A new report has exonerated the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General MK Fadah, of alleged certificate forgery.
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER), which made this known in a statement, said it came to this conclusion after an independent assessment of the operations of the Scheme.
According to CALSER, the NYSC DG has verifiable academic records, noting that those behind the claims are only out to dent the hard-earned reputation of the respected soldier.
The centre also said the NYSC DG is competent and educationally qualified and committed to improving the Scheme.
“For clarity’s sake, let us take a look at the educational background of the NYSC DG. Brigadier General Fada attended the Kaduna Polytechnic from where he obtained an HND certificate,” the statement said.
“He proceeded to Lagos State University from where he obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management. He equally obtained a Master’s Degree in Peace and Strategic Studies from the University of Ilorin. Due to his unquenching love for knowledge, he enrolled and is pursuing a PhD in Security and Strategic Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna”.
Describing Fadah as a trailblazer, the centre said he has repositioned the Scheme in numerous ways, particularly in skills acquisition.
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“Upon assuming office, the NYSC experienced a wave of the feelings of excellent leadership provided by Brigadier General Fadah. He has taken bold steps in repositioning the NYSC and has emphasized that the basis upon which the scheme was established must continue to be upheld,” the statement said.
“Brigadier General Fadah works closely with the NYSC State Directors and foresees the day-to-day running of the scheme in a transparent, accountable and genuine leadership. Influenced by the working spirit of the DG, the management of NYSC is also in top gear in driving the scheme to greater glory”.
The centre noted that the welfare of staff and corps members has significantly improved, adding that those calling for the scrapping of the scheme are ignorant.
“It is sheer ignorance for a person or group of people to call for the scrapping of the NYSC. With no apology, anyone calling for the scrapping of the scheme is an enemy of the state. The reason for this submission is that Nigeria should be clamouring for the strengthening of the scheme to improve on the basis upon which it was founded.
“The issue of national integration is one aspect that must not be neglected and the NYSC as the institution saddled with the responsibility of ensuring this development should receive every necessary support rather than condemnation”.
The centre, therefore, called on Nigerians to give the NYSC the necessary support it requires to function effectively, adding that the funding of the scheme should never be compromised.
It also said “scrapping the NYSC is not a factor to be considered at all” due to its contribution to strengthening national integration, peace and unity cannot be overemphasized.
Among other things, the centre, however, advised that the Scheme’s entrepreneurial programme should be made flexible and easily accessible for corps members.
