An educationist and former NYSC member in Cross River State, Asiwaju Busari Shaamsuddeen Akande, has called for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, saying commitment to young Nigerians must go beyond increasing corps members’ allowances to providing decent facilities for their development.
Akande made the call following reports that the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, had suspended further deployment of corps members to Cross River State over the deteriorating condition of the permanent orientation camp in Obubra Local Government Area, LGA.
The development followed an inspection of the camp by the NYSC Director-General, who reportedly found that the facilities no longer met the required standards for hosting corps members.
In response, the Cross River State Government, on October 15, announced the temporary relocation of the orientation camp to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa LGA, to allow for comprehensive renovation, remodelling and upgrading of the Obubra facility.
Governor Bassey Otu subsequently directed the immediate commencement of rehabilitation work at the permanent camp, with the state government assuring that the relocation was temporary and that orientation activities would return to Obubra after the renovation.
The Obubra camp, which previously accommodated about 2,500 corps members per stream, had reportedly seen its capacity fall to less than 1,000 amid years of deteriorating infrastructure.
Reacting to the development, Akande, who served in Cross River State during the 1998/1999 Batch B service year, said the condition of the camp highlighted the consequences of prolonged neglect of facilities established to support youth development.
He said the reported decline in the camp’s capacity and the suspension of deployments underscored the need for governments to prioritise the maintenance of public infrastructure.
Akande, now an administrator, recalled that after his orientation in Obubra, he was posted to Ugep in Yakurr LGA, where his experience with the local community exposed him to the role of the NYSC scheme in promoting national integration and cultural understanding.
He said the scheme’s contribution to national unity could be sustained only if corps members were provided with safe, functional and conducive facilities during their orientation.
He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the rehabilitation of the Obubra camp was completed promptly and that the work addressed the infrastructure deficiencies that necessitated its closure.
He added that regular maintenance and timely investment in public facilities were essential to preventing similar disruptions and ensuring that young Nigerians could serve the country in suitable conditions.