University calls for review of youth corps scheme.

The authorities of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State have called for a review of the National Youth Service Corps. The institution noted that the killing of corps members while in the service of their fatherland has called to question the philosophy, intent and propriety of the scheme.

The university's statement came on the heels of the killing of Adeniji Kehinde Jehleel, a graduate of the institution who was one of the victims of the post election violence that broke out after the presidential election.

In a statement issued by its Principal Assistant Registrar, Sola Imoru, the institution said: "Countries across the world protect, educate, provide for and consciously build their successor generation. We cannot continue to kill our own and expect to grow and compete in the 21st Century world." Similarly, two members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Akindele Adeniyi and Ifedayo Akinsoyinu have called for the scrapping of the NYSC scheme. The duo in separate interviews explained that the scheme was no longer serving the purpose it was established for.

The lawmakers who were re-elected in the just-concluded House of Assembly election in Ondo State, said it would do the nation a lot of good if the scheme could be scrapped because many corps members are dying as a result of violent clashes in the northern part of the country.

Mr Akinsoyinu who is the majority leader of the Assembly said, "I think the NYSC scheme is no longer relevant in this country. The programme was created after the civil war to integrate the various ethnic groups in the country. But now that the civil war is over, we don't need any more integration."

Corps members grievances

A former National President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Temidayo Temola, urged the federal government to ensure that corps members are not posted to states that are prone to violence. Mr Temola said only indigenes of states identified as troubled spots should be posted to their states.

"It is sad that some corps members are being rejected by some companies. The Federal Government must mandate these companies not to reject the corps members again because once they are rejected, they begin to move round the town searching for where to be absorbed "Some are not lucky, once they are rejected, they won't find a place to work. They only look for a letter headed paper of a company to claim that they were working just to collect their monthly allowance," Mr Remola noted.

A serving corps member, Nifemi Jolaiya, on her part wants the Federal government to increase the allowance being paid to corps members.

Ms Nifemi, a batch "B" 2010 corps member serving in Bauchi State, said: "It is not funny at all; most private and some public schools pay ridiculous salaries to corps members. They treat them as if they are not humans. Some corps members earn ridiculous amount like N3,000 per month."

Source:
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