The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NYSC

  • NYSC members receive Sultan’s awards in Sokoto

    Two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Aminat Dauda from Ogun and Gbenga Osuntan from Ondo State have received the Sultan’s awards for Excellent Service in Sokoto rural communities.

    The Sokoto State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Philip Enaberue, made this known in an interview with the our reporter in Sokoto on Friday.

    He commended Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar for the gesture which served as a motivation for corps members.

    Enaberue said the recipients served with the 2017 Batch A, Stream II, in remote communities in Tangaza and Gada Local Government Areas.

    He explained that the awards: “Best Behaved Male and Female Corps Members’’, were instituted to encourage corps members to stay and serve diligently in the rural areas, especially remote places.

    According to him, the Sultan’s Personal Secretary, Alhaji Hali Machiddo, presented sets of Plasma Televisions with N100, 000 prizes to each awardee.

    The NYSC coordinator said that the monarch’s effort was geared at encouraging corps members not to over-concentrate in the urban areas, where their services would be under-utilised.

    Enaberue said that the services of corps members were more needed by the rural dwellers.

    “We are hopeful that some corps members from the state will get Presidential awards as the committee begins to screen nominations from states,” the coordinator said.

    He said that the NYSC had partnered with some agencies to impart business skills to corps members for them to be productive during and after service.

    Enaberue said that the Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria, Heritage Bank and poverty eradication agencies had been granting loans to some corps members to promote entrepreneurship programme.

  • NYSC counsels foreign graduates as 2018 batch B registration commences

    The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) has advised Nigerian graduates residing abroad to use personal digital scanner for thumbprint to enable them complete online registration for the forthcoming 2018 batch”B” orientation.

    Muhammed Momoh, NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, made this known in an interview with Our reporter on Thursday in Lagos.

    Momoh added that the foreign based graduates could also defer the thumbprint part of the registration until their arrival in Nigeria ahead of the orientation.

    “For the foreign based graduates who find it difficult to apend their thumbprint to their registration in our portal, it is adviseable for them to get a personal digital scanner to be able to do that.

    “In the alternative, a window is open for them to come home one week after the registration portal closes to be able to upload their thumbprint.

    “The registration portal will be closed one week before orientation commences” he said.

    Thenationonlineng.net reports that the NYSC registration portal opened on July 10 and will close on July 16 while the orientation camp will open on Tuesday, July 24.

    Some foreign based students had earlier reported difficulty in uploading their thumbprints on the NYSC portal which was a major requirement for the online registrationl for mobilisation.

  • NYSC DG urges corps members to be neutral

    The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has urged corps members who will officiate at the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State to be neutral.

    Kazaure urged the corps members to be used as ad hoc staff to be apolitical, discharge their duties with the fear of God and not to be used by politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud.

    He said the whole world is watching them, hence they should work hard towards making the election a credible and transparent process to make the NYSC proud of them.

    Kazaure, who addressed the corps members at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion on yesterday, urged them to display high level of patriotism, neutrality and integrity in order to make the election credible and transparent.

    Represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the NYSC National Secretariat, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, Kazaure urged them to contribute towards ensuring that the will of the people prevailed at the poll.

    While urging the corps members to discharge their duties  without fear or favour, Kazaure assured that security agencies have promised to ensure their safety during the election.

    The NYSC chief called on them to work with the guideline already given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said: “I am here today to admonish you to make the scheme and indeed the nation proud for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    “You are expected to be apolitical and be neutral. Do not associate with the politicians. It is the turn of Ekiti and your turn to do what is right and expected of you.

    “Be security conscious and I want to inform you that security agencies have assured us of your safety before, during and after the election.

    “All you need to do is to follow the guideline given to you by INEC.

    You will be given allowance by INEC so, don’t be moved by politicians and money.”

    Also speaking, Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Emmanuella Okpongete said corps members had been trained and sensitized to carry out the all important assignment.

    She urged security agencies to keep to their words by ensuring the security of lives and property of corps members during the course of the election.

  • Ekiti 2018: NYSC DG urges corps members to be neutral

    The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has urged corps members who will officiate at the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State to be neutral.

    Kazaure urged the corps members to be used as ad-hoc staff to be apolitical, discharge their duties with the fear of God and not to be used by politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud.

    He said the whole world is watching them hence they should work hard towards making the election a credible and transparent process to make the Service proud of them.

    Kazaure who addressed the corps members at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion on Wednesday urged them to display high level of patriotism, neutrality and integrity in order to make the election credible and transparent.

    Represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the NYSC National Secretariat, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, Kazaure urged them to contribute towards ensuring that the will of the people prevailed at the poll.

    Read Also: NYSC to investigate Finance Minister’s exemption certificate

    While urging the corps members to officiate at the poll without fear of favour, Kazaure assured that security agencies have promised to ensure their safety during the election.

    The NYSC chief called on them to work with the guideline already given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said: “I am here today to admonish you to make the scheme and indeed the nation proud for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    “You are expected to be apolitical and be neutral. Do not associate with the politicians. It is the turn of Ekiti and your turn to do what is right and expected of you.

    “Be security conscious and I want to inform you that security agencies have assured us of your safety before, during and after the election.

    “All you need to do is to follow the guideline given to you by INEC. You will be given allowance by INEC so, don’t be moved by politicians and money.”

    Also speaking, Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Emmanuella Okpongete said corps members had been trained and sensitized to carry out the all-important assignment.

    She urged security agencies to keep to their words by ensuring the security of lives and property of corps members during the course of the election.

  • Buhari orders probe of death of NYSC member

    …Condoles families of dead NYSC members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered independent investigation of the death of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Miss Ifedolapo Oladepo in Kano State.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President’s fresh probe is to unravel the true circumstances surrounding her death.

    The President also commiserated with the families of three NYSC members who lost their lives recently during the 2016 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Programme in three States of the Federation, including Ifedolapo.

    He described the demise of the young Nigerians as “shocking, sad and unfortunate,” noting that they died in the course of answering the national call to serve.

    He urged the families, friends and associates of the deceased to be consoled by the knowledge that their loved ones paid the supreme price while on national service and not for ignoble reasons.

    President Buhari also extended condolences to the Director-General and Management of the NYSC over the transition of the youth corps members, Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme, in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.

    While enjoining the Management to do all within its powers to protect the lives of those under its charge, the President called on parents and guardians of current and potential NYSC participants not to panic over the recent tragic deaths.

    He prayed that God will grant the souls of the depa

  • NYSC to investigate Finance Minister’s exemption certificate

    The National Youth Service Corps said on Monday that it has launched an investigation into an alleged fake exemption certificate in possession of Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

    The organisation, in a three paragraph statement issued on Monday by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Adeyemi Adenike, confirmed that the minister applied for an exemption certificate from the NYSC.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the issue of the alleged forgery of an NYSC Exemption Certificate by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

    “Checking our records, Mrs. Adeosun did apply for an Exemption Certificate.

    “We shall investigate the origin of the purported Exemption Certificate in question.”

    An online publication, Premium Times had reported that the Minister skipped the mandatory one year national service and obtained a forged exemption certificate.

    Adeosun is yet to respond to the publication at press time.

  • Obiano present cash gifts, laptops to 11 ex corps members

    Eleven NYSC members of 2016 Batch B Stream II set were yesterday rewarded by the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for distinguishing themselves during their one year national service in the state.

    The awardees, nine males and two females, were rewarded with Governor’s and State’s Awards, comprising of cash donations and laptops.

    Speaking during the award presentation ceremony in Awka, the governor commended them for their patriotism, commitment and resilience during their service year, which stood them out from their peers.

    Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonadventure Enemali, said the award was in demonstration of the importance the state attaches to hard work and selfless service both to the state and the nation.

    “It is not an easy feat to emerge the best out over two thousand corps members who were deployed to the state with you for the national service.

    “You proved yourself as leaders by not only identifying the problems in your host communities, but finding ways of solving them,” he said.

    The governor reminded them that expectations from them were high which they could afford to toy with, challenging them not to relent in their future endeavours.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr kehinde Aremu, said the award beneficiaries were subjected to a rigorous selection process, including their participation in the orientation course and Community Development Service as well as their conduct all through the service year.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Thomas Effiong, a first class graduate of Business Education and Accounting from University of Uyo, expressed appreciation to the governor for the gesture.

    He pledged to invest the money into rice production, a business he said he commenced soon after his service.

  • FRSC confirms death of two corps members in Bayelsa

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two Corps members in an auto crash in Bayelsa.

    Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, State Sector Commissioner told our reporter in Yenagoa that two other corps members were injured in the incident.

    “Yes, the incident occurred on Monday at Swali Bridge in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa; the Tricycle the Corps Members boarded was hit by a Tipper.

    “The two among them have died while the other injured two are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa.

    “Today, Tuesday, our personnel will be going to the hospital to check how they are responding to treatment,” Igwe said.

    Read Also: NYSC assures corps members of protection

    Reacting to the incident, Mrs Loto Bolade-Omolayo, State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) described the incident as “unfortunate.”

    “Two of the corps members died as a result of the injuries sustained during the accident, while the other two are being treated by a team of competent consultants at the FMC.

    “The NYSC family is saddened by this sudden lose. We commiserate with their families on this unfortunate incident and pray for the repose of the souls of the dead and quick recovery of the injured corps members,” she stated.

  • NYSC assures corps members of protection

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) has assured corps members serving in volatile states of adequate protection.

    Its Director-General, Suleiman Kazaure, gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of a training organised for NYSC’s Protocol Officers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Abuja, on Thursday.

    Kazaure, who was represented by Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Bose Okakwu, said the organisation has put in place security measures to ensure the safety of corps members in their primary place of assignments following increased killings in North Central and other parts of the country.

    He said: “You know NYSC is a human organisation. We feel whatever happens anywhere just the same way we did in the north east too. We are very responsible. We will work with the Act and ensure that the lives of our corps members are safe as well.

    Read Also: NYSC DG warns corps members against traveling, night parties

    “We do not withdraw corps members, you know that but we have plans which we cannot discuss in the open. Security plans are not discussed in the open.

    The DG said the training was organised to improve the productivity and performance of its protocol officers.

    “We therefore expect that at the end of the training we will have better protocol officers,” he said.

    The Director, Special Duties, Hilary Nasamu, said there was need for protocol officers of the organisation to improve their performance in line with “emerging trends.”

    “I am confident that participants will take advantage of this opportunity for personal and professional development by paying adequate attention to presentations as well as making valuable contributions,” he said.

  • Good warning by NYSC

    •But corps members on electoral duties should be protected to give their best

    AS the nation prepares for the 2019 elections, citizens and organisations have become popular targets of advice. For example, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has repeated its advice to citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), without which they cannot vote. This advice is in order. Citizens should not leave electoral choice to only citizens who choose to sacrifice time and energy to collect their PVCs.

    We also urge INEC to ensure that all those who registered for PVCs get them, even if it means extending the time for collection. In the same vein, citizens who registered must ensure they go to the required places to collect their PVCs.

    More importantly, however, is the warning by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),  Brigadier-General Suleiman Kazaure, to corps members recruited as temporary electoral officials to shun any electoral misconduct in the forthcoming national and sub-national elections. Brigadier-General  Kazaure emphasised the importance of probity for NYSC members called upon to serve the nation as electoral officials: “The NYSC would not undermine the goodwill it has built over the years through the misconduct of corps members … The welfare and security of all corps members remain the priority of the management of the scheme.”

    This is an advice well given. It is necessary for NYSC to stress that its members’ safety and welfare while serving as electoral officials are the responsibility of the electoral commission, the Federal Government and the security agencies. NYSC members had been involved in the conduct of elections since 2011, in the first presidential election between General Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    Some of the members who assisted INEC then got killed during the disturbances that followed the election results in some parts of the North. There were reported cases of some NYSC members running away with election materials in 2015 in some southern states. It is, therefore, proper for the director-general to warn those under his charge about the need for vigilance and good conduct.

    Given reports of electoral malpractices since NYSC members’ participation in elections, the bulk of negative reports about electoral misconduct and violence before and during elections had been about politicians and their supporters who see election as a “do-or-die” affair. More negative reports of electoral misconduct have also been about full-time INEC members rather than ad-hoc NYSC members. However, it is reassuring that President Buhari is calling stridently for free, fair, and violence-free elections.

    As ad-hoc electoral staff are the weakest link in the electoral chain, NYSC members need to be fully protected from politicians given to unwholesome conduct, and their irrational supporters ready to suborn and intimidate electoral officials. INEC should ensure that NYSC members are properly accommodated and adequately protected before and during the elections. It is risky to house them in school buildings that can be easily infiltrated by desperate politicians without scruples. Further, security men in charge of elections ought to be as straight as arrow in the performance of their duty as we have also seen cases where some unscrupulous security agents constitute a threat to free, fair, and peaceful elections, as well as to the young men and women on loan from theNYSC.

    But it is necessary for NYSC members on electoral duty to remember that, like other electoral officers, they are liable to be punished for any electoral infractions. More importantly, all law and order agents in charge of elections, as well as INEC officials in all polling booths should provide the right model of conduct for the NYSC members, by showing without fail that they are friends of  democracy and fair elections and not of any party or candidate.