I know that many have been sending high voltage verbal and textual abuse to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over a pamphlet which it denied but has now acknowledged it created, according to Premium Times. The experts at NYSC felt the Service was doing the right thing. Good People, spare NYSC but focus on the law enforcement to make sure our roads are safe. While NYSC is asking its members to have phone numbers and get family members ready with cash in case a bad thing happens, some companies recommend loading a briefcase with cash.
In other words, this debate should not be waged on NYSC, rather on those who are paid to keep our roads safe – and I hope we stay focused and leave NYSC alone.
Of course, this is not to commend NYSC, but in totality, if you do read the whole pamphlet, they wrote the tips purely to help the corps members, even though it was crazy in a non-failed nation (yes, you still pay tax to FIRS!)
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In what appears to be a bold volte-face, the authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have admitted that copies of its pamphlets containing security tips for staff and corps members contain the “embarrassing” clause that advises corps members to prepare for ransom payment if abducted.
The organisation, however, noted that it realised that different copies of the pamphlets are in circulation with some containing the clause and others not.
The NYSC spokesperson, Adenike Adeyemi, in a terse message to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday noted that the organisation was already investigating the situation.
The reaction followed this newspaper’s insistence that copies in its possession contain the clause, and queries the rationale behind the hurried rebuttal earlier issued by the organisation on the matter.
Mrs Adeyemi, in a short response, simply wrote; “We realised different copies are in circulation. We are investigating.”
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It’s an unwritten useful tip, the only hysteria here is that it was written. The NYSC cares and protects its own, it’s just doing what it thinks could help.
Keeping corps members safe is not the responsibility of the NYSC, because it’s not an armed organisation, same way it’s not the responsibility of INEC to keep voters safe. If our law enforcers are incapable of dislodging and neutralizing criminals, then we cannot vilify or chastise NYSC who tried to offer some known tips.
My only concern here for it not to have the unintended consequence of emboldened the criminals, who could become more daring, in the hope that payment of ransom is now a sure thing. We need to reverse this ugly trajectory.
The citizens look up to the police and military to keep them safe, if those saddled with this noble responsibility can no longer discharge their duties effectively, then it’s safe to democratise gun ownership here; you won’t worry so much about robbers or kidnappers when you are equally armed.
Most guns in use are in the hands of bad people, put guns in the hands of good people too, so that we can balance things out.
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