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Problems endemic to Nigerian society, such as corruption and a lack of resources, have bled over into the NYSC.
Recently, a new director of youth services was appointed, and he immediately announced that he would like to reform the NYSC. Condensing the training camps from one in every state to a few larger, permanent regional ones and increasing the length of the training period from three weeks to four months have been a few of the ideas proposed. However, I am been opportune to serve in Edo State where the training was only three weeks. Posted to Benin City, we are faced with the many dimensional approach to extorting money via various activities. One of such is the monthly contribution without a Corpers’ Welfare Association (CWA). To cap it all, it was mandatory before clearance that you sell tickets purportedly printed without numbers for not-so-well published Raffle Draw coming up on May 27th, 2007. The raffle tickets initial draw still stands as May 8th, 2007.
Apart from the fact that CLO’s come in various shapes and character, that of Ikpoba Okha is worthy of mention. The Current Area Inspector had made available a letter signed on behalf of the State Coordinator by his Personal Assistant, informing of the need to use (not force) for the sales of such tickets. An ultimatum of forty-eight (48) was given and later extended by twenty-four (24) hours, including two non-working days. In a no mans’ land were you have not even seen the color of the April Salary as it the second week, its treacherous. What is more treacherous is that this Local Government is well known for this manner of implementing orders that I have come to understand by some quarters and her workers as tyrannical. It is so in many capital city of Nigeria. What then do we learn when we have to bribe the Officers that should make reports about our shortcomings and hoe best to improve the process ? How do we tackle corruption when the next generation is passing through this phase of initiation ? Currently, I am facing threats and intentions to call on the gods of the Benin amongst them. How can we go forward ?
I have been an activist right from my adolescent and do not intend to throw-in the towel due to a paltry sum that would end up in the bellies of whomever they are representing. If MTN Foundation is different from MTN Nigeria, and the constitution of NYSC Foundation states that ex-corp members shall be members of this organization on graduation, why force corp members to pay for tickets not sold ? Why make it a criterion for clearance for the May salary ? Why make life unbearable for those of us in need ? The Director-General should view this action as a threat and a virus to the growth and development of the Nigerian Youth. Time is neither our friend nor a foe.
Akinbo A. A. Cornerstone
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akinbo a. a. cornerstone
A prolific Nigerian writer with a gift for words. Wrote under the pen name of Fad and Quad during the Military Era. Currently uses the "pscornerstone" signature.
An activist with religious inclination and respect for cultural heritage, he grew up streetwise and with great love for his country, Nigeria.
He believes that he who holds the word holds the world.
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