The immediate past state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ebonyi state is unambiguous about the scheme’s continuing relevant.
From its inception in 1974, the scheme has had fair share of controversy. Many see it as a clever diversion from the real issues of underdevelopment, poverty and underachievement. Others have gone much further. For them the controversy is located in the national question. This perspective saw the scheme as a way of sourcing cheap labour (much like today’s casualisation or contract employment up and down the country).
Decades on, the controversy rages on. The seminal Tatalo Alamu column in the newspaper, The Nation on Sunday offers a refreshing perspective. This is that the scheme has achieved its objective inadvertently. It has fostered elite integration as in the creation of a national elite focused on drinking unproductively from the central trough.
Otaru James Eshimakhe is at a vantage point to discern the diverse views. He retired as a Deputy Director of the Federal Civil Service and was a state coordinator for the (NYSC). His defense is unapologetic. Going against the grain he is unambiguous that the NYSC scheme in contemporary Nigeria is even more relevant today than at inception. He defends the initiation of the scheme by going down memory lane. In his opinion the body was needed as a mechanism to galvanise Nigerian youths to have focus in terms of discipline, national consciousness, economic and socio-political development for overall national progress.
He expands on this by stating that “At the time the NYSC started, Nigeria was going into pieces and the founding fathers of the NYSC felt that a body like the NYSC should exist that would help to mould the youths from the beginning from that age to bring sanity into the consciousness of the youths for positions of responsibility in future, …….”. Very unapologetic this is why he believes there is still more consolidation to be done decades on. In Otaru’s opinion, “Today, these same problems have not completely been eradicated and that is why we still need a body like the NYSC.”
His career long insertion into the NYSC system right from graduation at Auchi Polytechnic where he studied Business Administration and Marketing has been fulfilling. Now 60 years old, he comes from Ososo, Akoko-Edo L.G.A of Edo State. He also has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Ibadan. This technical capacity encompassing the preparation for the needed managerial capacity enables him to dispel what he believes to be a major misconception.This is that in Nigeria a country perceived to have weak institutions all public establishments are viewed as having weak internal controls leading to untoward practices.
Otaru believes that the NYSC has effective internal controls in relation to the size of its operations. Modernisation of the processes through the incorporation of Information Technology has certainly helped “The NYSC has been able to adjust itself in its programmes to reach this level and that is where probably the need for telecommunications (ICT) in its operation cropped up and I believe it is to make it easy for the students. For instance in the previous years, foreign trained students have been able to enroll online from abroad. That is what is probably being introduced to cover all graduates both local and foreign who are to participate and so if it requires a minimum levy for that process which is aimed at easing the documentation problem of the corps members is required, then I believe it is not too much. Four thousand naira would be a contribution from the corps member for his/her documentation. That is the way I see it. An average Nigerian is very possessive in terms of money particularly the youths. From my experience with corps members, when it comes to contributing any amount of money for the betterment of their own selves in a group like the platoons, they become very touchy on such issues, and that is why I believe that people are looking at it as if it is a burden on the parents or the students themselves. But I believe the aim is to help the corps members to document properly even right from the comfort of his home using ICT.’’
He has had a great advantage of his immersion in the NYSC to look at overall youth development through the decades, particularly in terms of changing moods and ethos. Tremendous gains have been made he believes. Much of it of a positive kind. He is very elated at the creative contribution by the youths in areas such as the entertainment industry and sports. This in his view has helped to reposition Nigeria in the world. All of this has been a critical factor in the process to as it were ‘rebrand Nigeria’ giving the nation a more positive outlook in the eyes of the world.
He recapitulates what might be termed a defining moment in his life. This episode brought out hitherto undetected hidden strengths of character. It is the sort of resilience he hopes he has helped to impart the youths who have passed through him. “As you transverse the landscape of life, there are certain things that make you take certain decisions. For instance, when I was working in the NYSC as Inspector 11 and I was due for promotion and it did not come. I was in a particular town in Ondo state from 1982 and 1987 and there was no promotion or transfer. Junior officers employed after me were being promoted and I decided to ask why I wasn’t promoted. My superior officer then said I was “begging” for promotion and he refused to forward my notice of neglect, and I was getting frustrated and started thinking of a way out. It was at this time that I took the decision to go improve myself educationally by getting my MBA certificate. Even though it wasn’t rosy for me at the time, but that decision helped me to reach this level in my career before I retired.’’
In retirement he is still busy as an analytical writer and public commentator. An erudite scholar, he has published many incisive, informative, educative and thought provoking articles in both the print and electronic media. Happily married with children and an active member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, he is quite enchanting in holding steadfast to his belief in God and country within a national pall of cynicism.