The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, has spoken against the idea of scraping the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, saying it is not in the best interest of Nigeria’s unity.
He said this on Monday when he hosted some selected members of NYSC Batch A stream 2 Corps members posted to Sokoto State in his palace in Sokoto.
The sultan, who said those agitating for the scrapping of the scheme do not mean well for the country, said the scheme was established to foster the nation’s unity and strengthen ties among Nigerians.
“I heard there are efforts for the scrapping of the NYSC scheme, I assure you that those behind that struggle do not mean well for this country,” he said.
According to him, the NYSC scheme is the most needed programme in view of the present situation when Nigeria is almost divided along ethnic and religious lines.
While welcoming youth corps members posted to the state, the Sultan said he state was the most peaceful state in Nigeria as he urged them to respect the customs and traditions of their host communities and be security conscious.
A bill to scrap NYSC, proposed by Hon. Awaji-Inimbel Abiante (PDP Rivers State), is currently being debated at the House of Representatives. The bill tends to reduce the risk of Corps members to the insecurity and kidnapping being witnessed in the country through the scheme.
