Ex-Presidents Urged to Intervene in NYSC Reforms

A coalition has urged former Nigerian presidents, particularly General Yakubu Gowon, to intervene in 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 NYSC's foundational goals of national unity and integration. They emphasized the need for reforms to align with broader national interests and to avoid diluting the program's primary purpose.

The group acknowledged the necessity for modernization but warned against shifting the NYSC's focus towards commercial skill development at the expense of its unifying mandate. They called for a comprehensive review involving various stakeholders, including traditional rulers and civil society, rather than relying solely on executive approval.

The coalition believes that the involvement of elder statesmen like Gowon and others will provide the moral authority needed to navigate these sensitive issues effectively.