The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to increase the remuneration of Corps Members that serve as ad hoc staff during elections.
He also requested timely payment of insurance benefits or medical support to Corps Members that pay the supreme sacrifice or suffer injuries on election duties in the country.
This is contained in a statement by Director, Information and Public Relations of NYSC, Caroline Embu.
The Director General of NYSC made the appeal on Tuesday when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, paid him a visit in his office at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria.
General Nafiu said granting these requests would encourage more Corps Members to participate in the conduct of elections and perform their roles with more zeal as patriotic Nigerians.
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He also urged INEC to expedite action on timely release of names of Corps Members that would serve as electoral officers, adding that this would enable the scheme to make adequate preparation before the election days.
The DG commended INEC for the support NYSC has enjoyed from the collaboration between both agencies.
He said the scheme has continued to be part of Nigeria’s democratic process since 1999, though the agreement was formalised in 2011, and the MoU has passed through some renewal since then.
He described Corps Members as “highly competent, credible, neutral and easily trainable set of patriotic manpower with a high sense of digital proficiency” that have the wherewithal to deliver credible elections whenever called to duty.
The NYSC Chief Executive Officer lauded INEC’s security arrangements for Corps Members during the last Anambra State Gubernatorial election, with the hope that such would be replicated in subsequent elections.
Nafiu stated further that NYSC would continue to play its part in strengthening the nation’s democracy.
“We have the sufficient manpower in terms of Corps Members that would provide necessary support for INEC not only for the 2027 general elections but also the off-cycle elections coming up this year; we are on top of our game.”
“The insurance we have for them does not include this kind of assignment; we always count on the insurance that INEC has for them during elections,” General Nafiu stated.
