. Calls for urgent investigation of section in NYSC pamphlet
By Ikenwa Charity
Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has condemned the alleged insertion of the advice of payment of ransom to bandits by members of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) as advised in the scheme’s pamphlet containing security tips.
Elumelu moved the motion condemning such steps as portraying the country’s security architecture as being overwhelmed over the fight against insurgency.
The lawmaker noted that the purpose of the establishment of the NYSC in 1973, was to foster a more cohesive nation whereby; young Nigerian graduates below the age of 30 would have to associate, and tolerate cultures of people from other regions as part of efforts to cushion the effects of the damages of the civil war from 1967-1970.
National Youth Service Corps
He however lamented that the indiscriminate security challenges that has bedeviled the country has not spared members of the NYSC, who are either adopted for ransoms being demanded for by kidnappers or killed on their way to their various areas of posting.
Elumelu said, “In the last few days, I have been inundated with call and the media has been awash with reports of an embarrassing provision under sec 65(e) of the NYSC security tips pamphlet, advising Corps members to tell their families to make ransoms available incase they are kidnapped while traveling on some of our major roads for national assignment.
“Concerned that the inclusion of the said section shows a complete collapse in the architectural system of our security forces and a major worry for friends and family as to why their children should be allowed to participate in this compulsory process.
“Further concerned that this provision shows lack of concern towards the safety of corp members as against the provisions of sec 19 of the public officers protection act which places the welfare and security of Corp members on Government.
The lawmaker expressed dismay over the fact that an institutions such as the NYSC would openly insert such a clause in their security tips manual, describing it as, “a portrayal of complete collapse in the capacity of the government to provide security on highways and therefore a surrender of government institution to kidnappers and bandits thereby giving Nigerians reasons to worry, hence the need for an urgent investigation.”
He charged the committee on youth development.to investigate the motive behind the inclusion of item 65(e) of the NYSC Security Awareness and Education Handbook and Investigate the security situation around corps members and the circumstances leading to the attacks and killing of corps members in various parts of the country within four (4) weeks and report back to the house.
End.
