The management of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC has appealed to State Governments and other stakeholders in the country for more support as part of its efforts to consolidate the achievements it has recorded in the last fifty years.
The DG stated this on Wednesday in his address at the meeting of NYSC Management with representatives of State Governments, with the theme; “Five Decades of National Service: Mobilizing Stakeholders For Enhanced Service Delivery”, held in Abuja.
The Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Yushua Ahmed said NYSC Managers are working assiduously towards ensuring that NYSC would continue to be impactful towards national development in its post-golden jubilee era.
General Ahmed disclosed that while the Federal Government shoulders the greater part of running the Scheme, the NYSC Act saddles both the State and Local Governments with complimentary responsibilities like the provision of Orientation Camps, Corps Transit Lodges, Office Accommodation, and other forms of intervention that are essential for the welfare of Corps Members and smooth conduct of the Scheme’s operations.
He also urged State Governments to establish NYSC State and Local Government Governing Boards in order to ease the operations of the Scheme in the States.
The Director General advised participants at the meeting to use the forum to share best practices among all States and the FCT in order to deepen the impact of the Scheme on the socio-economic development of the country.
The NYSC helmsman also enjoined the representatives of State Governments at the meeting to guide the Corps Members to explore and avail themselves of opportunities for employment or business in their respective states of deployment.
“I wish to appeal for the glorious practice of offering automatic employment for the most outstanding Corps Members.
This will not only serve as a mark of appreciation for their contributions but also meet the Scheme’s objectives of promoting free movement of labour and national integration”, General Ahmed said.
The Director General also used the opportunity to appeal to Corps Members to desist from embarking on night journeys, while he advised them to cut their journey by 6:00 pm and pass the night at Corps Lodges, military formations, police stations and other places officially designated safe and continue the following day.
He said in view of the dangers associated with night journeys, Management has been sensitising both prospective and serving Corps Members on the need to stop night journeys.
“As a matter of urgent concern, l appeal to State Governments to initiate policies in this direction, to reach out to the Corps Producing Institutions, and other stakeholders including transport companies in their States to stop conveying Corps Members to various locations during night hours.
The safety of Corps Members in all locations remains the top priority of the Scheme. We are stepping up our liaison with security agencies who have been supportive and it is important that State and Local Governments as well as other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, and religious and community leaders play their expected roles in securing the Corps Members”, the DG said.
Dominica Nwabufo
