by Toluwanimi Onakoya

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The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) led by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and his committee, has expressed concerns and proposed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) suspend some of its activities for two years, declaring that the initiative would curb the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

The NYSC is a compulsory year-long program for Nigerian graduates and members are posted to a random state for three weeks of camp training. Upon successful completion, they are asked to serve in the assigned state for a year.

This platform would have thousands of youths coming together from various parts of Nigeria in confined spaces, interacting and would definitely be a catalyst for the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Many Nigerians agreed with the Vice President on this stance, stating that no one in their right minds should even think of resuming NYSC activities while some even went as far as to suggest the initiative be scrapped permanently, all together.

Wait a Minute!!! What's the essence of spending 3weeks a Camp where all you is to Sleep, Wake Up, Have Sex with a Stranger, and spend all you savings in Mami Market.

Am with Osinbajo & ESC on suspension of #nysc camp for 2years. pic.twitter.com/H2s9vADz5s

— Mayowa Olaniyan ?? (@olaniyanmayowa) June 16, 2020

There's no sane country that would open a nation wide camp for 3 weeks with interstate travel in a pandemic.

Because why in the heck will NYSC want to reopen camps?

— Lidocaine ? (@trending_medic) June 15, 2020

I think they should just scrap this NYSC thing once and for all. https://t.co/4w8lkCJZjh

— Rotimi Okungbaye (@rotimiokungbaye) June 16, 2020

 

Many suggested that the “NYSC Cabal” would not be happy with this development; inferring that those who are in some way benefitting from the NYSC scheme would not want it to be postponed.

The NYSC Cabal will not be happy. All those feeding and diesel contracts. https://t.co/zvERKDwRNs

— Gossy Ukanwoke (@gossyomega) June 16, 2020

 

Others questioned how NYSC planned on ensuring social distancing on campgrounds or at the “Mammy” market if they, indeed, intended to proceed as normal.

NYSC has submitted proposals for camps to be reopened.

It has been submitted to the Covid19 Presidential Task Force for consideration to reopen sometimes next month or so.

It would be interesting to see how they will ensure social distancing at mammy market and camp grounds ?

— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 15, 2020

 

It was however clarified that the Vice President’s proposal only included the postponement of the three weeks camp training, not the 1-year service.

Important to correct this misleading headline. It's the paramilitary orientation camping that is being considered to be suspended for at least 24 months, NOT deployment to primary assignment ie the longer part of NYSC programme would NOT be affected in case this idea is okayed. https://t.co/xcEY9ZPrWI

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) June 16, 2020

 

On a brighter note, some took this time to reminisce on their antics during their own NYSC days. They recollected the numerous marches, the exercises, their outfits, and notable things they miss about the experience.

My NYSC story.
I was posted to Ondo State for my National Youth Service. A challenging one I must say, as it was the first time I had been to the western part of Nigeria.
I got to camp on the 17th of June, determined to give NYSC my best shot. pic.twitter.com/2QO5iJkn70

— Chinemezu Obialor (@ChinemezuObialo) June 15, 2020