In Nigeria, a
graduate is almost ineligible for employment in governmental establishments
(and most private establishments) until they have completed the mandatory one
year service or obtained the relevant exemptions. Graduates who are exempted
from the service include those above the age of thirty and those with physical
disability. During the service year, it is expected that the Corps members have
the opportunity to learn the cultures of other people; some sort of cultural
diffusion and assimilation. The Nigerian Government set up the National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC) as a scheme to involve Nigerian graduates in nation
building and the development of the country. Doubtless then, the National Youth
Service Scheme plays a significant role in the Post-graduation ‘life’ of many
students.
As much as many
people have passed through this scheme and many desire to pass through it, it
would not be surprising to find out that so many people are not aware of when
exactly, this ‘all important’ scheme was established. Simply the point of this
write up.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established on 22 May, 1973. The aim was to create an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war. It was established based on decree No. 24 that stated that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”. The Modus Operandi was such that Corps members (participants in the National Youth Service Scheme) are posted to states other than their state of origin where they are expected to interact with fellow corps members of various/ differing ethnic, academic, religious and socio-cultural backgrounds, while learning the cultural beliefs, norms, values and mores of the indigenes in the location they are posted to. This vision is to further entrench the ‘One Nigeria’ mentality; uniting the country and fostering the appreciation of Unity in Diversity.
The objectives of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme are clearly enumerated in Decree No.51 of 16th June 1993 as follows:
Ahmadu Ali
served as the first Director-General of the NYSC from establishment in 1973 until
1975.
References:
NYSC
Wikipedia