NYSC now an item of ridicule, says Reps Philip Agbese

Hon Philip Agbese, the member representing Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, says the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been reduced to an item of ridicule in the last two years.

Agbese, in a statement on Monday, described the NYSC as a cesspool for corruption, nepotism, gross incompetence and abuse of office. 

The lawmaker said the rot in the Scheme began under Brig Gen MK Fadah who allegedly falsified his age record, adding that he cast something of a spell on the NYSC.

He further claimed that the current Director-General Brig Gen YD Ahmed has continued in that line, deepening the negative legacies and corrupt practices of his predecessor. 

Agbese, however, said for the NYSC to be free from the “ghost” of Fadah, it must be sanitized by way of an overhaul, beginning with YD Ahmed’s dismissal. 

He said subsequent DGs must be thoroughly scrutinized to avoid the shame and embarrassment Fadah and Ahmed have brought to the nation. 

“It is a shame that the NYSC has become a dumping ground for failed military officers. It is like a reward for mediocrity,” Agbese said.

“Because how can you explain the emergence of Brig Gen MK Fadah and Brig Gen YD Ahmed – with questionable character and credentials as DG? At least, they have confirmed the inevitable. 

“Fadah was disgraced from office over his controversial academic qualifications and age. He was also the architect of corruption, nepotism and religious bias in the NYSC. 

“His successor has shown to be even more clueless and unqualified for the job. It took the intervention of the DSS to rubbish Brig Gen YD Ahmed’s claim of certificate forgery against Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

“Why will the governor even submit a fake discharge certificate as claimed by the NYSC in the first place when Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) spells out the qualifications for the office of the governor, and the certificate is not one of them. The consequence is a N20bn lawsuit against the NYSC.

“One would expect that after that bizarre and shameful misadventure, the President would have ordered a thorough investigation into the affairs of the NYSC to sanitize the institution. If we must rescue the NYSC, then the kind of corrupt military officers posted to the Scheme must be scrutinised thoroughly.

“It is a statement of fact that the President has not signed the NYSC Trust Fund Bill into law due to the kind of corruption that is currently running riot at the NYSC. On this note, I wish to call on President Bola Tinubu to act fast to save the NYSC from further decay”.