Nigeria, during and after the colonial era was ravaged by distrust ethnicity, social economic imbalance and religious differences that degenerated into atrocious acts of brutality in certain quarters of the country. Not only that, it eventually culminated in a 30months civil war (1967-1970). All these resulted in acute shortage of highly skilled manpower, extreme poverty, mass illiteracy, ineffective communication system, political and cultural dysfunctionalities in the system, among others.
This multi-faceted litany of problems prompted the Government and people of Nigeria to begin a deliberated search for progressive ideas to build a strong, united, enviable, indivisible, dynamic and self reliant Nation with equal opportunities to her citizenry.
The resultant, pragmatic approach to solving these myriad of problems, necessitated the establishment of the NYSC scheme by General Yakubu Gowon with [Decree No.22, of 22nd May, 1973], which was repealed and replaced 1993 by General Ibrahim Babangida’s Administration.
“The NYSC scheme was established primarily to inculcate in Nigerian youths, the spirit of selfless service to the nation and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood, irrespective of socio-cultural antecedents.” The government established this scheme with the aim of mobilizing her youths, having passed through different institutions of higher learning, to become the veritable tools and agents to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of a new Nigeria. This initiative intended and foresaw a country united in strength, justice, forgiveness and equity; marching to the greenery of prosperity, pioneered by her youths.
Why would the government commit such an enormous responsibility to young and inexperienced youth? This task is probably committed to youths because of their force of enthusiasm and the depth of their determination to make things work better. A graduate is assumed to have been exposed to several academic rigours, so much that they have acquired a reasonable sense of objectivity in judgement and outgrow the myopic preoccupation of narrow mindedness. If the popular saying that ‘the youths of today are custodians of tomorrow’ is true, then the youth is expected to be responsible today. For this reason, Nigerian youths have been saddled with a responsibility to join hands and serve in humility.
Thus, in sober reflection, we must ask ourselves as we get enlisted or pass out of this scheme, whether we are playing our role or have played our role with the diligence and level of commitment required as stated in the oath we sworn to at the inception of the orientation course. We must grade ourselves as to how well we have been able to dispense our duties in the spirit of the scheme to epitomize unity and integration.
How many of us actually understand and believe in the scheme? What percentage of our youths are of the opinion that the objectives of the NYSC scheme as clearly spelt out in Decree No. 51 of 16th June, 1993 is achievable?
The fact is, majorities of us are of the opinion that the scheme should be scrapped because of certain operational and exogenous problems that have bedeviled the scheme in her 37 years history. How then can we bring the vision of our past heroes and leaders into being if we cannot sacrifice our lives, time, zeal, energy and all we have to such an enviable scheme as this?
I think we should evaluate ourselves at this juncture, so that we can be at peace with our conscience – at least, for the fear of God and ‘the law of reciprocal action’ which operates by direct proportionality. We must align our personal interests with that of the scheme, for only this can bring out the best in us. Nigeria is in dire need of unity and integration. Therefore, corps members are expected to be facilitators of the unity and in furtherance, bridge the tribal and ethnical gaps that are still visible in our society. A writer of note wrote and I quote:
“A call rings out through the land, loud, shrill and clear
To all youths of the land, trained in her institutions of higher learning
A call to the service of the fatherland
It excites their movement;
Over plains, rivers, hills, vegetation, climatic belts,
All across traditions, customs, religion,
Educational, environmental and socio-cultural backgrounds
A re-congregation for a reorientation from parochial tribal mindsets
For a new paradigm of nationalism, of national integration and peaceful cohabitation
Lifting our nation high requires
Concerted efforts, dedication and selflessness
365 days of service that must
Metamorphose into a lifetime of service…”
Let us therefore throw behind us the disingenuous attitude that we have experienced over the years. Let us avoid the isolation with which we live with other ethnic groups. We should do without our instinct for abhorrence of other communities. Instead, we should join our minds and hands together, with a renewed commitment to the aforementioned purpose of the NYSC scheme.
Though the scheme has, to a reasonable extent, been able to achieve some of her objectives and justified the purpose for its establishment, despite the various problems and operational hi-cupps it has experienced; it however needs some structural review and determination on the part of all stakeholders. It likewise requires the political will of the government to minimize, if not remove imperfections inherent in it.
We can think of what to do for Nigeria, rather than thinking of what Nigeria can do for us. With this progressive mindset, we can jointly make the aims and objectives of the clarion call to lift our nation high achievable through dedication and selflessness. Nigeria is ours, let us serve Nigeria.
