Senate seeks amendment to NYSC ActTHE Senate yesterday moved to amend the Act establishing the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) so that it could effectively foster national unity, among other objectives for which it was set up.Senators raised the issue yesterday before they adjourned sitting till Tuesday, to enable the Senate President, David Mark and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, to attend to matters of national interest.Besides, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated a 21-member constitution review committee, charging them to work out the 'settled' areas of national discourse and draft bills that would be considered by the executive branch of the Federal Government before sending them to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment into law.The senators' charge to the Federal Government on the re-organisation of the NYSC scheme towards enthroning its original objectives was in reaction to a motion on the rejection of corps members by federal establishments, which was sponsored by Sahabi Alhaji Ya'u from Zamfara North Senatorial District and 33 other senators, including Victor Ndoma-Egba, Chris Anyanwu, Magnus Abe, Zaynab Kure and Ahmed Maccido.Ya'u had, in a lead debate, expressed worry over the rejection of corps members by federal establishments. Describing the situation as a sabotage of the sublime objectives and ideals of the programme, he said that rejecting corps members lead to frustration as they are demoralised in their patriotism and eagerness to serve the country.'This attitude is a sabotage of the sublime objectives and ideals of the programme and works to demoralise these youths in their pristine patriotism and eagerness to serve the country', he stated.Other senators who contributed to the debate included Suleiman Adokwe, Abdulahi Adamu, Abdul Ningi Umaru Dahiru, Ahmed Lawan and Ifeanyi Okowa.Adokwe, supporting the motion, condemned rejection of corps members by federal establishments.Adamu, who spoke in a similar vein, urged governments at all levels to review the NYSC policy in a manner that every corps member would accept wherever he or she is posted. He noted that it was only through that means that the enthusiasm associated with such postings would return to the scheme.Ningi, who noted that aside from the routine rejections, some corps members are also dehumanised in the course of service, pointed accusing finger at the government for its inability to sustain the scheme. The situation, he said, had resulted in corps members serving in areas they had no passion for.Also in support of the motion was Dahiru. In his contribution, he described the motion as timely considering the socio-economic challenges confronting the county. He urged stakeholders to return to the drawing board with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problem.On the contrary, the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu, said that although such rejection could have psychological implications on corps members, the issue should not be treated with sentiments. Rather than force establishments to accept every corps member that is sent to serve, he warned his colleagues not to undermine the issue of non-availability of space.He also called for the reform of the NYSC scheme in a way that it would add value to the society.On the review of the Contitution, President Jonathan identified the 'settled issues' to include the strong recommendations from past constitutional and political reform conferences on national security, human rights and social security, people's charter and social obligations; environment and natural resources, models and structure of government, public service, power sharing, local council reforms and the economy.Jonathan, who added that other 'areas of firm agreement' included proposals for judiciary and legal reforms, constitutional amendments pertaining to the public service, anti-corruption, state joint local council account, traditional institutions and cultural reforms; and civil society, Labour, trade unions and national media reforms said that 'the ultimate purpose is to identify with and reinforce the on-going efforts of committees of Senate and House of Representatives as they grapple with outstanding constitutional issues.'Members of the Committee, led by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Belgore include Senator Udoma Udo Udoma (Vice Chairman), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Mr. Ledum Mitee, Dr. Abubakar Saddique, Comfort Obi, Mr. Peter Esele, Prof. Oladipo Afolabi, Prof. Jerry Gana, Tessy Ikimi, Mr. G.O.S. Miri, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Ambassador Jibrin Chinade, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Alhaja Salimot Badru, Hajia Najatu Mohammed, Mr. Ferdinand Agu, Alhaji Wakil Mohammed and Halima Alfa.Jonathan said that though the task of the committee was to study and deliberate on the resolutions, recommendations and implementation guidelines of the last National Political Reform Conference and relevant aspects of the 1994/95 constitutional conference, 'you must feel free to suggest fresh solutions to old problems, especially those that may have defied consensus in times past.'.The President stated that the constitution of the committee 'is a clear demonstration of the unshakeable commitment of this administration to strengthening the bonds of our national unity; and our resolve to provide new answers to old problems. Our administration is committed to providing a stable socio-political environment for the necessary economic transformation of our dear country.' He noted that his administration recognized that what Nigerians want are 'inclusiveness, justice, equity and national cohesion, so that we can unleash the bustling energy and spirit of enterprise that abounds in our people. Ours is a nation of great promise. Our responsibilities as a generation; and our duty as a government, are to realize that promise of good life for our people. That is why the urgent task of this generation is to consolidate our unity, strengthen our democracy and to expand the frontiers of our wealth creation strategies. We need to embark on crucial social engineering through a process that respects existing national political and social institutions. We need a process that will inspire the engagement of the Nigerian people and one that makes the best use of previous patriotic contributions. All these are readily available to members of this panel and to the generality of our people.' .According to Jonathan, 'now, more than ever before, is the right time to work together to defuse new threats and address current challenges, so that this nation will advance with greater unity towards our goal of positive socio-economic transformation.' He further said: 'I am always mindful of the fact that our unity is forged from the sacrifices of the generations before us. That unity is sustained by the strong commitment of countless leaders and peace-loving citizens across this nation. It is this same commitment to secure peaceful ends through peaceful means that unites all our national debates, dialogues and conferences since 1922.'The President noted that 'as we strive for a better nation in a more perfect union, the sensible path to our future is to consolidate the gains that we have already made. That is why we must occasionally review, and continuously strengthen the instruments, institutions and processes that determine the quality and content of our national life.' I have consulted very widely on the need to address recurrent and emergent socio-political issues and I want us to do so in a manner that will not distract the nation from the immediate challenges of improving the quality of life of all citizens. I am determined that our nation devotes more resources, time and energy to the pressing issues of development, so that we progressively reduce the drama of politics, the cycles of group agitations and needless contentions. It is true that our nation had, in the past, committed considerable treasure and blood; time and sweat of good men and women, to develop broad consensus on a wide range of issues. These efforts deserve respect and sustenance, because wisdom is timeless and governance is a continuous process.' .Jonathan pledged that while the committee is 'to develop draft bills on previously agreed issues that would go a long way to strengthen the bonds of our union', the Executive branch will also 'revisit some of the recommendations for policy changes, course corrections and consider new initiatives, so long as they improve the capacity of government to serve the people better. I am confident that the maturity, composition, procedures and response capacity of our national institutions are sufficient for the needs of the nation. We have the competence, temperance and depth of vision to tackle all the issues involved to ensure the best outcome for the nation.' .He explained that 'within the process that I am initiating, there is room and mechanism to fully engage the public. I find this necessary and appealing, in the belief that it will accelerate progress on unresolved issues of our national life as we grapple with present day challenges and anticipate our future needs.
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