Earlier this year I blogged on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, musing on the need to rebrand and overhaul the scheme. The Guardian has a feature story on the scheme, highlighting how it has metamorphosed into nightmares for Nigerian youths. Excerpts:
Thirty years after, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC ) scheme has joined some of the other lofty programmes that have . Not only are the monthly allowances not realistically indexed to the realities of today’s living, securing a slot for primary assignments has equally become a tall dream.
The Guardian investigations around the country showed that no fewer than 40 per cent of those currently deployed for the programme are roaming the streets without placements due to their rejections by employers, under a gale of excuses that has upturned the main objectives of the program.
What indicators do the authorities need before doing what needs to be done?
Imnakoya, first you stated it write in your earlier write up - the NYSC scheme needs to be “rebranded and overhauled”. The government/authorities dont need any further indicators. They are very aware of what is happening but the problem of refusing to do something (the usual problem) are the bane of the failing NYSC programme. First, I cant remember, like WAEC, the police and EFCC, does the NYSC have an overall boss? If yes who is s/he? Representations could be made to this person like the post cards to Fashola on African Loft. I understand that many caring leaders read these blog comments or react when their attention is drawn to it. It all boils down to having a caring leader in charge. Peace
October 30, 2008 at 10:21 am
Sorry, excuse the typo, I meant that “you state it right”…
October 30, 2008 at 10:22 am
to be candid,nysc has done more harm than good. i think the programme is being abused.first of all,i will like to say the genesis of the problem corpers are having is from the camp.from the posting letter,corps members were told to bring little tins to the camp and without them knowing,they are always subjected to hardship.the food in the camp is nothing to write home about.you see officials sharing food meant for corpers among themselves whereas,corpers are given little food to eat.
the khaki has gone from a bad state to worse.corpers are nt asked their size before given a uniform.the khaki given to me is in real sense fit for my 16 yr old brother.
the trouble with place of primary assignment cannot be overemphsized.a lot of rejection cases and corpers end up in sch where they are not being appreciated. imagin a corper being given 700 naira in a place of prm. assignment for a month. and yet,another batch is coming this month.H
November 7, 2008 at 9:13 am
NYSC programme was started in good faith and was a good programme in Nigeria in the 80s and early 90s. Unfortunately it needs revamping and overhauling for it has become obsolete. Like many good things in Nigeria, no maintenance structure to keep it live and kicking. Now will the government pay heed to the complaints about the present day NYSC programme?
November 7, 2008 at 2:34 pm
it is more than a nightmare. it leaves a terrible mark because it robs some of the youth that believes that there is a way out of thier rights. i am a leving witness because i was robed of my award with nbo real excuse atall but just a sorry that was offered on a lame ground.
i really suported that it should be abolished now or the staffs should be given another training because the need this more than the graduates. they are pass the wrong information to the gradutate about the nation atlarge.
NYSC IS ONLY A WALKING CORPSE
November 15, 2008 at 8:15 am
To b candid,i tnk d govt is doin a lot in apropos wt nysc,bt wat can they show 4it.govt failure 2handle its officials(if not4 d sake of stash),wl increase d demands4 d eradicatn of d scheme,whch i tnk wl b a great disaster4d continued integratn of d Nigerianpeople.ds wl b a blemish2 d true inventors of d scheme.all complains centers around corruption&failure2plan efctvly.d khakis,d cap,jungleboots,canvas,belt,feeding,primary assignment palaver:let me say govt/nysc shuld not post corps2 where dey ain’t needed&wanted.4 such corp members,its a wasted&miserable 1yr afta camp.d only gd tn 4now,i tnk is d training 4rm d soldiers on camp.nevadles,nysc worths contnuity&upgrade4 d sake of d future Nigeria.mak us proud.God bles Nigeria,1 luv Nigeria.
December 20, 2008 at 5:04 am
Nysc is just a tool 2 create hardship 4 graduates but a tool 4 officials 2 store money in their adipose tissue.NYSC needs 2 b scraped.
February 12, 2009 at 2:30 pm
The harvoc nysc is causing some corps,esp some of us in d north is grown beyond bearing.4 some of us who earn notn other dan d 9500naira fed allowee,it’s bn severe hardship even as nysc receives back what dey pay us in diverse ways,ranging from cd’s monthly due to irrelevant fees lik sendforth,registration,project contributions among others,all of which are compeln.d idleness som of are in2 in places of primary asgnmnt contribute 2a useless 1year unequally distributed scheme
June 26, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Just thinking out loud, is a Text style message clear enough on the internet blog language? Sometimes hard to decipher what is being said.
June 27, 2009 at 7:52 am
I ‘d like the nysc to include those of us who did parttime studies in their scheme or better still issue us with the letter of exclusion promised.This will enable us get jobs too after graduation.
thank you
June 29, 2009 at 5:17 am