Abuja - Alhaji Murtala Magaji, a traditional title holder in Katsina State, has described the new NYSC prerequisite for eligibility to serve as unfair.
The NYSC on Feb. 13 said the admission quota approved by National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would be used as prerequisite for youth service.
Prospective corps members are expected to present their JAMB registration numbers used for entry into the graduating institution.
Magaji in Abuja on Tuesday said that the new policy could stop prospective corps members from serving their father land.
“There are a lot of students who are not able to get admission through JAMB but admitted into universities, polytechnics or colleges of education by direct admission or through remedial programmes.
“I expect those working, who wish to go to university, to complete the course and go for youth service, if their age does not exceed the requirement.
“I believe that there are courses that one can take to qualify for degree or HND programmes. Where will those students get JAMB registration number to qualify for youth service?
Investigations have, however, shown that some of the prospective corps members do not have JAMB registration numbers, due to the mode of admission to their graduating institutions.
Some HND graduates, who got the degree from other institutions other than that which they obtained OND and those who got into university through remedial and foundation courses, were affected.
A statement signed by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, said the move was part of NYSC’s efforts to ensure transparency.
It said that only graduates of duly accredited full-time courses should be mobilised for the service.
Hajia Halima Kabir, a mother of a graduate affected by the new policy, said her daughter would not go for service because she does not have JAMB registration number.
She expressed concern about what steps to take on the issue.
“As a parent, I have done all I should by sending my child to school and paying all the fees, JAMB inclusive. Then what are they saying now?’’
She said her daughter, Farida Kabir, an HND graduate, paid N4,500 as JAMB registration fee when she got the admission.
“The same school is saying the students had to pay another N5,000 for JAMB number. Please, what is the meaning of all these?’’
Faith Jude, a graduate of a university who is supposed to be in the 2013 Batch A group but affected by the new policy, said it was an unfair situation.
“I am really sad and disappointed, what will be my fate because it means I cannot go for masters degree or even get a job.
“At the end of the day, I will waste a year or only God knows how many, if the situation is not rectified and I am blaming JAMB not NYSC.’’
The Director Public Relations, NYSC, Mrs Abosede Aderibigbe, told NAN that the institutions should be able to generate numbers for those affected.
She said that those admitted through direct entry or remedial studies should have had their names sent to JAMB to be given admission numbers.
“This policy will go a long way to curb admission excesses in schools, as they have no option than to adhere to the NBTE and NUC directives.’’
She said every department in the institutions was given number of students to admit when they were accredited, which was not usually adhered to by the schools.
Aderibigbe said that all graduates of Nigerian schools must have JAMB registration and the foreign graduates must have credits in English and Mathematics, to qualify for the service.
The 2013 Batch `A’ orientation will begin on March 5. (NAN)
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