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NYSC not a waste of time, relevant in integration- DG
By Modupe Shodeinde
Director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Shuaibu Ibrahim, says the scheme is “critical to the unity of the country” and not a waste of time.
The DG who spoke on Wednesday in his office in Abuja, said its relevance in integration and national cohesion must not be underestimated.
This came amidst debate over the relevance of the scheme. The house of representatives is considering a bill seeking to scrap the scheme.
The bill, which has passed first reading, was sponsored by Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers state.
TheCable reports that the lawmaker submitted that the NYSC scheme has failed to achieve its intended purpose and therefore should be discontinued.
He also said the scheme has led to the untimely death of some corps members who were posted to areas with serious security threats.
However, the NYSC DG said the scheme has been a useful tool for the socio-economic development of the country through the deployment of corps members to states outside their base.
He added that the corps members contribute in many ways to the lives of residents of their host communities.
“NYSC is not a waste of time, wherever corps members are posted to, they have been adding value in order to be remembered with good legacies,” Ibrahim said.
Speaking on concern about security, he said the NYSC has partnered with security agencies to ensure adequate protection for corps members during their service year.
He said corps members will also be educated on the importance of being security conscious while in their host communities.
“Security is everybody’s business and security challenge is not limited to NYSC alone”, lbrahim said.
“We want to appeal to parents to help us also sensitise their children not to endanger their safety. Every country has challenges but we should turn our challenge into opportunities.”
Ibrahim added that the NYSC’s posting and deployment policy is based on strict guidelines and regulations.
