Shuaibu Ibrahim, the director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says all corps members are on reserve for war, as they are part of the national defense policy of Nigeria and can be mobilised for war if need be.

Mr Ibrahim said this on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday while reacting to moves to scrap the NYSC scheme amid security concerns on Wednesday.

“Corps members are on reserve. They are part of the national defense policy of this country. So, where there is serious war, our corps members are educated, they are knowledgeable and they can be trained,” he said.

“Imagine three weeks in the orientation camp and [how] the corps members are moulded. You see the drill and so on.

“You see the female corps member playing beagle and playing the military band. If not for the knowledge, I wonder where you are going to mobilise such young Nigerians to train them quickly to put in their best for the country.

“Parents should teach their children the spirit of patriotism so that, wherever you find yourself, you add value. By the time you leave, you have a lot of stories to tell. I was an ex-corps member. Parents should support them.

“The federal government cares for their (corps members’) welfare. But however, security is everyone’s business.”

The NYSC boss maintained that the insecurity in the country is not enough reason to scrap the scheme as it doesn’t affect the scheme alone.

The federal House of Representatives is currently considering a proposal to scrap NYSC. The Bill seeking to repeal the NYSC Act has been scheduled for second reading.

Some of the highlighted reasons for considering the discontinuation of the scheme, according to the sponsor include; insecurity, religious extremism and ethnic violence, among others.