A first-class monarch in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria says the gains derived from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme are too precious to be discarded on the altar of insecurity.
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II said the scheme is one of the best attempts at unifying Nigeria.
The monarch lamented that the age-long and laudable objective of the NYSC has been under serious threats due to insecurity in some parts of the country.
He expressed this view while hosting the management team of the NYSC in Oyo State led by the State Coordinator, Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe, at his Alarere residence, Ibadan.
Oba Balogun subsequently called on the Nigerian Government to put more efforts in the fight against insecurity, stressing that “the level of insecurity is fast eroding the noble idea and objective of the founding fathers of the scheme.”
The traditional ruler said; “Today, an average parent would not want his or her child to go far away from the home state in the name of national service because of the fear of the unknown, which was unheard of in the years past.”
He enjoined the present corps members serving in the state to make the best use of the opportunity and hospitality of their hosts to advance the cause of the oneness of the country.
The Monarch promised the NYSC management in the state his support and cooperation towards sustaining the objective of the founding fathers.
The State Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs Ogbuogebe, said the visit was to felicitate Oba Balogun on his ascension of the throne.
She stated that the entire management was at the orientation camp during the installation/coronation in March, 2022, which made it impossible for her team to be part of the epoch-making event.
Mrs Ogbuogebe reeled out the numerous achievements of the scheme across the country, as well as the various interventions being made in the critical sectors of the national life, including education and health.
She said; “Today, there’s no school or General Hospital/Primary Healthcare Centre in Oyo State that you would not find a Corps member.”
Mrs Ogbuogebe applauded the government of the state for its unflinching cooperation, just as she recalled the fatherly role played by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, for the scheme.
She called on Oba Balogun to see the scheme as his baby too, saying “We will be coming with our requests, your royal highness and we want your doors to remain open to us.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
