VOX POP: Reactions as bill to scrap NYSC reaches second reading

Nigerians have expressed mixed concerns about the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps scheme(NYSC) bill that reach the second reading in the House of Representatives.

You will recall that the bill was introduced last week by Awaji-Inimbek Abiante (PDP, Rivers). It is seeking to repeal section 315(5a) of the 1999 constitution and the National Youth Service Corps Act.

However, the plan has come under heavy criticism of late because of the deteriorating security situation in the country.

READ ALSO: NYSC General meets with Governor Fayemi over the safety of Corp members

Initially, NYSC is a program set up by the Nigerian government in 1973 to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and advancement of the country. Since then graduates from Nigeria tertiary institutions have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps program for one year. Moreso, it is called the national service year.

No doubt the program has been an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the bitter experience after the civil war.

However, since the bill to scrap the program has reached the second reading, it has been generating mixed reactions from Nigerians.

See reactions below…

Unpopular: NYSC is a good stopgap for millions of young people in Nigeria. Don’t scrap it, rejig it.

Focus on entrepreneurship. Focus on community development. Focus on skills development. Post people to safe states. Scrap the unity and one Nigeria objective. It’s not working.

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 24, 2021

If NYSC will be scrapped, it should be replaced with an internship or a placement year in the penultimate year. 70% of students should have the opportunity to undergo this placement or internship before graduating. I really hope they think this one through before proceeding.

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 24, 2021

On the NYSC situation:
Don’t scrap it. But revolutionise it.
Don’t make it mandatory. Make it optional.

Never post anyone to states with active insecurity, terrorism or banditry.

Let graduates sign up willingly.
Those who sign up:
Pay 50k monthly.
Give free vocational training.

— #OurFavOnlineDoc ?????? (@DrOlufunmilayo) May 25, 2021

NYSC is like most marriages.

Those who have served want it scrapped because they know what's going on right now.

Those who haven't served want it continued because they don't know what's going on right now.

— First Doctor (@firstdoctorr) May 25, 2021

Federal hospitals especially Medical Centers won't even employ post NYSC doctors anymore. Why would they, when they can use NYSC doctors to man their emergency wards, clinics and even specialty departments while paying them peanuts.

NYSC should be scrapped like yesterday.

— Lidocaine ? (@trending_medic) May 25, 2021