There are repeated calls for the freezing of the national youth service corps programme following what looks like a sustained abduction of corps members during their service year in recent times.

Ordinarily, given the worth of one’s life, it is one call that should be taken seriously.

The severe psychological trauma, harassment, torture, agony, and potential risk of death at the hands of terrorists make some argue that the scheme should be halted entirely.

But then, like they say- you do not throw away the baby with the bath water, the programme still has some good sides.

Again, given the fact that the programme is beset by challenges does not warrant its total condemnation, especially considering the local saying that the size of a snake one wants to kill does not determine the size of fire that is set on it.

So let us come to think of it- the establishment of the scheme was meant to integrate various ethnic groups in Nigeria after the civil war. Indeed, it was designed to patch the tattered relationship foisted on the nation by the unfortunate war. It was expected that, as young graduates go and mix with people from other tribes outside theirs, they would have been able to appreciate other cultures, norms and other practices.

We may not have totally achieved the purpose, but we are gradually getting there.

For one, these young graduates from different ethnic groups are known to now intermarry. Some even get settled in their places of assignments.

While some get employed at the places of assignments, others embark on businesses at those places. With this, we can imagine the socioeconomic implications.

Never mind the current religious and security challenges that are threatening the exercise, there’s a whole lot to benefit from it.

Looking at even the religious aspect of it, does the traditional masquerades, for instance, allow noninitiates, who are indigenes, to move freely in their communities during their displays? Indeed, there are records of killing and maiming of people as they go about their socalled celebration.

Also, there are cases of kidnappings within localities, orchestrated by the locals and targeted at the locals.

Again, even with the socalled segregations in the religious terrain, these same people would still mix freely during election campaigns and share political offices afterwards, thus, temporarily closing the gaps of belief systems. And if one would ask- why the temporary comradeship would not endure; move beyond political understanding to quell the social disenchantment.

Sometimes, it could be argued that the disagreement has some political and economic colorations, so, let them not lay the blame on the scheme.

Yes, the recurring abductions of youth corps members have sparked intense, understandable demands for the immediate suspension of the NYSC programme, yet, let us see how we can handle the issues.

​Advocates for halting the scheme argue that no national objective is worth the psychological torture, harassment, agony, and risk of death victims face when targeted by terrorists.

​From this perspective, the sheer danger to human life implies that the system can no longer be tolerated and should be brought to a complete halt.

​​Although total national integration remains a work in progress, the scheme has measurably succeeded in promoting intermarriages, permanent settlement, local employment, and entrepreneurial ventures across diverse regions of Nigeria. The agency has also served as an avenue for employment to Nigerians over the years.

What is seemingly lacking in Nigeria is the political will to tackle a given issue, be it economic, social or political.

The laws are there and if judiciously applied, without discrimination, would achieve its purpose anytime. Security is not an exception.

There are other localized challenges in Nigerian society, such as communal conflicts, highlighting that friction exists across various cultural and religious practices.

​Interestingly, despite existing religious and social divisions, diverse groups routinely bridge their gaps based on interest.

Why this political comradeship cannot be extended into a lasting social harmony, suggests that underlying social discontents often carry hidden political and economic undertones.

To address the security vulnerabilities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) without completely dismantling the programme, several strategic reform approaches can be implemented.

Let us encourage recent structural overhauls introduced by the government to focus precisely on balancing national integration with enhanced safety.

Moving away from generalized postings by strictly incorporating current security realities into deployment decisions, avoiding high-risk or volatile regions for primary assignments is laudable.

Authorities should intensify keeping specialized security agencies and the military closely integrated to safeguard corps members.

Extending and reshaping the orientation structure into multi-phased models (such as splitting periods into civic education, financial literacy, and specialized training) to better manage camp safety and capacity is a welcome development.

Upgrading camp standards, infrastructure, and local intelligence networks through closer collaboration with state governments where corps members are hosted is a necessity.

Authorities should also liaise with transport companies to flush out bad eggs who may be thinking of making cheap business by collaborating or being agents, in case there is any.

Corps members should also evolve their personal security measures. It does not seem well for them to go in groups in buses, which makes them easy targets of the criminals.

Every initiative has its good and bad side. Indeed, the entire human existence is a story of risks. So, running away from what could be of great benefits like the NYSC scheme because of risk, is like saying you are not ready to stay in this world.

Offong is an Uyo based Journalist/Content Strategist