The recent proposed reforms for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has attracted divergent views from prospective corps members.
DAILY POST reports that the Federal Government is proposing the extension of the orientation course for corps members from the original three weeks to six weeks.
According to the Federal Government, the reform is aimed at boosting skills acquisition, improving career development and repositioning the scheme to better meet national development needs.
The NYSC, which was established by the former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, rtd, in 1973, has the primary aim of promoting national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.
The core objective of the scheme was to address Nigeria’s greatest challenge at the time; national disunity and the secessionist tendencies that had emerged in certain parts of the country.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a prospective corps member, Charles Owoicho, said reforming the NYSC is a timely step towards relevance in a changing Nigeria.
Owoicho said the current Nigeria grapples with harsh economic realities, rising unemployment, an educational system that no longer adequately meets the demands of the modern world, and widespread digital and technological illiteracy that continues to limit the relevance, competitiveness, and productivity of many young graduates in this era of digital transformation.
According to him, judging from the evolving realities, the reform of the NYSC is not only necessary but also long overdue.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for recognizing the need to reposition the scheme to meet contemporary national demands.
