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Tag: NYSC

  • NYSC member murdered in Imo

    NYSC member murdered in Imo

    A member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) simply identified as Akpan has been strangled to death by yet to be identified assailants in Ezuhu Umuhu Okwuato autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise Council of Imo state.

    The victim whose body was discovered in his apartment by neighbours was tied up and his face covered with his shirt before he was murdered.

    According to an eye witness who does not want his name mentioned, “neighbours of the deceased became curious when they discovered that his door was opened and was not seen around the premises.”

    The source added tha; “when the neighbours entered the apartment they found the lifeless body of Apkan in a pool of his own blood with his legs tied and they promptly raised an alarm which attracted the attention of the members of the community who reported the matter to the Police.

    It was learnt that the late Apkan who was said to hail from Cross Rivers State, was last seen on that fateful day when he was fetching water from a nearby borehole.

    However, further investigations at the Christ the Saviour Secondary School, a private School in the community where the late corps member was a teacher, revealed that his death may not be unconnected with an alleged amorous affair with a young lady in the school which apparently had not gone well with another rival who was said to have been dating the said young lady before late corps member was posted to the community.

    It was gathered that the boy friend to the young lady had threatened to deal with the corps member if he fails to hands off his girl friend.

    When contacted the spokesman of the Imo state Police Command , Mr. Andrew Enwerem (DSP), confirmed the incident stating that some arrests has been made while investigations into the dastardly act has commenced in earnest.

  • NYSC to police: unravel Corps member’s death

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday urged the Kwara State Police Command to unravel the mystery behind the death of a corps member, Idowu Shukurat Yetunde.

    The corps, in a statement by the Director, Public Relations, Abosede Aderibigbe, said the deceased was last seen on May 23 when she informed her colleagues that she was going to Shoprite on Fate Road, Ilorin after which the news of her death was broken.

    Aderibigbe said the NYSC handled issues concerning corps members seriously, especially when it bordered on death and would unravel the mystery behind the death of the corps member.

    She said the Director- General, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, had sent a delegation to Ilorin, headed by the Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mr. Michael Ahile; Head of NYSC Legal Unit, Ibrahim Tijani Ahmed and Assistant Director, Protocol & Publicity, Mr. Eddy Megwa, to, among others, express his pains about the sudden death.

    Aderibigbe urged the security agents and monarchs to unravel the mystery behind Yetunde’s death.

    The statement said: “NYSC will not tolerate the abuse, harassment, intimidation and brutal killing of corps members deployed to serve their fatherland.

    “The management wishes to stress that it is the responsibility of Nigerians to ensure that corps members deployed in all parts of the country for the one-year mandatory service are assisted regarding their security and well-being. Efforts should be made to protect them.

    “Having visited the State Security Service, the Police Commissioner and the Emir of Ilorin, the management of NYSC is confident that all hands will be on deck to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

    “We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased.

    “We console the corps members serving in Kwara State and the entire country. It is our prayer that this unpleasant development will not reoccur.”

     

     

  • 3,056 NYSC members draw N778m from anti-poverty programme

    3,056 NYSC members draw N778m from anti-poverty programme

    A total of 3,056 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members nationwide have drawn N778, 350,000 from the NYSC War Against Poverty (WAP) programme since its inception, the Chairman, NYSC National Governing Board, Chief Gordon Bozimo disclosed yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    Chief Bozimo was at the Akwa Ibom State NYSC Camp at Ikot Itie Udung, in Nsit Atai Local Government Area as part of his nationwide assessment visits during the 2015 Batch ‘A’ Orientation camping.

    Speaking on a number of issues regarding the scheme and the current employment realities in the country, Chief Bozimo commented on the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, saying that NYSC management has in the last few years devoted great attention to it, drew inspiration from the Board and strengthened the original mandate of the Scheme by providing the Skill Acquisition/Entrepreneurship life-line in order to reduce unemployment, promote post-service self-reliance and ginger wealth creation.

    Encouraging the Corps members, the Chairman said apart from the numerous Skills Training Centers established by 17 State Secretaries across the nation, the Board had in partnership with the private sector established a Bakery and a water production factory at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Kubwa in Abuja, with the intention of replicating same in all six geo-political zones of the country.

    He advised the Corps members to take up and continue with the Skills and Entrepreneurship training for their own good, adding that the training does not prevent them from taking employment in sectors of the economy they so desire, but will give them an alternative platform to test their ingenuity, entrepreneurship ability and creative sources for extra income.

    In order to open up other sources of funding for trained Corps members to finance small and medium scale enterprises apart from the NYSC WAP, Chief Bozimo said the Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry to give easy access to loan facilities.

    He announced to the admiration of the Corps members the decision of the Board to liaise with relevant financial institutions for the deployment of mobile cash machines to all orientation camps. This, the Chairman said, is to check both security challenges and the demand for cash by Corps members while on Camp.

    He commended efforts of all tiers of government in making the scheme a success, advising them to be of good character and never to do anything that will dent the image of the body.

    He also commended the reports received about the 2015 Batch ‘A’ good behaviour, urging them to keep to it. He said the NYSC Scheme, through its policies and programmes, has made landmark contributions to the development and unity of the nation.

    He said the visits of the Board to Camps is to interact with Corps members, interact with State Governments and other stakeholders, with a view to finding solutions to challenges they are facing.  Such visits have resulted in new or extensively renovated camps in Jigawa, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Kaduna and other States, he added.

    He made several undisclosed amounts in donations to various sub-groups like the Brass Band, the Cultural Troupe and others, and also gave the Corps members a cow though monetized.

    He ordered the Camp management to discontinue the use of firewood for their cooking.

    The State Coordinator, Lady Ngozi Chukwuka, appreciated the efforts of the NYSC Board. She also informed the Chairman of the efforts of the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio in ensuring that life in the Camp is safe, as well as his several donations to the State NYSC. She however complained of power problem at the Camp, and asked for assistance from the national office to be able to tackle some of the issues, including cooking with fire wood which is necessitated by the large number of Corps members posted to Akwa Ibom.

     

  • Second NYSC batch to resume June 2

    Second NYSC batch to resume June 2

    The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said the second batch of corps members posted to Benue State for this year’s Batch ‘A’ will resume at the camp on June 2, instead of May 5 in their call-up letters.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Director of Public Relations, Bose Aderibigbe, the NYSC said the orientation course at the Benue camp, like in some other states, was planned to hold in two streams.

    The statement said the Stream I is scheduled to take place from May 5 to 25 and Stream II from June 2nd to 22.

    It explained that the Corps members assigned for the Stream II in Benue reported at the Camp between May 5 and 6, instead of their scheduled date of June 2 because of an error on their call-up letters.

    The NYSC added that the affected Corps members, who were originally scheduled to participate in the Stream II of the orientation course in Benue State, had been paid their transport fare to and fro the orientation camp, in line with their entitlements in the present circumstance.

    It said: “This is to enable them travel back home and return to camp on Tuesday, June 2.

  • My administration empowered youths – Jonathan

    My administration empowered youths – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the incoming government to retain and sustain all youth programmes for the benefit of the country.

    In a message to the 2015 batch ‘A’ corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Asaya in Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State, the President who was presented by the state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, said the outgoing administration had introduced training programmes, provided grants and loans as well as encouraged entrepreneurship to make youths self-reliant.

    President Jonathan his administration put in place many beneficial interventions that have increased the skills, self-confidence and self-sufficiency in Nigerian youths.

    He expressed delight over the unprecedented youths’ response to agriculture, adding that the youths have rediscovered their potentials thereby making adequate income and producing more food with modern, exciting techniques and equipment.

    He said, “Our government had been committed to supporting the NYSC scheme and positioning it firmly as a leading light of youth organization in the world.

    “I will expect that the necessary appropriation will continue to be provided to sustain the gains of the service corps and also provide the welfare and security need of all corps members throughout the nation.”

    He urged the incoming administration to sustain the youths’ programmes to reduce unemployment and restiveness.

  • 10 NYSC members, one soldier arrested in Akwa Ibom

    10 NYSC members, one soldier arrested in Akwa Ibom

    Though the governorship and state house of Assembly elections that took place nationwide Saturday was generally peaceful in Akwa Ibom State, 10  corps members and a soldier were reportedly arrested at  the home of a retired General and former NYSC Director, Gen. Edet Akpan, by men of the Department of Security Service for electoral offences.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr Austin Okojie gave this report while taking a break from the election to brief the press in Uyo, the state capital.

    Okojie who reacted to general complains about late arrival of result sheets and compromise by some INEC officials said INEC received sensitive materials on Tuesday, despatched to local government areas on Thursday for early dispatch to polling units.

    He regretted that the issue of late arrival of result sheets is never the policy of INEC, as the commission has no reason to withhold any sensitive material.

    “The issue of late arrival of result sheet should not even arise because we issue all the sensitive materials at once and have trained and warned our electoral officers against dispatching any electoral material to politicians.”

    Okojie who reported cases of violence in Uyo, Ibesikpo, Nsit Ubium and Mkpat Enin, Nsit Ibom and Etinan local government areas said these are basically security issues and commended security agencies for being alive to their responsibilities.

    He further reported prompt replacement of card readers in areas where a few were reported to have malfunctioned.

  • Polls: NYSC seeks better protection for corps members

    Polls: NYSC seeks better protection for corps members

    THE Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has appealed for better protection for corps members.

    He made the plea when he visited the Imo State Police Commissioner Austin Evbakhavbokun and the Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Brigadier General LM Bello.

    Brig.-Gen. Olawumi had earlier acknowledged the extra-vigilance of the security agents in the last presidential and National Assembly elections in ensuring the safety and protection of corps members.

    In a statement in Abuja by the scheme’s Director, Public Relations Unit, Abosede Aderibigbe, the director-general appealed to politicians to counsel their supporters to respect and protect corps members on electoral duties.

    The statement added that the DG, who addressed the corps members at the parade ground of the 34 Artillery Brigade, praised them for their conduct during the March 28 elections.

    He urged them not to fall prey to violence, logistics shortcomings or threats as well as accord the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections their best.

    Brig.-Gen. Olawumi cautioned the corps members to maintain neutrality in their duties and obey the electoral laws.

    Police Commissioner Evbakhavbokun and Brig.-Gen. Bello pledged commitment to ensure the safety of corps members.

    They urged the corps members to be confident and diligent in their electoral duties without compromising.

  • Guber polls: NYSC members flee Akwa Ibom

    Guber polls: NYSC members flee Akwa Ibom

    Some members of the National Youth Service Corps who are ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State have fled the state ahead of April 11 governorship and state house of assembly elections.

    Some of the corps members spoke with newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital Thursday.

    The corps members said they sent ‘Save Our Soul’ letter to the Director General of the NYSC through the State Coordinator, Lady Ngozi Chukwuka.

    The leader of the group, who only identified himself as Asuquo, said many of them became objects of attack following unavailability of sensitive materials in their polling units during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    He added that many of the corps members who had been trained by INEC and used in the presidential and national assembly elections and who are not from Akwa Ibom, had fled the state.

    He said: “During the Presidential and National Assembly elections, for instance Ward 11, Unit 2, Nkemba, Uyo, we were sent there but we were not given sensitive materials. Because of threats to lives of many of our members following the irregularities that took place during the presidential and national assembly elections, many corps members who are not from Akwa Ibom, have left the state for where they come from.”

    He stated that the voters did not believe that INEC did not supply them with sensitive materials as they had believed that they (the INEC ad hoc staff) were hoarding the materials for politicians that would pay them handsomely.

    He appealed to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Austin Okojie to ensure the availability of materials at the polling units before they are sent out to the field to conduct the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

    The letter by the corps members read: “We the undersigned youth corps members who are doing our national service in Akwa Ibom State and who have been recruited as ad hoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission have decided to send this ‘Save our Soul’ appeal to you to come to our aid.

    “Sir, we are constraint to write to you with respect to the forthcoming governorship and house of assembly election coming up on April 11.

    “Our experience during the last presidential election, where we were sent to the field without result sheets and other sensitive materials, exposed us to extreme danger, and this calls for sober reflection.

    “We only have God to thank that we lost only one female member in Abak and we do not want a repeat of it.

    “To this end, sir, we are appealing to you to use your good offices to direct the REC to ensure that no youth corps member should be sent out for electoral duties without giving him/her all the materials needed for the elections.

    “Equally important, sir, is the issue of security which must be put in place to ensure the safety of every youth corps member employed on electoral duties.”

  • NYSC: no plan to underpay corps members on electoral duty

    THE management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said yesterday that there was no plan to shortchange corps members serving as ad hoc workers in the on-going general elections.

    The NYSC, in a statement in Abuja by its Director, Public Relations Unit, Abosede Aderibigbe, denied an online publication misinforming Corps members that the allowance due to them for participation in the 2015 General Elections is N53,500.

    The NYSC said the originator of the false publication was also mobilising them to shun the next election on April 11, unless the money was paid.

    In the statement, the NYSC said: “Our preliminary investigation has so far indicated that this publication did not emanate from our Corps members and it is a mischievous circulation by some unscrupulous elements to discourage Corps members from participating in the next election for whatever reasons best known to them.

    “To correct the misinformation, management hereby wishes to put the record straight for public awareness and restate to Corps members in clear terms their true entitlement for the elections.

    “The allowances for each Corps member are as follows, training allowance of N4,500 only paid directly by INEC to Corps members for the training held before elections.

    “For each of the two elections, a Corps member is entitled to N13,000 only, which breaks down to  N9,000, N3,000 and N1,000 for honoraria, transportation and feeding respectively.

    “This implies that for the two elections, the total allowance due to each Corps member is N26,000 only.

    “The fund for these was approved by INEC and remitted directly into each of the NYSC state Secretariat’s account a week before the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    “Management has confirmed that the amount of N13,000 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections has been paid and any Corps member, who could not receive the payment latest 6pm on Tuesday April 7, should make a complaint through the necessary channels.

    “Also, management has directed that the N13,000 allowance for the  April 11 Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections should be paid in advance by all NYSC State Secretariats latest by Friday, April 10, 2015.

    “Corps members are however to note that for those who receive the advance payment for the  April election 11 and thereafter opt out of participation for whatever reason, the paid amount will be deducted from their April 2015 monthly allowance.”

  • NYSC denies death of corps members

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday denied a media report of the death of two corps members, who served as ad-hoc workers in Gombe State during the Presidential and the National Assembly elections.

    In a statement by the Director of Press, Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe, in Abuja, the corps said the two people, whose names were broadcast by Channels TV, were INEC ad hoc workers and not corps members serving as ad hoc workers.

    She, however, commiserated with the families of the deceased.