compulsory national service.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ceremony is taking place simultaneously nationwide.

    The President enjoined the corps members to spearhead the transformation of the country and promote harmonious interaction among ethnic groups.

    He reminded the corps members that their passing out marked the end of one phase of service to their fatherland and the beginning of another.

    He said, “You are entering into a new role, one that will further call to task, your training, knowledge, skills, talents and discipline.’’

    The President said the education and experience the corps members acquired during the service year had equipped them to succeed in life.

    He acknowledged the strides recorded by the scheme in promoting its mission of national integration and development since its inception over 40 years ago.

    He said “we feel proud that the NYSC remains a true symbol of national unity, bringing together young people from various institutions and diverse parts of the country.

    “The bond of friendship formed during the service year creates opportunities for success in life, and facilitates national integration and development.”

    The President’s address was delivered by Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed, the Kwara Head of Service in Ilorin, who represented the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the passing out ceremony.

     

  • Two NYSC members caught for homosexuality

    Two corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been arraigned in court for engaging in the recently outlawed homosexuality with a male student.

    O’tega Daniel, 27, and Sulaimon Abari, 26, were charged before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku.

    The duo  serving at at St. Louis Secondary School 2, Molete in the metropolis of the ancient city were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, procuring as well as  unlawful abduction of their victim.

    The incident was said to have taken place sometime in November 2013 at Osungbade, Odo-Oba area of Ibadan.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Olufemi Eyiaromi while addressing the court, said they both conspired to commit the offence, alleging that Daniel got hold of the male student, took him into a room, laid him on a bed as well as caressed and orally sucked his manhood until the minor released sperm.

    Abari was said to committed same offence on the same victim.

    However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate presiding over the matter, Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani  granted each accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with one blood relation as surety and the case was adjourned till Feb. 25.

  • NYSC partners banks, Actors’ Guild

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday said that it will partner banks and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to help talents that abound among corps members achieve their dreams

    Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, Director General, NYSC said this at the closing ceremony of the annual NYSC sports and cultural festivals in Abuja.

    He expleined that based on the performance of the corps members in the cultural festival, the scheme would approach Banks and the AGN to help them further their dreams.

    The minister said he had directed top management of the scheme to approach banks and other financial institutions to help those who have distinguished themselves.

  • Cross River community set for showdown with NYSC

    Cross River community set for showdown with NYSC

    All seems set for a showdown between the youths of Ogada community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whose orientation camp is located in the community.

    Their grievance is that in the 21 years of existence of the camp within their domain, they have had nothing to show for it in terms of social amenity of employment of their people.

    The youths from the area have therefore given the Federal Government an ultimatum to do something about the situation else there will be a confrontation.

    President of the Ogada Youth Development Association, Mr Obasse Ebenezer, sad, “This must be done before the next call up for orientation to avoid youth confrontation. Our quietness for 21 years in the face of obvious provocation should not be interpreted as weakness.”

    Ebenezer told Niger Delta Report in Calabar, “While we appreciate the Federal Government gesture for citing the NYSC permanent orientation in our community, we wish to categorically state that for the past 21 years of its existence in Ogada, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, we the members of the host community have nothing to show in terms of employment as we cannot boast of a single permanent staff or social amenity.

    “Several appeals in letters from the Ogada community routed through the state to the Director General NYSC Abuja in demanding a quota for employment of our unemployed youths to compensate for the lost land given to the Federal Government without financial consideration fell on deaf ears.

    “In February 2012, the youths the Ogada Community had moved to barricade the road to the camp in protest for marginalization. The then Obubra chairman, Christopher Obasse and the Cross River NYSC Coordinator, Engr Ekereke Ibanga, advised the youths to shun the idea of blocking the road but rate her wait until embargo for employment is lifted. The NYSC state coordinator had earlier promised the youths during a meeting in his office in Calabar following an express demand for our fair share that the scheme will consider members of the host community as officers of the junior cadre as soon as approval is given for employment. He further advised the youths of graduate cadre to apply to the headquarters in Abuja, but none of such applications saw the light of day.

    “It is a sad story upon the lifting of embargo for employment we discovered that employment for junior cadre was concluded without any chance given to the host community. Regrettably some members of the host community who applied for employment in the graduate cadre were all swept under the carpet.

    “As peace loving and law abiding citizens, we the youths in consultation with opinion leaders of Ogada community has resolved that the Federal Government through the CG of NYSC should as a matter of urgency reach an agreement with the community over a certain quota of employments of our youths to compensate for the lost land which was given to the FG willingly by our people without financial consideration.”

    State coordinator of the NYSC, Ekereke Ibangha, said it was not his place to employ people.

    According to him, he had been confronted by the people over the issues when he first took over and he advised that they do a special letter to the headquarters to look into their matter since the camp was in their domain.

    “Most of what the people are demanding is beyond me. All I can say is that we always do the best that we can. When the orientation camp is open the people of the area still benefit as they do business there even though temporarily.”

    “I did a covering letter with the one they sent and they should be hopeful something would come out of it.”

     

  • Funeral service for evangelist

    The funeral service of Evangelist Theophilus Oladapo holds on Friday January 31 at the Union Baptist Church, Ipaja road Agege, Lagos.

    According to the deceased’s family, interment follows immediately at his residence while reception of guests is at the NYSC parade ground on Ipaja road.

    The service of songs holds at his residence Plot 71, Festus Aderele Street, Omotoye Estate, Mulero, Agege by 6pm on Wednesday while the Christian Wake /Lying-in-State is at the same venue on Thursday by 6pm.