₦airaland Forum

Minister for Youth Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ayodele Olawande clarifies:

My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform.

For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.

For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride. No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.

As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation.

I respectfully urge Nigerians to continue to engage with the ongoing NYSC reform conversation based on its broader objectives and the immense benefits it holds for our young people and our country. The reforms are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to today's realities by improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.

While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development.

I appreciate the constructive feedback and assure Nigerians that every proposal will continue to be carefully considered in the best interest of the nation.

Ayodele Olawande

He has folded already but he had to do so in a most dishonourable way. What's the point in denying he never said that when the video is publicly available for everyone to watch? The whole NYSC reform thing is unnecessary. Why fix what's not broken? This is just another misadventure like the change of national anthem.

The NYSC is not a skill acquisition scheme. It's a call to service to enhance cultural integration, boost patriotism to the nation and foster unity in a diverse country that is the entity called Nigeria. It has been largely successful as many young Nigerians only get to leave their region during the scheme and develop a better appreciation for other cultures while purging themselves of long held stereotypes. The affiliation with the military also ensures it remains detribalised as the military is one of the few remaining institutions in the country that is yet to be sectionalised. Again, the NYSC scheme is not broken. There's no need to drastically fix it and change it from its set objectives.

Leaders reflect the characters of their followers.

Based on the minister’s statements and those of several others who are leaders among Tilumbu supporters, it shows almost all Tilumbu supporters are tribal bigots!

Tribal bigots running a multicultural nation. It only ends in disaster just like Nazi Germany.

Government of tribal bigotry, run by tribal bigots.

There is no national unity and interest that can be found among these people.

After smoking hard substances, they come up with ridiculous proposals.
Why not change army uniform too and let them wear agbada as uniform?

These people are not serious. In a serious, Olawande would have resigned.

Smart men about to cash out on a steady

Other countries... NYSC B LIKE RECRUIT WITH BETTER WEAPONS. SO HOW WE GO WEAR ANKARA DEY FIGHT IF OUR MILITARY IS OVERWHELMED!!!

SEE FULANI BANDITS!! SEE NYSC IN AKARA. DEM GO BETA PASS US ASWEAR

I was shocked at the reactions from some Yoruba haters over simple "adire" matter,. they turned the whole thing to tribalism.
Yet these are the people picking up forms in Lagos to contest elections in another region they didn't originate from, that one is not wicked tribalism to them o.

Walahi Yorubas dey fall hand too much.

Let the army and navy also start wearing abgada let us also change the name of the country to rorubaria. After Tinubu it will be difficult for another Yoruba man to become president. Tinubu has destroyed all that's left with his myopic policies

Hi

AMINDA:
He has folded already but he had to do so in a most dishonourable way. What's the point in denying he never said that when the video is publicly available for everyone to watch? The whole NYSC reform thing is unnecessary. Why fix what's not broken? This is just another misadventure like the change of national anthem.

Walahi ... Its as unnecessary as the president changing the national item

The nysc cloth is dynamic nd reflect neutral in a tribalism country like Nigeria

Kaaki n white very unique combo ... How can they even think of ankara or adire ... Can igbo, hausa or south south blend with ankara

Under the guise of reform ...pointless decisions

What do you expect from an incompetent administration led by Bulaba with a Gbajabi-anini as Chief of staff?

DatNiggaDaz:


You want a Nationalistic representation and you are mentioning Adire and Ankara.

That is thesame thing they did when the Speedy man from USA came to Nigeria and they wanted to give him a parapo Name and he ran away from the Lagoon

Adire and Ankara should never even be a Suggestion. Why do these people from the SW likes to paraporize anything that does not belong to them ?

Leave the NYSC uniform the way it is. Nothing can be more National than that. Anything you people touch, you set ablaze destr*ying

even me as a Yoruba man, I see everything about Tinubu and his cacus as as very stupid bunch, I don't know how they think, no president in Nigeria history has ever created national conflicts like Tinubu, our beautiful national Anthem he changed it to boring song

Nawa oo. Fir serious kadja places, na NYSC dem for train to dey catch kidnappers.

Hmm.
This dude called youth Minister is dull

AMINDA:
He has folded already but he had to do so in a most dishonourable way. What's the point in denying he never said that when the video is publicly available for everyone to watch? The whole NYSC reform thing is unnecessary. Why fix what's not broken? This is just another misadventure like the change of national anthem.

He didn't say that he didn't mention adire. He tried here to explain the context and not that it's the chosen uniform.

NYSC is over due for reform. A scheme and philosophy that was created 53 years ago by the military with the post civil effects in mind definitely needs reform in the digital and entrepreneur driven society. Most graduates attend it because of the allawee and to fulfill the law. Remove these two and make it optional and you discover that the majority will not be interested.

Just my own suggestion🤔
We don't need much changes than this
If you agree please share some likes🤗

Im just imagining the style they will want sew with the Ankara and Adira

Very foolish, clownish and bigoted man, I saw this senseless damage control coming. I am still looking for the right word to qualify this slowpoke. How they end up not having sense is a mystery never to be demystified.

LexFlex10:
Just my own suggestion🤔
We don't need much changes than this
If you agree please share some likes🤗

even Nigeria army uniform no fine like this. U want Alhaji Tinubu to give u this. Just prepare for the Ankara una go take am sew up and down. Then Knoc am with with white canvas.

Uniform is not the issue,if it is possible the whole scheme should be scrapped it has overstayed its usefulness.

Someone needs to tell him what National means
Adire is only indigenous to SW and not SS SE NW NC NE

DatNiggaDaz:


You want a Nationalistic representation and you are mentioning Adire and Ankara.

That is thesame thing they did when the Speedy man from USA came to Nigeria and they wanted to give him a parapo Name and he ran away from the Lagoon

Adire and Ankara should never even be a Suggestion. Why do these people from the SW likes to paraporize anything that does not belong to them ?

Leave the NYSC uniform the way it is. Nothing can be more National than that. Anything you people touch, you set ablaze destr*ying

ankra is not a Yoruba word but the man knows what his doing his testing the microphone to see reactions of masses,a bigot like him

deavicky:
even Nigeria army uniform no fine like this. U want Alhaji Tinubu to give u this. Just prepare for the Ankara una go take am sew up and down. The Knoc am with with white canvas.

I wish we had reasonable leaders believe me we would have had more of this

LexFlex10:
I wish we had reasonable leaders believe me we would have had more of this

our leaders does no care. During the military reign if u see NYSC uniform u will see quality now they just go and bring any thing they want.

My niece serving at PH has not received her allawee for 2 months running now. Na reform dey wan do to steal money. Only God knows how much they go claim the reform go cost. Thieves and oles in power

See Osun wonderer dey claim Lagosian. Even sanwo Olu wey come from Ogun state dey claim Lagosian. Everybody don turn to Lagosian. Were

flokii:
I was shocked at the reactions from some Yoruba haters over simple "adire" matter,. they turned the whole thing to tribalism.
Yet these are the people picking up forms in Lagos to contest elections in another region they didn't originate from, that one is not wicked tribalism to them o.

Walahi Yorubas dey fall hand too much.