Loopholes in NYSC scheme

It was not sound surprising to hear the alleged scandal of forgery of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption letter allegedly linked to the Minister of Finance. I do not want to apportion any blame. Rather, I choose to get to the root of the matter from another standpoint which is looking at the lapses of the NYSC that gave room for such acts of gross misconduct.

The NYSC scheme was introduced in 1973 by General Yakubu Gowon by Decree 24 after the Nigerian Civil war and the vision was to use the scheme to reconcile, rebuild and promote national unity. The NYSC scheme has to a large extent achieved this vision.

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There are a lot of loopholes in the NYSC scheme that have led to the present issue. They include, but are not limited to age limit for those eligible for the NYSC scheme which is 30 years, but if you visit any NYSC orientation camp, you will find people who are in no way physically and otherwise below age 30. I wonder how they scaled through. It is also no longer  news as there are also fake NYSC orientation camps in the country as well as unqualified individuals and part-time  students who gain access to call-up letters and find themselves in various orientation camps across the country. These also need to be investigated as concerned and patriotic citizens will like to know if it is the institutions or the NYSC scheme that is responsible for this.

The alleged forgery issue of the Honourable Minister of the Finance, should not just be seen as a political weapon against her and the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, but should serve as an eye opener to the loopholes that exist in the NYSC scheme as she is not the only one allegedly parading a “fake ” exemption letter as well as NYSC certificate. The NYSC scheme has these questions to answer.

Ekpe Madonna Uchechi, Kano.