The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) was established immediately after the Nigerian Civil War to foster unity and cohesion among Nigerians. By posting people to serve in different parts of the country, it helped them to know new places, socialize, meet and interact with new people. This to a large extent help form unity in diversity. A lot of destinies were greatly impacted. In fact, a lot of people secured employment, while others met life partners in the course service. So to a large extent, one may say it has achieved the purpose for which it was created.
In recent times however, there has been heated calls for a rethink into the NYSC scheme. These are not unjustified calls. The NYSC scheme today has been bastardized. People now 'work' where they want to be posted to for service. For the right amount, you get posted to the right place. Thus, making rubbish of the intent for which it was created. Similarly, the grave security challenges in the country have made people lose interest in the scheme. A lot of Youth corps members have been caught in the web of ethnic, religious and political crises in different part of Nigeria. Most of them cut short in their prime all in the name of serving fatherland. This has made parent to cut corners to ensure that their children or wards are not posted to areas where early deaths await them.
These and many other reasons made Nigerians to call for the scrap of the scheme; arguing that it is no longer useful considering reality on ground. Others have countered arguing the contrary that it should be retained. However, one must confess that the NYSC has outlived its usefulness. The enthusiasm of young graduates to serve their fatherland has died a natural death. Who would want to participate in the scheme, when he barely knows what he'll face in his place of primary assignment? Majority of youth corps members are rejected by establishments when posted thus making a lot of them roam the streets begging people to accept them. This is certainly not what those who designed the scheme had in mind. Also, most corps members do not have a place to stay or lay their heads in their place of primary assignment. Most of them face a lot of hardship when trying to settle down. How then do we expect a man who is homeless think of cohesion and fraternity with a community that has refused to provide bed for him to sleep on? We seriously need to revisit this scheme and if possible scrap it.
Considering the challenges faced by youth corps members therefore, and with the pittance paid to them, one is therefore shocked beyond redemption on why the NYSC is asking prospective corps members to pay the amount of N4,000 before they can print their call up letters. This is a grave extortion that Nigerians must not overlook or sweep under the carpet. I want to ask certain questions on this N4000 thing; what is the payment meant for? Whose account is the money going into? Has the government become so broke that it can no longer sustain the scheme? if government can no longer maintain the scheme, why not just scrap it! Why are we asking students and fresh graduates to sustain the scheme directly or indirectly?
I call on all those concerned and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene forthwith and stop this extortion in the interest of justice. President Goodluck Jonathan should call the Director General of the NYSC to order.
If this exploitation and extortion is allowed to stay, prospective corps members will have no choice than carry their destiny in their hands.
God bless Nigeria.
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
08032093229
Thursday, 20 November 2014
On Apostle of Peace, Goodluck Jonathan’s peace visit to Burkina Faso
After 27 years of being under his tight fist leadership, the people of Burkina Faso came out in large number to denounce and resist attempts by former president Blaise Compaore to elongate his tenure as president of one of the poorest country in Africa. This resistance by the people has brought an end to 27 years of mis -rule and bad governance and a clear message to everybody that true power reside in the people, if only they will exercise it.
With the fate that befell Blaise Compaore, who is practically a fugitive today, one expects that other sit-tight governments in Africa will be on the alert. The likes of Paul Biya, Idriss Deby, Yoweri Museveni, Jose Eduardo Santos, Todore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Robert Mugabe and a host of others who have been in power for donkey years, would be jittery now. Burkina Faso seem to have initiated a revolution in West Africa, the kind that swept through North Africa few years ago, which saw the death of several protracted government like Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Ben Ali of Tunisia. One hopes that other countries will follow suit, restoring the dignity of their battered constitutions, by ensuring that spirit and letter of these constitutions are followed without the frequent abuse they are subjected to.
Suffice it to state that these revolutions are not restricted to elongated governments alone. The people have also risen against governments that were perceived to be going against the interest of the generality of the people. An instance is Mohammed Morsi of Egypt, who became president after the ouster of Mubarak. When they people discovered his was pursuing an agenda different from the aim of the revolution, they hit the street and he was sent packing. Therefore president or leader is safe; the people can decide to wield their ultimate power.
Nigeria as a country is not immune to a revolution. We tried it during the Occupy Nigeria protest. That protest would have laid a good foundation for a revolution that is to come, but the betrayal of some people thwarted that move. However, all hope is not lost. The way President Goodluck Jonathan has been handling the affairs of country, a revolution is closer than we think. When the revolution comes, all those who have plunged this country to the pit of under-development, will be made to pay for the sins. Nobody will be spared.
In recent time, the onslaught by boko haram has been growing in leaps and bound. Fierce attacks and capture of town and cities, has been the order of the day. The recent one is the capture and subsequent renaming of Mubi; the capture of Vimtim, the home town of Alex Badeh, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and so many other towns which fallen to the terrorists. Pictures of people escaping from the new Islamic caliphate are everywhere. My friend spent days in the bush before he found he days out of Mubi. Boko Haram now has close to ten local governments under its control, and it is not relenting in its quest to capture more. Recent attacks in Yobe, Gombe and the Kotun Karfe prison in Kogi State, where it freed its members is a pointer to this fact.
The situation is the country is grave and one that calls for drastic measure by the Commander-in-Chief. Sadly, this Commander in Chief is known for abdicating on his primary responsibility to the people. For instance, when the Chibok girls were kidnapped, he didn’t believe they were actually kidnapped. The agitation by the international community woke him from his slumber. True to his nature, Mr. President has travelled to Burkina Faso as an apostle of peace, to broker peace while his country lies in ruin. At a time when Nigeria faces the greatest threat to its existence, one expects the president to be always at home busying himself on ways to find solutions and not globetrotting all in the name of brokering peace. Can you give what you don’t have? What if while trying to broker peace in Burkina Faso, boko haram overruns the whole of Nigeria?
Although I am not surprised with the president’s peace journey to Burkina Faso, because for Jonathan, it has been one blunder after another. I am however astonished and terrified by the passivity of Nigerians. When shall we as a people rise up in unity and demand accountability from those who masquerade as our leaders? We shall we give them the option to either secure our lives or resign honourably? When will Nigerians hit the streets and demand a change in their destiny and the destiny of the country. We cannot continue like this.
At the moment, the primary concern of President Goodluck Jonathan is redeeming his image abroad; that is why he is on a peace mission in Burkina Faso. We must as a people realise that Jonathan is not Nigeria. His personal successes will not translate into a Nigerian success. Nigerians must reclaim the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations. This passivity will not take us anywhere. I pray the revolution comes in my life time.
God bless Nigeria
Frank Ijege, frankijege@yahoo.com , @foijege
With the fate that befell Blaise Compaore, who is practically a fugitive today, one expects that other sit-tight governments in Africa will be on the alert. The likes of Paul Biya, Idriss Deby, Yoweri Museveni, Jose Eduardo Santos, Todore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Robert Mugabe and a host of others who have been in power for donkey years, would be jittery now. Burkina Faso seem to have initiated a revolution in West Africa, the kind that swept through North Africa few years ago, which saw the death of several protracted government like Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Ben Ali of Tunisia. One hopes that other countries will follow suit, restoring the dignity of their battered constitutions, by ensuring that spirit and letter of these constitutions are followed without the frequent abuse they are subjected to.
Suffice it to state that these revolutions are not restricted to elongated governments alone. The people have also risen against governments that were perceived to be going against the interest of the generality of the people. An instance is Mohammed Morsi of Egypt, who became president after the ouster of Mubarak. When they people discovered his was pursuing an agenda different from the aim of the revolution, they hit the street and he was sent packing. Therefore president or leader is safe; the people can decide to wield their ultimate power.
Nigeria as a country is not immune to a revolution. We tried it during the Occupy Nigeria protest. That protest would have laid a good foundation for a revolution that is to come, but the betrayal of some people thwarted that move. However, all hope is not lost. The way President Goodluck Jonathan has been handling the affairs of country, a revolution is closer than we think. When the revolution comes, all those who have plunged this country to the pit of under-development, will be made to pay for the sins. Nobody will be spared.
In recent time, the onslaught by boko haram has been growing in leaps and bound. Fierce attacks and capture of town and cities, has been the order of the day. The recent one is the capture and subsequent renaming of Mubi; the capture of Vimtim, the home town of Alex Badeh, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and so many other towns which fallen to the terrorists. Pictures of people escaping from the new Islamic caliphate are everywhere. My friend spent days in the bush before he found he days out of Mubi. Boko Haram now has close to ten local governments under its control, and it is not relenting in its quest to capture more. Recent attacks in Yobe, Gombe and the Kotun Karfe prison in Kogi State, where it freed its members is a pointer to this fact.
The situation is the country is grave and one that calls for drastic measure by the Commander-in-Chief. Sadly, this Commander in Chief is known for abdicating on his primary responsibility to the people. For instance, when the Chibok girls were kidnapped, he didn’t believe they were actually kidnapped. The agitation by the international community woke him from his slumber. True to his nature, Mr. President has travelled to Burkina Faso as an apostle of peace, to broker peace while his country lies in ruin. At a time when Nigeria faces the greatest threat to its existence, one expects the president to be always at home busying himself on ways to find solutions and not globetrotting all in the name of brokering peace. Can you give what you don’t have? What if while trying to broker peace in Burkina Faso, boko haram overruns the whole of Nigeria?
Although I am not surprised with the president’s peace journey to Burkina Faso, because for Jonathan, it has been one blunder after another. I am however astonished and terrified by the passivity of Nigerians. When shall we as a people rise up in unity and demand accountability from those who masquerade as our leaders? We shall we give them the option to either secure our lives or resign honourably? When will Nigerians hit the streets and demand a change in their destiny and the destiny of the country. We cannot continue like this.
At the moment, the primary concern of President Goodluck Jonathan is redeeming his image abroad; that is why he is on a peace mission in Burkina Faso. We must as a people realise that Jonathan is not Nigeria. His personal successes will not translate into a Nigerian success. Nigerians must reclaim the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations. This passivity will not take us anywhere. I pray the revolution comes in my life time.
God bless Nigeria
Frank Ijege, frankijege@yahoo.com , @foijege
Before We Crucify All Muslims
During my primary school days, I had very good friends. They are Abdulhakeem Shehu and Ak Shehu . These were brothers and I was like the third one in their midst. Their father Late Alhaji A. W. Shehu (May God grant him paradise and rest his soul), was like a father to me.
After school, we went to his office and he’d drop me off at a junction before proceeding home with his boys. Throughout this period, there was nothing like ‘this one is Christian stay away from him.’ I went to their house one time and the family members all wanted to see this friend of their siblings. My parents were equally aware of this relationship and approved of it. I owe this duo immense gratitude for the things they did for me and will never forget. It is unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, this can no longer happen. We indoctrinate our children from home on who they should associate, mingle or interact with. Yet, we preach unity.
Then I went to Government Secondary Technical School Soba (now Government Technical College,Soba), where I met King Ukissa Abdullahi. He was like an elder brother to me. There were days when he woke me up to attend morning devotion. But he is Muslim! He never betrayed friendship for anything whatsoever; not even religion. I visited him the last time I was in Kaduna; the reception by members of his family will remain ever green.
I attended Kaduna Polytechnic, where I met Isah Haruna, Attah Buhari, Musa Abdullahi, Abu Abarah and several others. These people have remained brothers till date. After the 2011 elections for instance, I was in Benue State (where I observed the election), crises erupted in different parts of the country. For some reason, I couldn’t contact them. They were the ones worried for me and were inquiring if my family and I were safe.
I also met Musa Suleiman, my school mate and colleague at United Arewa Youth Organisation(UAYO). We have been involved in activities on ways to curb the madness that as bedeviled this country. At the shortest notice, we travel to attend meetings even at the greatest risk. Not for anything, but to bring peace.
These people are all Muslims, good Muslims; and most have them have condemned and are still condemning the activities of boko haram and other militant sect. For somebody to say that I should rob Boko Haram on them simply because they are Muslims, will be most unfair. No matter what happens, there are still good Muslims who are opposed to what is going on.
Instead of standing aside and condemning all Muslims, let us team up with the good ones and save Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
@Foijege on twitter
In Search of a Nigerian President By Frank Ijege
The entity called Nigeria today is a product of the 1914 amalgamation by her Colonial masters. Since that day, life has not remained the same for the people. The colonial masters sought to bring the different tribes together, with an aim to form a single entity. This they did, to help them in the smooth administration and exploitation of the country. So, the people woke up one morning to discover that they have become merged with others and have been forced into become one entity, despite the seeming difference in their culture and way of life.
The people were hardly consulted, neither were they given the opportunity to discuss the terms of their coming together. Many people had expected the colonial masters to take steps to foster unity and imbibe a feeling of oneness among the people. Sadly, they didn’t. Instead of uniting the people, the colonial masters for selfish reasons, further planted division among the people. People were taught to regard those from their ethnic group more than others. In every engagement, regional interest towers above national interest. People were ready to die for their regions and none was ready to die for Nigeria. The nationalists of that time were seen more as ethnic heroes and not national heroes. All tribes lived in mutual suspicion of one another. Lies, baseless rumours were fabricated and shared with reckless abandonment against one another, and many people fell for it.
This was the situation in the pre-independence Nigeria. After independence, the situation did not change. Instead coming together and ensuring the ‘new’ country is placed on the path of progress and development, most nationalist and anti-colonialism fighters withdrew to their regions to propagate regional and not national interest. There was hardly any of them who was genuinely championing a Nigerian cause. It was either a Northern, Southern, or Western region affair; there was no Nigerian affair.
This state of affairs has continued till date. At every stage of our national life, issues of regionalism and tribalism take the center stage against national interest. Merit and competence is slaughtered on the altar of religion, tribalism and nepotism. One area where this is prominent is in elections. During elections, people are more concerned about the ethnicity and region the candidate belongs to, and not his or her competence. From 1963 to date, this has been the basis of (s)electing leaders by Nigerians. We have also spiced tribalism and regionalism up with religion; a sad development for our troubled country. Mutual suspicion, unnecessary violence, killing and maiming of one another, sabotage overheating the polity, etc are some of the consequences of this mentality.
All the leaders we have had as a country, are/were products of this faulty mind set. We are yet to enjoy the dividends of having a true and genuine Nigerian leader and president, one who will not be judged from where he comes from, but by the love and interest he has for the country. A president who will not play the ethnic or religious card when he assumes office. One who will tell his people, that although I am one of you, I am now for Nigeria and Nigerians and will operate as such for the next four or eight years.
We must note that a Nigerian president cannot emerge without a change in the orientation of the Nigerians. Until this happens, Nigeria will remain where it is; making motion without movement.
As the 2015 elections approaches, one hopes Nigerians will shove issues of regionalism, tribalism and religions aside, and see through all the contestants to the oval office of president, and ‘elect’ a true and genuine leader. We cannot continue to make the mistake of the past. One good thing about making mistakes is that it affords you and opportunity to learn and correct yourself. 2015 offers us an opportunity to correct the mistakes we have been making since 1914. I pray Nigerians find a Nigerian president. God bless Nigeria.
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
@foijege
The people were hardly consulted, neither were they given the opportunity to discuss the terms of their coming together. Many people had expected the colonial masters to take steps to foster unity and imbibe a feeling of oneness among the people. Sadly, they didn’t. Instead of uniting the people, the colonial masters for selfish reasons, further planted division among the people. People were taught to regard those from their ethnic group more than others. In every engagement, regional interest towers above national interest. People were ready to die for their regions and none was ready to die for Nigeria. The nationalists of that time were seen more as ethnic heroes and not national heroes. All tribes lived in mutual suspicion of one another. Lies, baseless rumours were fabricated and shared with reckless abandonment against one another, and many people fell for it.
This was the situation in the pre-independence Nigeria. After independence, the situation did not change. Instead coming together and ensuring the ‘new’ country is placed on the path of progress and development, most nationalist and anti-colonialism fighters withdrew to their regions to propagate regional and not national interest. There was hardly any of them who was genuinely championing a Nigerian cause. It was either a Northern, Southern, or Western region affair; there was no Nigerian affair.
This state of affairs has continued till date. At every stage of our national life, issues of regionalism and tribalism take the center stage against national interest. Merit and competence is slaughtered on the altar of religion, tribalism and nepotism. One area where this is prominent is in elections. During elections, people are more concerned about the ethnicity and region the candidate belongs to, and not his or her competence. From 1963 to date, this has been the basis of (s)electing leaders by Nigerians. We have also spiced tribalism and regionalism up with religion; a sad development for our troubled country. Mutual suspicion, unnecessary violence, killing and maiming of one another, sabotage overheating the polity, etc are some of the consequences of this mentality.
All the leaders we have had as a country, are/were products of this faulty mind set. We are yet to enjoy the dividends of having a true and genuine Nigerian leader and president, one who will not be judged from where he comes from, but by the love and interest he has for the country. A president who will not play the ethnic or religious card when he assumes office. One who will tell his people, that although I am one of you, I am now for Nigeria and Nigerians and will operate as such for the next four or eight years.
We must note that a Nigerian president cannot emerge without a change in the orientation of the Nigerians. Until this happens, Nigeria will remain where it is; making motion without movement.
As the 2015 elections approaches, one hopes Nigerians will shove issues of regionalism, tribalism and religions aside, and see through all the contestants to the oval office of president, and ‘elect’ a true and genuine leader. We cannot continue to make the mistake of the past. One good thing about making mistakes is that it affords you and opportunity to learn and correct yourself. 2015 offers us an opportunity to correct the mistakes we have been making since 1914. I pray Nigerians find a Nigerian president. God bless Nigeria.
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
@foijege
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