60 per cent reduction on NYSC mobilisation

Sir: Several condemnation continues to trail the latest directive from the Federal Government mandating an over 60 per cent reduction in the number of the graduates to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) this year across the tertiary institutions, with the Federal Government attributing it to the downtrodden and scorching recession in the nation’s economy.

Speaking on the authenticity of the information and also expressing her opinion on the latest development in a telephone conversation, the Dean, Division of Students’ Affairs, Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr. Grace Akinola confirmed that the university has also received a copy of the letter.

Akinola qualifies the directive as lacking forethought and completely out of it considering the subsequent implications that will follow the directives if allowed to stand. He however advised the Federal Government to have a rethink or make the scheme an optional one without unnecessary imposition.

“We also received the letter some days ago. The Federal Government complained of insufficient funding capacity due to recession. This is totally out of it. Where do they want us to put the remaining? We are to bring only 1,344 names out of the over 4000 due for mobilisation, we have already computed their data, not adding our Adeyemi affiliations.

There is one institution with 600 graduates; they are to bring 200 names.

The government is only toying with the future of these youths as they fully know that without NYSC certificate in Nigeria of today, no one will give them employment and even without a convincing hope of the employment in place.

The government should make it optional if they think they cannot afford it. Many other institutions have already concedes maybe due to their minimal figures and we are not manufacturing names here. The university VC has been restless on it to see if they could at least increase the figure for us. We cannot afford to leave out any of our students. All the names are mainstream and not leftovers. Are these youths to stay at home and turns a devil workshop?” she said.

This government has clearly proven itself yet again and now removing any iota of doubts that it is completely tactless, myopic and has nothing good to offer out of its Nazareth, rather than its undemocratic selective justice which is even the apogee of corruption!”

• Bamidele Williams wrote from Ile-Ife