The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Friday, reminded government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) across Nigeria of an existing circular, prohibiting rejection of corps members posted to them for their primary assignments.
General Ibrahim made the remainder on Friday in Bauchi at a two-day NYSC /employers workshop, holding simultaneously across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the theme: “Optimising the NYSC/Corps Employers Partnership for National Development in the context of the New Normal”.
The Director-General submitted that the major problem of the Corps was rejection of Corps members posted to MDAs across the country.
According to him, instead of rejecting corps members, government establishments ought to make adequate budgetary provisions for their welfares.
“I wish to remind you of a subsisting circular from the Federal Government, which prohibits rejection of corps members by Government Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs).
“To this end, I wish to appeal to all corps employers, especially government establishments, to make adequate budgetary provisions for the welfare of corps members rather than rejecting them,” Ibrahim said.
Represented by the Director, Ventures Management at the NYSC headquarters, Abuja, Mohammed Momoh, the DG said some of the problems faced by the Corps included delay in applying or not applying for the services by prospective corps members.
He added that increased rejection of corps members, aiding corps members to stage manage their own rejection, underutilisation of corps members and delay in issuance of monthly clearance to deserving corps members, among others.
General Ibrahim urged employers who need the services of corps members to submit requests before the commencement of orientation course, adding that the requests should include the number required, discipline and other specifications.
He, however, warned that the Corps would apply appropriate sanctions against corps members’ employers and others found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism and abscondment of corps members from service.
Speaking on the workshop, the NYSC DG assured that it would serve as an avenue for exchange of ideas on the improvement of NYSC operations, especially through the provision of enabling environment for corps members to render qualitative and efficient services.
According to him, the workshop would provide feedback from the strategic stakeholders on the strength, weaknesses and potentials of the Scheme as well as chart ways of strengthening its operations.
Ibrahim added that; “this edition will also generate ideas that will enable the Scheme to continually weather the prevailing storms of COVID-19, security, and other challenges.”
