By Gbenga Olarinoye
The Federal Government has directed that 24 hours protection be given by the Nigeria Police to guide all members of the National Youth Service Coprs (NYSC) serving in various parts of the country.

The directive was coming on the heels of incessant attacks on the lives and property of serving NYSC members in some parts of the country in recent past.

Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi dropped this hint in Osogbo weekend.

The Minister said the directive was to ensure safety of live of members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) across the country.

Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi who described the attack and killing of a lady in Maiduguri as unfortunate, said the development was giving the Federal Government serious concern.

The Minister who reiterated that the NYSC scheme had come to stay and that it would not be cancelled as being canvassed by some people,  maintained that the scheme was living up to its dream.

According to him, “The government regrets the death of four corps members who were killed in Jos and Maiduguri during the current service year.

“It was in realization of the popularity of the scheme among our youths and its strategic importance for nation building that the Federal Government on annual basis spends an average of N43billion to manage and sustain the scheme”.

“Presently, the scheme mobilizes an average of 200,000 fresh graduates annually and we project that this may increase to over 300,000 in the next three years”.

The Minister said “as a result of the unfortunate incidents during the Jos mayhem and the killing of a lady in Maiduguri, President Umar Yar’ Adua summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo and the IGP has agreed that police would give corps members 24 hours protection in their lodge in any part of the country.”

Speaking on the lecture titled “Democracy, Our Youth and Nation Building” Senator Olasunkanmi who said the 2006 census gave the population of youths in the country 50,023,432,  said the government realized that without solving the problem of joblessness and empowerment, the challenges of youth involvement in thuggery and violence could not be effectively tackled.

The Federal Government in its effort to solve this, the Minister said prepared the Nigerian Youth Employment Action plan, which made provision for vocational training for in and out of school youth and the introduction of vocational and entrepreneurial education into the school curriculum as well as establishment of trade and vocational centers, creation of youth farm settlements and youth industrial parks and deliberate creation of jobs.

He said that the government had embarked on construction of six National Youth Development Centres in all the geo-political zones which would serve as points of convergence for skill acquisition, counseling and information sharing centers.

Senator Akinlabi while urging youths to participate actively in political activities said that they should shun monetary inducement offered them by politicians to influence their votes.

He also urged them to support President Yar’Adua in his political reforms to ensure a lasting democracy for the country.