Amend NYSC law, to allow members go on short military service – Gov Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State and the Chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi has said the opposition should stop the blame game as it concerns the security situation in the country.

He said the present situation on ground requires concerted efforts, stating that it is time to build the nation and not time to allow it fritter away.

Fayemi while speaking at an event in Ibadan, however stated that the Federal Government should consider the option of incorporating the members of the NYSC into the military, stating that one way to stem the present insecurity wave is to recruit a large number of people to join the Police and the Military on short service.

He reiterated that one of the cheapest and fastest ways to solve the current problem is to amend the laws setting up the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), to incorporate short military service.

Governor Fayemi further stated that the existing orientation camps can be used to train willing and able graduates, while those who cannot join the military or police on short service can be on Community service without pay.

In his statement at the event, he said “By available statistics, we need minimum of 200,000 personnel to boost the fighting power of our men.”

“This number is very large and a potential financial and logistic nightmare, yet we cannot delay any further.”

“The ungoverned spaces needed to be closed up quickly by motivated men with the singular objective to save the nation. That takes us to the number two issue of financing and arming large recruitment.”

“With this, we can use the existing orientation camps to train willing and able graduates to reflate the security personnel under a special arrangement that will be worked out.

“That way, the fund that is currently deployed to the NYSC can be used with just some additional funding, which could be sourced through a national emergency fund for the next five to 10 years.”

“Those who cannot join the military services can serve in their community without pay, if we must still retain the NYSC for everyone.”

“To incentivise those who may volunteer to serve, they will have a separate certificate and medal of honour in addition to having priority for military, paramilitary and civil or public service recruitment after service.”

Fayemi however said that, he has confidence that though, the present situation might look helpless, sooner than later, the security situation would see a significant improvement and Nigeria would come out stronger from this moment of national distress