The submission by the director general of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, that there were plans to make the scheme voluntary and reduce the corps population to make the programme more sustainable, have sparked reactions among Nigerians
Interestingly, Brigadier General Olawunmi’s statement,was made after President Muhammadu Buhari promised that his government will take all required actions to maintain and improve the programme as a functional vehicle for the promotion of national unity and integration.
He made the pledge after receiving a briefing from officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development led by Rabi Jimeta, the permanent secretary.
Micro-blogging site, Twitter, has been buzzing since the DG made the statement and Naij.com has been monitoring the reactions of Nigerians regarding the issue.
The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian civil war. The programme was N established in 1973, “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”.
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