NYSC’s diminishing value

Segun Babayemi, 3/4, Unity Close, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos State, brosegunbabayemi@gmail.com, +23480386322: In the nation’s quest for the citizens’ patriotism, one would expect to see the government take the exemplary lead in patriotism lesson. We have had occasions when police officers complained that they sometimes buy their own uniform, shoes or other paraphernalia of duty. If government thought it has saved some fund by that miserly handling of those expected to secure the nation, the true position of police service score card is with us all.
Making the case grow worse, the National Service Youth Commission is also beginning to ask the next set of graduates to arrive camps with their white short nickers, white canvass, and so on. We hope they will not start asking for admission fee into the scheme from those that did not witness bursary award in their school days.
I think if the government who is able to sponsor over six hundred people to travel abroad with Mr. President, sponsor Pilgrims to Jerusalem, Dubai and Mecca should first provide primary solutions to instil patriotism in the citizenry.
October 1, 2013A PUNCH READER