Group Calls for Intervention in NYSC Reforms by Leaders

A coalition has called on former Nigerian leaders, particularly General Yakubu Gowon, to intervene regarding proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The group, led by Dr.

Lucki Eremosel, expressed deep concerns that the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council could undermine the core objectives of national unity and integration established since the NYSC's inception in 1973. They urged Gowon and other elder statesmen to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that any changes align with broader national interests.

The group acknowledged the need for modernization but warned that a shift towards commercial skill focus could dilute the NYSC's primary purpose of fostering national integration. They highlighted the current security challenges and ethnic tensions in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of involving a wider range of stakeholders in the reform process.

The coalition called for a thorough review of the proposed changes to avoid creating inequities among graduates and to ensure that the NYSC continues to serve as a platform for promoting understanding among Nigeria's diverse populations.