‘Scrap NYSC If Safety Of Corps Members Cannot Be Guaranteed’

‘Scrap NYSC If Safety Of Corps Members Cannot Be Guaranteed’ – PTA Tells FG
Parents raise concerns over kidnappings and attacks on corps members.
Rights group calls for stronger security measures for serving graduates.

The National President of the Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, has urged the Federal Government to scrap the National Youth Service Corps scheme if it cannot guarantee the safety of corps members across the country.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri Defects To APC As Atiku’s Son Refuses To Dump PDP
Should Governors Have To Join Ruling Party for ‘Greater Federal Support’?
FEDSA National Pays Courtesy Visit to Lekki LCDA Chairman, Applauds Free JAMB Initiative

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Danjuma made the call amid growing concerns over the security of corps members following reported cases of kidnappings, killings and attacks in different parts of Nigeria.

Speaking on Saturday, the PTA president said many parents were worried about the dangers young graduates face during the mandatory national service year.

“On behalf of parents, we are not happy with what is happening. It is painful to lose a child. It is not easy to train a child from birth until they complete university and then at NYSC, the child gets kidnapped,” he said.

Danjuma stated that since participation in the scheme is compulsory for graduates, the government has a responsibility to guarantee the safety and welfare of corps members.

“We have said it repeatedly that the government has the responsibility of ensuring the security and welfare of all Nigerians. Since they engaged these young graduates in the scheme, they must ensure the safety of our children.

“The Federal Government should ensure that governors and the security architecture of each state sign an undertaking guaranteeing the safety of corps members before they are deployed there,” he added.

He warned that if adequate protection could not be provided, the programme should be discontinued.

“If you cannot protect the lives of these children, then scrap the NYSC because the value of the scheme is already defeated if the children are not safe,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the concerns raised by parents were legitimate and should not be ignored.

Sanusi criticised the management of the NYSC for allegedly leaving families to deal with kidnappers without adequate support.

“The concerns of the parents are absolutely right. There is no way someone would train his child up to that level, send him to NYSC, only to end up paying ransom,” he said.

Sanusi added that stronger security measures must be introduced to prevent corps members from being deployed to areas facing serious security threats.

“The current security situation requires measures to ensure that nobody is posted to areas where there are security threats. NYSC should not shy away from its responsibilities and leave parents to struggle with payment of ransom,” he said.

The concerns followed the case of a corps member, Musa Abba from Gusau in Zamfara State, who has reportedly remained in kidnappers’ captivity since January 9.

Abba, a graduate of Plant Science and Biotechnology from the Federal University Gusau, was abducted while travelling to Sokoto to resume his national service.

‘Scrap NYSC If Safety Of Corps Members Cannot Be Guaranteed’ – PTA Tells FG

Reports said a video later surfaced online showing the corps member being beaten by bandits after his family reportedly failed to raise the N10m ransom demanded by the abductors.

The incident has renewed nationwide concerns about the safety of corps members.