Scrap NYSC or let participants serve in their states – NAPTAN tells FG

Parents under the aegis of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, have called on the Federal Government to scrap the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Scheme or allow participants to observe it in their states of origin.

This, according to the association, has become imperative following the soft targets members and prospective members of the scheme have become in the hands of criminal elements who kidnap them.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of NAPTAN, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, expressed sadness that the scheme is being turned to a curse rather than a blessing to parents and participants.

“Parents are not happy with the incessant abduction and kidnap of our children going for the NYSC scheme. This must stop. Our children that we suffer to train in school should not be seen as soft targets by criminal elements such as kidnappers. They are not items of merchandise that somebody will be haggling about how much to pay for their release.

“There is no doubt that the idea behind the setting up of the scheme is good, but the realities of today are not fully supporting that. Let us look at the percentage of parents who can say their wards or children should go by air to their places of deployment; it may be less than five per cent. It means no matter how long the distance, more than 95 per cent of corps members travel by road to their states of deployment.

“One can imagine the various hazards on the road, even the state of our highways. Highways that are prone to accidents. Is the risk worth it? We are suggesting that the government should let corps members serve in their states of origin. At least, Yoruba elders say that your father’s house cannot be a threat to you.

“Even the condition under which most corps members serve is not good enough. We call for the improvement in the various orientation camps. Graduates should not be treated as animals. Most employers don’t even provide the corps members basic things for their comfort. They don’t give them accommodation.

“Regarding the corps members that are being held captive by abductors, please all hands must be on deck to ensure their quick and safe return. When the kidnappers are demanding millions of naira, where do they expect the parents to raise such money from? Parents who could not afford to send their wards by plane to those places,” he stated.

Ogunbanjo prayed for the quick release of the 19 corps members being help-captive in Imo State.