Akande scores govt low on youth infrastructure as NYSC suspends Cross River deployment
Asiwaju Busari Shaamsuddeen Akande, an educationist and former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Cross River State, has emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in educational infrastructure. He asserts that the commitment to supporting young Nigerians should extend beyond merely increasing allowances for corps members to include the provision of adequate facilities for their development.
Akande’s remarks come in the wake of the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, announcing the suspension of corps member deployments to Cross River State. This decision was made following a recent inspection of the permanent orientation camp located in Obubra Local Government Area, where it was determined that the facilities no longer met the required safety and operational standards.
In response to these concerns, the Cross River State Government announced on October 15 the temporary relocation of the orientation camp to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa LGA. This move will allow for comprehensive renovations and upgrades to the Obubra facility.
Governor Bassey Otu has ordered immediate rehabilitation work at the Obubra camp, assuring that the relocation is a temporary measure and that orientation activities will return to the original site after renovations are completed. Previously, the Obubra camp accommodated approximately 2,500 corps members per stream, but its capacity has dwindled to fewer than 1,000 due to years of neglect.
Akande, who served in Cross River during the 1998/1999 service year, expressed concern about the implications of the camp’s condition, highlighting the detrimental effects of prolonged neglect of facilities intended to support youth development. He noted that the decline in the camp’s capacity and the decision to suspend deployments serve as a reminder of the necessity for governments to prioritize the maintenance of public infrastructure.
Reflecting on his service experience in Ugep, Yakurr LGA, Akande underscored the NYSC’s role in fostering national integration and cultural understanding. He argued that the scheme’s contributions to national unity can only be sustained if corps members are provided with safe and functional facilities during their orientation.
He urged relevant authorities to ensure a timely and comprehensive rehabilitation of the Obubra camp, addressing the infrastructure deficiencies that led to its closure. Akande also stressed the need for regular maintenance and timely investment in public facilities to prevent similar disruptions in the future and to ensure that young Nigerians can serve their country under suitable conditions.
