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Tag: Corps members

  • Corps members: New advocates for SDGs

    Corps members: New advocates for SDGs

    Spotting where the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) flopped, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are training Corps members to play advocacy roles for the SDGs. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    One major flaw of the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs is the fact that local residents often failed to step up and take ownership of the projects sited in their areas. Now, the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are partnering to solve that problem.

    How? By training NYSC members to go into communities across the country and get locals to understand what projects have come into their domains, and why they have to make those projects their own. That way, the projects will last and serve the purpose they were meant for.

    The Corps members comprising male and female are 400 and have undergone several training and were excited to be part of the refurbishing process

    At the flag-off ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC/ Sustainable Development Goals champions in Keffi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire vowed to revamp all old projects undertaken under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programmes then the need to involve the 400 corps members.

    The corps members were selected from the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on advocacy strategies.

    Inaugurating the group, Orelope-Adefulire said, “It is logical for SDGs office and the NYSC to evolve a partnership of using Corps members to drive the SDGs advocacy since the SDGs seek to complete the unfinished business of the MDGs.”

    She called on the group to sensitise their communities where they are posted to serve on the importance of seeing the SDG projects as their own, liaise with them to know their challenges and report back to her office to address their challenges.

    She said, “It is as a way of preventing some of the drawbacks found with the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria that setting up this group of corps members became necessary. One major drawback of the MDGs implementation was the inability of communities where projects were sited to take ownership of the projects.

    “One of the aims of the NYSC/SDGs Champions will therefore be to develop in the Nigerian citizenry a commitment to development through awareness creation in the implementation of the SDGs and to galvanise Nigerians for active participation in the achievement of the SDGs.

    “As you may be aware, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently at the Centrepiece of the current global development agenda which envisages a world free from poverty and deprivation where the fundamental conditions for human survival and prosperity are safeguarded.  This vision, which was endorsed by 189 nations in New York in September, 2015 is expected to guide nations, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and governments in all countries and at all levels in the shared pursuit of a healthier world and a better tomorrow.

    “The 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs is a response to the numerous challenges that confront the world today.  While we assert that Nigeria recorded appreciable progress in the implementation of the MDGs, particularly in the area of Universal Primary enrolment, gender parity as well as the prevalence of hunger, critical challenges remain, which have been rolled over to the SDGs.  The 17 goals are integrated and indivisible and balance economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, indeed these goals, targets and indicators will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance to us as a nation.

    “The Office is in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to mainstream and integrate the SDGs into the medium and long-term National Development plans for effective planning, adequate budgeting and overall successful implementation across the nation. We are equally working with the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Development Programme in the conduct of a mapping of existing SDGs related data and establishing baseline data which will be useful in benchmarking SDGs progress.

    “It is as a way of preventing some of the drawbacks found with the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria that setting up this group of Corps members became necessary. One major drawback of the MDGs implementation was the inability of communities where projects were sited to take ownership of projects.

    “The implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria is envisaged to be community based. This will enhance strict development programme and create zeal for the communities to protect and sustained the programmes,” she said.

    Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire urged “the corps members to see this assignment as a clarion call to contribute your own quota to the development of this great nation.”

    The Director General of the NYSC, Brig-General Suleiman Kazaure said the presence of the scheme in the 774 local government areas of the country put it in a better position to domesticate any government agenda or programme at the grass root level.

    “Your selection as SDGs champions is another clarion call for duty. You are to promote good and moral values in your community by working together with them to solve some challenges,” he advised the corps members.

     

  • Corps members will not be sent to troubled areas

    Corps members will not be sent to troubled areas

    The Zamfara State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Hajiya Rahmatu Sanda, says NYSC will not send corps members to “troubled areas” in the state.

    Sanda told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau that one of the major concerns of the NYSC was to protect corps members.

    “We don’t send corps members to those areas with security implications. We only send them to those areas where there is no security challenge.

    She commended security agencies in the state for their support and cooperation, particularly in the areas of security coverage.

    Sanda said that In spite of the security challenges in the state, “we have not recorded any problem or casualty to any of our corps members”.

    She urged serving corps members in the state to be security conscious, cooperate with security agencies and report any security situation to them for immediate action.

    Sanda also urged them to always cooperate and respect the culture, values and religion of their respective host communities. (NAN)

  • Stop falsifying medical reports, NYSC DG tells Corps members

    Corps members have been advised to be committed and dedicated to the service of the country during the period of their National Yoth Service. To make Nigeria a better place, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Suleiman Kazaure, said the youth must make selfless sacrifice in fostering unity among the populace.

    The NYSC DG made the call at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Zamfara State, last weekend. Represented by Mr Yakubu Jok, NYSC Director of Procurement, Kazaure urged the Corps members to use their service year to create platforms for peace and the country’s progress.

    Jok, who inspected the state of facilities on camp before addressing the Corps members, charged the youths to embrace hard work, diligence and selflessness to build prosperous nation.

    He enjoined the Corps members to respect and uphold the beliefs, culture and traditions of their host communities. This, he said, would promote peace and unity among Nigerians.

    Corps members were reminded of the need to take all camp activities seriously and avoid truancy and indiscipline. Jok warned them against absconding from the camp, saying such act attracts severe punishment. He also advised them to participate in parades and drills, as well as the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development programmes on the camp.

    While expressing sympathy to the Corps members on the death of their colleague in Bayelsa State, Jok urged them to report any health challenges to the authorities.

    He condemned the falsification of medical reports by some Corps members for redeployment, advising the youths to desist from the act. He reassured corps members of the government’s commitment to ensure maximum security of lives and properties throughout their service year, urging them to remain security-conscious and desist from unnecessary journeys.

    Highpoint was a dance performed by the camp cultural troupe and the presentation of gift to the Corps members.

  • Corps members warned against unnecessary journeys

    Corps members warned against unnecessary journeys

    •NYSC DG assures members  of safety in Yobe

    Corps members have been warned against embarking on unnecessary journeys and to take permission when such journeys become unavoidable.

    Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure gave the warning at the weekend when he addressed the 2016 batch B stream 2 corps members deployed in Jigawa State.

    He advised corps members to be vigilant and security conscious.

    Gen. Kazaure explained that with the security challenge in some parts of the country, there is need for them to be careful.

    His words: “Always move in groups, with your identity cards, within the communities. Try to use the security tips given to you and call any distress centre or any security number at your disposal whenever you are trapped in any crisis.”

    The NYSC chief urged the corps members to be law abiding and respect traditions and culture of their hosts.

    State Coordinator Mr. Michael Amolo said the Yakubu Gowon Camp needed to be upgraded so it could accommodate more people.

    The NYSC chief called on parents, whose wards were posted to Yobe State, not to panic for their children’s safety.

    He spoke at the orientation camp in Potiskum while on a familiarisation tour of camps.

    According to Gen. Kazaure, his men are working 24 hours to ensure the security of the corps members in Yobe camp.

    “The camp is secured and I am sure of the safety and security of all corps members here.”

    He, however, urged the corps members to be wary of strange persons and movements in their environments.

    “You should be security conscious. I urge you to always move in groups and not walk alone. Always move in a group of three or more people. As you know, the Boko Haram insurgents have been dislodged and they are looking for soft targets. Be very careful how you walk about,” he advised.

  • Corps members lift Yimitu community

    Corps members lift Yimitu community

    For the people of Yimitu community in the Apo, Garki District in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, November 16 is one day they will remember for a long time. It was a day a group of corps members under the Breast Without Spot Community Development Group came to their aid. The group, whose main job is to create awareness on breast cancer, decided to break from their normal routine to put a smile on the faces of residents of the community. The cheerful residents received the team of corp members with open arms as they danced, rejoiced and showered encomiums on the youths. It was a day of joy for the people as the over 70 Corps members donated clothes, food and drugs to the needy.

    They also used the opportunity to give pep talks to the people on cancer. The corps members said it was time to focus on smaller communities, such as Yimitu because of the lack of medical facilities and the trouble they face daily is to access health care.

    Although the community is a few minutes’ drive from the Apo Legislative Quarters, they lack a primary health care centre to take care of their needs.

    An excited community head, Dauda Hassan, said the community was highly appreciative of the efforts of the corps members, saying the NYSC scheme had benefitted a lot of rural settlements. Dauda said the food and drugs donated would go a long way in helping the people of the community.

    He is, however, not happy because the community lacks basic facilities, such as schools, potable drinking water, electricity and basic health care.

    Hassan said: “We want the government to look into primary health care issue in our community, make provision for a nursery and primary school, and also help in installing electricity and water supply. The state of the road leading to the community is also very bad. We plead to you as an intermediary to the government to make our community’s complaints known.”

    A resident of the community, who would not disclose his name, said the people relied on a stagnant stream for their water needs. The stream, he said, is used by the over 1000 members of the community to bathe, and do other household chores.

    The community, he said, does not have toilets. He pleaded that the government should come to their aid before an epidemic breaks out.

  • Corps members lift Yimitu community

    Corps members lift Yimitu community

    For the people of Yimitu community in the Apo, Garki District in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, November 16 is one day they will remember for a long time. It was a day a group of corps members under the Breast Without Spot Community Development Group came to their aid. The group, whose main job is to create awareness on breast cancer, decided to break from their normal routine to put a smile on the faces of residents of the community. The cheerful residents received the team of corp members with open arms as they danced, rejoiced and showered encomiums on the youths. It was a day of joy for the people as the over 70 Corps members donated clothes, food and drugs to the needy.

    They also used the opportunity to give pep talks to the people on cancer. The corps members said it was time to focus on smaller communities, such as Yimitu because of the lack of medical facilities and the trouble they face daily is to access health care.

    Although the community is a few minutes’ drive from the Apo Legislative Quarters, they lack a primary health care centre to take care of their needs.

    An excited community head, Dauda Hassan, said the community was highly appreciative of the efforts of the corps members, saying the NYSC scheme had benefitted a lot of rural settlements. Dauda said the food and drugs donated would go a long way in helping the people of the community.

    He is, however, not happy because the community lacks basic facilities, such as schools, potable drinking water, electricity and basic health care.

    Hassan said: “We want the government to look into primary health care issue in our community, make provision for a nursery and primary school, and also help in installing electricity and water supply. The state of the road leading to the community is also very bad. We plead to you as an intermediary to the government to make our community’s complaints known.”

    A resident of the community, who would not disclose his name, said the people relied on a stagnant stream for their water needs. The stream, he said, is used by the over 1000 members of the community to bathe, and do other household chores.

    The community, he said, does not have toilets. He pleaded that the government should come to their aid before an epidemic breaks out.

  • Sokoto Corps members get entrepreneurship training

    No fewer than 2,221 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Sokoto State under the 2016 Batch “B” Stream 1 have been trained in skills to make them self-reliant. They  were trained under a programme tagged: “Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development”.

    The NYSC coordinator, Mr Thomas Yamma, said the training was aimed at exposing the Corps members to entrepreneurial opportunities.

    The training started immediately after the members were sworn-in last Monday by the state Chief Judge.

    Yamma advised the beneficiaries  to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant after their service year. He said the NYSC Directorate initiated the programme to address unemployment.

    The camp Director, Alhaji Namadi Hamisu, said arrangements had been made for a hitch-free exercise. He warned against stealing, saying anyone caught would be punished to deter others.

    He said: “As part of military culture, no Corps member should be found in the hostel when the call for morning parade is made. On no account should anyone remain in the hostel while others are on parade ground, because some would use the opportunity to steal colleagues’ items.”

    The NYSC Director-General’s representative Giwa Abdul, hailed the members for their good behaviour, urging them to maintain peace and respect those managing the camp.

    The camp commandant, Captain A.B. Kaoje, assured the Corps members of adequate security, urging  them to report actions that may undermine security. He said military officers deployed in the camp were ready to ensure discipline.

    Some of the Corps members, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, hailed the exercise, promising to use the skills acquire to create jobs.

  • Corps members’ deaths

    Corps members’ deaths

    •The NYSC is obsolete. It needs a rethink or acrapping

    The deaths of three corps members, in three different National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps, in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, have reignited the debate as to the utility value of the programme started in 1973 as a way to enhance national unity. With the programme designed in such a way that corps members are sent to serve in far-flung parts of the country, away from their familiar habitats, legitimate worries arise when any of them suffer untowardly. Such is the case with the deaths of Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme.

    According to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. General, Suleiman Kazaure: “The deaths of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures.” Obviously recognising the huge public relations embarrassment the deaths have caused to the NYSC programme, not to talk of the heart-rendering experience of the parents of the deceased, the DG further said: “However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss the Corps members”.

    While the management of the programme should review some of its programmes and policies to forestall such tragedies, we urge the federal government to review the entire programme with a view to either scrapping it or reorganising it. Such a review is imperative considering that reducing ethnicity which is one of the major essence of initiating the programme, has not been achieved. As is obvious, ethnic bigotry has continued to ravage our country, in spite of the programme.

    In essence, should the quest for national unity serve as enough reason to continue to project a programme with so much imperfection? Perhaps a comprehensive review is necessary to determine whether the programme should be made voluntary? Alternatively, shouldn’t prospective corps members have an input as to where to serve? For instance, they can be asked to choose three zones to which they would want to serve? This may save the country the ethnic tensions that arise, each time a corps member suffers an incident that could be subjected to ethnic bias.

    There is also compelling economic reasons why the programme should be tinkered with. One of such is the lack of resources to maintain the camps. Indeed, many of the camps are no better that Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, with all its challenges. In many of the orientation camps across the country, basic amenities are sorely lacking, and with the commission perennially short of cash, the situation in the camps can only get more precarious. One manifestation of the lack of resources is the resort to batches, as the facilities are not enough for the teeming graduates being churned out of our universities.

    Another aspect of the programme that should be re-examined is the military-style training for persons whose medical status have not been evaluated by competent personnel. With poor funding the camps, unlike in the past, are not equipped to handle basic medical emergencies, yet the intakes are usually taken through the rigour of physical exertions, as the programme is viewed as a quasi-military programme. The continuous increase in intakes as population expands further puts strain on these meagre facilities.

    Instead of keeping the NYSC as a relic which is what the programme is turning into, the federal authorities should initiate a comprehensive review. While we all desire national unity, it cannot be wished into existence by merely exposing our young adults to unnecessary risks. The NYSC as is, is obsolete.

  • NYSC to probe death of three corps members  

    NYSC to probe death of three corps members  

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday set up a high-powered committee to probe the death of Elechi Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo and Asuquo Ukeme who died at the ongoing Batch B (Stream 1) orientation camps in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States.
    Its Director General Brigadier General Sule Kazaure disclosed this in a statement he personally signed in Abuja.
    The committee, according to him, will probe the remote and immediate causes of the deaths that have generated ripples in the nation.
    He denied insinuations that the deaths were caused by negligence on the part of the medical teams at the camps.
    Instead, he pointed out the corps members died from sicknesses that the medical team battled to no avail.
    Kazaure said: “The policy of the scheme regarding healthcare during orientation course provides for the setting up of camp clinic manned by qualified doctors and other Corps health personnel.
    “The clinics, which are also provided with drugs and other basic equipment, are detailed to render round-the-clock medical services on camp with standing arrangement to refer and ensure immediate movement of patients to more sophisticated health facilities when necessary.
    “We want to inform the public that medical teams in our camps have always been guided by the procedures of practice and in the most professional ways possible.”
    He sympathised with families of the deceased over the unfortunate deaths, saying the NYSC also appreciated concerns of stakeholders over the matter.
    He pledged that the scheme will “continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on the platform.”

  • Ikpeazu to Corps members: learn from Aba entrepreneurs

    Ikpeazu to Corps members: learn from Aba entrepreneurs

    Over 2,200 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been drafted to serve in Abia State but to the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu, it was an irresistible opportunity to market made in Aba products and their famous makers. He did not let the chance slip by; Governor Ikpeazu told the Corps members not just to patronise the local products but also learn some skills from the masters.

    At the Corps’ orientation camp in Bende Local Government Area of the state, Governor Ikpeazu revived his pet campaign, which earned him the title of “chief marketer of made-in-Aba goods”.

    At the Umuahia Township Stadium, on May 29, 2015, Okezie said his government would promote the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the state, paying special attention to garment and shoe makers in Aba. He has also taken the campaign just about everywhere he has visited in the country. Ikpeazu has sold the Aba idea to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and many others, including the Army which, some months ago, ordered about 50,000 pairs of military boots from Aba shoemakers.

    With the Corps members, and fully kitted in NYSC gear made in you-know-where, Ikpeazu said he was going to take samples of the uniform to the Director General of the Corps, Brigadier General Sule Zakari Kazaure in a bid to persuade the agency to start making the uniforms in Aba.

    The state governor advised the corps members to think of how they were going to use the time of their service to learn and equip themselves with various skills that would enable them to be independent in the face of unemployment and now that the federal government is pushing for diversification of the economy from petroleum.

    The state coordinator of NYSC in the state, Mrs. Francisca Ifon explained that the scheme which was designed to expose the corps members to practical skill acquisitions, leadership, inculcating core values and promoting unity amongst Nigerian youths has gone a long way to affect the lives of the youths positively.

    Ifon equally used the opportunity to draw the attention of the state governor to the area of needs where they would need the assistance of the state government which includes building of more hostels for NYSC staff and corps members, refurbishing of hostels which are already in bad shape and the repair of their borehole which supplies water in the camp.

    The corps members promised to be of good conduct throughout their stay in the state, promising to use the opportunity of their service year to develop skills in other areas of life which they opined will serve as another means of generating income.