Kate Henshaw Calls for Scrapping of National Youth Service Corps Amidst Safety Concerns

Renowned Nigerian actress Kate Henshaw has raised her voice in a call to shut down the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, citing concerns over the safety and protection of corps members.

The call for the scrapping of the annual NYSC program comes in the wake of the recent abduction of eight corps members in Zamfara State. Kate Henshaw took to her Twitter account to express her discontent with the program, stating that its integrity has been compromised over the years. According to her, the once-memorable experience of the program is no longer the same due to the prevailing security challenges.

Henshaw's concerns revolve around the safety of corps members, particularly during travel. She highlighted how she, herself, traveled safely to her state of deployment both by road and air during her time in the program. She stressed that the program now endangers the lives of young graduates and should be abolished.

In a tweet, the actress stated, "It's time to SCRAP this idea since corpers can't travel within this country without LET OR HINDRANCE! Stop putting the lives of young people at risk with moribund ideas. Security is a priority & needs to be sorted totally, not technically."

The NYSC program, established to foster unity among Nigerians, requires graduates to participate in a year-long service. However, recent security incidents, such as the abduction of the eight victims who were en route to their orientation camp in Zamfara State, have raised concerns about the safety of participants.

Eddy Megwa, the Director of Press at the NYSC Headquarters, confirmed that the abducted graduates were traveling at night when they were kidnapped by gunmen. Despite the program's intention to promote national unity, Kate Henshaw's vocal stand on its scrapping underscores the growing anxiety surrounding the safety of corps members.