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Tag: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Contrasting tales of two unemployed graduates

It only took a recent function at the weekend for me to realise the young graduate’s plight in the face of the vacillating state of the Nigerian Labour Market.

John (not real name) had obviously lamented in a group conversation of both Final year students and Youth Corps members about the gross inability to get a job after graduation.

He said: “Now I have even moved closer to God; knowing fully that he is the way, truth and life to anything in this country. Now wey service wan start (National Youth Service Corps): Mama dey expect, everybody just dey expect “small something” from me.

His own lament elicited a louder scream from me. I had naturally yelled in hysterical laughter.

Moments after the conversation, I remembered my own plight too, I’m also a Final year student- My mum should also expect too.

Originally, the Government should take the blame. But haven’t they been through much lately?

Maybe Final year students and Corp members should cut the Government some slack at times; I guess they are still fighting corruption now, at a point, they fought themselves in a word brawl at the chamber- not to forget the CCT trial still on going.

Let us heave a sigh on their behalf!!

They are obviously throwing their best efforts forward; we should even kneel and thank them for effectively battling the Boko Haram insurgency: Come on, have they not tried?

Unlike John, Bode’s case was different.

Bode always knew there wasn’t much to be given nor offered. However, that did not stop him from utilizing all the opportunities the NYSC offered him.

It was through Bode (not also his real name) I learnt, that several highly discounted; full certified programs came with the NYSC. While other Corp members lamented John’s plight- Bode had acquired several certified qualifications at a cool discounted price- ironically, in the same NYSC program many have called for its removal, consistently.

A trip with Bode to the Gas station a week ago made me admire him the more.

I discovered that through the discounted certified courses offered at the NYSC program; he could conveniently get a managerial job in that same company which was hundred of miles far away from his discipline because of his new certified status as a risk management officer; just in the space of nine months.

Not of course, without adding his success at a recently completed interview in the week.

The stories of John and Bode are two parallel stories crossing at the end of one line which is termed: Graduation.

While Bode sought to make more meaning out of his life as a serving Corp member; John is still expecting the Government to come through for him.

Which Government; You may endeavor to ask?

August 2, 2016
NYSC DG wants Corps members to intermarry

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members from different tribes to intermarry, as an avenue of boosting national integration.

The Director General of the Corps, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure, gave the urge when he visited the 2016 Batch A (Stream II) corps members undergoing their orientation programme.

He noted that the essence of the scheme is to ensure national integration, which would bring the desired unity which the country earnestly desires.

“I wish to see you to intermarry within the orientation period to enhance national integration, as this would be achieved through adequate bonding in the camp.

The DG remarked that Nigeria needs unity and development, as the outlined camp activities such as military drills, skills acquisition and sporting activities would prepare the Corps members for life within and after the service year.

“The Ramadan did not stop us from coming to the camp as I received lots of text messages inquiring about the possibility of organizing the camp with the approach of the period.”

He noted that he insisted that the orientation programme would be organized and by God’s grace it went on and the Corps members would soon leave the camp.

“Corps members would not be posted to Ishiellu Local Government Area where the Ezza–Ezillo communal war took place until we get assurances of adequate security in the area.

Kazaure also advised the corps members to be security conscious and ensure that they go out in the company of friends and colleagues instead of going out alone.

“You should also pay special attention to skill acquisition while in the camp and the entire service year, to enable them be self reliant and not rely on white collar jobs.

The Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Scheme, Mrs Gladys Mbachi, told the DG that 1, 932 Corps members were undergoing the programme with 1, 346 males and 586 females.

“The corps members have been behaving well since they arrived in the camp, though we presently have some health challenges.

She noted that one of the corps members has a mental problem while three others have asthmatic cases, but all have been referred to the hospital for adequate medical attention.

June 20, 2016
NYSC to drive the Change Mantra- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme would be used to drive his administration’s change mantra.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the president stated this at the swearing-in of 2016 Batch `A’ of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Keffi, Nasarawa state, Ise-Ekiti, Ekiti and Gusau in Zamfara.

NAN reports that in Keffi (Nasarawa State), Buhari, represented by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state, said the Federal Government (FG) placed a high premium on the NYSC scheme.

The President’s address was read in Ekiti by Mr Odunayo Adesoye, the Director of Youths, Ministry of Information, Youths and Sports Development, who represented Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti.

Also in Keffi, the president’s speech was read by Alhaji Ishaq Galadima, Nasarawa state Commissioner for Youths and Sports on behalf of Gov. Tanko Al-Makura,

The president said the scheme is useful because it had proved itself over the years to be a reliable vehicle in inculcating sacrifice and patriotism in Nigerian youths.

“My dear corps members, the National Youth Service Corps which was established four decades ago has demonstrated its ability to remain relevant in the life cycle of the nation,” he said.

The president said the Federal Government would continue to invest hugely in the youth.

While the president decried the dwindling economy of the country, he assured that his administration would strive hard to ensure that challenges facing the nation’s economy would be a thing of the past.

He, however, warned the new youth corps members to shun social vices such as cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug peddling thuggery, prostitution, terrorism, militancy, cybercrimes, bunkering and the get-rich quick syndrome.

“I charge you to use the various NYSC Community Development Services platforms at the grassroots to carry out public enlightenment and mobilisation for change in behaviour, thinking, cultural orientation and outlook,” he said.

According to the president, one of the disturbing problems inherited by this administration is increasing unemployment among the young people, and that will soon be a thing of the past.

“Thousands of graduates from the higher institutions of learning get frustrated daily as they search for non-existing jobs.

“This is why this administration is anxious to recover illicit wealth to channel them to productive economic venture to absorb thousands into employment,” Buhari said.

The President also charged corps members to work with enthusiasm to better the lives of their host communities.

In his address of welcome, EKiti NYSC Coordinator, Mr Tobechi Ibeh, urged the corps members to be hard working in order to build an egalitarian society for the nation.

Ibeh restated the commitment of the NYSC scheme to attitudinal change that would make the youths to be self-reliant.

NAN reports that no fewer than 1,581 corps members comprising 902 male and 679 female in the 2016 Batch `A’ were administered oath of allegiance by the Ekiti Chief Judge, Justice Ayo Daramola.

Also, NYSC State Coordinator in Nasarawa state, Mrs Habiba Bappah, said that out of the prospective corps members who reported to camp, a total of 1,935 corps members were duly registered.

“This number is made up of 835 males and 1,100 females ready to be sworn in today,” she said.

She then urged the new corps members to participate actively and take various the training sessions seriously; as the sessions were mapped out to give them a better future.

In Gusau, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara urged the 1, 600 corps members posted to the state to use the period of their service to acquire various entrepreneurship skills.

According to Yari, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Youth, Skill Acquisition and Sports, Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin-bore, these skills will assist them to be self reliant after the service year.

“I call on you to use your service year to contribute to the development of our dear country by using the service period to enhance the national productivity,” he said.

He advised the corps members to show respect to the values, culture and traditions of their respective host communities, while extending the benefits of national service to the grass roots level.

Also, the Zamfara NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Ballama Bello, said the three weeks orientation programme was one of the cardinals of NYSC.

However, Bello urged the corps members to be obedient to NYSC rules and regulations and avoid crimes and other social vices.

NAN reports that the swearing-in was conducted by Justice Awwal Gummi on behalf of the state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu.

April 29, 2016
All’s well that ends well

Last Thursday, Batch “A” Corps members completed the one-year mandatory National Youth Service. At the Enugu ceremony, state NYSC Coordinator Hilary Nasamu advised youths to embrace entrepreneurship instead of going about in search of jobs. OLADELE OGE reports.

Unemployment has been identified as the cause of youth restiveness. But how can a nation achieve a violence-free society? To Mr Hilary Nasamu, Enugu State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the first step is to engage youths in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. This, he said, will restore the dignity and respect of human beings.

He said the task is achievable despite the rush by youths for white-collar jobs. He spoke in Enugu, the state capital during the passing-out of Batch “A” Corps members last Thursday at Government Field in Nsukka.

The event was held for outgoing Corps members in four local government areas in Nsukka zone. They are Igbo-Ettiti, Udenu, Uzor-Uwanni and Nsukka Central. Thousands of the youth gathered for their final clearance, after which they were given certificates of service.

He listed the jobs the outgoing Corps members could engage in after the completion of Service. He said any youth hoping to becoming rich without hard work would be looking for an easy way out, noting that such success would be achieved through fraudulent means.

The coordinator, represented by Mr Shobo Adewumi, urged the youth to use their creativity in making themselves self-reliant. He said entrepreneurship does not discriminate against discipline but said requires courage and passion to be successful entrepreneur.

In the absence of white-collar job, Nasamu said, entrepreneurship can be used to solve myriads of challenges facing the youth.

He, however, expressed the willingness of the NYSC to help anyone of the outgoing Corps members who may want to acquire skills or engage in entrepreneurship to achieve their dreams. He said the interest of the NYSC in the success of the youths who passed through it went beyond the service year.

Admitting that unemployment remained the greatest problem facing the nation, Nasamu said: “As youths, you must not allow yourselves to be carried away by the trend. You must continue to dream big and map out plan to achieve your dream and engage in productive ventures that would help to improve the economy of the country. Those who initiated one or two capital projects in their various communities where they had their primary assignment can also do better in business when they get to their various destinations.”

The NYSC Inspector in Nsukka, Mr Emeka Okpara, urged the youth to be hard-working and desist from acts that could tarnish their careers. He advised them not to engage in thuggery, armed robbery and vices to get “quick money”.

Okpara said some of them who were trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad-hoc staff for the coming general elections could stay back to take part in the exercise. He advised them to take the INEC form given to them during the training to their various local government areas for re-approval.

However, the NYSC staff at the ceremony did not mention the number of Corp members that would repeat the service. The three-hour ceremony ended with a party as the youth moved to restaurants and hotels in the town to celebrate their passing out.

February 26, 2015
Good vision, good life

Corps members in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State have organised free eye screening for residents. They gave out free glasses during the exercise. ADEYEMI OLALEMI (Physics and Education, University of Lagos) reports.

Good vision, a Yoruba saying goes, is essential for normal functioning of the body. Anyone who does not take care of his eyes may lose the very essence of life. While many may have poor sight without being aware, others who are conscious of their sight condition could not go for remedy because of the high cost of treatment.

To alleviate the suffering of those living with vision impairment in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, members of Health Group, a Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have organised free eye screening for residents.

The exercise, which was held at the council secretariat on Ogudu road, was organised with Broadvision and Rotary Club of Ogudu. The elderly, civil servants and traders turned out for the exercise.

Declaring the event open, Head of Education Department in the council, Mrs Folake Ajayi, urged the beneficiaries to cooperate with the organisers to ensure a successful exercise. She hailed the Corps members for the initiative, reiterating the council’s support for people-oriented exercise.

“I want to say people within the council’s jurisdiction are lucky to have these Corps members posted here. They are always zealous and ready to impact on the community positively,” Ajayi said.

The event started with eye screening for all participants by opticians and the Corps members. Some of the beneficiaries, who had minor cases, were treated by the medical personnel, but some who had serious sight condition were given referral to see specialists for treatment.

Some were given free eyeglasses to correct their condition; while others got drugs. The beneficiaries, who collected free eyeglasses, could not hide their joy, praising the organisers for free eye screening.

Mr. Sanusi Inoolaji, a civil servant, said he recently noticed his sight had been impaired and could not see close object clearly. He said he learnt about his condition when he attended the free eye screening, praising the Corps members for the initiative.

Another beneficiary, who was diagnosed for shortsightedness, Ms Olapeju Oloruniwo, said she would remain grateful to the organisers for the free screening. She said the free glasses would make her to be productive at work, urging Corps members in other part of the country to emulate the gesture.

Mr. Joseph Nnaka, a trader, who got to know about the event through his son, praised the Corps members for the initiative. “I love what they are doing. I am glad to be part of the beneficiaries of the free glasses. This will go a long way in aiding my vision. I remain indebted to the organisers for this selfless task,” he said.

Christopher Chukwuma-Eze, the CDS president and a Batch “A” Corps member, said the exercise was aimed at promoting health awareness in the community. He said the exercise was targeted at the poor who could not afford to go for expensive treatment.

He said a good sight would make living meaningful and fulfilling, stressing that people must take care of their eyes.

Christopher hailed the partners for supporting the initiative with equipment, drugs and medical eyeglasses.

Secretary to the CDS, Emem Jumbo, said the beneficiaries’ cooperation made the exercise to be successful.

A member, Sheidi Eiza, who is the head of the logistics team, said: “I’m happy to be part of this, because this is another way of giving back to the community and impacting on the lives of people.”

February 26, 2015
Corps member drowns in river

Weekends in Ikom village, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, are always busy with fishing, the major occupation of the villagers. It was not different penultimate Sunday as the villagers trooped to the river. Many were fishing. Some came to swim; others to wash their clothes.

In the throng were some Corps members, who chose to play handball at the bank of the river. But, a few minutes into the game, one of them got drowned in the river.

Onlookers wondered how the late Faith Nzube Enemuo got into the river. Initially, it was learnt that the Corps members were playing on the shore. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that one of them pleaded with his colleagues to move the game into the river.

“There were about 10 of them, who came to play handball on the dry land near the Ikom River. One of them suggested that they should move closer to the river, but the suggestion was opposed by other Corps members, including the late Faith,” a villager told CAMPUSLIFE.

But when her colleagues moved the game close to the river, the late Faith was said to have joined them reluctantly.

The ball fell into the river, an eyewitness said, and the late Faith offered to fetch the ball, which was moving faster away from the shoreline.

“The late Faith stood close to the river for a few seconds, after which she dived to bring the ball out. Her colleagues watched in excitement as she swam close to the ball. But, in a moment, she stopped and started waving her hands. They thought she was still playing, until they didn’t see her again on the water surface.”

When her colleagues realised what was happening, they signalled to the villagers, who were swimming in the river. After 10 minutes of frantic search, the rescuers could not find the girl. More villagers offered to help with canoes and fishing instruments, but they could not get her.

Two days later, the late Faith’s body was found on the Okuni Beach in the neighbouring village.

The other Corps members declined to speak with our correspondents when contacted.

The late Faith was a Batch “C” member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with state code number CR/12C/068.

She hailed from Nanka Village in Anambra State. A graduate of Social Studies from the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), the late Faith was serving at Ikom Local Council before her death.

When CAMPUSLIFE got to Okuni Village, her body had already been evacuated from the beach and deposited at Emeka Mortuary, by Corps members with the help of policemen.

President of Okuni Community Youth Mr Emmanuel Nsor Alobi narrated how the villagers discovered the body. He said: “We were contacted on Sunday by the Divisional Police Officer that a girl got drowned in Ikom River. He urged us to keep vigilance at the river to observe possible passage of the body on Okuni Beach. I sent the information to other villagers to look out for the body.”

Alobi said the body was discovered at Okuni Beach in the early hours of Tuesday by an excavator, whose name was given as Pius Ogbonnaya. “He saw the body floating on the beach of Okuni while he was going for his business. Pius called my attention and he immediately notified the DPO for further actions. But before the police and officials of NYSC in Ikom arrived, other youths had assisted Pius to bring out the decomposing body,” Alobi said.

The Ikom Local Government Inspector of NYSC, Mr Ekerette Judah Udoekpo, said he was awaiting directive from the zonal inspector on what to do next.

The Corps’ Liaison Officer (CLO) in the local government, Danjuma Zira Khaly, said the incident was sad, confirming that 10 Corps members went to play handball at the Ikom River. He described Faith’s death as a “big loss to the NYSC in Cross River State.”

It is being rumoured that the late Faith was pushed into the river by yet unidentified person but a villager, who pleaded anonymity, debunked the claim. He said: “I was there when the incident happened. I don’t see any reason someone should lie about the issue. If anyone pushed her into the river, the first thing the people around would have done would be to hold the person. But she jumped into the river willingly to bring out the ball she was playing with her colleagues.”

A Corps member, who went to play at the river, Ifeanyi Gidofot, declined to speak with CAMPUSLIFE when contacted.

He said he had been under pressure to give out information since the incident occurred, saying he would not comment on it further.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command, John Umoh, said autopsy had been conducted on the body.

February 7, 2013