By Henry Uche
A group, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG), is calling for the amendment of Sections 12 and 13 of the National Youth Service Corps Act (NYSC Act) which make participation in the scheme compulsory, and a criminal offence for graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The group stated this against the backdrop of complains of excruciating experiences by youths participating in the one year mandatory scheme, particularly during election periods.
Convener/National Coordinator of SRG, Dr. Marindoti Oludare, at a press conference in Lagos said the purpose of establishing the NYSC program had been eroded over the years. He said there was need to revisit the scheme to avoid more loss of lives of youths while serving their country.
Oludare who spoke on the theme ‘Irrelevance of NYSC Certificate to Political Appointments’ codenamed the scheme ‘National Youth Servitude Corps’ saying it has failed to achieve its aims and objectives in the last 50 years.
He said: “NYSC was established in 1973 by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973, in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian civil war. It was conceived as a means to foster national unity, promote cultural exchange, and develop young minds for the betterment of our beloved nation, but sadly such purposes are dashed. An ill conceived institution that was established with the assumptions that merely posting a few Nigerians outside their states or geopolitical regions would magically unite the country. 50 years down the line, preceding and current events have proven that this magical machination did not do its job. If a fool at 40 is a fool forever, I argue that a dud at 50 is a dud forever.”
Nigeria has progressively become divided in the intervening years. Moreover, it is a system that reeks of servitude rather than service, an archaic relic that needs urgent reform.”
The toxicologist maintained that the spirit of volunteerism and national pride is lost in the bureaucratic maze, saying that what should have been a voluntary endeavor, sadly became a compulsory obligation where young graduates are coerced into a year of servitude under the threats of blackmail, penalties, discrimination and incarceration.
“Is this the Nigeria we envisioned for ourselves? A nation where the dreams and aspirations of youths are suppressed under the guise of mandatory service? NYSC has become a symbol of forced labor, an infringement on the basic Rights and Freedoms of our young citizens. It perpetuates a culture of inequality and fosters a mindset that devalues personal choice and autonomy. It is time we rose above the shackles of this oppressive system. We must acknowledge that true service stems from the heart, from a genuine desire to contribute to the society, and cannot be mandated by any law including the NYSC Act. We must acknowledge that the essence of volunteerism lies in the freedom to choose, not in the imposition of duties that stifle individual growth and potential,” he posited.
He threatened to sue the president, the senate and House of Representatives, because sections 12 and 13 of the NYSC Act violates human constitutional rights enshrined in sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.
“I call on everyone, particularly the youths and undergraduates who are most directly affected by this law, to join forces in demanding a political action to amend the NYSC law and make it a voluntary program. The demerits of the scheme evidently far outweigh the advantages, if any at all.
“If a political outcome is not achieved, I will be left with no choice but to defend my constitutional rights through legal means. We must work together to see the change we desperately need. Let our voices echo through the halls of power, reminding our leaders that they are entrusted with the duty to protect our Rights and champion our aspirations.”