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Tag: Corps members

  • NYSC to MDAs: don’t reject corps members

    NYSC to MDAs: don’t reject corps members

    THE  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday urged organisations, especially Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to always accept corps members posted to them for primary assignments.

    In a statement in Abuja, the scheme’s director general, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, said corps members are posted based on their disciplines and within the limits imposed by the NYSC posting policy.

    He told employers that the corps members answered the clarion call to participate in the national service out of patriotism and always looked forward to rendering services for the country’s progress.

    Brig.-Gen. Olawumi said: “In view of the foregoing, all stakeholders, including employers, are requested to always give the young men and women of the scheme the necessary support and encouragement by accepting them whenever posted for primary assignment.

    “It is noteworthy that rejection of corps members posted to organisations, resulting in some of them roaming the streets in search of places of service, is at variance with the ideals of the founding fathers of the NYSC scheme and should therefore be discouraged by all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “On our part, we in the NYSC remain committed to contributing to the socio-economic development of our dear country through harnessing of the potentials of these patriotic youth and will continue to count on the support of all and sundry in that regard.”

     

  • Corps members camp romance: A viewpoint

    There is a saying among Corps members, which states: “If Corps members marry themselves, the government would support them with N500,000.”

    While this statement is false, it has come to be the basis for unending romantic relationship among Corps members.

    During the orientation, camps turn to Garden of Eden where Corps members cohabit like Adam and Eve. Graduates, who come from various local and foreign higher institutions, are encamped in segregated sites for the compulsory orientation, which precedes the service year. They leave behind their families and friends to undergo the training.

    On getting to camp, some of them engaged to their partners lose self-control to start another affair with their colleagues in the campus.

    The platoon meetings and relaxation at Maami markets provide ample opportunities for such Corps members to meet the opposite gender to engage in romantic affairs. After all, nobody can say Corps members should not start relationship among themselves, not even the soldiers who take them through the orientation course.

    Like one of my lecturers at the University of Benin would say: “All relationships in school ends at main gate.” Many have said most Corps members’ relationships are nothing but a one-year exercise of vanity. In other words, it is said that such relationships start and end with the brown khaki.

    But, how true is this statement, seeing that some Corps members who become lovers in camps actually go ahead to marry. A case is that of Ekiti State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr T.C. Ibeh, who met his wife while he was the president of his Community Development Service (CDS) group.

    In addressing the myth, one bulging questions comes to mind. Why do Corps members start romantic relationship when they know they have a year to be together? Several reasons abound but distance seems to play a good role.

    Many Corps members are already into relationships before they set out for the Youth Service. But when they get to camps, the distance between them and their lovers creates a wide gulf that usually strains the relationships. This, perhaps, explains why most Corps members embark on new relationships without doing away with the previous ones. This, as everyone knows, is cheating.

    Funmi, a Corps member in Akwa Ibom State, who was engaged to her beau in Lagos before she was mobilised for Youth Service. She left her fiancé in Lagos to serve her fatherland. Efforts to get redeploy to Lagos, where her fiancé resides, proved futile. The fiancé is a workaholic and does not have time to visit. Hence, she faced the reality of living alone for one year.

    Because she is excessively emotional, Funmi started to cheat on her fiancé. She started a romantic affair with a fellow Corps member.

    It is also observed that Corps members date themselves to avoid the feeling of loneliness. This happens when Corps members do not have relatives or friends living nearby. They take solace in the relationship amongst themselves to avoid being lonely. Some date fellow Corps members to get steady supply of nutritious meal.

    Some Corps members, in defence of why they embark on romantic relationship, said having graduated from tertiary institutions, they are mentally and socially ready for relationships that will culminate into marriage. But, when some people believe relationships between Corps members are nothing but a casual union, it leaves me with a poser: would the relationship end with the khaki after a year?

    “Khaki relationship” can be purposeful and lead to marriage. It can also end with the service year, depending on purpose of both parties have for embarking on such.

    For Corps members, who venture into romantic relationships for food insurance or to avoid being alone, one can assume that such relationships are nothing more than a waste of time.

    On the other hand, relationships established on the tenets of trust, companionship, compatibility and love can be tagged as one which can possibly progress into blissful union. Love will forever remain a beautiful thing irrespective of whether one finds it on his dying bed or during the National Youth Service. It is good if one has good reason to start a relationship with someone he sees every day.

     

    •Samuel, is a Corps member, NYSC Ado-Ekiti

  • Wike hails corps members for role in last polls

    Wike hails corps members for role in last polls

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has hailed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for their role in the success of the March 28 and April 11 elections.

    The governor said their courage in face of daunting security challenges deepened the nation’s democracy.

    Wike spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when he hosted the state’s team of the NYSC.

    He said: “I want to commend corps members for their role during the 2015 general elections.

    “The sacrifice made by the corps members contributed to the success of the general elections.”

    Wike noted that despite the post-election violence in 2011, corps members were not deterred.

    The governor said they performed their duties well across the country.

    He assured that his administration would always support the NYSC to deliver on its mandate.

    Wike approved the release of a monthly subvention to the State NYSC to enable the scheme function effectively.

    The governor said the state would consider paying corps members monthly allowances, in line with the prevailing economic realities.

    He noted that postings should be guided by relevance and not the consideration of monetary gains.

    Wike said the state government would assist the families of eight corps members who died during their service year in the state.

    The State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali urged the governor to support the scheme to deliver on its mandate.

    She said the NYSC had served the state diligently, especially in rural and coastal communities, where it had added value in critical areas.

     

     

  • NYSC DG: corps member’s killing painful

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General (DG) Brig-Gen Johnson Olawunmi yesterday described as painful the killing of a female corps member, Yetunde Shukurat, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    He spoke with reporters at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2015 batch of Lagos Corps members at the NYSC Camp in Iyana-Ipaja.

    Olawunmi said the Corps places premium on Corps members’ security.

    He said: “Corps members need to get themselves integrated in the host communities where they are serving. They can do this by learning the language of the community in which they are serving; learning the people’s culture and putting in efforts in terms of community service. They must know the community and let the community know them; that for us is the first step to ensure adequate security for Corps members.”

    The DG said the Kwara State security agencies have arrested some people and charged them to court for the Corps member’s death. “We will continue to do as much as we can to ensure the security of lives and properties of these Corps members,” he said.

    Olawunmi urged Corps members to be change agents and imbibe good value, “Very soon, you will be called to drive the change,” he said.

     

  • Corps members donate blood to save lives

    Corps members donate blood to save lives

    As part of their Community Development Service (CDS), the outgoing Batch “B” Corps members in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have organised a blood donation exercise.

    The exercise, which took place at the federal secretariat last Tuesday and Wednesday, witnessed a large turnout of Corps members and residents.

    On the reason for the exercise, Suleiman Mubarak, Corps Liaison Officer (CLO), said the donor chose to give out their blood because of the need to help the sick in the state.

    “We choose blood donation because of its life-saving role it plays in the society. The number of people who need blood is much; so we feel the need to assist in this regard,” he stated

    Mubarak said he the turnout was impressed, praising the Corps members who donated blood despite the short notice.

    Mrs Patience Oladele, representative of National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), hailed the Corps members for the gesture, which she said would enhance availability of blood in hospitals in the state.

    She said: “Blood donation is for people between the ages of 18 and 65 who are healthy and willing to do so. The blood collected is used to save the lives of different shades of people, including pregnant women, accident victims and sickle cell patients.”

    She advised youths on voluntary blood donation, saying it was one of the best ways to serve humanity because they would save the lives of people they don’t know in doing so. She warned members of the public to desist from carrying out the exercise without the presence of medical personnel.

    One of the donors, Sule Abdulrasheed, said he was satisfied saving lives without spending money. He urged Corps members and students to endeavour to donate blood to be healthy.

    He said: “There is a notion about blood donation held by many people. Some think it is for some particular people. I want people to discard this view and stand up to help their fellow human being in need of their effort.”

  • A Corps member’s large heart

    A Corps member’s large heart

    A Corps member in Enugu State, Chinagorom Chigozirim, has donated free drugs and eyeglasses to residents of
    Ogu-Obiagui, his host-community. EMMANUEL AHANONU (NYSC ENUGU) reports.

    •Chinagorom
    •Chinagorom

    The Ogu-Obiagui Community in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State was a beehive last week when Dr Chinagorom Chigozirim, a Corps member, organised a medical seminar for residents.

    The event, held at St. Bartholomew Anglican Church School Hall in Ogui, exposed the dire need of the people for healthcare delivery. Many of the residents do not go for regular medical check despite living in unhygienic community.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that many did not also know what blood pressure is and its cause. But, to create awareness, the Corps member went to churches, mosques, markets and hospitals across the community to publicise the seminar.

    The event, tagged: A total care for a healthy living, was solely organised by Chinagoromto sensitise the residents on the need to promote healthy living. He said the community was living in ignorance of its environment, adding that with many of the beneficiaries do not their health status.

    Assisted by his colleagues, Chinagorom divided the seminar into five sessions in which he lectured and counseled the participants of the causes of various ailments peculiar to the community. After the seminar, he conducted medical tests on the participants to know the sickness they were battling. When the test results came out, the Corps member offered free treatment to the people who needed medical attention.

    Other services rendered by the Corps member included free test for blood pressure, malaria parasite, blood sugar level and eye test.

    Speaking during the seminar, Chinagorom said most of the death in the community could be attributed to carelessness and self-medication. Besides, financial problems, he said, made people not to visit the community hospital when they fall ill. He said he held the free medical mission to help people constrained by finance to get medical attention.

    Speaking on the good vision, Chinagorom said eyes are the most delicate part of our body, which must be properly protected. He said many of the community members suffered cataracts because they did not know it is curable. Glaucoma, he said, can only be managed and not treatable.

    He advised beneficiaries to immediately seek medical attention whenever they suspect any change in their sights. He also advised the people on how they could prevent malaria and other common ailments.

    He gave out free eyeglasses and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to residents of Asata, Obiagu and Ogui communities. More than 100 residents benefited from the gesture.

    The seminar got to its emotional point when a 34-year-old man explained how glaucoma had ravaged his family. Every member of the family, the man said, is affected by the eye ailment. After offering a free counselling, Chinagorom gave the man a referral to an eye clinic in Enugu and promised to monitor his condition.

    There was also a touch of drama to the event when a vision-challenged man disrupted the programmes to get a free eye glass. The man shouted: “I heard everything here has been paid for by the government and I must get my own.” After persuasion, the man stood in the queue to be tested.

    Some of the beneficiaries shared their thought with CAMPUSLIFE. Ogochukwu Ugwu, who got free eyeglasses and mosquito net, hailed the Corps member for the gesture.

    His words: “This is wonderful event that must be commended, especially by those of us who don’t have access and opportunity to go for this kind of checkup. This kind of programme should be sustained and I urge other Corps members to emulate this gesture.”

    Dr Fortune Okolo, who joined Chinagorom to conduct the medical test, described the event as impressive, saying the beneficiaries would never forget the Corps member. He advised members to emulate Chinagorom’s gesture, which he said is impacting lives in his host community.

    Other beneficiaries prayed for Chinagorom, promising to practice the health tips they learnt during the seminar.

  • Corps members’ mosquito nets for host communities

    Corps members’ mosquito nets for host communities

    Residents of communities under Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State could not hide their joy on Friday when Corps members in the council moved round to donate treated mosquito nets to them. The residents came out en mass to receive the materials.

    About 500 pieces of the nets were donated to pregnant women and nursing mothers in maternity centres in each community. Some of the places visited included Ago-are, Tede, Sabe, Ofiki, Irawo Owode, Irawo Ile, and Owotoro. The Corps members also sensitised the women on the cause, symptoms and prevention of malaria.

    The exercise, the Corps member said, was in line with the cardinal objective of the Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which mandated members to contribute positively to the development of their host communities in the period of service.

    Hailing the exercise, the NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Muyiwa Akinbode, described the exercise as a good development, urging Corps members to keep up the work and continue to make positive impacts on their host communities.

  • Ambode to Corps members: champion national rebirth

    Ambode to Corps members: champion national rebirth

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged Corps members to support his administration and champion the cause of national rebirth.

    He spoke during the swearing-in of the Stream II 2015 Batch “A” Corps members in Lagos at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja.

    Ambode said: “The youth must be in the vanguard of a good cause that will move the nation forward. To achieve the dreams of our founding fathers, Corps members must prepare and join in the important task to keep the nation united and prosperous. Without doubt, the current situation in our country calls for unity, commitment and hard work for its development and everyone must be involved.”

    The governor, who was represented by Dr Aderemi Desalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, said the youth must give their best in the service of the nation.

    The governor said the role of Corps members as change agents would be harnessed if they are productively engaged. He promised that his administration would unveil a comprehensive youth empowerment scheme to tackle challenges facing the youth.

    He hailed the NYSC’s Hope Alive Programme (HAP), saying the initiative would give hope to Corps members who become disabled or incapacitated during the service year.

    The state NYSC Coordinator, Mr Cyril Akhanemhe, used the occasion to congratulate the governor on his inauguration, pledging his commitment to work with the governor to actualise his programmes.

  • Corps members and policy of posting

    Corps members and policy of posting

    With the new policy evolved by the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in posting corps members in batches, majority of them have expressed their concern that the Stream One members who had already been through with their orientation exercises might take over positions meant for them, while some are not bothered. GRACE OBIKE reports

    In the past few years, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has enunciated some policies that aimed at posting corps members to different parts of the country in three different batches to serve their father land during the mandatory one year national service. However, there was a twist in the policy this year during the just-concluded general elections.

    Instead of going ahead with the Batches A, B and C policy, only a Batch A has been posted so far which was divided into streams I and II.  Those in stream one have concluded their orientation exercise and have been posted to their places of primary assignment while those who comprise stream two are currently in camp.

    That there are two streams of corps members indicates that there are more corps members whose posting to their places of primary assignments will depend on who comes first.

    Some of those who constitute the stream II are worried that those who make up stream one might take over positions meant for them.

    As for the stream II corps members posted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who are currently in camp, most of them claimed not to be worried about where they might eventually be posted to, while some even have the dream of being posted to the Villa, National Assembly, banks, oil companies and the civil service.

    Some who are still in the orientation camps are still worried about where they might be posted to for their primary assignments.

    One of the corps members from Ekiti State, Oluwaseun Babajide said: “I’m honestly not bothered about where I am posted. I will be satisfied with anywhere that God decides for me because I believe that wherever God chooses, I will have a way of going there and succeeding. Even though the stream one have gone ahead of us to secure most of the positions, I am not bothered because I know that it is going to be easy for me. I believe that everywhere is going to be perfect for me. But I would like to be posted to a place that will change my personality; such as the Immigration, United States (US) Embassy and other places. I still hope in God and have faith that everything is going to work out fine for me.”

    Another corps member, Ndidi Okoye from Enugu State said she sees herself as lucky because so many of her mates in school worked so hard and even went as far as paying money to people to influence their posting to Abuja, but she had not done such because she had depended solely on God. She added that when all her friends saw that she had been posted to Abuja, they didn’t believe that it was God’s doing.

    Okoye ardently believes that God sent her to Abuja for a reason and she will find her breakthrough after her orientation.

    She said: “As far as I am concerned, I have refused to be preoccupied by the thought of where I will be posted because since God was the one that sent me to Abuja without my contribution, I believe that He has great plans for me and will ensure that I received my own breakthrough in Abuja.

    “A lot of my school mates paid money to be posted to Abuja but a lot of them were disappointed at the end of the day. I simply asked God to take control and He did. Even if stream I corps members secured all the positions in Abuja, I will still leave the orientation camp for a good ministry.”

    Abigail Hassan from Kaduna State on the other hand has a different mindset to the issue. She loves to teach and believes that she has a lot to give to the country. She is of the belief that she will be more useful when posted to the area councils where she can impart her knowledge and wealth of experience to the younger ones.

    “The truth is that I love to teach and I believe that I will find myself more useful, imparting my wealth of experience to the younger generation. So, I would actually love to be posted to a school. I don’t mind if it is in the village or inside the city of Abuja; as long as I am able to serve my country,” she said.

    For the swearing-in ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. John Chukwu who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion informed that no corps member that becomes incapacitated or disabled in the course of his or her service to mother land will be abandoned by the Federal Government.

    He said: “ýI commend the management of the scheme for its initiative on the NYSC Hope Alive Programme (NYSC-HAP). This initiative, which is aimed at giving succour and hope to corps members who become disabled or incapacitated during the service year, is indeed laudable.

    “I therefore use this opportunity to state that no Nigerian who suffers any form of incapacitation while in serviceý to this great country will be abandoned.

    “Our goal is to comprehensively address youth empowerment, insecurity and other social vices prevalent among our youths.

    “With collective will and the determination of your vibrant generation, I am confident that we shall, in time, redirect and steer the course of our country on the path of sustainable progress and development.

    “The true change that we desire must start with every one of us, especially you, the Nigerian youths. We must all embrace attitudinal change. We must exercise self and personal discipline and the courage to always do the right thing. Corps members must fully join hands with all Nigerians to fight the scourge of corruption and insecurity in the country and I will also want to commend the NYSC for its part in the just-concluded general elections where your members served the nation truthfully. I welcome you all; you are the first corps members to be sworn in by my administration.”

  • Corps members give pupils vocational training

    Corps members give pupils vocational training

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State have trained secondary school pupils in  vocational skills at Education Fare and Empowerment Scheme organised by Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Community Development Service (CDS) group.

    CDS President Damilola Ayodele said the scheme was aimed at empowering the beneficiaries with basic knowledge of vocations for personal development and self-reliance.

    The three-day event, attended by NYSC Inspector in the council, Mr. Sauki Maulon and Benue State MDGs Schedule Officer Mr. Theophillus Danjuma also featured a quiz to assess the pupils’ understanding of the training.

    He hailed with the CDS’ initiative, adding that the community would remember them. He reiterated the MDG goals, saying Corps members should strive to touch members of their host communities with positive impacts and sustainable development.

    Seven schools, including Government Secondary School, Royal Secondary School, Divine Wisdom Academy, Sugh Aneke Academy and Tombo Community Secondary School, participated in the training. The training and empowerment sessions were held for the first two days, while the quiz competition was held on the last day.

    Participants were asked to join class of their interest in bead making, barbing, weaving and soap making.

    The competition was held for pupils in junior and secondary school categories.

    Pupils of Divine Wisdom Academy took the first position in the junior category, with 115 points. Royal Secondary School and Government Secondary School took the second and third positions.

    In senior category, Royal Secondary School won the first position after a tie with Government Secondary School.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Isaiah Aunde, a participant from Government Secondary School, said: “I am happy to take part in the training and I appreciate the Corps member for their impacts.”