To: The Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria
The Association of Southern Nigerian Students (ASONIS) vehemently frowns against the continued exclusion of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates in Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization. This exclusion has caused widespread distress among the affected graduates and raises critical questions about the principles of equity and inclusion that underpin the NYSC scheme.
It has come to our attention that the Nigerian Institute of Science and Laboratory Technology (NISLT) has enacted policies that have indirectly resulted in the exclusion of HND SLT graduates from participating in the NYSC program. This actus reus (wrongful act) not only infringes on the rights of these graduates but also hampers their potential contributions to the scientific and technological development of Nigeria.
Our Demands:
1. Immediate Redress by the NYSC:
We urgently call upon the Director General of the NYSC to take immediate steps to address this exclusion. The NYSC program, as a sine qua non of national unity and service, must be inclusive, accommodating all eligible graduates regardless of their academic credentials. We demand the immediate inclusion of HND SLT graduates in the current mobilization process to prevent their unjust marginalization.
2. Critical Reassessment by NISLT:
We urge the Nigerian Institute of Science and Laboratory Technology (NISLT) to critically review and amend any policies that may inadvertently disenfranchise HND SLT graduates. Such policies are not only counterproductive but contra bonos mores (against good morals), as they hinder the professional advancement of these graduates and create unnecessary divisions within the scientific community. We advocate for a more pro bono publico (for the public good) approach that recognizes and supports the vital role of these graduates in science and technology.
3. Proactive Legislative Action by the National Assembly:
We call on the Nigerian National Assembly to urgently intervene and investigate this issue. The legislative arm has a crucial role in ensuring that all Nigerian graduates are treated equally under the law. We appeal to the National Assembly to enact or amend legislation that will protect the rights of HND SLT graduates and prevent any future occurrences of such exclusion from national programs like the NYSC.
4. Collaborative Solutions by the Federal Government and NBTE:
We beckon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to engage in a coordinated effort to develop a lasting solution to this problem. The fair treatment of HND SLT graduates is essential for the credibility of our national educational and service institutions. We call for a comprehensive review of policies affecting technical education graduates to ensure that they have equal opportunities to contribute to national development.
5. Establishment of a Monitoring and Compliance Framework:
We recommend the establishment of a robust monitoring and compliance framework to ensure that all policies and regulations affecting graduates of technical in education, particularly those in Science Laboratory Technology, are implemented fairly and transparently. This framework should involve stakeholders from the education sector, professional bodies, and civil society organizations to oversee and ensure that the rights of all graduates are upheld.
Finally,the exclusion of HND SLT graduates from the NYSC mobilization constitutes a casus belli (provocation) that demands urgent and decisive action. ASONIS stands in unwavering solidarity with the affected graduates and remains resolute in its commitment to advocating for their rights. We firmly believe that every Nigerian graduate deserves the opportunity to serve their nation through the NYSC, and we urge the relevant authorities, including the Nigerian National Assembly, to act swiftly to resolve this grave injustice.
Signed:
Hon Taiwo Olayinka Temitope
President
Association Of Southern Nigerian Students
Comrade Megbowon Olusola Ezekiel
Secretary General, Association of Southern Nigerian Students (ASONIS)
Comrade Ifeanyi Gilbert Origbo
Public Relations Officer
Association Of Southern Nigerian Students
