It is disheartening and worrisome that youth corps members are being killed while rendering selfless service to their fatherland. The recent senseless killings of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who are serving in various parts of the country is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed by relevant authorities.
Over the years, the scheme has been very successful even in the face of economic challenges and insecurity in the country which prompted calls for a review of the scheme. More worrisome is the fact that corps members are now becoming endangered in their host communities and places of primary assignments.
Recently a corps member identified as Akpanika was killed by unidentified assailants in Ezuhu Umuhu Okwuato community in Aboh Mbaise Council of Imo State. Akpanika hailed from Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A similar incident also took place in Kwara State where a 27-year-old Yetunde Sukurat Idowu was killed by unknown assailants and her body dumped on the roadside. The deceased corps member was an indigene of Ayetoro in Ogun State.
There is also reported killing of another corps member David Onyeasina in Benin City, Edo State. The 21-year-old graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State was purportedly killed by armed robbers.
In the face of alarming massacre of innocent youths serving their fatherland, the cheering news is the fact that that other Nigerian youths are being recognised and awarded abroad. Four young Nigerians were among those honoured by Queen Elizabeth II of England at the inaugural Queen’s Young Leaders (YQL) awards at the Buckingham palace. The award which was first of its kind was designed to reward exceptional youths from across the Commonwealth nations.
The awardees include; Isaiah Owolabi, Kelvin Ogholi, Nkechikwu Azinge and Oladipupo Ajiroba. All the award winners, who are aged between 18 and 29, are being recognised by the UK monarch for taking the initiative to support others, raise awareness and inspire change on a variety of different issues. The awardees have excelled in programmes towards improvement in education, gender equality, mental health and disability, equality among others.
Surprisingly those Nigerian youths being recognised in foreign land have actually undertaken similar projects which youths corps members execute in various parts Nigeria as part their mandatory one-year service without much recognitions.
The above scenario of Nigerian youths being rewarded abroad and while being killed at home is a comparison that is food for thought. In fact, going by the trend where members of NYSC are becoming victims of terrorism and undesirable elements in the society, it may not be out of place to consider reviews as being proposed from different quarters.
It undeniable the fact that youths represent the most vibrant and adventurous group in the society. If the prevailing condition does not offer the youth the needed platform to channel their bursting energy into positive use, they may readily embrace rebellious predisposition. The relevant authorities should consider the words of the sage, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who pointed out that “If you want to know the future of any nation, take a look at what the youths are doing presently.”
We have reached a stage in our nation life when the government should review programme and policies towards addressing unfolding challenges. The NYSC authorities must devise strategies that will protect corps members in their host communities. The youths must be assured of their safety while those threaten their safety are brought to justice speedily.
Meanwhile it won’t be out of place to heed some suggestions towards empowering the youths during the youth service. Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, a current lawmakers and an entertainment guru, recently suggested the need for entrepreneurship during the national youth service.
In his twitter handle, the senator said if he had his way, each youth corps member would receive N500,000 capital to start any business of their choice once they finish with the one-year compulsory NYSC scheme. He described such gesture as a way to create jobs and minimise unemployment and eradicate poverty.
In conclusion it is essential to reiterate the fact that the youths must learn to expand their intellectual horizon, develop skills and build their capacity for productivity. The energy channelled towards football and social media information should be spread across bigger economic and national concerns for the purposes of getting a grasp of the workings and distribution of economic resources.
We must develop the strategies to achieve economic justice and expand the aspiration of Nationhood.
Gidado Yushau Shuaib
Mass Communication Department
Baze University, Abuja
