The existence of mandatory service for citizens of a state has been in practices for decades, an effective approach in ensuring mandatory contribution from every citizen of a state in order to foster national development and propagate oneness among the populace of a state. Nigeria like any other sovereign state is no stranger to such practices, one of the most prominent mandatory service around here is the Nigeria youth service corp (NYSC) which was established in 1973 by the former Nigeria head of state general Yakubu gowan in his aim to put an end to the civil unrest that served as a threat the country's stability.
The primary objective of the Nigeria youth service corp scheme was to promote unity and reconciliation among the diversity of ethnic groups and tribes that exist within the geographical boundaries of Nigeria. It was a bold step to maintain peace among different political structures with diverse opinion on matters of politics and leadership of the country. Such is expected from a country harbouring hundreds of ethnic groups that differs in areas of social cultural perspectives, religion and most especially language barrier.
The Nigeria youth service Corps scheme has been in existence for decades, soaring high and above among other African countries who aimed at integrating same scheme but today they are nowhere to be found. NYSC is undergone by graduates from different accredited institutions in Nigeria either University or polytechnic, serving as a symbol of greatness and patriotism for students who has successfully become certified graduates in their respective disciplines. As a result of the establishment of this scheme, we now have students being randomly mobilised every year in batches to undergo a mandatory service mandated y the Nigeria constitution.
A scheme in which I'm also a product of, A journey that began in March 17 this year, driving me to a community in Oyo state where I still currently serve as a corp member teaching in a school. Being a product of this scheme gives me the privilege of having the knowledge of certain areas which might not be known to the public. As we all know, a scheme of this magnitude will surely have its benefits and challenges. Let's go over the few pros and cons of the NYSC scheme, shall we?
Apart from the primary objective of NYSC which is to promote unity, there are other things integrated into the scheme that are beneficial to both the citizen and country at large.
Amidst the one year mandatory service also includes 3 weeks compulsory camping for every eligible prospect corp members {PCM}. The 3 weeks of camping involves all kind of activities, one of the first and foremost activities on the list of programs on camp apart from parade practice and morning devotion, the next in line is orientation courses.
It is consist of series of educational subjects from different areas designed to enlighten corp members about our environment, well being, security protocols, disease control, NYSC bylaws and most importantly to instill into the mind of corp members the primary objectives of the NYSC scheme.
A mandatory exercise for every corp member to join while in camp. The primary objective of the SAED program is quite simple which is To eradicate poverty by ensuring every corp member learn a skill among the ones that will be provided to learn during the duration of 3 weeks of being in camp. Though provisions are made for corp members that choose to continue learning the skill which is called Post camp SAED training.
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During my time in camp, every coach for each skill that will be taught in camp will come forward and discuss about the skill, highlight the monetary opportunities available for corp members who choose to learn the skill, more like a skill exhibition before we all go ahead and choose a skill of our choice. Among all the skills that was highlighted few that I felt like trying out were, Shoemaking, Pottery, Cyber security, Cosmetology, Agro allied {Which was splitted into two categories, Farming and animal husbandry}. As a result a result of my passion for livestock raring, I went for animal husbandry which I'm grateful for the knowledge till today.
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In camp, different co-operations and governmental agencies such as road safety, EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA e.t.c They would come around educate every corp member about the need to sensitise the populace of Nigeria in areas related to organisations various disciplines. At the end of the orientation camp activities, every corp members is mandated to choose among these groups for community development services {CDS} which is aimed at ensuring corp members engage in activities that would foster national development, make them familiar with the community and instill patriotism.
While in camp, some private firms/company or NGO will come around and advertise their services and products. Some of them would offer scholarship opportunities, empowerment loans and product at discount prices for interested corp members.
Despite the numerous benefits of the Nigeria youth service Corps scheme, there are some loopholes that exist within the structure of the scheme such as:
As a result of magnitude of student being deployed to camp to begin their NYSC journey, some officials and political elites now consider it as a opportunity to earn money and promote their political career. For instance there are times some manufacturers are allowed to advertise products during the time we are meant be having orientation courses or SAED, they consider it a means to reach out to various target audience across different ethnic groups in camp and this act is in agreement with the in-camp officials and I'm definitely sure it did not come free.
We also have some political elites occupying specific offices come around under the disguise of addressing corp members to promote their political career by listing their achievements for all to see and in cases like this corp members are mandated to remain in the parade ground to listen regardless of the time, depriving us quality time that was meant to be used for other things that matters. Some times we await these people for hours on standing ovation before their arrival. It makes you wonder if we were called to serve our country or political Agenda.
There are a lot of provisions stated by the NYSC bylaws in accordance to the Nigeria constitution, which involves catering for the welfare of every corp members such as accommodation, security e.t.c There are corp members currently going through challenges as a result of unavailability of what was promised. Imagine being posted to a community without any means of accommodation. I have friends in places where a single room cost more than 300k {Approximately $190} some of them had to go for loans or live with strangers. What about unavailability of CDS groups, health facilities and other social amenities in some remote villages where corp members are posted to.
Presently there are some areas in Nigeria, especially the north where there is no adequate security for lives and property, despite NYSC officials being aware of the conditions of these areas they choose to deploy students to those places. We have seen series of cases involving corp members being a victim of robbery, kidnapping or killed while performing their duties. We might wear uniforms but we are not soldiers trained for war, we can't be used as a tribute for peace, we are humans not items.
As a result of this challenges, would I want to abolish the national youth service Corp scheme? There is a saying, the fact that something isn't good enough doesn't mean it is unworthy or undeserving. Despite the various challenges being experienced by corp members across Nigeria we can't ignore the good it has done to the lives of corp members whe have taken advantages of the opportunities provided by the scheme to build a successful career for themselves.
I have been privileged to form friendship relations with individuals from different ethnic group which wouldn't have been possible without the NYSC scheme, I have also acquired knowledge and experience in areas that were once out of reach especially in agriculture which happens to be the major occupation of people in the community I was posted to. So instead of abolishment, why not reform, rebuild and amend the loopholes that exist within the scheme.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "Mandatory service" in hive learners community.
Cover image - 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗏𝖺
All images are mine or else stated otherwise