BY EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO<\/p>\n
Socrates remains a fascinating thinker and one of the original fathers
\nof philosophy \u2013 a course which implicitly is defined as the love of
\nwisdom. And so, a remarkable and momentous affirmation for which
\nSocrates is associated with is that which states that: \u201cMan know
\nthyself for an unexamined life is not worth living\u201d.<\/p>\n
As students of philosophy, we are informed that the first philosophers
\nhad focused their attention upon nature, but the sophists and Socrates
\nshifted the concerns of philosophy to the study of man. Instead of
\nasking the large cosmic questions about the ultimate principles of
\nthings, we learnt however that philosophy became preoccupied with the
\nquestions relating more directly to man\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n
These narratives about how the dimensions of the study of philosophy
\nunfolded in the phenomenal epochs that the study of philosophy had
\nundergone, brings us to the theme of our reflection today which is
\nabout the fundamental approach towards the implementation of the core
\nobjectives of the National Youth Service Corp and the
\nreform-mindedness which seems to have defined the worldview of the
\ncurrent Director General of the NYSC \u2013 Brigadier General Shuaibu
\nIbrahim. These reforms have started yielding results with the forensic
\ndiscovery of some participants of the NYSC scheme who parade fake
\nqualifying certificates. At the last count, nearly 100 of such dubious
\npersons have been fished out.<\/p>\n
As it were, the new order in the NYSC is focused towards achieving
\nholistic law reforms and to attain a pragmatic purification of the
\nprocesses leading up to the enlistment of participants in the yearlong
\nnational service under the National Youth Service scheme.<\/p>\n
Reforming the law setting up the NYSC has always formed the major
\nfulcrum of discuss amongst analysts but for the first time in the
\nhistory of the NYSC, here comes a head of the institution who has
\nindeed Kick-started the intellectual and practical approaches towards
\nrealizing the aspirations of a better focused NYSC.<\/p>\n
Basically, as is universally known, reforming an existing law and
\nadvocating and implementing changes in a legal statute such as the
\nenabling Act that set up the NYSC is aimed at enhancing better service
\ndelivery and improve the efficiency of the institution.<\/p>\n
To underscore the essence of the well-conceived stakeholders forum on
\nthe Act, the nationalist behind the enactment of the enabling Act and
\nformer Head of State General Yakubu Gowon(GCFR) as he then was,
\napplauded the current management of NYSC for embarking on this journey
\nof actualizing legal reforms of the institutional legal framework.<\/p>\n
Gowon who was represented at the event stated that: “I commend the
\nNYSC management for its foresight in taking this step of educating
\nNigerians on the enabling Act. I have no doubt in my mind that this
\ninitiative will go a long way in providing appropriate guidance to all
\nrelevant stakeholders on their role expectations.”<\/p>\n
It would be recalled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
\nwhich was established in 1973 by then Federal Military Government to
\nunite and integrate Nigerians following the experience of a three-year
\ncivil war in the country has left no stone unturned to achieve its
\nmandate and other associated national objectives.<\/p>\n
It is evidently manifest that the youths were considered the veritable
\ndrivers of the Scheme due to their vibrancy, vitality and resilience.<\/p>\n
In the light of the above intention therefore, fresh Nigerian
\ngraduates within ages thirty (30) and below who have obtained Degree
\nor HND Certificates are mobilized for the compulsory one-year National
\nservice.<\/p>\n
The National Youth Service Corps Act CAP N84 Laws of the Federation of
\nNigeria 2004 encompasses the objectives and goals of the NYSC. The law
\nevolved from the original statute called decree number 24 of 22nd May,
\n1973. The law makes it mandatory as it were for all eligible graduates
\nto undertake one year national service just as the law specifies
\nsanctions for evasions and illegal participation.<\/p>\n
It can be stated that the current Director General who assumed duties
\nbarely few months ago, has embarked on series of capacity building
\nactivities that have been anchored on the necessity of law reforms as
\naforementioned, sanitizing the mechanisms and processes of producing
\nquality graduates from institutions situated within and outside of the
\nshores of Nigeria and to maintain the time honored and tested goals of
\nthe scheme.<\/p>\n
Another high profile event that has taken place in the past couple of
\nmonths that the current director general assumed office is the forum
\nthat took place during which participants brainstormed on the core
\nobjectives of the NYSC in total compliance with the enabling Act that
\nset it up and to work on modalities for reforming the enabling Act to
\nimprove efficiency and effectiveness.<\/p>\n
The Honorable Philip Cummin, the President of the Commonwealth
\nAssociation of Law reform agencies gave us a summary of the goals of
\nany universally accepted legal reforms like the type that the new
\nmanagement of NYSC is currently fine tuning.<\/p>\n
He said: “to sustain the rule of law, law reform needs to be
\nprincipled, based on sound methods, and to take full account of the
\nviews of the civil society and of experts. It should be respected,
\nreliable, rigorous and responsive”.<\/p>\n
These strategic events by the NYSC management are in compliance with
\nthe above standards of best global practices desirable for actualizing
\na credible process of reform and the workshops have come at the very
\nright time because as Professor Chinua Achebe of the blessed memory
\nstated that \u201cin the final analysis a leader\u2019s no-nonsense
\nreputation might induce a favorable climate but in order to effect
\nlasting change it must be followed up with a radical programme of
\nsocial and economic re-organization or at least a well-conceived and
\nconsistent agenda of reform which Nigeria stood, and stands in the
\ndire need of\u201d.<\/p>\n
The hosting of these series of brainstorming sessions by the helmsman
\nat the NYSC is seen as well-conceived and can indeed be contextualized
\nas a strategic and consistent pattern of an emerging agenda of reforms
\nthat would define the tenure of the new leadership. The parleys have
\nindeed advocated implementable recommendations aimed at achieving
\nbetter results along the lines of the necessity of law reform of the
\nNYSC Act and to uproot all anomalies experienced in the enlistment of
\nparticipants of the NYSC.<\/p>\n
The same professor Achebe had stated that: \u201cThe trouble with Nigeria
\nis simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing
\nbasically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong
\nwith the Nigerian land and climate or water or air or anything else.
\nThe Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders
\nto rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example
\nwhich are the hallmarks of true leadership\u201d.<\/p>\n
As a manifestation of the new zeal within the hierarchy of NYSC, one
\namongst the double meetings was held with corps producing institutions
\nin Africa and other stakeholders with a focus on how best to ensure
\nthat participants of the NYSC are assisted to evolve into sound and
\neffective citizens.<\/p>\n
The hierarchy of the NYSC summed up the reasons for the forum which
\nhad in attendance the heads of producing institutions in Africa
\nalongside other strategic partners.<\/p>\n
The Director General affirmed that: \u201cWe have observed in recent
\nyears that the quality of some of the graduates presenting themselves
\nfor mobilization for National Service from foreign institutions,
\nespecially in Africa, did not meet the needed manpower quality to
\nactualize our national dream”.<\/p>\n
He argues more persuasively thus: “This development constitutes risks
\nand increases the vulnerability of the economy and our social
\nwellbeing. I wish to place on record that in recent times there have
\nbeen an upsurge in the number of graduates who cannot defend their
\ndegree certificates. Some of them can barely read, write or speak
\nEnglish language which is Nigeria\u2019s official language. This
\nsituation is negating government\u2019s efforts at managing the economy
\nand addressing other multiple threats to the development of the
\ncountry\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Director General then made a very shocking disclosure that some
\ntertiary institutions simply sell their Degree\/HND Certificates to
\nunscrupulous persons who never underwent the rigours that the standard
\nacademic environment demands to merit ownership of the certificate.<\/p>\n
Hear him: \u201cWe have evidences of persons who possess original of such
\nDegree\/HND Certificates and Transcripts from some universities that
\nare represented here today. Some of these persons have equally
\nconfessed that their data are in the Database of such institutions. We
\nare reliably informed that such Certificates and Transcripts cost
\nbetween #300,000.00 and #500,000.00.\u201d<\/p>\n
He announced that one of the measures to check this anomaly and the
\nugly trend of certificate racketeering, is the recommendation to the
\nFederal Ministry of Education to liaise with the Federal Ministry of
\nForeign Affairs to ensure that all Degree and HND Certificates
\nobtained outside the shores of Nigeria are authenticated at the
\nNigerian Consulate in the country of study.<\/p>\n
And then proceeded to pronounce as follows: \u201cTherefore, with effect
\nfrom the 2019 Batch \u2018C\u2019 service year, only academic certificates
\nauthenticated by Nigerian Consulates in countries of study will be
\naccepted for National Service. Furthermore, all institutions found
\nculpable in the sale of Degree Certificates will be blacklisted\u201d,
\nthe Director General stressed.<\/p>\n
One other issue is that certain institutions are said to be in the bad
\npractice of issuing certificates to their would-be graduates in the
\nfield that they never studied just to enable these graduates
\nparticipate in the scheme because they apply with their original
\nfields of study which are unaccredited, they would not be allowed to
\nserve.<\/p>\n
At that event, foreign institutions were asked in their own interest
\nto stick only to accredited courses just as the NYSC is working on
\nimplementing an idea whereby qualification and course of study would
\nbe included in the NYSC Certificates to be issued to participants.
\nThis is a noble idea if implemented.<\/p>\n
The management warned foreign institutions to desist from extorting
\ntheir graduates through the illegal collection of processing fees
\nranging from $100 to $300.<\/p>\n
The NYSC has therefore deemed this as an illegal activity. The
\nmanagement of the NYSC has also asked the foreign institutions to
\nappoint contact persons in Nigeria who would work in partnership with
\nthe Federal Ministry of Education on issues relating to their
\ninstitutions and graduates.<\/p>\n
Two other critical issues came up in the presentation made by the
\nDirector General of the NYSC.<\/p>\n
These are the issue of running illegal satellite campuses in Nigeria
\nby foreign universities who issue to their students certificates as if
\nthey studied in their home institutions. The other matter relates to
\nthe parading of fake certificates which was frowned against.<\/p>\n
The Director General stated clearly that the parading of fake
\ncertificates by persons seeking to serve in NYSC scheme amounts to a
\ncrime in line with section 13(2) of the NYSC Act, cap N84, laws of the
\nFederation of Nigeria of 2004. It is expected that subsequently the
\nlaw enforcement agencies would effectively combat these cases as
\naforementioned.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the NYSC met at another brainstorming session on the
\nNational Youth Service Corps Act, N84 laws of the Federation of
\nNigeria of 2004 with a view to amongst others; highlight the
\noperational framework of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act
\nto enhance clearer understanding by all stakeholders and the general
\npublic.<\/p>\n
At the end of the deliberations, the participants resolved that it is
\nmandatory for all graduates trained within and outside the country to
\nundertake the national service as prescribed by the NYSC Act.<\/p>\n
Conversely, parents\/guardians, employers of Labour and all Nigerians
\nwere tasked to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the NYSC Act
\nto stem the numerous infractions that is currently impairing the
\neffective and efficient operation of the NYSC Scheme, particularly as
\nit relates to deployment to states and posting of Primary Assignment.<\/p>\n
There was also the compelling need to draw the attention of States and
\nLocal Governments to sections 6(2), 7(3) and 8(3) & (4) of the NYSC
\nAct which highlighted their statutory obligations to the NYSC,
\nespecially with regards to the provision and maintenance of
\norientation camps, office accommodation as well as Corps members\u2019
\nlodges and other welfare provisions for Corp members.<\/p>\n
The need to address through enforcement of relevant disciplinary
\nsanctions as enshrined in the enabling Act the challenges of willful
\ninfraction of the NYSC Act by various stakeholders, including
\nmutilation of NYSC Uniform by Corps members, use of the Uniform by
\nunauthorized persons, evasion of service by qualified graduates as
\nwell as attempts by unqualified persons to be mobilized for service
\nwas forcefully made.<\/p>\n
On the essence of beginning the process of fundamentally reforming the
\nAct it was rightly observed thus: “The time lag between 1973 when the
\nScheme was established to today reveal the need to reform some
\nprovisions of both the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws even which obviously have
\nbecome obsolete.<\/p>\n
It was the unanimous position of the quality audiences and
\nparticipants at that forum on the enabling Act of NYSC that the NYSC
\nManagement should institute appropriate legislative procedure for the
\namendment of the NYSC Act to improve Corps welfare, enhance the
\ngeneral operations of the Scheme and properly align the Act to the
\nprovisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
\nNigeria.<\/p>\n
Observing also that the NYSC Bye-Laws is a subsidiary legislation of
\nthe NYSC Act, and also that since the last review in 1993, most of the
\nprovisions of the Bye-Laws have become obsolete, rendering prescribed
\nsanctions inconsequential, the NYSC Management were powerfully urged
\nto without further delay set in motion process to update the Bye-Laws
\nto make its provisions more relevant to current day realities just as
\nit was observed that some areas of the Bye-Laws conflict with the
\nNYSC Act, and agreed that NYSC Management needs to address such
\ninconsistencies to facilitate the implementation of both essential
\noperational instruments.<\/p>\n
The sum total of these loaded practical brainstorming events shows
\nthat there would be light at the end of the tunnel. There is also the
\nneed for the NYSC management to sustain these efforts of getting the
\nbuy in and ownership of the processes of law reform by all the
\nrelevant stakeholders, credible organized civil society community and
\nyouth based groups.<\/p>\n
Finally, the role of the media in sensitizing and carrying out
\neffective enlightenment of the general public on the objectives of the
\nNYSC and the relevant sections of the NYSC Act cannot be
\noveremphasized. The Director General himself stated this unambiguously
\nthus: “Given the current realities and the continuing relevance of the
\nNYSC, we have recognized the need to provide avenue for enlightenment
\nof Nigerians on the enabling Act and the various aspects of our
\noperations. This is based on our firm belief that the roles of
\nstakeholders are better played if the provisions of the enabling law
\nare clearly understood.”<\/p>\n
The phenomenal policy that led to the successful procurement from the
\nFederal government of a radio licence by the NYSC is one amongst the
\npositively constructive steps to empower the youth through quality
\ninformation dissemination and enlightenment. It is therefore the
\nexpectation of some of us professionals in the media that competent
\nmedia practitioners are hired to administer the broadcasting station
\nof the NYSC.<\/p>\n
*Emmanuel Onwubiko heads HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
\n(HURIWA) and blogs @www.emmanuelonwubiko.com [1],
\nwww.huriwa.blogspot.com [2],www.thenigerianinsidermews.com [3].<\/p>\n
Links:
\n——
\n[1] http:\/\/www.emmanuelonwubiko.com
\n[2] http:\/\/www.huriwa.blogspot.com
\n[3] http:\/\/www.thenigerianinsidermews.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BY EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO Socrates remains a fascinating thinker and one of the original fathers of philosophy \u2013 a course which implicitly is defined as the love of wisdom. And so,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":70072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n