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Tag: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

  • National library partners NYSC to promote reading culture

    The National Library of Nigeria says it is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) to promote readership campaign across the country.

    Prof. Lenrie Aina, National Librarian, said this during an inauguration of the Readership Promotion Campaign on Tuesday in Abuja.

    ‎The theme for 2018 campaign is“ Sustaining Life Long Reading For Positive Change”.

    According to him, there is a need to take the campaign to the grassroots to encourage reading that is why the partnership with the NYSC will help achieve the set target.
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    “The highlight of this year’s programme is engaging the NYSC as part of our pilot project to establish reading clubs across the nation,” he said.
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    Aina decried the fact that from the recent statistics, Nigeria was not a reading nation, while describing the situation as sad.
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    He said something needed to be done urgently about the poor reading culture in Nigeria.

    He added that the campaign was a tool to help in addressing the poor reading situation.

    “Nigeria as a country and the National Library in particular will be committing an unpardonable mistake if we fail to inculcate in our children and generations yet unborn good reading habit,” he said.
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    The library scribe said the campaign which was an annual event would be held in the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT.

    He said the objective of this year’s campaign was to sustain the awareness created by previous campaigns through improved and continued advocacy.

    He added that the campaign was also aimed at promoting reading beyond sheer utilisation and examination purposes ‎and encourage lifelong reading from womb to grave.

    “The campaign will help encourage parents, especially mothers, to read to their babies from the womb because research showed it helps increase their intelligence.

    “The campaign is also aimed at stimulating the interest of the Nigerian children in reading and learning so as to build their morale and cultural values for national development,” he said.

    ‎He added that the campaign would further help to support the creation of model reading clubs at both primary and secondary school levels.

    Aina listed the activities lined up for the campaign to include, scholarly paper presentation, quiz competitions, drama and debates, presentation of books as gifts among others. ‎

    He also said there would be a visit to ante-natal wards to educate pregnant women on the importance of reading to their babies right from the womb. ‎
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    The Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Suliaman Kazaure, pledged service of commitment to helping the National Library increase readership in the country especially at the grassroots.

    He said the service was well positioned to ensure youths get back to reading books.

    “We pledge to make the corps members available for this project and we believe this partnership will help turn around the reading culture in Nigeria,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • NICO trains 537 Nigerians on indigenous language in 2017

    The National Institute of Cultural Orientation ( NICO ), says no fewer than 537 Nigerians across the country benefited from its annual Indigenous Language training in 2017.

    Mr Louis Eriomala, NICO Ag. Executive Secretary told our correspondent on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that the programme aimed at teaching Nigerians to be fluent in at least one indigenous language for interaction purposes.

    Eriomala, however, said that the participants were trained in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages respectively.

    “537 participated in the 2017 edition; I will say 2017 was better than 2016 because we recorded high number of participants.

    “However, NICO is putting concrete efforts in place to ensure more participation in the 2018 edition.

    “We are planning to extend the language programme to various suburbs around the Federal Capital Territory.

    “We are also looking at increasing the number of indigenous languages taught in the programme.

    “However, these is subject to availability of funds,” Eriomala said.

    The NICO boss also said that the institute would soon collaborate with the leadership of National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) on how to boost its indigenous programme.

    According to him, the collaboration with NYSC would tilt towards posting of Nigerian Language graduates as corps members to serve with NICO.

    “This will enable them contribute their knowledge as resource persons during the one-month and weekend editions of the indigenous language training programme,” he said.

    Eriomala calls on Nigerians to use the opportunity provided by the institute to learn at least one indigenous language to enhance their relationship with others.

    He said that this would bring national unity, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and collective development.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests graduate with 762kg of cannabis in Edo

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it has arrested a graduate of Geophysics with about 82 bags of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa weighing 762 Kilogrammes.

    The Commander, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this on Monday in an interview with our correspondent in Benin.

    Wakawa said that the seizure was the second of drugs hidden inside ceiling within one week.

    He said the suspected substance was discovered inside the ceiling of the suspect’s house at Ohiomah Street, Iyeu Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the suspect in his statement said that he bought the drugs for sale in order to get enough money to sponsor his master’s degree programme.

    The commander said the suspect who gave his name as Iredia Austine, was arrested at his residence in Otuo based on intelligence report.

    He explained that during a search operation, officers discovered 82 bags of suspected cannabis sativa concealed inside the ceiling of his house with a total weight of 762kg.

    “This is a criminal act that is punishable by the NDLEA Act.

    “It is unjustifiable to engage in the criminal act under any pretext,” the commander said.

    During interrogation, the suspect claimed ownership of the drugs, stating that this is the largest quantity of drugs he had purchased in a single transaction.

    “I studied Geophysics at Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, and completed my National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) in January 2018.

    “I started selling cannabis in 2011 when I gained admission into the University and this was because I have no one to help me financially.

    “After my graduation, I stopped selling cannabis but the temptation arose when I purchased form for my master’s degree programme at the University of Port Harcourt.

    “It was circumstances that made me to be selling it and this is the largest quantity of cannabis I have bought at a time,” he said.

    The commander said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect bought the drugs during harvest season and stored it in the ceiling for sale during peak season.

    He said that investigation would soon be concluded for the suspect to be arraigned in court.

    In a related development, Wakawa told our correspondent that the command had discovered another two clandestine warehouses in the State.

    He said that about 5,650 kilo grammes of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa were found in the warehouses.

    ” The first warehouse contained 4,200 kilo grammes of cannabis while the second warehouse contained 1,45kilo grammes of suspected cannabis,“he said.

    He also said that an arrest of a 64-year-old grandfather was made in connection with one of the warehouses.

    “This major seizure is coming barely few weeks after the command publicly destroyed 136,844 kilo grammes of various narcotic drugs mainly cannabis,“he said.

    Wakawa also disclosed that the seizures were made based on intelligence report received by the command.

    “The first warehouse is a residential house located behind Tipper Garage, Ehor inEgor Local Government Area, while the second warehouse was located at Ugwella-Gidi village, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

    The commander, promised to arrest other members connected with the warehouses.

    He appealed to members of the public to provide the agency with useful information that could lead to the recovery of drugs and arrest of traffickers.

    He said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

    NAN

  • BOI to train 3,000 NYSC members yearly on entrepreneurship skills

    The Bank of Industry ( BOI ) says it will train 3,000 National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members on entrepreneurship skills annually under the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund ( GEF ) programme.

    Mr Kayode Pitan, the Managing Director of BOI, made this known at the opening of the GEF training on Monday in Katsina.

    Pitan said that the programmme was aimed at empowering and encouraging serving corps members to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.

    He said 1,000 graduates had been shortlisted for this year’s training programme, which would take place in seven states of the federation.

    Pitan, who was represented by the Northwest Regional Manager of the bank, Alhaji Sanusi Gidado, said the states included Abia, Delta, Osun, Lagos, FCT, Abuja, Plateau and Katsina.

    Pitan reiterated that interest-free loans were being given to the beneficiaries after training to encourage more to participate.

    The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Sule Zakari Kazaure, said that about one million corps members had so far been trained on various skills under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) programme.

    Kazaure said that the skills were on agro-allied, cosmetology, automobile, ICT, power and energy, film and photography, among others.

    He revealed that efforts were ongoing to improve on the training, supervision, and other implementation procedures to achieve the set objective.

    The D-G also urged the BOI to expedite action in the processing of loan requests after training.

    The Katsina State Coordinator of NYSC, Hajiya Ramatu Sanda urged beneficiaries to set up their businesses in Katsina because the government would provide the necessary assistance for their businesses to grow.

    NAN

  • Senate rejects bill proposing skirts for NYSC female members

    Senate rejects bill proposing skirts for NYSC female members

    The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill proposing the option of wearing of skirts by female members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    This followed the presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bill which was sponsored by Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba) during plenary.

    According to him, the bill is intended to amend Sections 13 and 16 of the Principal Act.

    He said the bill sought to ensure that regulations made by the NYSC Directorate prescribing uniforms and exercise regimen did not violate the religious practices and beliefs of corps members.

    He said the objective of the bill was to also increase the penalty for the offences contained in the Act, to make such fines reflect the present value of the naira.

    Bwacha, who is Deputy Minority Leader, noted that the NYSC was a laudable scheme established in 1973 by the then military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

    “It was part of the effort by the Federal Government to rebuild, reconstruct and reconcile Nigerians following the unfortunate incidents of the civil war which ended in 1970.

    “It is important to point out that while the scheme has lived up to expectation as a reliable platform for nurturing young patriotic Nigerians, fostering unity and promoting a better understanding of our religious and cultural differences, it has, however, become necessary to amend the Principal Act.

    “This is with a view to address observed lapses and shortcomings. One of such lapses is that the penalty for offences contained in the Act is now outdated and in need of urgent review.

    “Secondly, Section 16 of the Principal Act mandates the NYSC Directorate to make regulations or by-laws relating to discipline, exercise regimen, uniforms, welfare of corps etc.

    “Uniforms and drills adopted by the Directorate have become a basis for tension and controversy between the Directorate and corps members and other members of the public.

    “The major bone of contention is that some of the uniforms and drills contravene religious beliefs and practices of corps members and invariably their right to freedom of religion, thought and conscience under the Nigerian Constitution.

    “This bill essentially addresses the above mentioned lapses in the Principal Act,” he said.

    Contributing, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe (PDP-Nasarawa), said “the amendment being suggested is not even worth the trouble”.

    “This is because the powers to prescribe uniform is what the NYSC Act is to the Directorate.

    “I believe if the directorate wants to change the uniform at any time, it is a matter of deciding because it only has power to prescribe the type of uniform.

    “The type of uniform is even not prescribed; so I don’t know why we should trouble ourselves; all you need to do is to put pressure on the directorate to change the uniform but not necessarily to change the law.

    “All the religious organisations that are feeling oppressed by it should put pressure and lobby the directorate to change its dress code,” Adokwe said.

    Similarly, Sen. Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi) said “we should not waste our time on an issue that we have no constitutional right to amend. That is a minute issue that we should not waste our energy on.”

    Also, Sen. Jeremiah Husseini (PDP-Plateau) “there is no need for this bill”.

    In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the proceedings, said: “I am not trying to stop the bill; even if you pass the bill, you must send it to all the states in accordance with section 9(2).”

    After a voice vote by Ekweremadu, the bill was rejected by the lawmakers.

    Read Also: Senate receives report to grant Nigerian Financial Intelligence

  • Enugu increases NYSC members’ allowance

    Enugu increases NYSC members’ allowance

    Enugu State Government has announced increase in the allowance for National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members serving in primary healthcare facilities in rural areas in the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, announced this in Enugu on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

    Anikwe said that medical doctors serving in hospitals in rural areas would henceforth receive N30, 000 monthly from the state government as against N3, 800 being given to them currently.

    Similarly, he said, pharmacists, nurses, radiographers, laboratory scientists and statisticians would receive a monthly stipend of N20, 000.

    He announced that the government also planned to review the service condition and welfare of other set of corps members in the state.

    The commissioner explained that the increase in allowances of the corps members serving in health facilities was to further ensure that health services were taken close to rural dwellers.

    “The government has approved that each corps member selected to work as a medical doctor in government hospital in the rural areas will get a monthly stipend of N30, 000.

    “All of these will cost the government extra N31.2 million per annum but it is an expense that is worth it. It is to ensure that health facilities are available at the door steps of our people,” he said.

    Anikwe said that the government noted the challenges of getting medical personnel to work health facilities in rural communities and decided on the incentive.

    According to him, the council decided that one sure way to solve the problem is to get health personnel from the NYSC who will be encouraged with an increased stipend.

    The commissioner said that the state government had invested much in rural communities and would want such facilities to have direct impact on the inhabitants.

    “Before now, Enugu had a peculiar problem because the state was paying a certain amount as allowance and it led to an influx of youth corps members from all over the country, wanting to serve here.

    “It then became impossible for the state government to continue to sustain that stipend because we are not out of the woods yet.

    “So, we are not unmindful of what to do for corps members but everything we are doing, we check our purse.

    “I am sure that as the finances of the state government improves, we will come to a point where everybody is given an allowance that enables them cope with the condition of life in the country,” he said.

    Anikwe said that the government was first looking at very critical sectors, adding that others would follow soon.

    He said that the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was passionate about making residents of the state competitive and healthy “and that is why his economic blueprint traversed the entire state”.

    Also, Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, said that the state government had approved the renovation and upgrade of eight district hospitals across the state.

    Nnaji said that the gesture was to reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities in the state and to ensure that residents did not have to travel to the state capital for medical attention.

    He said that such hospitals and clinics would now wear new looks while modern health equipment would be installed in them.

    All youth corps members posted to rural communities of the state are paid monthly stipend of N3, 800 each.

    NAN

  • Bayelsa trains over 5,633 youths in various vocational skills

    Bayelsa trains over 5,633 youths in various vocational skills

    The Bayelsa Government says it has trained no fewer than 5,633 youths in various skills since the inception of Gov. Seriake Dickson administration in 2012.

    Mr Collins Cocordia, Bayelsa Commissioner for Youth Development, said this on Friday at the on-going Inter-Ministerial and Agencies’ briefing in Yenagoa.

    The briefing was part of activities to mark Dickson’s six years in office come Feb. 14.

    The briefing tagged, “Restoration Government at Six: Our Score Card in Focus”, started on Jan. 22 and would end on Feb. 9.

    Cocordia explained that about 40 members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) were also trained in different professional skills in the state.

    He said the training was carried out in collaboration with other agencies both at the national and international level.

    On the cost of training, the Commissioner said that the government had invested huge resources to ensure that people of the state were empowered.

    “The state government spends between N1.5 and N2 million to train a youth in professional skills.

    “Since we came on board, about 1, 000 persons were trained in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund ( ITF ), Small and Medium Enterprises’ Development Agency of Nigeria ( SMEDAN ), and Bank of Industry ( BoI ) for three months.

    “More than 150 were trained at the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality on different skills, including GSM telephone repair for four months.

    “Also about 627 youths were also trained in a programme tagged “Catch Them Young through Skills Acquisition” in science and technology.

    “We have had series of training progrmmes to empower and develop the youth; similarly we have sent some to different parts of the world for training.

    “In this 2018, we hope to train many youths on solar energy in partnership with a German based company on other skills such as diving, flight dispatch, and fire fighting among others,” the ommissioner said.

    NAN

  • 2019: Jega seeks reformation of election volunteering

    2019: Jega seeks reformation of election volunteering

    *Seeks roles for journalists, engineers, medical doctors, others

    Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday called for reformation of electoral volunteering ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    This, he said, would enhance credibility of the poll.

    He canvassed inclusion of additional groups of professionals like engineers, doctors, journalists and others to join the members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) in volunteerism.

    Jega spoke at a public lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community (UMC) in honour of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Bello at Julius Berger Hall, Akoka, Lagos.

    The theme of the lecture is: “Prospects and Challenges of involving Volunteers in Nigeria’s Electoral Process”.

    The ex-INEC chief said the need for an increase in the role of volunteers in the nation’s electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.

    He said: “It is necessary and desirable and if appropriately deployed can add tremendous value to having elections with integrity, with positive spin-off effects on good democratic governance. Since Nigeria and Nigerians have chosen liberal democracy as the political and governance system, citizens’ active participation and constructive involvement are prerequisites for its entrenchment, stability and legitimacy. 

    “However, to maximally tap the benefits of volunteerism in the electoral process, urgent reforms are needed leading to 2019 general elections, to reposition the continuous role of members of the NYSC and academics; to open avenues for additional groups of professionals, such as engineers, doctors, journalists, etc., to join academics.”

    He also called for database of all those who have participated in election duty before, so as to assist in future elections.

    INEC, as the Election Management Bodies (EMB), he said, needs to pay even more attention to the identification and selection of credible individuals and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), as volunteers and partners for bringing about improved electoral integrity.

    According to him, since 2015, there has been enthusiasm and passion for volunteerism in the electoral process for both individuals and civil society organisations.

    He lamented that some unwholesome tendencies are beginning to creep in to obstruct the positive gains of the volunteerism.

    A few examples would suffice:

    According to him, youth corps members have been threatened, intimidated, assaulted, maimed and even killed in the course of doing voluntary election duties, adding “a few have thus far succumbed to threats and intimidation and perpetrated or condoned fraudulent activities and committed electoral offenses. Some of these who were caught have been prosecuted, but many may have escaped arrest and prosecution. The loss of lives of youth corps members due to electoral violence, especially the death nine in the post-2011 general election violence, not only threatened the NYSC policy, but also resulted in many parents discouraging their wards from volunteering for election duties.

    “Corrupt politicians are beginning to find creative ways to compromise youth corps members and some students involved in election duties. They are even increasingly penetrating and compromising seemingly credible CSOs. Similarly, as the use of academic staff as collation and returning officers has become predictable, corrupt politicians are increasingly snooping around university campuses and INEC offices, especially over governorship elections, inducing lecturers with humongous amounts of money with the hope of compromising their role in result collation and tabulation. So far, there is no evidence that they have succeeded, but the tendency is increasing and is of great concern.

    “These emerging challenges need to be carefully studied and urgently addressed with appropriate measures deployed in order to protect the gains recorded.

    In his remark, UMC Chairman Prof. Lai Olurode said one of the areas of concern for INEC under Jega was how to deploy Nigeria’s immense and inexhaustible social capital in service of its electoral regime.

    He noted that previous attempts by INEC to track campaign and election expenses had been challenging for reasons of a paucity of information and logistic issues.

    According to him, it is the responsibility of the Muslim community in an academic environment to make the utmost of every social outing to interrogate pertinent public issues that could extend the frontiers of citizenship.

    Responding, the honouree and former VC, Prof. Bello expressed delight at the gesture of the Muslim Community, saying that he was proud being a member of the institution’s Muslim community.

    Bello said: “As Muslims, we have the obligation of doing all we have to do, according to the Islamic tenets and the will of Allah. We must be vanguards and good ambassadors of Islam at all times.”

  • ‘Take care of NYSC members’, Gov. Ajimobi tells residents

    ‘Take care of NYSC members’, Gov. Ajimobi tells residents

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday urged traditional rulers, local council chairmen and other residents to ensure that National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members posted to the state are well taken care of.

    Ajimobi made the appeal at the swearing-in of the 2017 Batch B, Stream II corps members in Iseyin, Oyo State.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Abayomi Oke, said that corps members posted to ministries, departments and agencies should not be rejected.

    He said that the corps members should be assigned to challenging responsibilities in their places of primary assignment, to make them nation builders and assets to national development.

    Ajimobi said the scheme is a beacon of hope and reference point, with regard to productive channelling of youthful intelligence, energy and skills for national development.

    He said that the orientation course was primarily aimed at inculcating discipline, hard work and integrity in the Nigerian graduate youths.

    The governor, therefore, advised the members to use the opportunity provided by the orientation to develop positive attitudes that would help them to surpass their predecessors’ achievements.

    Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi, said the orientation course was unique, being the first time the state would host more than one state at its permanent orientation camp.

    Anidobi urged the 2,294 corps members to see their deployment  as the basis for national unity, which the scheme had championed since inception 45 years ago.

    She told them to contribute their quota to the unity and advancement of Nigeria in the course of their service year.

    “The government of the day, in her drive to engine the wheel of development, embarked on massive rural transformation.

    “As agents of change, your services will be required in most semi-urban communities, to make this mission a reality.

    “Work assiduously for the development of the country, and assist government to empower rural dwellers with your acquired knowledge and training, by raising the standard of living of the populace,” she said.

    The coordinator advised the corps members to make optimal use of the opportunities provided by the orientation course, such as skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme.

    “Remember that the era of white collar jobs has given way to self-development and empowerment programmes.

    “So, key into the system and strive to be job creators and not job seekers,” she said.

    Anidobi commended the Oyo State Government and the indigenes for their unflinching support to the NYSC scheme, and for being good hosts to the corps members.

    NAN

  • NYSC: 20 members get service extension

    NYSC: 20 members get service extension

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), in Nasarawa State, says 20 corps members are to have an extension of service due to alleged misconduct during the service year.

    The state Coordinator, 2017 Batch B Stream 11, Mrs Zainab Isah, disclosed this on Thursday at the passing out parade in Lafia Local Government Area.

    She said the affected corps members committed various offences bordering on misconduct during the service year.

    Isah said the punishment meted out was based on the gravity of their offences according to the by-law of the scheme.

    “We have 20 corps members that have disciplinary cases.

    “Some of them missed one allowance or the other because they were not around.

    “Some traveled without permission or they traveled with permission but extended their stay without informing the officers,’’ she said.

    Read also: NYSC promises justice in killing of member 

    She also explained that the allowances they missed would be given to them during their extension of service.

    According to her, some got two weeks extension, some three weeks, while others got longer due to the gravity of their offences.

    It depends on the misconduct and what the NYSC by-law stipulates as punishment,” she said.

    Isah explained that the decision to extend the service year of erring corps members was the recommendation of the State NYSC Disciplinary Committee which will serve as a deterrent to others.

    According to her, 1,957 corps members successfully completed their service year and have been issued certificates.

    She commended the corps members for their patriotism and perseverance during the year.

    She, however, advised them to be self-reliant and employers of labour rather than wait for white collar jobs.

    “You should go ahead with what we taught you in camp, just continue with those training and I am sure those training will see you (through) in no distant time,” she said.

    She thanked the state government for its support to the scheme and urged for its sustenance especially in the area of engagement of corps members with significant positive impact in the area of their primary assignments.

    According to her, five corps members distinguished themselves based on the contributions they made in their places of assignments.

    “They did exceptionally well but we are yet to submit the list to the state government because the NYSC governing board is yet to hold a meeting on it,”she said.

    NAN