The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, on Friday, how the prevalent levels of insecurity across the country has dented the gains of the laudable National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
Oba Balogun said the existence and credibility of the scheme is being threatened over the recurring loss of lives.
The monarch stated this while hosting the management team of the NYSC in Oyo State led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Ogbuogebe at his Alarere residence.
Against this backdrop, Oba Balogun urged the Federal Government to put more efforts in the fight against insecurity, noting that, “the level of insecurity is fastly eroding the noble idea and objective of the founding fathers of the scheme that remains one of the best attempts to unify the country.
“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 unknown which was unheard of in the years past. The gains of the NYSC scheme are too precious to be discarded on the altar of insecurity”, Olubadan added.
Recalling his experience on his return to the country from the United Kingdom in 1972 when he had offers to either work at the then University of Ife (UNIFE) now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife or Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and chose Zaria because he wanted to know his country, the monarch said such decision was made then because everywhere was safe and secured for all and sundry.
He implored 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 as he promised the NYSC management in the state his support and cooperation towards sustaining the objective of the founding fathers.
