THE Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, says that corps members can be mobilised for war if need be.
He explained that they are part of the national defence policy of the country, hence they can defend the country.
Ibrahim said this yesterday while reacting to moves to scrap the NYSC scheme, which is compulsory for all Nigerians who graduate before the age of 30.
The NYSC boss said, “Corps members are on reserve. They are part of the national defence policy of this country. So, where there is serious war, our corps members are educated, they are knowledgeable and they can be trained. You see the drill and so on.
“You can imagine within the short three weeks in the orientation camps, the corps members are moulded. They are like soldiers. You see female corps members blowing the army horn, playing with the military band.
“So, if not for the knowledge, where are you going to mobilise such young Nigerians to train them quickly to put in their best for the country? So, corps members are on reserve. They are also part of the national defence policy.
“There are a lot of inter-marriages. For most of our females, the history of their marriages can be traced to their service year because they meet their fiancées during their service year. I have had cause to attend such weddings and the NYSC supports such weddings,” he said.
According to Ibrahim, NYSC had become more important than ever in the face of the rising calls for secession, adding that the scheme had been able to foster national unity and cohesion.
He however advised corps members not to move around at night due to insecurity.
