REFLECTIONS ON KILLING OF AN NYSC MEMBER
News has been making rounds about how a lady who should have been among those corps members who passed out in Abuja was brutally murdered by a police man. I cannot but wonder what the parents of the lady by name Linda Igwetu would be thinking of now; the pain and agony will of course be too much to bear, not just because of the death but the fact that the lady had just 24hours to pass out. It is something very scary if people die in the hands of security officials who are meant to protect them. The situation in Nigeria calls for huge attention. Few days ago, in same Abuja seven policemen were killed by unknown gunmen. One may think Linda’s death may be a retaliatory attack as security measures have been beefed up in Abuja but it is quite unfortunate that killing has become something normal. The government should understand that if it does not act, the essence of National Youth Service Corps will be lost. There would be a revolt against the system because nobody wants to die. Serving your fatherland does not mean your fatherland should kill you; it means you are working for the growth of your country and you should be sure you will come out alive.
The case of spreading national unity through NYSC may be lost if violence against young Nigerians continue unabated. Media reports had it that five members of the youth corps died in a communal clash in Calabar; many persons on Twitter are beginning to vow that they would not serve due to fear. The Nigerian government should ensure that NYSC does not become a place where seeds of discord will be planted in the hearts of Nigerians. If Abuja can be very unsafe, then it is really scary.
The time has also come for human life to be respected, hospitals should not become death centres, every one deserves to live. The government should show responsibility by showing decisiveness and taking measures to ensure that Nigerians are treated humanly; even animals care for themselves. Nigeria should promote life and not eliminate life. Olanrewaju oyedeji, Abuja