Skirts As Part Of NYSC Uniform?..Senate Says NO!!!

A bill to amend the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act failed to scale second reading at the Senate on Wednesday. The bill was rejected following concerns that such amendment requires altering the constitution which requires a longer process.

Soliciting support of his colleagues, Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-PDP) said the amendment was meant to give corps members the liberty of digressing from the rigid adherence to the NYSC uniform specification.


The uniform adopted for corps members have become a basis for controversy between the directorate and the public. In fact, some corps members drop out of service because of conflict they’ve witnessed. The major bone of contention is that some of the drills and uniform contravene the religious belief of corps members and invariably denying them right of religion, thought and conscience.


In his contribution to the debate on the amendment, Barau Jibrin (Kano-APC) argued for the amendment to stand in conformity with various religions in the country. People of this country are either Christians, Muslims or traditionalists and we have our values. It appears the mode of dressing of NYSC contravenes this very important aspect of our religion. The amendment is simple. We should make it in tandem with our values, culture and religion.”

  Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti-PDP) was of a different opinion. She said the amendment could be effected without altering the constitution. This uniform has been worn since 1973, I don’t know why it became auspicious for us to now look for an act of the National Assembly to alter that. If there are little things to be done to make it better, I believe mere pronouncement by the NYSC should be capable of addressing that rather than an Act of the National Assembly.”

The Senate thereafter rejected the bill after a second voice vote.
From punch

*Good that it was rejected...Jobless lot!