The Pledge - A call to National Service

I pledge to Nigeria my country,

To be faithful, loyal and honest.

To serve Nigeria with all my strength

To defend her unity and uphold her honor and glory.

So help me God.

The key words that strike me in this pledge as composed by Prof (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin are:

1. Faithful

2. Loyal

3. Honest

These bring me to the topic of discussion.       

The National youth service program of the Nation. (NYSC)

In recent years, the lives of many youths have been cut short at early stages due to the activities of political hoodlums, fanatical religious bigots, kidnappers and other social miscreants.

During the election registration period, we heard of several corpers that were held hostage in the northern region of the country and were forced to register minors. Some lost their lives, some had to flee. The one that comes readily to mind is Mr. Ukeoma Ikechukwu who was on election duty in Bauchi state and was killed by political thugs. 4 others were reported dead, 26 were rescued out of the 51 corps members posted to Jammare, Giade, Misau, Azare, Dambam and ItasGadu areas. This is in Bauchi state alone. What of those in other states who were not reported?

“The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war. The unfortunate antecedents in our national history gave impetus to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 which stated that the NYSC is being established "with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity" Source: http://www.nysc.gov.ng/history.php”

“"Corp" members are posted to cities far from their city of origin. They are expected to mix with people of other tribes, social and family backgrounds, to learn the culture of the indigenes in the place they are posted to. This action is aimed to bring about unity in the country and to help youths appreciate other ethnic groups.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Youth_Service_Corps”

However, with the state of insecurity in the nation these days, do you think these aim can be achieved?

In as much as I pledge to be faithful, loyal and honest, where do we draw the line?

I would love to be posted to the regions that are different from where i was born, brought up or schooled. I would love to experience other cultures, tribes, traditions and religions, but if it would endanger my life is it worth it? Is laying my life for my country a worthy sacrifice?

My personal view is that at a time when there is so much insecurity, killings, bombings etc., it is only fair that youth should be posted to only peaceful states. Youth from the crisis ridden states should be posted to fellow crisis ridden states.

I doubt if any of the administrators will post their wards to the flashpoints.

Just another random and maybe meaningless thought that entered the Hokage’s head......

Feel free to read, comment, and share (your opinion + the post)

NB: please share how your service year story. Was it fun for you? If your ward was posted to the North, would you let your ward go? Do you think NYSC should be scraped? 

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CREDITS

Many thanks to @yettieP for your valuable contributions!