Corps members laud NYSC scheme, advocate continuity
Some Corps Members serving in Oyo State have lauded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, saying that stopping the scheme will not be healthy for Nigerian youths.
They said this in interviews with the Newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Mr Ugochukwu Jasper, a corps member, noted that the NYSC scheme should last forever, adding that it had helped him in terms of self actualisation.
“The Skill Acquisition and Enterprenuership Development (SAED) programme in particular has really equipped me for the future,” he said.
He said that the scheme had enabled him to understand some characteristics of other part of the country and its people in relation to his place of origin.
“The prices of food and transportation are relatively cheaper in Oyo state, compared to the Eastern part where I came from and Yoruba language is fun to learn.
“The Yoruba people are really hospitable; NYSC is the strongest tool for youth empowerment and development
“It’s the best thing that can happen to every Nigerian youth,” he said.
Miss Adisa Mohammed said that it was a good experience serving in Oyo state, as prices of foodstuff and transportation were affordable.
She also noted that the foodstuff in the state were nutritious, adding that the language was also interesting to learn.
Mohammed stressed that the orientation camp was one of the most interesting parts of the scheme, where youths ‘’learned virtues, values, culture, tolerance and every other necessary thing to live, impact and survive in any part of the country’’.
“NYSC scheme should continue in Nigeria because the scheme has availed youths the opportunity for personal growth, access to life changing opportunities and progressive networking.
‘’Also it breeds tolerance to live with people with different religious, ethnic or psychological beliefs.
“These are aside the facts that the scheme has continually helped in national integration.
“NYSC has also imbibed a culture of giving back to the society through the Community Development Service (CDS) programme.
“Cultural transmission is one of the core gains Youth Service Corps provides; a Yoruba man can practice the culture of Igbo and the Hausa man can also practice that of the Yoruba.
“Youths can live, build their businesses, marry, travel or settle down in any region of the country, having gathered a lot of experiences during their service year,” she said.
Also, Mr Victor Afolabi, who served in the state in 2020, said that NYSC had made him know the importance of a United Nigeria.
“While I was serving, I had the opportunity of meeting with virtually all races in Nigeria, as well as build my latent potential by acquiring more knowledge through SAED programme.
“This promoted my self-reliance ability after the compulsory service year.
“Furthermore, some of the friends I met while undergoing the scheme and some officials I had an encounter with are now my customers today, as they patronise my electrical services.
“Meanwhile, government at all levels can still put more effort in establishing well trained corps members and provide capital for them to start business.
“This will help to reduce load of work force in the government and promote self reliance,” he said.
