₦airaland Forum

Hi folks,
I do empathize with you all, having served in Kano in 2002. But central to all the complaints are these: the lack of comfort, and the absence of essential conveniences during service. This is deplorable. But these regions are also part of our nation: the people living here also contribute to our national wealth. So it should actually be perceived as the enlightening experience it is meant to be.
And it is called Service - service rendered by us, the youth, to our needy country, not the other way 'round. So I do find in all these complaints a lack of vision, of readiness to contribute in whatever manner possible to building Nigeria. Sure we can arrange our postings to cozy places, elope, or do soooo many other creative things resourceful Nigerians are world-renowned for. But the nation loses - and this is hindsight speaking.
And, to put it bluntly, I will state that shirking a year of service to the nation does not behoove those who dream of spending the rest of their lives being served-up and fed by this same nation. Of course this is only a moral argument that cannot be enforced. Yet do we not deplore the general Nigerian situation, the lack of good and timely planning, the frustration in getting basic things done, the fact that some regions of our country, which some of our fellow corps-members call home, are so neglected due to dismal public administration?
when we spot these and cry out against them, are we ready to serve when we get opportuned to man the agencies whose failures are responsible for the lack of electricity, potable water, even responsible governance that we bemoan?
I suspect this awareness may well be behind the Youth service scheme.
And what about that 'wasted year' tag? What then can I say, except this: if the nation that provided us with virtually free education decides it wants its recompense in the form of a year spent teaching the less-privileged, who are we to abstain from giving it in the desired manner?
The Youth service scheme is an honorable program - let's look into creative ways of making it purely profitable, chiefly for the public. Our interest will be served, and we will find it to be one of the most fun times of our youth.
Peace.
-Tobe.