Corps Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC ) in Nigeria have been advised to avoid unauthorised journeys, night partying and other forms of misconduct as they proceed to their places of primary assignments.
In a statement signed by the Public relations Officer, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Shauibu lbrahim stated this in a virtual address to Corps Members and Camp participants.
He said that there was nothing like two weeks leave for Corps Members after leaving the Orientation Camp.
Appropriate Sanction
He advised Corps Members to study the NYSC Act, NYSC Bye-laws and adhere strictly to the provisions, explaining that infractions would attract appropriate sanction.
He however advised them to utilise the lessons learnt during the three weeks of Orientation Course to contribute their quota to national development by adding value to themselves.
Security Consciousness
The DG specifically warned the Corps Members to be security conscious by avoiding any act that could put their lives at risk in their respective places of primary assignment and host communities.
“I want to warn you that there is nothing like two weeks leave after Orientation Course. Settle down in your places of primary assignments.
As you leave the camp, you must be security conscious, don’t travel at night and don’t endanger your safety.
Shun cybercrimes, drugs, cultism and don’t let your actions today haunt you tomorrow,” he said.
Unavailable salary jobs
He urged them to continue with the post-camp training of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme in order to be self empowered, instead of seeking for the unavailable formal jobs.
Ibrahim said that the Scheme was in collaboration with the Federal Government for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund (NYSCTF) to make start-up capital available to Corps Member after the mandatory one year service.
He said the funds would enable individuals establish businesses in line with the skills acquired.
The DG also informed them that the Scheme had partnered with relevant institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Access Bank, Unity Bank among others to provide soft loans for Corps Members with good business proposals to establish vocational businesses.
Avoid spreading rumour
The DG urged Corps members to use the Social Media wisely to promote the unity of the country, and not to spread rumour.
He also admonished the Corps Members to emulate their predecessors, who during the ourtbreak of COVID-19 pandemic offered selfless services by producing sanitisers, face masks, pedal operated water and sanitiser dispensers, free online extra- mural classes, among others, to cushion the effects of the pandemic and lockdown on members of the public.
The NYSC boss advised Corps members to feel the pulse of their host communities and intiate laudable projects that would ameliorate their suffering, improve their standard of living and also give them a new lease of life.
General lbrahim warned against presentation of fake medical papers for redeployment as this would attract sanctions
He said posting, redeployment and other services rendered by the NYSC attracts no fee, explaining that anyone caught offering bribe would be sanctioned appropriately.
Free COVID-19 vaccine
He appealed to the Corps Members to embrace the Federal Government’s gesture of free COVID-19 vaccine and be vaccinated to protect themselves.
Appreciation
Responding on behalf of her colleagues, the Kebbi State Corps Camp Director, Bankole Shukurat Abiodun KB/21C/0304 appreciated the DG for his purposeful and coordinated leadership style, which has made the Scheme more relevant.
She said the NYSC over the years has been inculcating the spirit of teamwork, nation building and self- reliance among the Nigerian youths.
She disclosed that the knowledge and skills acquired during the three – week Orientation Course would be effectively used to become self-reliant and job creators.
“The Orientation Course has afforded us the opportunity to learn leadership skills, para-military drills, security tips, martial arts, entrepreneurship skills, all geared towards making us responsible future leaders,” she explained.
She said corps members promised to be law-abiding and good ambassadors of the NYSC and the nation at large, by justifying the confidence reposed in them.
Lateefah /Qasim