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Tag: National Youth Service Corps

  • NYSC withdraws corps members from volatile areas in Kaduna

    Due to the recent unrests in some of local government areas of Kaduna state and the need to protect lives and property of members of National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), the scheme said on Wednesday that, it has suspended posting Corps members to such areas.

    This is also as the scheme said, it had withdrawn all corps members serving in Kajuru local government area of the state following the recent crisis at Kasuwan Magani area of the local government.

    NYSC Coordinator in the State, Dahunsi Mohammed who stated this during an interactive session with corps employers in Kaduna State said, there would not be posting of corps members to such areas until it is crystal clear that the areas are save for young Nigerian graduates who are deployed to serve the motherland.

    He mentioned specifically that the step is affecting Birnin-Gwari, Kajuru and any other volatile areas where there is crisis.

    According to him, “We are sorry we did not post corps members to places we know there is crisis. We stopped posting corps members to Birnin-Gwari and we have also withdrew all corps members serving at Kasuwa Magani where crisis recently broke out. This will continue untill normalcy returns to these areas and other places where we have social unrest”.

    On the workshop of the NYSC/Corps Employers with the theme: Tackling Emerging Challenges in Youth Corps Administration Through Greater NYSC/ Stakeholders Participation the Coordinator said, rejection of Corps members is an obstacle militating against achieving assigned and expected duties in achieving a defined goal.

    Read Also:  NYSC blacklists Osun school over attack on corps members

    He said Corps members spend the largest chuck of their service year with their employers, hence the need for the employers make of them that will be etched in their memory of NYSC.

    “As long as posting are done without strict compliance with Corps employers request, the challenge of Corps rejection will persist.

    He added that rejection of Corps members, underutilization and evasion of service can also lead to Dearth of graduates in areas of specialisation such as engineering, technology, medical sciences, ICT etc.

    “That can drive the country’s developmental agenda. What obtains is a glut of graduates in the humanities and the arts which a country striving for technological development like Nigeria barely needs.

    “The effect of this is too many Corps graduates of arts and humanities chasing fewer placement for primary assignment which automatically leads to rejection.

    He alighted under-utilization of Corps members as a factor slowing down the level of development of the country, “for example if a Corps doctor, engineer, teacher or any other professional finds himself posted to where there are no facilities to work with, invariably such a Corp member will be underutilized.

    Mohammed said the NYSC has devise strategies to counter these challenges by organizing a forum where management and Corps employers rub minds on best practices to optimally utilised the skills of Corps members to check sharp practices.

    Earlier in his remarks,  the Director General of the scheme,  Brig -gen Suleiman Kazaure who was represented by Hajia Aisha Mohammed said, the NYSC has the tradition of organizing round table discussion with stakeholders especially with Corps employers with the aim of strengthening mutual capacity for the effective engagement of Corps members.

    “The Corps employers workshop is not only to appreciate the enduring partnership between the scheme and the employers but to also identify challenges in Corps administration and proffer solutions.

    “We have also been undertaking advocacies to ensure that States and local government provide lodges for Corps member so they settle down in good time”.

    Also speaking the Kaduna State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Culture Daniel Danauta commended the NYSC for reviving the interactive session with the view of addressing challenges.

     

  • NYSC blacklists Osun school over attack on corps members

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) in Osun  has  blacklisted   Osogbo High School after some  corps members  were attacked by  students believed to be cult members.

    Mr Emmanuel Attah, the  Coordinator of  NYSC  in Osun,  made this known at the 2018 NYSC/corps employers’ workshop on Wednesday in Osogbo.

    Attah  said  employers were expected to provide for the  accommodation, welfare and safety needs of corps members, adding that  those who  served  in Osogbo High School in 2017 were  attacked by students suspected to be cultists  while the institution was  unable to guarantee their  safety.

    He said the failure of the principal of the school to provide protection  for corps members was responsible for the blacklisting of  the school.

    The Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen., Sulaiman Kazaure, represented by Mr Sadiq Ipaku, said rejection, under-utilisation, inadequate welfare as well as  lack of accommodation and transport for corps member were major challenges facing the scheme.

    Read Also: NYSC to Employers: Stop aiding absenteeism, abscondment of Corps Members

    Kazaure, however,  said a Federal Government circular had directed all  Ministries, Departments and Agencies  not to reject corps members posted to them

    He said  the workshop  was to appreciate the enduring partnership between the scheme and  employers.

    Kazaure  said the workshop was also to identify the challenges in corps administration and proffer solutions.

    NAN

  • Oyo State urges employers to support corps members

    Oyo State Government on Wednesday urged employers of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to support and accommodate the corps members to enable them to perform their responsibilities effectively.

    The state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Abayomi Oke, made the call at the 2018 NYSC Corps Employers Workshop in Ibadan.

    The workshop has “Tackling Emerging Challenges in Youth Corps Administration through Greater NYSC/Stakeholders’ Participation” as its theme.

    According to Oke, the NYSC programme cannot be complete without employers’ role in preparing members for the future.

    He said “Oyo State has more corps members this year because the state government always provide secure environment for members.

    “We need the support of employers in the private sector to absorb more of corps members and provide them with accommodation because more of them are coming in the next batch.”

    Read Also: Oyo/Osun Customs intercepts N92.77m goods

    The commissioner also urged employers not to reject corps members without genuine reasons and enjoined them to always give them equal opportunities.

    The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Sule Kazaure, advised corps employers, especially government establishments to provide welfare packages for corps members.

    Kazaure, who was represented by a Deputy Director at the NYSC Headquarters, Mr Philips Enaberue, said the scheme recorded great successes through online registration and clearance of members to stem unwholesome practices.

    The Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi, said the state had been accorded the hosting right for 2018 batch A Pre-Orientation Workshop.

    She added that the workshop, which would hold in April, would draw participants from all states of the federation.

    Anidobi noted some administrative challenges of the scheme as insecurity, incessant rejection, truancy, absenteeism and the lack of welfare.

    NAN

  • INEC : 215,000 PVC’s yet to be collected in Ekiti

    INEC : 215,000 PVC’s yet to be collected in Ekiti

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has expressed concern that over 215,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected less than five months to the governorship election.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Monday while speaking with reporters in his office on preparations for the governorship poll.

    Raji who spoke through INEC Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Ekiti State, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, expressed worry over apathy of voters to the collection of PVCs despite the enlightenment being carried out by the agency.

    He said the state government has been partnering traditional rulers, religious organizations, political parties and the media to increase the political awareness of the electorate in Ekiti.

    “We have done a lot of jingles and also working with all our outfits in the 16 local governments for voter education but despite these efforts, our people seem to be showing apathy.

    “As we speak now, we have about 215,000 PVCs with us that are yet to be claimed.”

    “We are hopeful that all these will be collected before that election, because our aim is to ensure that we have high turnout during that election like we witnessed in July 21, 2014”.

    Read Also: Fayose expresses fear over Ekiti poll

    The electoral chief stressed that cases of underage voting won’t be allowed during the July 14 governorship election in the state as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise was being monitored to prevent those who have not reached the voting age from registering.

    He added: “From inception, we have not accepted such tendency of underage voting here in Ekiti and we won’t tolerate it. Election is a serious matter that has to do with people’s sovereignty that must not be abridged in any form.

    “So, we are assuring you that the Ekiti governorship election will meet international standard. We will improve on our outstanding past records to the extent that all the political parties and stakeholders will have cause to commend us.”

    Raji also disclosed that ad hoc staff members to be used for the election including the youth corps members are undergoing training on the best electoral practices.

    His words: “Yes, we are working with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where we will draw our ad hoc staff from.

    “We have started training them and engaging them in election seminars, so that they can be well educated about the conduct of elections.

    “We have started training for our staff here in INEC and we are awaiting instructions from our national headquarters to lift ban on electioneering campaigns, so that we can increase our work rate here in our office.”

  • INEC advises youths on free, fair election

    INEC advises youths on free, fair election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Tuesday advised youths in Cross to acquaint themselves with issues and importance of voter education to ensure a successful election in 2019.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Dr Briyai Frankland, gave the advice in Calabar at a “Young Emerging Political Leaders’ forum organised by Hit Fm radio station.

    Frankland, in his paper, entitled: “Raising Incorruptible Leaders’’, said that adequate voter education for youths would lead to high voter turnout during the elections.

    He said that youth leaders needed to embrace the exercise ahead of the elections, adding that this would lead to massive youth participation in the election.

    “Youths should be used as tools for voter education rather than tools for thuggery, violence and other electoral malpractices.

    “When youths are properly informed, they will participate well in the processes of elections and make positive contributions.

    “Adequate information and voter education by the youths will go a long way to achieving free and fair election in Cross River and Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Read also: 2019: INEC may transmit results electronically from polling units

    According to the REC, knowledge of electoral offences by the youths will reduce incidents of violence, thuggery and other social vices during elections.

    He said that it was due to the strategic role of youths in electoral process that INEC entered into Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) to use corps members during elections.

    Frankland recalled that INEC had in recent past appointed some influential youths as its ambassadors and also established youth clubs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the country.

    According to him, this was to assist the organisation in inculcating electoral values in the youths while they were in school.

    He advised them not to see election as do-or-die but to learn the new idea of “the loser congratulating the winner’’ at all levels of election in Nigeria.

    Frankland urged the youths to be upright in all their endeavours and to shun violence and all forms of malpractices during elections.

    He also advised them to resist politicians who would want to use them for election rigging and to maintain their integrity at all times.

    NAN

  • NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC )  on Monday  promised to ensure that justice was done in the killing of a corps member, Modupe Tawose.

    Mr John Okpo, the Ogun NYSC Coordinator,  gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan.

    Tawose was raped and killed on December 9 in Ogun.

    Tawose, 23, a 2017 Batch ‘A’ corps member serving with the Ogun State Ministry of Housing in Abeokuta was allegedly lured to her death by her driving instructor, Festus Udoh, 29.

    Her decomposing body was discovered in a bush on Wednesday at Abule Ayo in Odeda Local Government Area where she was tied by her hands to a tree.

    The suspect, who had since confessed to the crime, is being remanded in prison while awaiting trial.

    Okpo, who said the NYSC was deeply saddened by the occurrence, prayed God to console the family and grant the deceased rest.

    “The NYSC family nationwide is sad over the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, Late Miss Modupe Tawose.

    “We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

    “We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society,” he said.

    The NYSC boss used the opportunity to advise corps members to  be security conscious always and promptly report any security threat to the appropriate authorities.

    Read also: Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

    “Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

    “They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters,” Okpo said.

    Responding on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Mr Hakeem Okunola, thanked the NYSC for the condolence visit  and prompt action to ensure arrest of the suspect.

    “We thank the Ogun State Police Command for their swiftness in apprehending the accused and the NYSC  for their support.

    “We already have some sort of justice for finding our daughter’s body and the suspect.

    “Modupe did not die in vain going by the show of love poured her way by family and friends alike. She will be remembered for everything good.

    “As she has been laid to rest, we leave every other thing in God’s hands to bring the accused to book through appropriate judgment,” Okunola said.

    The victim had since been buried in line with the NYSC’s policy on death of corps members.

    Tawose was an HND graduate of Quantity Surveying from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and is survived by her father, Adeshina  Tawose,  and mother, Titilayo, as well as  siblings.

    NAN

  • Will NYSC CV/jobs portal deliver?

    Will NYSC CV/jobs portal deliver?

    Stakeholders are excited by the launch of a CV jobs portal by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). They say it will provide opportunities for corps members because of its data gathering potential. But there is need for continuous collaboration between NYSC and its partners to strengthen the deal, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and some partners have launched a CV bank and jobs portal (nyscjobs.org) for Corps members.

    The portal allows Corps members to upload their curriculum vitae (CV) and employers to post vacancies and screen candidates.

    It was developed by the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) in conjunction with Diamond Bank, Dragnet, Blogme, Gr8tjobs.ng and Sigma Pensions.

    Speaking at the event, NYSC Director-General, Brig Gen Suleiman Kazaure expressed the hope that the platform would boost the chances of Corps members in getting a job faster.

    “Despite the obvious difficulty of securing white collar jobs and the overriding benefits of self-employment, a good number of our graduates are still inclined to trying their lucks with paid employment. This is why management considers it appropriate to buy into the idea of helping corps members to package themselves for employability in the highly competitive labour market.

    “The portal we are launching today will, among other benefits, serve as a platform for Corps members to get information on job vacancies and market themselves to prospective employers, serve as a large pool for employers searching for suitable candidates, and provides means of verification of credentials,” he said.

    With last Friday’s launch, the portal became a national platform for corps members serving in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to showcase their skills and experience.

    The initiative is a product of many years’ labour.  In an interview with The Nation, the NYSC State coordinator, Prince Mohammed Momoh, said the idea was first suggested by some corps members who tried to implement it but were limited by the one-year tenure of the service and technical expertise required.

    SAED Assistant Director Mrs Rachael Idaewor said the involvement of private sector partners gave life to the idea.

     

    Value for corps members

    The CV and Jobs portal allows corps members to register, upload their CVs and update with skills, certifications and experiences they acquire in the first two years after graduation.  Me Baba Ikazaboh, Managing Director of Dragnet, said corps members would do themselves a disservice if they did not make good use of the opportunity.

    “There are 350,000 corpers also responsible for making it successful.  They need to almost on a daily or weekly basis be on the portal updating their CVs,” he said.

    He also said with employers knowing the platform is specifically for corps members, they (corps members) could be sure of job vacancies that would not require long years of experience that they would not have.  He added that the partners have also ensured that vacancies are dated and removed when old so corps members do not apply for taken jobs.

    The portal also allows corps members to post short videos that encapsulate their skills, competencies, experiences and qualifications.  Mr Andre Ugbebor of Blogme who did a presentation on the Video CV feature, said it gives the corps members a face that allows employers to make better decisions about the kind of candidates they are looking for.

    Mr Arek Bawa, managing director of Blogme, said it was an ultimate opportunity for corps members to put their best foot forward.

    “You need to distinguish yourselves; you need a platform to show off so employers notice you.  Employers know about your knowledge.  But what other skills do you have?  What aer your soft skills?  Are you a team player?  Do you have problem solving skills?

    Lauding the initiative and partnership, head, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank, Robert Hill, said the portal was a good response to what young people wanted based on research by the bank.

    “The youths are really important to us. We cannot ignore 60 per cent of the population. They are the people we need to be helping. It is great to see the NYSC helping youths to showcase themselves,” he said.

     

    Value for Employers

    At the click of a button, the portal gives employers access to a database of over 350,000 fresh talents for entry-level jobs at no cost.

    They are allowed to register, submit company profiles, post job vacancies and filter according to their specific requirements.

    Mrs Omomene Odike, CEO of Gr8tjobs.ng, said the portal addressed the yearnings of recruiters who had sought for years a veritable database of qualified graduates.

    To her, it is a shift from the analogue way of doing things to embrace the advantages technology can offer.

    She said: “Being an entrepreneur on my own and also a top recruiting firm, it is always very difficult to have data.  People complain in Nigeria we need jobs, but at the end of the day we don’t have one central database.  You get them in bits and pieces and at the end of the day, some of them are outdated such that by the time you call them you find out that they have been in the system for over 10 years so they are not even entry level but they don’t have jobs. But this CV portal and NYSC initiative means once people just graduate from school, it means they are fresh, it means they have just entered the system.

    “So it is a very clean way and very structured way for us to have candidates that are just coming into the work force and of course a database that we can verify because nobody who is not a corps member could actually register because you have also have to register with your NYSC codes.  It is huge and we don’t have to scratch our brains go everywhere looking for candidates to employ.”

    While the big recruiters are excited by the huge data the portal would generage, Ikazaboh said the value for small-scale employers was even more as they would not have to pay so much to get qualified people to run their businesses.  He urged even corps members starting businesses to use the platform to recruit workers.

    “Employers need to be on the portal to put your vacancies there.  It doesn’t cost you money.  For the SMEs that are just starting up you cannot afford expensive recruitment companies.  Here is a portal that allows you do it free.  Use it; save some cost,” he said.

     

    Is success certain?

    Parties to the deal, the NYSC, employers and Corps members, have lauded the initiative.  However, whether it will fulfil its potential as such is another matter.

    Mrs Odike said without all partners playing their roles, the portal would not come alive.

    “This portal will eliminate waste of time and paperwork. But all three stakeholders must play their parts – the corps members must upload their CVs, the NYSC must sustain the portal, and the employers must post job vacancies. Technology does not work on its own. It is people that make technology work,” she said.

    Ikazaboh added: “It is really team work – employers, the employees and the NYSC – that is what will make it work.”

    Awareness about the portal among corps members, especially Batch B, who completed their orientation on Monday, is still low.  About five corps members interviewed by The Nation in Lagos said they knew nothing about the portal.

    However, older corps members said they were aware.  One of them, Marvelous Ehima, said they had been told to register.

    “They told us about it.  I have not registered but I intend to do so.

    Mrs Idaewor said the corps members would be encouraged to upload their CVs.

    She promised to ensure that corps members signed up.

  • Corps members mark AIDs Day

    Corps members mark AIDs Day

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ogun State have held a health sensitisation procession to commemorate the World AIDS Day. The Corps members, who are members of anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Sexually-Transmitted Infections Community Development Service (CDS) group, held the rally in Agbara to sensitise residents of their host community on the need to stop the spread of the HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

    The event with the theme: HIV free generation, featured a procession around the Agbara district, where the Corps members enlightened residents on various ways by which HIV could be contracted, and the need to know their HIV status.  There was also counselling session and free HIV test for the residents.

    On how she benefited from the programme, one of the residents, who identified herself as Mama Olumide, said: “The initiative is a welcome development, because it has enlightened us on the danger of the spread of HIV and how the disease could be prevented. We live our normal lives without knowing our HIV status. But with this programme, majority of the residents who benefited from this initiative now know their status.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Kemi Okesanjo, emphasised the need to sustain the programme. “Many are still unaware of this programme and still don’t know their HIV status. As much as I commend the Corps members for this event, I also want to suggest that the programme should be sustained, because it would help to curb the spread of HIV.”

    The president of the CDS group, Grace Alademomi, said the sensitisation was created as a cardinal programme of the group because of the need to prevent the spread of HIV and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in rural areas. She hailed members of the CDS group for their collaboration in ensuring the success of the programme.

  • Dickson warns against rejection of corps members

    Dickson warns against rejection of corps members

    Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, has warned heads of schools in the state not to reject members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) posted to their schools for their primary assignments.

    Dickson gave this warning on Monday at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2017 Batch “B” Stream 1 members of the youth service.

    The ceremony was held at the temporary orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said the warning became necessary in view of the government’s current education development agenda.

    Dickson, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Telford Ongolo, said his administration was aware that about 85 per cent of the corps members had been posted to schools and urged the principals to accept them.

    “The government of Bayelsa will not tolerate rejection of corps members without genuine reasons, especially by the heads of any school establishments.

    Read also:

    “We have set machinery in motion to deal decisively with anyone or group, who may want to frustrate the genuine efforts of our administration in raising the standard of education.

    “For the corps members, do not induce the rejection of your postings; I urge you, therefore, to accept your postings with open minds and be determined to make an impact on the community you find yourself.

    “I have directed all Local Government chairmen, traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure that those of you posted to their domains are warmly received and given all support to settle down,” he said.

    On security, Dickson said the State Government was committed to safeguarding lives and property of corps members but urged them to always be conscious of their environment, especially in the night.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Loto Bolade, thanked the governor for his support for the scheme, noting that the corps members were ready to discharge their duties to their fatherland.

    Bolade congratulated the corps members and urged them to put to practice, all they had been taught as part of their orientation course, which she described as the first phase.

    “Gentlemen, as you begin the second phase of the scheme with your posting to the place of your primary assignment, I urge you to be law abiding as you progress in your one year service.

    “Always respect the norms and traditions of your host communities, be security conscious at all times.

    “Avoid unnecessary travels in line with the policy of “no life jacket, no travelling on water” for those of you posted across water, do not travel without putting on the life-jacket,” she said.

    NAN

  • Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Monday called on the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to ensure positive impact in  their host communities.

    The governor made the call on Monday in Sagamu at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members.

    Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also urged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    “It is your responsibility as an individual or as a group to collectively contribute your quota to the development of Ogun State through selfless service to your host communities.

    “Let me remind you that you are treading a path which thousands of youths before you have passed through, yet there is always that room to make a difference.

    “I urge you to move out today to your various places of primary assignment with a determination to make an impact.

    “My advice to you is to leave an enduring imprints through meaningful community development projects in the host communities in the next one year,” Amosun said.

    Read also: Amosun: Homeowners’ Charter has achieved its objectives

    The governor said his administration had provided the necessary security and ambience for the corps members to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

    He said government would continue to evolve strategic methods in mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well being of the state.

    In a similar vein, Mr John Okpo, the NYSC Coordinator in Ogun, appealed to employers and community leaders to warmly accept the corps members  to enable them discharge their duties.

    Okpo explained that postings to places of primary assignments for the corps members were done in line with the peculiar needs of the various local government areas and their communities.

    A total of 2,442 corps members registered for the orientation exercise which started on Nov. 21.

    NAN