Suspension of NYSC in 'Boko Haram' Northern States

Introduction
In the last few days and weeks voices have joined to protest against NYSC unwavering position on service in states infested by Boko Haram virus. Federal government officials continued to maintain that service in affected state is feasible in the face glaring evidence of lawlessness, supine security and absence of the state. With mounting casualties, deaths and destruction of properties; federal government's position became untenable even to her core supporters. Not too long ago NYSC service men and women were hacked to death in their various posts in the same northern states dominated by Boko Haram. Of course federal government position stems for the need to assure regional and international players that territorial integrity and national security are in safe pair of hands.

Dying Hurrah
According to Punch Online announcement by NYSC Director-General, Brig-Gen Nnamdi Okore-Affia approved the suspension of the Batch B programme in Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna and Kano states. Read NYSC suspended in the North. 

This is a welcome development with many implications. It is a bold decision which must have been made under enormous pressure from all sides. For obvious reasons it may carry small weight in the scheme of things but the import is huge. Above all it is an indication that the state and Federal government are willing to show flexibility on sensitive issues without seeking to to be reminded with public show of force. Many issues of importance have been raised with public mobilisation only to be frozen out by Abuja. While young people have not been preferred agenda of the government this is the strongest indication yet of their relevance. 

Incompetence Galore
On other levels, local and national politics have confirmed certain positions. Federal government have always failed to deal with Boko Haram issue forcefully but this decision finally shows government concession of truth known by all. That Boko Haram is a force currently beyond effectiveness and containment priorities of the federal government. Similar conclusions can be attributed to both states and local governments of affected areas. All these geographies are tarnished in their ineffectiveness, corruption, incompetence and poor governance. Instructively the party political heavyweights of affected constituencies especially in PDP have effectively lost face in their ignorance, alleged collusion, obstruction of peace and disconnection with the electorate. How this will play out in future is anyone's guess if elections are devoid of rigging.

Significant impact of the decision is the apparent confirmation that NYSC is a mirror of national trend, setting a precedence for the suspension of service or activity in any part of the country when the need arises. In Nigeria where trends take time to dissolve, it is clear that future NYSC in affected states will remain suspended until Boko Haram is certified dead and eradicated. The affected states are also tarnished in the long run as no 'country for young people'. More poignantly it is reflecting geopolitical calculus of displacement from other states based on their insecurity which can be exploited to support secession. Territorial integrity are not always violated in internal conflicts however influence of the state becomes inevitably limited as observed in Mali, Colombia, Libya, Yemen, DRC and Sudan.

Conclusion

This is a deserved victory for young people in whose honour and sacrifice a noble decision came forth. One must also acknowledge the maturity of NYSC DG in swallowing brinkmanship to confirm a reality that is long denied. This is an opportunity for federal and state governments to reverse the trend on bad governance in favour of people-oriented administration based on rule of law, eradication of corruption and commitment to meeting citizens' needs.