The National Youth Service Corps,NYSC in Nigeria has clarified a media reports currently trending on the social media on the mobilization of Corps Members for war in the country.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim had said corps members are part of the national defence policy of Nigeria and can be mobilised for war if need be.
Ibrahim disclosed this on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday while reacting to moves to scrap the NYSC scheme which is compulsory for all Nigerians who graduate before the age of 30.
The NYSC DG had said, “You can imagine within the short three weeks in the orientation camps, the corps members are moulded. They are like soldiers. You see female corps members blowing the army horn, playing with the military band.
“So, if not for the knowledge, where are you going to mobilise such young Nigerians to train them quickly to put in their best for the country?
“So, corps members are on reserve. They are also part of the national defence policy. Parents should teach their children the spirit of patriotism.”
But NYSC in a statement signed by its Press and Public Relation Officer, Emeka Mgbemena and made available to Journalists on Friday denied such claim, adding that the DG was qouted out of context.
According to him, the Director-General of the NYSC, General Shuaibu Ibrahim had stated that in line with the National Defence Policy, Corps Members are like soldiers on reserve, because their education, exposure and sophistication, can make them easily adaptable to military training.
Mgbemena said the Director General in his statement also advised corps members to remain focused and patriotic; for the spirit of NYSC to live in all Nigerians.
He noted that General Ibrahim never at any point said that Corps Members are being mobilised to fight war.
He therefore said that, the Scheme shall continue to safeguard the interest of Corps Members at all times.
