The Nation Newspaper

Tag: asset declaration

  • Online asset declaration as catalyst for cleanliness

    Online asset declaration as catalyst for cleanliness

    • By Samuel Jekeli

    Sir: Cleanliness in a country goes beyond physical sanitation and environmental hygiene. It extends to the moral, financial, and administrative spheres of public life. The idea of a “clean” system speaks to transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance. One powerful tool that has emerged in recent years to promote this broader definition of cleanliness is online asset declaration.

    Mandated by the constitution and managed by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), asset declaration—particularly through a digital platform—is fast becoming a catalyst for ethical transformation and institutional hygiene in Nigeria.

    The online asset declaration process, unlike its manual predecessor, introduces a higher level of traceability, efficiency, and oversight. With just a few clicks, public officers can now declare their assets and liabilities from anywhere, ensuring a streamlined, uniform process that closes the loopholes associated with paper submissions. This shift reduces the opportunities for concealment, forgery, or delay that once plagued the manual system. It brings a sense of order and accountability that is at the heart of administrative cleanliness.

    At the foundation of any nation’s progress is trust. Citizens must believe that those who govern them do so with clean hands and clear intentions. Online asset declaration makes it easier for public institutions to cultivate that trust. When public officers are aware that their declarations are securely stored and auditable, they are more likely to act within ethical bounds. The knowledge that there is a digital record—a time-stamped footprint of accountability—encourages a culture of honesty and responsibility. It is a quiet but potent deterrent to corruption, which is arguably the greatest pollutant in Nigeria’s public sphere.

    Read Also; NNPP dead, Kwankwaso ‘ll soon join APC – Ganduje

    Moreover, online asset declaration is not just a tool for compliance—it is a mirror for reflection. Public officers are prompted to take inventory of their possessions, liabilities, and lifestyle choices. This self-assessment fosters internal accountability and curbs the temptation to live beyond one’s means, knowing that wealth accumulation must now be justifiable and aligned with legal income. It discourages illicit enrichment and promotes contentment, discipline, and clarity—a personal kind of cleanliness that reflects in the way public duties are discharged.

    Another way in which online asset declaration drives national cleanliness is through institutional reform. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are now expected to build internal systems that support and track compliance among their staff. This has led to improvements in recordkeeping, communication systems, digital literacy, and human resources oversight. These are essential steps towards cleaner, more efficient public institutions. When organizations function with structure and accountability, they are less vulnerable to the kind of systemic decay that fosters inefficiency, bribery, and abuse of office.

    Furthermore, the transition to digital declaration aligns with Nigeria’s broader move toward e-governance. A government that integrates technology into its processes sends a signal that it is forward-thinking and committed to modern, transparent administration. It removes the secrecy and bureaucracy that once shielded corruption and paves the way for greater public oversight. Eventually, citizens may be able to access declaration summaries of top officials, strengthening civic engagement and holding leaders accountable in real-time.

    The role of civil society and the media also becomes more empowered when digital trails are available. Investigative journalism, public audits, and anti-corruption advocacy gain credibility and depth when backed by accessible and verifiable data. This further cleanses the political environment by exposing contradictions between declared assets and actual lifestyles, prompting further scrutiny, investigations, or even sanctions where necessary.

    Of course, online asset declaration is not a magic wand. Its success depends on the sincerity of implementation, the security of the platform and the political will to act on discrepancies. There must also be adequate training and sensitization for public officers, especially those at the grassroots who may lack digital skills or awareness of their responsibilities. But when the system is properly deployed and backed with the necessary legal and institutional support, it has the potential to revolutionize ethics in the public sector.

    The online asset declaration system offers more than just convenience. It represents a bold step toward sanitizing Nigeria’s public space. By embracing it fully, Nigeria inches closer to a government that is not only effective but also trustworthy—a government that is, in every sense of the word, clean.

    •Samuel Jekeli,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Breaking: Tribunal to decide whether or not Onnoghen defends charges

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has scheduled ruling for 1.30pm on Friday in the no-case submission made by suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Wanter Onnoghen.

    Onnoghen is being tried for non-declaration of asset, in a six-count charge instituted by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar announced, after taking arguments from parties this morning, in relation to the no-case-submission, announced that ruling would be delivered this afternoon.

    Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) who argued for Onnoghen, urged the tribunal to discharge and acquit his client on the grounds that the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against him.

    Awomolo faulted the entire evidence led by the prosecution and exhibits tendered and urged the tribunal to hold that it is not worth it calling on Onoghen to defend himself.

    He said the entire proceedings have become a nullity because the process leading to the commencement of the trial did not comply with the procedure provided for in the CCB’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 2017.

    Prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar offered a counter-argument and urged the tribunal to reject Onnoghen’s no-case-submission and order him to enter defence.

    Umar said the prosecution’s case was simple and relates mainly to the defendants failure to declare his assets.

    He said; “We are not accusing him of having $300m in his accounts. What we are saying is that he failed to declare his assets on his appointment as Justice of Supreme Court and that he operated domiciliary accounts since 2009 and 2010 without declaring them.”

    Details shortly…

  • Code of Conduct Bureau advises public officers to declare assets

    The Code of Conduct Bureau in Gombe State has advised public servants to declares their assets
    as part of constitutional requirement.

    The bureau Director in the state, Mr Panyi Baira, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Tuesday.

    He said “asset declaration is a constitutional requirement that has to be fulfilled by all government workers from the
    lowest government employee to the highest office in the country as required by law.

    “The law says career civil servants must declare once after each and every four years, but for political office holders, they
    must declare their assets when they assume office and when they leave, be it elective or appointed.”

    According to him, some civil servants, public office holders and other elected officers in the state have responded positively to the provisions of asset declaration not necessary waiting until asked for the nominal role.

    The director added that the bureau was constituted to ensure high level of accountability, transparency and high level of morality in government business. The director said that failure to fill the assets declaration form is also an offence.

    He explained that “failure to declare assets by public officer can lead to confiscation by Court of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the assets accordingly become government property.”

    He also advised against over-declaration or under-declaration, saying it was an offence too.

  • Breaking: Appeal Court fails to hear Onnoghen’s appeals

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday failed to hear the three appeals filed by suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The appellate court had in late January adjourned on February 12, 2019 for the hearing of the appeals.

    But, when lawyers to parties got to court on Tuesday, the court could not form quorum for the purpose of hearing the appeals.

    Read Also: Onnoghen: EFCC detectives, others may appear before NJC

    Parties were told to await information, on a later date, on when the hearing is to be rescheduled.

    The appeals are against the decisions of the Code of Conduct to assume jurisdiction over the charge pending against Onnoghen and the ex-parte injunction granted by the CCT, on which President Muhammadu Buhari acted to suspend Onnoghen.

  • I am happy that I have been vindicated – Saraki

    —Insists trial politically motivated

     

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Friday reiterated his confidence in the judicial process and the ability of the Judiciary to do justice to all manner of men and in all circumstances.

    A statement he personally signed after the judgement of the Supreme Court which upheld the earlier decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), discharging and acquitting him of all 18 count charge instituted against him, Saraki expressed gratitude to all Nigerians who have supported him since the case commenced three years ago.

    Saraki said, “At the end of a tortuous journey of 1018 days, counting from September 22, 2015, when the case began at the Tribunal, I am happy that I have been vindicated.

    “The Supreme Court has affirmed that there is no evidence of false declaration of assets. The court also observed that certain agents took over the responsibility of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in this trial, and one can infer that this was done towards a pre-determined end.

    “This outcome has gladdened my heart and further strengthened my belief in this country and as well as my faith in the Almighty Allah, who is the righter of all wrongs. God has vindicated me today before the judgement of man, and I am most thankful and humbled at His grace and infinite mercies.

    “Through it all, I refused to be shaken, knowing, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, that the arch of the moral universe may be long, but it bends towards justice. I knew the day would come when justice would prevail and I would be exonerated.

    “I have always believed in the infallibility of our Judiciary, secure in the knowledge that our courts – the last refuge of the oppressed – would never condemn the innocent. This outcome is also a vindication of my belief in the rule of law.

    “As I said in my first appearance at the CCT, this is a politically motivated case. The case was trumped up in the first instance because of my emergence as the President of the Senate, against the wishes of certain forces. Ordinarily, I doubt anyone would be interested in the asset declaration form I filled over 15 years ago.

    “What we have seen is the opposite. Instead of working together in the interest of the nation and to seek to do better for our people, we are fighting one another and using legal instruments to mount baseless accusations against one another. Instead of exhibiting the need for unity and working day and night for that purpose, we are stoking the fire of division and rancour. I maintain that, above all else, my CCT trial has been a flagrant vilification of my person, and shows that some people are after their personal interests rather than the national interest.

    “As a result of the war of attrition, various arms of government have wasted resources needlessly. It has been three wasted years across board in this country. Three years that would have been devoted to tackling issues affecting Nigerians, including: economic recovery, insecurity, youth unemployment and strengthening national institutions – were wasted on malicious prosecution. People were ready to trade-off three years that would have been devoted to fostering cooperation, unity and economic progress for their selfish ends. It is my hope that those who are behind my persecution will see the handwriting on the wall and leave me to do the work for which I was elected, so I can continue to give my all to this great country of ours.

    “As many have rightly observed, it is plain to see that the anti-corruption fight is being prosecuted with vindictiveness, to target perceived political opponents. I believe in the need to fight corruption, but I will never be party to the selective application of the law or the rhetoric of an insincere anti-corruption fight.

    “I believe in fighting corruption and I have made my own humble contributions to the fight against corruption in this country. As a presidential aide, I initiated the process that led to the enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. I was the first governor to establish the Price Intelligence Unit which later metamorphosed into the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) at the federal level. In the history of this country, the highest fraud, the most brazen corruption has been the Fuel Subsidy scam. No one wanted to talk about it or confront entrenched powers. As a Senator on the platform of the ruling party at that time, I sponsored a motion on the floor of the Senate calling for investigation that led to the unprecedented exposure of the massive corruption in the fuel subsidy regime. That was my only point of departure with the former President. My antecedents speak for themselves.

    Read Also: Kwara APC hails judiciary on Saraki’s acquittal

    “I thank Nigerians for standing by me through the difficult period of this trial. The support of ordinary Nigerians and their faith in me, as well as their sophistication and discernment in seeing this case for what it was, has been a source of strength to me.

    “I am most grateful for the support of my Distinguished Colleagues and the Honourable Members of the 8th National Assembly, for their unflinching support and regular attendance at the various proceedings. They were unfairly criticised for accompanying me on court appearances, but it is now clear that they did so because they believed that injustice to one, is injustice to all. They have been the true embodiment of esprit de corps. I thank them for banding together in the face of an unconscionable attack on the institution of the legislature.

    “I thank my legal team for their determined and principled stance, and for their knowledge and diligence, which saw this case to its just conclusion. My gratitude to all my friends, political associates, supporters and the good people of Kwara State – all of whom have been solidly behind me.

    “I thank my family for enduring this trial with their usual grace and fortitude. My immense gratitude also goes to the international community for their interest in this case. The Nigerian press have kept watch and I appreciate their vigilance in ensuring that all the facts were held up to scrutiny.

    “To my supporters, yes, there is a reason to rejoice, but our celebration must be tempered with the sobering lessons of the attempted injustice from Day One of this trial. We all have to canvas for fairness in the fight against corruption. We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions as well as tolerance of divergent views.

    “The overwhelming support of so many, and the insistence on ensuring that due process and truth prevailed, has made this verdict possible,” he stated.

  • Breaking: CCT frees Saraki on charges of false assets declaration

    Breaking: CCT frees Saraki on charges of false assets declaration

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Wednesday discharged and acquitted Senate President, Bukola Saraki on charges of false assets declaration brought against him.

    The tribunal in a unanimous ruling by its two members upheld the no-case submission made by Saraki.

    The tribunal held that the prosecution was unable to discharge the burden of proof placed on it under the law.

    It held that the evidence led by the prosecution have been sufficiently discredited by the defence during cross-examination.

     

  • Allegations against me at CCT made ‘no sense’- Saraki

    Allegations against me at CCT made ‘no sense’- Saraki

    The Federal Government on Thursday re-arraigned Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on an 18-count amended charge over false asset declaration and money laundering at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.

    The Prosecution team, led by Mr Rotimi Jacobs, filed the amended charge on Feb. 8 after the trial had gone underway with a number of prosecution witnesses testifying.

    Saraki was initially standing trial on a 13-count charge for alleged false asset declaration at the tribunal.

    The trial, which started in September 2015, was later amended in 2016, with an addition of three charges, making it 16-count.

    The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr Umar Danladi, held that the court was compelled to give a short adjournment for the defendant’s team to study the new charge.

    The matter was then adjourned until Feb. 23 for the defendant to take his fresh plea.

    At the resumption of the trial, Saraki made his plea, where he denied all the allegations in the charge.

    He said his trial was politically-motivated, adding that the allegations included in the charge made “no sense” to him.

    Saraki’s plea was immediately followed by the testimony of a prosecution witness, Mr Samuel Madojemu.

    Madojemu, an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), had earlier given evidence on Feb. 8.

    He insisted that Saraki failed to capture his properties at No. 15a and 17a Macdonald street, Ikoyi, Lagos in the asset declaration form.

    The witness said most of the documents tendered as exhibits were obtained by EFCC operatives and validated by the bureau.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amended charge also borders around false assets declaration and money laundering between 2003 and 2011 when the defendant was governor of Kwara.

    Meanwhile, the presiding judge had adjourned trial until March 2. (NAN)

  • I was ‘extremely rich’ before becoming Kwara gov – Saraki

    I was ‘extremely rich’ before becoming Kwara gov – Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki said Tuesday that he was “extremely rich” before he became Kwara State governor in 2003.

    He said he had $22million US dollars, about 12million pounds, 2.6m Euro and about N4billion in cash in his various accounts.

    Aside the liquid asset, Saraki said he also possessed landed property estimated at N2billion and 15 vehicles valued at about N263.4m.

    He gave details of the vehicles he acquired as at 2003 to include: Mercedes X320, valued at N16m; Mercedes X500 worth N20m; Mercedes G500, valued at N6m; Mercedes V220 worth 2m and Ferrari456GT, valued at N25m.

    Others are:  Navigator, N15m, MN240 worth N8.5m; Peugeot 406, valued at N2.9m; Mercedes CLK 320 worth N9m; Mercedes E320 valued at N11m; Mercedes G500 bullet proof, worth N45m; Mercedes X500 worth N300m; Lexus jeep Bullet proof, valued at N30m and Lincoln Navigator Bullet Proof worth N25m.

    Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN) made this public Tuesday at the resumption of the Senate President’s trial for false asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Abuja.

    Erokoro, who was cross-examining the first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas, identified the assets as claimed by Saraki in the asset declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2003.

    Erokoro said he needed to point out that his client was very rich before he became Kwara State governor to erase the wrong impression created by the prosecution that, he could not have acquired the property he claimed to have, without obtaining loans from banks

    The lawyer was however silent on the source of his client’s wealth and how he came about all the property and cash he claimed to have possessed before he became governor in 2003.

    However, Saraki’s profile, as contained in “Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia,” indicated that he was born on 19 December 1962 and studied at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, when he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).

    He worked as a medical officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex, from 1988 to 1989 and was a director of Société Générale Bank (Nig) Ltd from 1990 to 2000. The bank founded by his now late father, Olusola Saraki, had its operating licence withdrawn in January 2006, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Saraki as Special Assistant to the President on Budget, a position he held until he became governor.

    When asked if it was possible for Saraki to have made anticipatory declaration of asset, Wetkas insisted it was not about whether or not such practice was possible, but that investigation and evidence have shown that the Senate President actually engaged in anticipatory asset declaration.

    The witness pointed out that, in the asset declaration form submitted to the CCB by Saraki in 2003, he claimed to have acquired houses Nos: 15A and 15B Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, when in actual fact, such property do not exist.

    Wetkas, a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said, investigation revealed that the only property with similar description was No15 and Block 15 Flat 1 to 4 Mcdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    “In the course of our investigation, when we came across this No.15 A and B, Ikoyi, Lagos, we wrote to the Presidential Implementation Committee on the disposal of Federal Government Landed Property. We also wrote to the Lagos Land Registry.

    “The Lagos Land Registry said they do not have records of No.15A and B, McDonald. The Presidential Committee said the record they have on their system is No.15 Mcdonald, which was sold to the company, TinyTee Ltd, and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4 Mcdonald Ikoyi, which was sold to another company, Bitti Oil Ltd.

    “The evidence I gave was that No: 15 Mcdonald was sold to TinyTee Ltd, belonging to the defendant, which we did not see declared as part of his assets in all the declaration forms, about 6 in all.

    In my testimony on 5th April 2016 I had said the defendant declared, in his asset declaration form – Exhibit 1, in appendix 3, that he bought No: 15A and B, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos sometime in 2000 through his company called Calile Properties Ltd, whereas our findings reveals that  No:15 was actually purchased by his company, TinyTee, not Calile sometime in 2006.

    “We also found that the second property : Block 15 Flat 1 -4 was sold to Bitti Oil Ltd, investigation is yet to link the defendant with that company,” Wetkas said.

    As Wetkas testified, Saraki, who wore white agbada and a cap, sat quietly in the “accused box.”

    At a point, Erokoro attempted to discredit the form submitted by Saraki in 2003, which he signed on September 16, 2003, by claiming that it must have been tampered with.

    Erokoro hinged his suspicion on his belief that it was impossible for Saraki to have contemplated as at 2003, of buying the Ikoyi property in 2006 and thereby included it in his 2003 asset declaration form.

    In reacting to Erokoro’s position, Wetkas said it was only Saraki, who signed the document, admitting his claims on it that could explain the reason for what Erokoro thinks seems impossible.

    “The Exhibit 1 (the 2003 form) was signed and dated by Saraki on September 16, 2003. As far as I am concerned, Exhibit 1 was duly signed and dated by the defendant on September 16, 2003.

    “I did not insert the properties in the form. Asset declaration form is not just any document. The person declaring his assets is expected to go before a High Court judge to swear on oath. They swear to affidavit, so it is believed that all he swore to, and appended his signature to the truth.  I do not need to see him in person or confront him to believe that his declaration in the form is true,” Wetkas said.

    Earlier, the witness, who was handed an electric calculator by Erokoro, to calculate the value of Saraki’s asset, as stated in the 2003 form, said inquiry into some of his bank accounts and those of some members of his immediate family revealed that Saraki was worth more than N1.5billion as at 2003

    “By Appendix 7A of Exhibit 1, the defendant’s wife’s account in EcoBank showed N1, 500,000 as cahs balance.

    “At page 6 of Exhibit 1: Cash at bank in Nigeria added up to N1, 100,000 in Société General Bank, in the name of Tosin and Seni Saraki (his children below 18 years as at 2003).

    At 3.30 pm, lead defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) sought an adjournment, which the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar reluctantly agreed to.

    Umar reminded Agabi that parties had agreed at the commencement of proceedings, that the tribunal will only rise at 4pm.

    The tribunal Chairman however changed his mind when other fence lawyers, including Paul Usoro (SAN) added their voices to Agabi’s request.

    Only about three Senators were identified at yesterday’s proceedings as against the practice in the past when up to 20 Senators were always attending every sitting.

    The regulars: Dino Melaye (who occasionally served food and drinks to other Senators when they attend proceedings), Samuel Anyawu and Tayo Alasoadura were absent at yesterday’s proceedings.

    Also, Ajibola Oluyede, the lawyer, who suddenly appeared in the defence team at the previous proceedings to move a motion seeking Umar’s disqualification, was also absent yesterday.

    Further hearing resumes Wednesday.

     

  • Bello should declare asset – Kogi rights activist

    Bello should declare asset – Kogi rights activist

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been told to immediately declare his asset in line with his promise of modeling his administration after that of President Mohammadu Buhari.

    Bello had during his inauguration on Wednesday at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja pledged to maintain zero-tolerance for corruption.

    Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul, the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Lokoja, in a statement issued Thursday in Lokoja called on Bello to stay true to his promise to stamp out corruption in the state by first declaring his asset
    publicly.

    He also called on the governor to probe his predecessor, who he described as the worst governor that the state ever had.

    He stated that Kogi being replete with uncompleted projects, it will be in the interest of the people of the state for the new governor to setup a judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the last administration.

    His words: “In his acceptance speech during his inauguration, it was clearly stated that he would not tolerate corruption, the cankerworm that is currently ravaging the nation and Kogi State in particular.

    “Furthermore, he promised to build his administration around the same principle he shared with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhamadu Buhari in his effort to stamp out corruption in Nigeria. It is noted that the president and his vice have declared their assets publicly.

    “As a young governor of a state like Kogi, it will enhance confidence, credibility and above all trust from the people of Kogi State and Nigeria if the new governor can declare his asset that we make us to know his worth in both materials and resources. We therefore call on him to declare his asset without further delay.

    “Since 2003 when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris took over the mantle of leadership as a governor of the state and the immediate past rejected administration led by Capt. Idris Wada, the worst governor in the history of the state, the state has been characterized with
    uncompleted projects and inflated contracts, huge and fake wage bills and huge debts of imaginable proportion, it will be in the interest of the people of Kogi State for the new governor to set up a judicial panel of inquiry with people of proven integrity to ascertain the level of indebtedness in the state, both internal and external. To investigate the actual amount paid to contractors as it affects various abandoned and on-going projects in the state.”

  • NYSC orders staff to declare assets

    NYSC orders staff to declare assets

    The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC has ordered its personnel whose assets declaration dates are due to make such declaration immediately in line with the code of conduct for public officers.

    The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi gave the directive at the opening ceremony of its 2016 Annual Management Conference held Thursday.

    He said the NYSC Management had been very consistent in the enforcement of periodic assets declaration by members of staff as well as ensuring strict adherence to policy guidelines in all aspects of the scheme’s operations.

    Reviewing the activities of the scheme, Olawumi recalled with delight the participation of corps members in the successful conduct of the 2015 General Elections.

    “I therefore wish to commend the political class, security agencies, and the electorate for their support to Corps members during the exercise. We assure all Nigerians that given such opportunity in the future, we will not disappoint the nation,” he added.

    He also said the scheme, through its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), launched a holistic medical outreach targeted at the rural poor nationwide last year.

    The DG added that the programme would be sustained, and would especially be used in assisting the country to contain the spread of lassa fever.

    Olawumi called on state governments as well as other  international and private organizations to support the HIRD achieve its objective of contributing to quality healthcare delivery to all nooks and crannies of the country.

    He also urged stakeholders, especially corporate bodies and individual philantropists, to assist towards sustaining the NYSC Hope Alive Initiative which was introduced with the aim of providing succor to corps members who suffer permanent disability during the service year.

    The DG told the gathering that the scheme had installed latest security chips that could track a distressed caller easily, and went on to advise corps members to always call the NYSC Distress Call Centre whenever the need arises.

    He thanked all host communities and security agencies nationwide as well as other stakeholders, including the Delta State Government, for their support towards the welfare and safety of corps members.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, NYSC Directorate Headquarters Venerable Temitope Ajayi said the AMC would generate ideas and formulate new strategies with the aim of enhancing productivity and service delivery for effective management of the youth.

    “The focus of this conference is, therefore, to brainstorm and come up with practicable solutions that will reposition and promote the ideals of the scheme in the face of the present challenges of the operating environment,” he added.