Award-winning Nollywood actress and entrepreneur, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to scrap the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because it is 'not useful.'
Speaking with the NewTelegraph, Omotola said her advice to Buhari is that the compulsory one year scheme should be stopped.
"He should scrap NYSC," she said.
"It’s not useful, he should please do that for Nigerians."
According to the actress, the NYSC has not achieved the purpose for which is was set up over the years.
"I have looked at the programme thoroughly and exactly what it’s supposed to have achieved over the years.
"Believe me, there is no credible or tangible result.
"It’s
a total waste of time and resources and I think all the time and
resources should be channeled into something more resourceful."
Omotola suggested that programmes targeted at tackling unemployment would be more valuable.
"We have had situations whereby the young ones, after graduation, are with no jobs.
"They start roaming the streets or even go into crime to survive.
"This is an urgent situation that needs to be addressed.
"Let
us make good plans for our children, instead of going to waste a whole
year of their struggle, claiming they are serving their fatherland.
"They should be trained and equipped with skills. That way, their future is secure.
It
is unlikely that Omotola's advice would be heeded by President Buhari
who only last week said the NYSC should remain as a tool for national
unity.
“I firmly believe in NYSC and I think it
should remain a national programme to promote integration," Buhari had
said during a meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth
Development.
Meanwhile, there are reports that scheme may soon be made voluntary.
Olawunmi
reportedly made the revelation last Wednesday during a presidential
briefing, informing the President the Corps is influenced by the
increasing number of prospective Corp members and paucity of funds.
It
is believed that making the scheme voluntary will cut down the number
of participants and make it easier to manage the scheme easier.
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