NYSC Urges States, LGCs to Provide Corpers Lodges
“The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) may have made so much impact on the country over the past forty-six years, especially in the areas of unity and socio-economic development.
“Its contributions to education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, science and technology, and rural infrastructure have continued to attract accolades from different quarters.
“But in spite of these feats, the Scheme is still grappling with some challenges,” says Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim.
Brig. Gen. Ibrahim, the Director of NYSC, stated this at a ‘Sensitization Workshop on the Scheme Act, CAP. N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.’
The event, held at Rockview Hotel in Abuja, was themed: “NYSC: Call to Service.”
At the opening ceremony of the workshop, General Ibrahim, noted that some of the challenges are in the areas of stakeholders’ obligations and cases of non-compliance with regulations on mobilization and exemption from service.
“May I, therefore, seize this opportunity to specifically remind States and Local Governments of their obligations to the Scheme, especially with regards to the provision and maintenance of Orientation Camps, Corps Members Lodges, other essential welfare facilities, as well as office accommodation for the Scheme,” he said.
He also commended the States that have shown commitment in this regard, while appealing to others to make the necessary facilities available for the comfort of Corps Members deployed to their States.
The Director General, while speaking further, informed professional bodies who have been inundating the Scheme with requests for posting of Corps members to specific areas of endeavours for Primary Assignment that such requests are not in tandem with the provisions of the NYSC Act, which their posting policy is derived.
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“For the avoidance of doubt, Corps members are assigned to serve in areas where their services are required in line with national needs, while given priority to rural transformation,” he said.
The NYSC boss, maintained that the sensitization workshop will not only go a long way to deepen the understanding of the Act, but will also expand the scope of their target audience.
His words: “Given the current realities and the continuing relevance of NYSC, we have recognized the need to provide avenue for enlightenment of Nigerians on the enabling Act and the various aspects of our operations.
“This is based on our firm belief that the roles of stakeholders are better played if the provisions of the enabling law are clearly understood.”
Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the NYSC management for its foresight in taking the bold step to provide a platform for the youths to play their part in actualizing the vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
The former Head of State, who was represented by a one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali, explained that though the establishment of the Scheme was initially greeted by misgivings, it did not take long for it to earn the acceptance of Nigerians, especially the target youths.
“At this juncture, I enjoin participants to also use this forum for further appraisal of the scheme’s performance, and set agenda for its contribution to the growth and development of the country in the next decades.
“I also recommend that this sensitization should be taken to the grassroots so as to reach more stakeholders,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said apart from the Corps members’ contribution to the various sectors of the economy through their primary assignment, communities in all parts of the country have continued to benefit from landmark projects they execute under the Scheme’s Community Development Service (CDS).
“Also deserving commendation is the participation of the Corps members in the execution of key national programmes such as elections, population census and national immunization,” he added.
By PRNigeria
