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Tag: NYSC

  • Corper who died watching Nigeria-S/Africa match for burial Sunday

    Corper who died watching Nigeria-S/Africa match for burial Sunday

    The body of Peter Yununa, the member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who died in Yola as a result of tension during the AFCON match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday has been moved from Yola for internment in his home state, Kaduna.

    Peter Yunana’s corpse was moved out of Yola on Saturday as part of preparation to have him buried in Makarfi, Kaduna State on Sunday, February 11.

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    Students of Government Secondary School Numan, who he was teaching in his primary assignment, as well as his colleagues turned up, lining the  Numan Bridge to bid him farwell as the ambulance conveying his body got set to start the journey on the Yola-Gombe highway towards Makarfi.

    The Nation reports that the deceased was a 26-year-old Community Health graduate of Shehu Idris College of Health Technology, Makarfi.

    He was teaching Chemistry at the GSS Numan as part of his service which began last November and was due to end in October, 2024. 

  • NYSC no longer posting corps members to very unsafe states, says FG

    NYSC no longer posting corps members to very unsafe states, says FG

    The federal government has said that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has ceased assigning corps members to states considered “very unsafe.”

    Concerns have been raised over the programme’s viability after several corps members were kidnapped in various regions of the country during their one-year mandatory national service.

    The Minister of Youth, Jamila Ibrahim addressing the issue on Channels Television’s current affairs show “Sunday Politics” revealed that the programme has taken safety precautions by deploying NYSC members solely to safe states, among other measures.

    She said: “As an immediate intervention of the government and the NYSC as an agency, we have stopped posting corps members to the very unsafe states.

    “We have been doing it in the past. There are states we have not been posting corps members to, to ensure their safety.”

    The minister explained that cooperation between various government entities, is necessary to ensure the safety of corps members.

    Read Also: Internal security: IG orders reactivation of Police Smart Force database system

    “When it comes to security matters, it is a multi-sectoral approach. So, it is not the NYSC alone and the ministry that is involved. We are working with security outlets to ensure corps members are safe.

    “We are also working on group transportation strategies for them to ensure that they are transported to and from camps safely and to their destinations”, she said.

    Ibrahim indicated that to align with the current state of the country, especially regarding their allowance, the federal government is working on revamping the NYSC programme.

    She added: “When it comes to remuneration, we are looking at the holistic funding of the NYSC. You are all aware that we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. We want the scheme to go beyond being a social programme of the government.

    “The reforms will transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare corps members for the job market.”

  • 2024 mobilisation exercise: NYSC to carry out COVID-19 test on PCMs, camp officials

    2024 mobilisation exercise: NYSC to carry out COVID-19 test on PCMs, camp officials

    Ahead of the 2024 orientation exercise, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it would carry out COVID-19 tests on prospective corps members, including camp officials.

    The organisation said the decision was based on advice from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    According to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed, this was a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.

    Ahmed said this during the 2024 pre-orientation course workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31.

    The DG said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised that COVID-19 testing should recommence in the Orientation Camps. This is a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, it becomes necessary to ensure regular surveillance in all our Orientation Camps. While the testing will not be made compulsory this time, corps members will be sensitized on the need to confirm their health status. The modalities for this will be communicated in due course.”

    The director-general also said the registration process in camp would be reviewed and strengthened to checkmate the activities of fake or unqualified graduates from participating in the exercise.

    Read Also: Group faults call to scrap NYSC

    The DG said: “These include fake graduates appearing as Prospective Corps Members and persons, who, having served previously or issued with Exemption Certificate, attempt to present themselves again for the National Service. The registration process in Camp must, therefore, be reviewed and strengthened to checkmate the activities of these fraudulent elements.

    “Like we have warned previously at various forums, any unqualified person caught and those aiding them will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.” 

    The director-general urged state coordinators to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of corps members in camp.

    He also warned corps members against night journeys.

    The DG said: “No doubt, there has been a tremendous improvement in this area. However, security remains a matter of priority in all aspects of our operation, especially during the Orientation Course. Proactive measures must be taken by State Coordinators and other stakeholders to evaluate the security situations in all Camp locations. There should be proper surveillance of the Camps and adjoining areas before and during the exercise.

    “We are not relenting in our efforts to check this problem that has become a nightmare for the Scheme in view of the perilous consequences such as road accidents and abduction of Prospective Corps Members on their way to States of deployment.

    “I, therefore, enjoin everyone to ensure that measures put in place to curtail this negative trend are followed to the letter. In line with a recent decision of the management, state coordinators are expected to continue to take the campaign against night journeys to motor parks, transport companies, and other relevant stakeholders before the commencement of the orientation course.”

  • Group faults call to scrap NYSC

    Group faults call to scrap NYSC

    Acivil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has chided those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme because of insecurity, noting that doing so would amount to cowardice.

    The CSO said the security challenges in the country couldn’t be used as yardstick to call for the scrapping of the scheme.

    The organisation argued that scrapping the NYSC on the ground of insecurity would amount to “emboldening the criminals and making a caricature of the nation and undermining the gallantry of security personnel who are working day and night to ensure the total defeat and elimination of all forms of insecurity in the country.”

    Convener of the group, Solomon Semaka, at a news conference argued that such an idea was “retrogressive and highly detrimental to the interest of the nation.”

    The organisation wondered why a group – Human Rights and Justice Group International chose to hide under the banner of CSOs to attack the NYSC and by extension the unity of the country without any justification.

    Semaka said: “This is not the first time a self-styled group will call for the scrapping or suspension of the Scheme and we, like many Nigerians, must rise up in defense of the mandate of the scheme as given to us by our founding fathers.

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    “Military barracks and Police Stations have also been attacked in most parts of the country but nobody has asked for the disbandment of the military or police, why is the case of NYSC different?

    “For the unpatriotic groups and individuals calling for the disbandment of the Scheme as a solution to insecurity in the country, it is important to remind them that the NYSC is not a security agency. The reported incidents of kidnapping or death of Corps members and indeed that of any Nigerian is a painful and emotionally traumatizing experience that is highly regrettable but it is not the NYSC that should be held responsible.

    “It is equally unpatriotic to blame security personnel directly because they are doing their best, even though there’s room for much improvement. Asking for the suspension of the Scheme is therefore, totally out of context as one cannot ask that a hospital be shut down because a few patients have died of a particular disease.

    “What all Nigerians, including those calling for the suspension of the NYSC should do is to assist security personnel with the right intelligence to safeguard their communities from criminals. One thing is clear, suspending the scheme won’t end insecurity in the country.

    “We must remember the objectives of the NYSC scheme, especially that of fostering unity and social interactions amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country. As a post-civil war initiative, the founding fathers of the Scheme were deliberate in ensuring that educated young Nigerians be given the opportunity to interact across cultural divides and foster unity and oneness.”

  • Fake certificates: Minister calls for more resilient NYSC mobilisation system

    Fake certificates: Minister calls for more resilient NYSC mobilisation system

    • Scheme introduces more verification features to forestall fake membership

    The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, has called for the enhancement of existing framework to create a more resilient and foolproof National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation system.

    Ibrahim spoke at the opening ceremony of the NYSC 2024 Batch ‘A’ pre-mobilisation workshop, with theme: Unlocking Innovative Solutions to the Challenges of the Mobilisation Process, yesterday in Abuja.

    The minister said the issue of fake certificates had gained public attention and prompted the Federal Government to begin an investigation, demonstrating the collective dedication to purge the system of fraudulent practices.

    She also said the ongoing effort by the NYSC to stem the menace through rigorous verification processes demonstrated the scheme’s commitment to upholding integrity.

    Ibrahim noted that “recognising the menace posed by fake certificates and related fraudulent activities to the mobilisation process underscores the need for restructuring of the system”.

    She added: “Bringing critical stakeholders, such as this workshop, will lay the groundwork for innovative solutions that will combat fraudulent practices.”

    Ibrahim also said the collaborative effort symbolised a significant step towards continuous improvement and establishing a more robust system that benefits the youth and the nation at large.

    Read Also: NYSC makes NIN mandatory for registration

    The minister stressed that though the NYSC scheme ranked among the most enduring platforms that historically played a significant role in promoting national unity, “Nigeria’s evolving economic and social landscape now calls for major restructuring”.

    She added: “This is to ensure that the scheme effectively meets current and future challenges, as the restructuring will transform the NYSC into a key driver of youth empowerment and economic development.”

    The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, told reporters that more features had been added to verify prospective youth corps members.

    He said: “We will continue to guard against fake mobilisation as we have also introduced a lot of new innovations.

    “Before, we were using two thumbprint features, but this time round, we are adopting the 10 finger thumbprint, then the facial recognition feature.

    “There are also other verification features that we do not need to say here so that we do not sell out our innovations because the more you change your style, the more they adopt other means to make sure that they break through.

    “However, we are making a lot of efforts to make sure that we guard our system against fake youth corps members. With these new innovations, fake mobilisation will be very difficult.”

  • NYSC makes NIN mandatory for registration

    NYSC makes NIN mandatory for registration

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has made the registration of the National Identification Number (NIN) mandatory for its national service.

    The scheme said the NIN would be used to mobilise corps members for this year’s service.

    It insisted that prospective corps members without the number would not be mobilised for national service.

    In a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, the NYSC said: “Starting from 2024 mobilisation, all the eligible prospective corps members are expected to register for mobilisation with their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

    “This was part of the deliberations during the meeting of NYSC Management led by the Director General, Brig.-Gen. Y. D. Ahmed with the Management of National Identification Management Commission, led by its Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote in Abuja today (Thursday).

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    “Brig.-Gen. Ahmed said the collaboration with NIMC on corps mobilisation would strengthen the online registration process for the scheme.

    “He added that the NYSC integrated system that was introduced in 2014 has tremendously assisted the scheme in its mobilisation process, but there is need for improvement.”

    Coker-Odusote promised the readiness of the commission for the collaboration between both agencies.

    She lauded the NYSC mobilisation protocols and the scheme’s efforts towards molding corps members for leadership responsibilities for over fifty years of its operations.

  • Why we made NIN mandatory for registration, by NYSC

    Why we made NIN mandatory for registration, by NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has explained why it made the National Identification Number (NIN) mandatory for registration for national service.

    The Scheme said the NIN would be used to mobilise corps members for the 2024 service.

    It insisted that prospective corps members without the number would not be mobilized for national service.

    The organization said it took the decision during the meeting of NYSC management led by the Director-General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed with the management of the National Identification Management Commission, led by its director-general, Abisoye Coker-Odusote in Abuja.

    In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa the NYSC said: “Starting from the 2024 Mobilisation Exercise, all the eligible Prospective Corps Members are expected to register for Mobilisation with their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

    Read Also: How undercover reporter enrolled twice on NYSC portal, by spokesperson

    “This was part of the deliberations during the meeting of NYSC Management led by the Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed with the Management of National Identification Management Commission, led by its Director General, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote in Abuja today.

    “The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said the collaboration with NIMC on Corps Mobilisation would strengthen the online registration process for the Scheme.

    “He added that the NYSC Integrated system that was introduced in 2014 has tremendously assisted the Scheme in its mobilization process, but there is a need for improvement.”

    Coker-Odusote promised the readiness of the commission for the collaboration between both agencies.

    She lauded the NYSC mobilization protocols and the Scheme’s efforts towards molding corps members for leadership responsibilities for over fifty years of its operations.

    The NIMC boss said the synergy will simplify the entire mobilization process and also address multiple issues.

    She added that the commission has partnered with several government agencies while promising to present the best services to the nation.

  • How undercover reporter enrolled twice on NYSC portal, by spokesperson

    How undercover reporter enrolled twice on NYSC portal, by spokesperson

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has given details on how an undercover reporter, Umar Audu, who had mobilised for the compulsory one-year programme in 2019, did the same last year.

    Speaking yesterday on Channels Television, NYSC’s Director of Public Affairs Eddy Megwa said the reporter changed his email address and phone number, which enable him to get drafted again into the scheme.

    “It is not that we don’t have checks and balances in place to detect possible breaches of the system. When the undercover reporter first put in his data, the system rejected him because he had served in the scheme before. He later changed his email address and his phone number, which made the system to accept him. And he was initially posted to Osun State.

    “He did that because he was out for a particular purpose. We are looking at the situation and ensure that it does not happen again. We don’t have a database of graduates to serve in the scheme. We only rely on the lists sent to us by the Senates of the various universities, stating the number of graduates to expect from them,” he said.

    The NYSC spokesman said the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) was introduced three years ago.

    Megwa said he could not decipher why the differences in the reporter’s biodata in the NIN and what the reporter put in for his second mobilisation were not enough for the scheme to detect he had enrolled before.

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    On the measures the scheme intended to take to know if people with foreign certificates qualify to take part in the scheme, he said: “It is not our duty to assess their certificates. But we have resorted to inviting foreign students and giving them tests to know their abilities.

    “In the course of doing that, we have made startling discoveries. Ask some of them to write a simple essay, and you will be surprised at what you get. I have some of such materials that I can show you. The NYSC is an elite scheme, not for illiterates; and the means of communication is English language.

    “In 2006, the then DG of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Momoh, went to an orientation camp and asked a supposed corps member the title of his final project. The answer he gave was incredulous. Further investigation revealed that his name was smuggled into the list of graduates from a particular university.”

    Megwa said the scheme was partnering the Federal Ministry of Education, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other agencies to track people going for foreign studies and when they return with their certificates.

  • NYSC member distributes wheelchair, sanitary pads, towels to disabled persons in Katsina

    NYSC member distributes wheelchair, sanitary pads, towels to disabled persons in Katsina

    A serving National Youth Service Corps member, posted to Katsina State, Hope Bitrus. M. With State Code KT/23A/.0540,yesterday distributed wheel chairs to 70 less privileged persons, including sanitary pads and towels to 200 women in the state.

    The Corps member told newsmen at the event which took place at the NYSC orientation camp, Mani road, Katsina that the effort was part of her Community Development Service (CDS) and service to humanity.

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    She also disclosed that she had organised training programs on menstrual Hygiene for three selected Secondary School Students in Katsina metropolis.

    According to her, she embarked on the project out of empathy rather than Sympathy.

    She said, “I came across some of the disabled along my way to the place of primary assignment on daily bases and each time they beg for harms, i felt how they were surviving especially their movement from one place to another.”

    “I started having sleepless nights thinking how i could do something to assist the less privileged.”

    She called on the people of Katsina and Nigeria, not to stigmatize the disabled but to show them love.

    The NYSC Katsina State Coordinator Hajiya Aisha Muhammad while speaking at the event, commended the Corps member for the initiative.

  • NYSC secures release of corps members kidnapped in Zamfara 

    NYSC secures release of corps members kidnapped in Zamfara 

    The National Youth Service Corps has secured the release of two females prospective corps members kidnapped in Zamfara State on their way to the Orientation Camp in Sokoto State.

    The Army had secured the release of two victims.

    A statement by NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, said efforts are ‘on to ensure the safe release of the remaining four prospective corps members’.

    Seven prospective corps members from Akwa Ibom State were abducted on August 17 in Zamfara State on their way to the camp. The kidnappers demanded N200 million.

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    The statement reads: “The NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Y.D Ahmed reassures the public, especially parents of the remaining four victims, that we would explore every available strategy to ensure they are released unhurt and reunited with their families.

    “Management also appreciates the overwhelming support from the Army in its concerted efforts towards securing the release of the victims. The Scheme will always remain resolute in its statutory responsibility of fostering national unity and integration.”