Some youth corps members have added their voice to the growing call on why the Federal Government should not to scrap the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, stating that its merits overwhelmed its perceived disadvantages. A cross section of corps members that have just completed their service year in the University, said the objectives of the founding fathers for the scheme should be sustained, as a unifying factor for Nigerians. The corps members bared their minds during Batch ‘B’ send-forth ceremony, held for them in the University.
Mr. Michael Dogara, the outgone Internal Corpers’ Liason Officer from Kaduna State, said the scheme should not be scrapped because it had afforded many young people the opportunity to have rich ideas about the culture, food, dressing and language of peoples from other geo-political zones of the country, adding that “my service year in Abeokuta was a wonderful experience. The scheme gave me the opportunity to stay here for a year. I think the scheme should continue”. To Mr. Bello Abdulrahman from Kogi State, the environmental condition and people of the South-West areas of Nigeria, particularly, Abeokuta were friendlier, when compared to his home state, noting that the cost of living was low, adding that he may not have known about these and other vital information, if not for the mandatory service year. Mr. Adikwu Okoh from Benue State, commended the peaceful atmosphere in the University and the city (Abeokuta), at large. “FUNAAB and Ogun State are peaceful. The people are also good and peaceful. I love them for that. Majority of the youth corps members, however, called on the Federal Government to consider increasing their monthly allowances. They also made case for conducive locations as the Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), to make the service year worthwhile, productive and encouraging.
Meanwhile, youth corps members recently posted to the University have been urged to be productive, during their service year in order to make it worthwhile. The charge was given by the Director, Zoological Garden of FUNAAB, Dr. Moses Oyatogun at the send-forth ceremony. Dr. Oyatogun said the corps members deployed to the Zoological Garden had learnt well and adapted very fast to the zoo, thereby, contributing their quota to the development of the country.
The elated Director stated that he was impressed with the performance of youth corpers in the University, while encouraging them to be resilient, hardworking and committed to any cause they may find themselves in after their service year. Similarly, the Deputy Dean, Student Affairs of the University, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju, had advised the corps members not to allow excessive love of money to control their future but rather, they should work hard and be professional, adding that the future of the country depended on the youths.
Recalling their service year in the University and Abeokuta in particular, Olamitayo Joseph said he had good relationship with his neighbours, confirming that the city (Abeokuta) was truly a blessed city but Victory Charles, said that though she would have preferred to serve in an oil and gas company, her service year in FUNAAB was really interesting, only that not being able to understand the language of the people (dialect) was her major problem.
On her part, introducing shuttle buses to ply intra-University routes would complement the efforts of Management in solving transportation challenges, opined Folasade Ogunlade, who added that her bosses in FUNAAB were very nice and, hence, her service year was enjoyable. Victoria Francis would rather like a situation, whereby the indigenes would communicate in English language, while Jimbe Innocent admonished city dwellers to reduce their pepper consumption, to stay healthy.