The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

  • El-Rufai to employers: Don’t reject corps members

    AS 2,200 2018 batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Kaduna State by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) completed the 21-day orientation course, the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has warned corps employers against corps rejection.

    Corps rejection, a situation where prospective employers (ministries, departments and agencies) refused to absorb corps member into their organisations usually due to lack or insufficient accommodation facilities remains the top challenge young Nigerian students face immediately after orientation course.

    Officially declaring the orientation course closed at NYSC Permanent Orientation camp on Wednesday, the Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Alhaji Adamu said, instead of rejection, employers should rather help corps members settle down in good time to enable them offer their best to their motherland within the next 10 months.

    According to the Governor, “Corps employers in the state should do away with rejection of corps members posted to them but assist them to settle down as quick as possible to serve the nation here in Kaduna State.

    “I wish to reiterate our stand that rejection of corps members is against the spirit and noble intentions behind the establishment of the service scheme, therefore unacceptable”.

    Earlier in an address, Coordinator of the scheme in the state, Alhaji Dahunsi Mohammed re-echoed the NYSC’s earlier request for the provision of additional hostel facilities to accommodate camp officials and the increase number of corps members being deployed to Kaduna state.

    He urged corps members to accept their postings in good fate, report, complete necessary documentation and settle down as quickly as possible at their designated places of primary assignment (PPA).

    “I urge you to do your best to integrate with members of your host communities, appreciate and understand their culture and tradition as soon as you can, and respect same.”

    “Do not involve yourself in local politics of your host communities. Identify with their areas of need and come up with strategies of ameliorating their sufferings by initiating and executing meaningful community development projects”, the coordinator added.

    He however charged them to be modest in all their activities, humble and security conscious at all times.

  • NYSC DG warns corps members against traveling, night parties 

    The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has warned corps members to cut down traveling and night parties during their service year.

    Kazaure gave the warning while addressing corps members at the Obubra Orientation Camp in Cross River State.

    The DG also charged the corps members to always respect the culture of their host communities with a view to foster good working relationships.

    The NYSC boss decried the dilapidated state of the camp facilities, stressing that something drastic has to be done to revamp the environment.

    He further said that he was not satisfied with the state of the facility housing corps members in Cross River, adding that a lot of work needs to be done to revamp the camp.

    “I am not satisfied with the state of the camp and the facility inside. A lot of work needs to be done in a bid to make the place habitable and conducive for corps members. There is need for things like fans, bed and good toilets to be put in place.

    “The place looks dilapidated and a lot of work needs to be done to fix the place and put it into proper shape. We are appealing to Cross River state government to assist us in this area because we cannot carry the burden alone.

    “Avoid traveling too much during your service year and do all that is possible to avoid night parties especially the ladies, dress decently, respect and adhere to the culture of  your host communities.

    “In all you do, make sure you key into the skills acquisition programme because there are no more white collar jobs so you must position yourself to be able to create employment because it is no longer news that there are no jobs anywhere so pay absolute attention to the programme.

    “It is a privilege to serve your country and always have it at the back of your mind that the objective of the programme is unity and integration of the country, so wherever you find yourself always make sure these factors become to your guiding principle,” he said.

    Read Also:NYSC DG laments poor state of Ebonyi orientation camp

  • Enlist in military, NYSC boss urges corps members

    Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), has urged corps members to consider enlisting in the armed forces.

    Kazaure gave the advice in an interview with the News men on Tuesday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun.

    The director-general, who inspected various physical and combat activities of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Ogun, said he was impressed by their level of discipline.

    Kazaure, who also watched the quarter-guard,  Man-O-War regiment, martial arts combats as well as the  band display of the corps members, said   he was certain that they would excel in the military.

    He described the Ogun Orientation camp as one of the best in the country, noting that it had been persistent over the years in maintaining excellence in the training of corps members.

    “With what I have witnessed here today, I can confidently state that this has been by far the best set of corps members ever received in Ogun State camp.

    “Their level of discipline and adherence to the teachings of their instructors has been excellent and I urge them to maintain the status quo.

    “The orientation programme was designed to help prepare corps members for the challenges ahead during their service year and these ones will do very well to cope.

    “To join the army, there are guidelines. You must be physically, medically and mentally fit.

    “The army will subject you to a lot of exams both written and oral before the final selection. If you meet all the required indices, you will be enlisted,” he said.

    Kazaure also said he was inspired by the display of the band to pioneer the NYSC inter-state band competition for corps members with added rewards for outstanding groups.

    He urged the corps members to be good ambassadors of the NYSC during their service year by promoting the ideals of the scheme.

    Read Also: NYSC DG laments poor state of Ebonyi orientation camp

    Kazaure added that the NYSC would be considering posting more corps members to farms under the scheme in Oyo, Abuja, Bauchi and Kebbi.

    The Ogun NYSC State Coordinator, Mr John Okpo, thanked the director general for the visit while reiterating the commitment of the NYSC in Ogun in complementing the scheme in nation building.

    He said the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members comprising 2,513 individuals including 1,161 males and 1,352 females distinguished themselves by arriving very early in camp.

    Okpo urged the corps members to equip themselves with the necessary skills for self-reliance through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) programme.

    The NYSC official said the orientation, which commenced on April 19, would close on Wednesday.

    NAN

  • NYSC DG lauds Tambuwal over N253m corps members allowances

    The Director-general of National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) Brig. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has lauded Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, for paying N253 million outstanding allowances of corps members.

    The letter was presented to the Governor during 2018 batch “A” Corps members’ swearing-in ceremony at Wamakko orientation camp Monday.

    Kazaure represented by Sokoto state Coordinator of NYSC, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, said the payment along with release of N43.5 million for provision of beds and mattresses at orientation camp was commendable.

    “NYSC management are overwhelmed with the efforts including institutionalising monthly payment of corps members allowances.

    “Approval of construction and renovation of corps members lodges alongside renovation of school facilities in the state.

    “These and other previous gestures demonstrated the governor’s commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme and serve as morale booster to corps members and managers, the director-general said.

    In his address, Tambuwal enjoined corp members to maximally use their God- given physical and intellectual endowments to pursue national unity and cohesion during the service year.

    Tambuwal, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, said the scheme had for years, being pivotal at ensuring national integration, social, cultural and physical development.

    He urged the corps members to strive to actualise the set norms enshrined in the scheme.

    He advised the corps members to promote discipline; tolerance and understanding among Nigerians as well as become change agents in solving problems and challenges facing the nation.

    Tambuwal further counseled corps members to continue with their good morals and values gained during training exercise.

    He encouraged them to interact freely and undertake viable community projects that improve the lives people living in their respective places of primary assignments.

    “The nation is faced with enormous challenges of development and meeting their needs, require collective efforts ’’ Tambuwal said.

    Speaking at the event, the Chairman NYSC governing board in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, urged corps members to demonstrate exemplary conducts during the orientation exercise.

    Ladan expressed the hope that they would carry good virtues to their respective places of primary assignments.

    He called on corps members to complement government efforts in its fight against corruption, drug abuse and other forms of vices in the country.

    He said hard working corps members would receive awards from state government and the Sulatan, but noted that sanction also awaits any person found wanting during the service year.

    Alhaji Musa Abubakar, the Sokoto State Coordinator of NYSC, said 2,200 corps members were posted to the state.

    Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Justice Bello Abbas, performed the swears-in and oath taking of the corps members.

    NAN

  • Gov Bagudu assures Corps members of security, welfare in Kebbi

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has assured corps members of adequate security and better welfare. Bagudu gave the assurance at the swearing in ceremony of the NYSC batch A at the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) Orientation Camp in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area on Monday.

    ”The government of Kebbi State on its part will do everything within its capacity to ensure a conducive and secure environment during and after the orientation course.

    ”Kebbi State is known for peace, your safety here is assured.

    “I have directed various security agencies in the state to double their efforts towards ensuring adequate law and order,” he said.

    Bagudu, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, said NYSC had remained a beacon of hope for the nation’s development.

    According to him, it has enlightened graduate youths who prior to the inception of the scheme are strangers to diverse culture and traditions of others parts of the nation.

    The governor urged corps members to be law abiding citizens and partner with Kebbi to secure the environment.

    He said that his administration would improve on the general welfare of the corps members in the state.

    Read Also: Wike, Ganduje, Bagudu, Buratai, others for civil society awards

    Bagudu also urged them to respect the social and cultural beliefs of the community they were posted to serve.

    Earlier, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Alhaji Lawal Turawa, said that 2,216 corps members had registered for the three weeks orientation comprised of 1,156 males and 1,105 females.

    Turawa said that the corps members would undergo orientation on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship during the orientation.

    He said that the aim was to make them self-reliant and employers of labour rather than job seekers at the end of the service year.

  • NYSC set to orientate 2,500 corps members in Lagos

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) has concluded plans to welcome at least 2,500 corps members to Lagos State for the 2018 Batch A orientation.

    The state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Muhammed Momoh, made this known in an interview with the newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

    “The camp opens on April 19 and ends on May 12; the camp ground is ready; we have perfected arrangements with security agencies and community leaders to maintain security.

    “We expect to orientate 2,500 corps members within the period, and we will ensure that their welfare and security are not compromised,” he said.

    Momoh appealed the incoming corps members to be law-abiding and security-conscious.

    Read Also: NYSC lists requirements for 2018 Batch ‘A’ camp registration

    The newsmen reports that NYSC on Thursday presented Honours’ Award and cash prizes to 14 outstanding corps members who served in Lagos in the  2016 Batches ‘A’ and ‘B ‘ and 2017 Batch ‘A’, Stream I.

    The honour was bestowed on the corps members at their passing out ceremony at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja.

    Momoh said at the occasion that 4,876 corps members successfully completed their service, adding that 23 would repeat their service for absconding from duty, and 17 would have their service extended.

    NAN

  • NYSC lists requirements for 2018 Batch ‘A’ camp registration

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) says all necessary documents required from prospective corps members both foreign and local graduates must be presented before camp registration for the 2018 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course.

    According to the NYSC official twitter handle @nysc_ng, the corps members must therefore take note of all required documents and make adequate preparation ahead of the commencement of orientation course.

    It said those who studied in the country should bring to their respective camps their degree or HND certificates or statement of results and a personal Identity Card (ID) from the institution of graduation.

    It said foreign graduates should endeavour to bring for verification, original copies of all their uploaded credentials and travel documents including international passport.

    According to the NYSC twitter handle, foreign graduates must ensure that academic papers in languages other than English must be translated into English accordingly and both versions presented for verification at the camp.

    “Medical and Veterinary Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists, Nurses and Public Environmental Health Graduates should come along with their professional licenses or certificates of full registration issued by their professional bodies,’’ it said.

    Mr Bello Ballama, NYSC FCT Coordinator, in an earlier interview with our correspondent, said the scheme had set a tentative date to commence orientation for the 2018 Batch ‘A’ Stream I.

    “The tentative date set by the scheme is April 19,” he said.

    The NYSC on Monday April 16, commenced issuance of call-up letters to prospective corps members.

    NAN

  • NYSC sanctions eight corps members in Kwara with service extension

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), in Kwara, has sanctioned eight corps members serving in the state for various offences they committed during the service year. 

    NYSC State Coordinator,  Mr Amafuele Remigius, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during the Passing Out parade ( POP ) of the 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 of the scheme at the Metropolitan Square. 

    He said a total of 1, 790 corps members passed out after a year national service to the nation, adding that eight corps members would serve an extension for various offences.

    The coordinator said three corps members received the prestigious ‘NYSC State Honors Award.’

    “On a sad note, we lost one of the outgoing corps members while on national service,” the coordinator said.

    The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, speaking at the passing out parade, enjoined the outgoing corps members to make use of the skill they had acquired during the service year.

    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, commended the corps members for the successful completion of the compulsory national service. 

    Ahmed advised the corps members to look inward and bring to use all the various skills they were taught with the aim of becoming employers of labour, rather than seeking white collar jobs that were not available.

    He wished them success in their future endeavours and extended the appreciation of the host communities where they did their primary assignments.

    The governor’s representative later presented awards to the three corps members nominated for NYSC State Award.

    NAN

  • NYSC to include farming as part of primary assignment

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) says it will include farming and crop production as part of the one year primary assignment for corps members from the next service year.

    Mr Bello Ballama, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, said this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said that the move was to help address corps rejection by some corps employers through the engagement of more corps members in all aspects of farming and crop production.

    The coordinator said that the move was also aimed at boosting the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) Programme.

    Ballam said the scheme was therefore putting all its farms in good condition in readiness for corps members to commence its use.

    “Corps members will be involved in all aspects of farming and crop production.

    “This will not only support skills acquisition of NYSC but also governments plan of boosting agricultural production to improve self-reliance and achieve national growth and development.

    “From this 2018 Batch ‘A’ Stream I set of corps members who are commencing orientation on April 19, we are going to look into all the farm formations and centres to be able to post corps members there.

    “We have farms in the FCT and many other states of the country; the present leadership of the scheme is poised to ensuring the revival of all NYSC facilities including the farms.

    “The NYSC is faced with the challenge of engaging the increasing number of corps members mobilised every year.

    “We therefore, have to take proactive steps towards achieving our mandate and supporting the federal government’s plans for youth development,”he said.

    He said that the scheme was still faced with the challenge of corps members being rejected by organisations they were posted to carry out their one year primary assignment.

    The coordinator said that in spite of discussion the scheme had with corps employers not to reject corps members, the NYSC was still faced with the problem every year.

    He said that some corps employers do not provide accommodation and transportation to corps members who are left to suffer harsh living conditions.

    “We have held a workshop with corps employers and have interacted with them and we look forward to a better relationship and working environment for corps members in the next year,” he said.

    The NYSC had stated that the scheme would adopt agriculture as the major job creator for corps members.

    Some of the farms owned and run by the scheme are located in Benue, Plateau, FCT among other states.

    NAN

  • APC chieftain urges FG to declare Akoko Land disadvantaged area

    Mr Olatunde Giwa-Daramola, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Akoko North-East Federal Constituency, Ondo State, has urged the Federal Government to declare the four local government areas in Akoko “disadvantaged areas’’.

    Giwa-Daramola, a retired Naval Commander, made the call while hosting a group of Akoko youths who paid him a solidarity visit in Akure.

    According him, the four local government areas in Akoko land cannot boast of any meaningful industrial, educational and commercial development impact of the government apart from police posts and the National Youth service Corps ( NYSC ) orientation camp.

    “The degrading environmental condition and lack of visible government presence in the area is appalling.

    “The long time institutionalised general neglect and poor representation of the area at both federal and state levels, suggest that Akoko has been excluded from the development agenda of the federation.

    Read Also: APC Scandinavia boss commends LASG policy on Orphanage homes

    “The Federal Government needs to act fast, while the Ondo State Government should consider the areas’ yearning for development as a matter of urgency.

    “My people are mainly farmers and lack good roads to take their farm produce to the cities; there are no factories to process their produce and that leaves so much to be desired,’’ he said in statement by one of his media aides.

    He appealed to the federal and state governments to establish a tertiary institution in the Ikare metropolis and an agriculture-based factories to alleviate the poor conditions of the people.

    Giwa, who is a former Commodore of the Nigeria Navy Sailing Club, resolved to partner with the government to bring accelerated development to the area.

    NAN