The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Nigeria has appealed for more stakeholders’ support for the Scheme.
The Acting Director General of the scheme, Mrs Christy Uba made the call during her visit to NYSC Orientation Camp in Amada, Gombe State, North East Nigeria.
She reiterated that NYSC would not lower its standard on adequate provision of security and welfare for Corps Members.
Mrs Uba while been conducted round the camp on inspection of facilities by the State Coordinator, Mrs Ada Imoni, lauded the quality of healthcare services being offered to Corps Members at the various Orientation Camps nationwide.
She said the synergy with the National Health Insurance Agency, NHIA, including the presence of medical personnel from tertiary health institutions at the NYSC Orientation Camps across the country is yielding positive results.
She was highly impressed with the quality and quantity of drugs stocked at the Orientation Camp Clinic for Corps Members and Camp Officials.
The Acting DG also commended the feeding system which was in strict adherence to the directives from the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
She advised the Corps Members to use the opportunity of the Orientation Course to discover their innate talents, acquire skills and create a blissful future for themselves.
“Think very well and be innovative. Be security conscious and avoid cutting corners. Be honest in your dealings with everyone.
Your character and attitude are very relevant to the level of your greatness. Shun cultism, cybercrimes, drug addiction and other social vices”, she said.
Uba advised the Corps Members to participate actively in all camp activities that were put together to harness their potentials, as they would bring fond memories in future.
She urged them to participate fully in the in-camp training of NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED Programme which is the only avenue to become self-employed.
She added that many ex-Corps Members that embraced SAED in-camp and post-camp trainings are now self-reliant and business owners across the country.
She encouraged the Corps Members to accept their postings in good faith, study and understand their new environments and be ready to impact positively in their host communities.
Speaking further, the Acting Director General advised the Corps Members not to embark on unauthorized, night and frequent journeys.
“Don’t travel at night. If your journey is getting late, sleep and pass the night in a nearby NYSC formation, military barracks and other safe places. Board vehicles from designated motor parks and don’t board vehicles by the roadsides”, she said.
Uba specifically warned the female Corps Members to maintain good integrity and avoid free rides, especially from strangers in order not to endanger themselves.
She admonished the Corps Members not to misuse the social media but rather use it to promote national unity and integration.
For those that would participate in the 2023 general elections, Uba informed them that it is voluntary and “if you are participating, you must be neutral and apolitical. Don’t involve yourself in politics as a Corps Members because there is no concession for Corps Members that violates electoral laws”, she added.
While giving her situation report to the Acting DG, the NYSC Gombe State Coordinator, Mrs Ada Imoni said a total of 763 Corps Members comprising 419 males and 344 females were registered.
She added that work is on-going at the permanent Orientation Camp at Boltongo in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area courtesy of Gombe State Government.