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Tag: NYSC

  • ‘NYSC may reduce on-line registration fee’

    ‘NYSC may reduce on-line registration fee’

    Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) might reduce the N4,000 being charged for on-line registration and other services, from the next service year, it was learnt yesterday.

    The Director, Public Relations Unit, Bose Aderibigbe, spoke yesterday on the outcome of the meeting between NYSC Director-General, Johnson Olawumi  and the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Affairs, Jude Imagwe.

    She said the amount being paid was not just for the printing of the call-up letters, but also for the operation and provision of infrastructural amenities in NYSC camps and the  37 secretariats.

    “These Internet and manpower facilities are to ensure easy operation of prospective corps members,” Aderibigbe said.

    She said the NYSC management would meet the head of SIGMAT Technologies on the reduction.

    “It may not be possible now, but subsequently, if it is possible, the public will know,” the director added.

    According to her, the  computerisation of the scheme was not to reduce the workforce.

  • Computerisation not to sack workers, says NYSC

    The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has said the on-going computerisation of the scheme was not to reduce its workforce.

    The Director, Corps mobilisation of the NYSC, Anthony Ani, who spoke with reporters  in Abuja on the recent controversy that followed the payment of N4000 for printing of NYSC call up letter and other services, said the payment was optional.

    He said the N4,000 was neither for the scheme nor the schools producing sending the corps members as alleged in some quarters.

    He said: “The NYSC scheme in a bid to improve its operation in line with globalisation takes advantage of cutting-edge technology and went into partnership with a private company, Messrs SIDMACH Technologies Nigeria Limited, for full computerisation of the mobilisation process of the scheme.”

    He said workers of the scheme that will educate prospective corps members on the full computerisation of the mobilisation process have already been sensitised.

    Ani said the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) became necessary in view of some irregularities associated with analogue method.

    The innovation, he said, would reduce stress associated with registration and collection of call up letters. The N4000 fee attached to printing of corps members call up letters, according to him, was for the infrastructure to be deployed by the firm.

    “It is noteworthy that while many people have lauded the project, a few others have raised observations on the payment of N4,000 by prospective members, who are to use the ICT platform to register,” he said.

    He explained that the project was on public-private partnership initiative, and that the company would build ICT infrastructure in all the states orientation camps, which would be linked to the one at the NYSC headquarters, in Abuja.

    For the past 41 years of its existence, Ani said the scheme had been handling mobilisation of corps members through analogue method, which is replete with all sorts of irregularities.

    “We cannot afford to rely on the old analogue system,” Ani maintained, adding: “All this will be a thing of the past, as we use cutting-edge technology to improve and enhance the content and character of all our operations.”

  • Why we introduced online registration, by NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday said insecurity in some states was responsible for the introduction of the online registration for prospective corps members.

    It said the online format, though optional, would sanitise the system.

    In a statement by its Director for Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Olubunmi Aderibigbe, NYSC said the initiative was “designed in the best interest of corps members”.

    Debunking insinuations that the scheme was to exploit corps members, NYSC said: “The attention of the NYSC Board has been drawn to some reports, which suggest a misunderstanding of the online registration for the mobilisation of corps members and the rationale behind it. We hasten to say that the idea is not only noble but was designed in the best interest of the corps members.

    “Given the security challenge in some states and the observed cumbersome process of collecting call-up letters in most institutions, the idea was conceived to remove impediments that make the mobilisation process a nightmare for graduates.

    “For instance, in this day and age, we saw no need for a graduate to travel hundreds of kilometres with all the associated risks to collect his/her call-up letter.

    “By registering online, the idea that any unscrupulous official could make the process of collecting the call-up letter difficult for corps member is eliminated.

    “The online registration also renders service evasion by prospective corps members practically impossible, while those who sign the Community Development Service (CDS) attendance register through proxies will henceforth realise the futility of such fraudulent practice.

    “The initiative will also help to facilitate proper and adequate record on relocated corps members. Notwithstanding the obvious merits of the initiative, the NYSC management has deliberately made the online registration optional for those who may choose to travel to their schools to collect their call-up letters.

    “It is, however, noteworthy that since the commencement of this initiative, we have witnessed high level of acceptance from graduates see its benefits, some of which are: easy mobilisation for graduates; creation of a reliable platform for storage and retrieval of data for participating graduates; and removal of excruciating registration experiences in camps for both corps members and officials.”

    On why it charges fees for the online registration, the NYSC said: “It is as a result of competing needs. The lean purse of the scheme cannot fund such a massive deployment of technology commensurate with the desired efficiency, accurate data and seamless operations.

    “Therefore, in 2013, the scheme decided to key into the Federal Government’s approved national policy on Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a veritable tool for building a world-class infrastructure that would drive the process.”

  • NEMA provides relief materials for 12,000 displaced persons

    NEMA provides relief materials for 12,000 displaced persons

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday distributed relief materials to about 12,000 persons taking refuge in two camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The beneficiaries abandoned their homes following attacks by the Boko Haram sect on Bama, Kawuri and Damboa.

    The camps, located at the NYSC Orientation Camp and Yerwa Government Girls Secondary School, Maiduguri, were opened to provide temporary shelter for the displaced persons.

    NEMA’s Director-General Muhammad Sani Sidi, who was represented by Dr. Zannah Mohammed, said: “The Federal Government is concerned about the condition of the displaced persons and committed to doing everything possible to ease their plight. The choice of the two camps was based on the facilities and security available.

    “Besides the relief items delivered to the camps, the agency would provide further assistance to the people after the restoration of stability and their return home.”

    Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the Chairman of the Borno State Committee on Displaced persons, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, thanked the Federal Government for its support.

    The relief materials, which were conveyed to the camps in six trucks, included bags of rice, millet and beans, mattresses, blankets, sanitary items, detergents, drugs, clothes, soaps and noodles, among others.

  • NYSC to deploy screening machines to orientation camps

    NYSC to deploy screening machines to orientation camps

    The Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Brig.-Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi has said he may deploy screening machines to orientation camps, if the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) continues to spread.

    This, he said, would enable the NYSC to detect the health status of corps members and prevent the spread of the EVD among the corps members during their stay in the camps.

    Olawumi spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the beginning of the NYSC/State Governments’ Collaboration on Monthly Environmental Sanitation.

    The NYSC chief said the scheme had integrated the camps’ clinics into the states’ plan to combat the spread of the EVD.

    He urged Nigerians to always maintain clean environment and personal hygiene.

    Olawumi said relevant government agencies should work together to curtail the spread of the disease, which has killed over 1,000 in West Africa.

  • Photos: Emerging leaders conference

    Photos: Emerging leaders conference

  • Amosun advises corps members

    Amosun advises corps members

    OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged corps members to embark on community development projects to impact positively on the lives of residents of their places of assignments.

    He gave the advice yesterday at the closing ceremony and terminal parade of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2014 Batch B Orientation Course at Sagamu.

    The governor urged them to shun and discourage any act of violence that could put them in disrepute as leaders of tomorrow.

    He added that they should strive to be partners in progress in their communities.

    Amosun said the corps members should “keep the scheme’s flag flying in their quest for new grounds without attempting to drop the ball.”

    He urged the corps members to move and relate freely with their host communities and share the hopes as well as the aspirations of the people.

    “I want to congratulate you on the successful completion of the rigorous and captivating three-week orientation course. This one year of compulsory national service is a time your God-given talents and energy would be fully stretched from time-to-time.

    “Make sure you contribute your quota through selfless service to your host communities. I charge you to keep the flag flying and possibly, strive to break new grounds. Come up with ground-breaking community development projects that will impact positively on their lives.

    “As good ambassadors of the country to your various locations where you will spend the next one year, apply caution in your activities. Shun violence and discourage any act that can truncate the peace being enjoyed in the state,” Amosun added.

    The governor reiterated that the state’s board of the NYSC, which has been inaugurated, would see to the welfare of the corps members and strengthen the existing structure.

    He promised openness in partnering any willing individuals or organisations in the efforts to maintain the security of lives and property.

  • NYSC rejects 281 fake Corps members

    NYSC rejects 281 fake Corps members

    Two hundred and eighty one fake youth corps members were sent back at the orientation camp for the Batch ‘B’ 2014/2015 in Niger State, the Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Steven Ehoda-adi, has said.

    Two hundred and thirty female corps members, mostly expectant and nursing mothers, were exempted from taking part in the normal routine during the two weeks orientation.

    Ehoda-adi spoke yesterday to reporters after the closing ceremony of the orientation course in Paiko.

    He said the fake corps members had no call-up letters.

    According to him, most of the affected persons claimed that they lost their letters to armed robbers on their way to the camp, while others said they misplaced their letters.

    Ehoda-adi also said corps members with photocopies of the letters were turned back, “as the scheme does not accept such.”

    He said the 230 female corps members were not allowed to take part in the normal routine during the orientation on health grounds.

    Over 3,250 corps members yesterday completed their orientation.

    Niger State Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, while closing the camp, told the corps members that the unity of the country was not negotiable.

    He said: “The activities of the dreaded Boko Haram will further strengthen our unity.”

    Aliyu said their activities would soon be brought to an end.

  • ‘I’m not competing with anyone for anything’

    ‘I’m not competing with anyone for anything’

    Lawyer-turned general overseer of Ever Winning Faith Ministries, Ikeja, Lagos, Pastor Solomon Ojigiri, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on sundry issues relating to his church and Christendom. Excerpts: 

    How much has happened since we met last?

    Well, we have intensified our outreaches on Singles of Purpose. We held meetings in Ikeja and Lekki and had some really glorious moments. We talked about sex and had everyone comfortable enough to contribute.

    Some people gave their lives to Christ and those who have gone through rape came out for healing. The meetings were awesome and they asked us to come back again. So, we are planning to go back.

    You started out with Singles. Why was that?

    Actually, Singles of Purpose started in 2000. It was much later after we started ministry. I just found myself having a passion for relationship and marriage. While in school, I realised married people were always coming to me for counseling though I was a single.

    While on NYSC, I organised many fora for brothers and sisters. So, I started reading up on the area based on my passion. When we started out, I heard God telling me to help singles for a life without regret. So, we didn’t start out with singles but got into it along the line.

    What would be your reaction to gospel ministers who are specialists in one area or the other of the Bible?

    I believe very strongly that the fact is a specialist on one area does not mean he cannot teach on other aspects of the bible. I believe that our ministry is a faith-based ministry but you will find us teaching on many other areas. We have a special assignment to singles but we can’t dwell on that enough. For the church to be healthy, you have to teach on the whole bible.

    Some years ago, I was invited to minister in a church in Ibadan. The general overseer, who came from Lagos, was there. When I finished, he said he was the most surprised because he thought I could only preach on single issues. He confessed he was tremendously blessed.

    The fact that we talk on singles does not mean that is the only thing we do. I don’t think there is anything bad if a minister discovers what he is called to do, but for the church to be healthy, he has to offer balanced diet. It is balanced diet that makes one healthy.

    You can’t preach on only one subject and expect the church to be healthy. You must talk about faith, purity, holiness, prayer and everything in the scriptures.

    How about pastors who have branded their sermons only around one subject matter? Is that right a thing to do?

    You can discover your special assignment but cannot say you want your church to be known for something. You are a servant of God, not the owner of the church. It’s not for the product to determine what it would be but the manufacturer will do that.

    Some say pastors should be on full-time while others say they should find alternative means of livelihood to save church costs. Where do you stand on this?

    My view is that some people are called on full time ministry. For me, it is about conviction. I don’t feel there is anything bad if you are not doing it on full time based on conviction. The only challenge I have is to think that everybody must do ministry the way you are doing it. God has different assignments for different people with different methods. So, you have got to find what God wants for you.

    I know a man of God in Cameroon who believes he can combine ministry with being a Professor of Chemistry in Yaoundé. He believes God called him to be a professor and impact students. So, for me, it depends on what God called you to be and do. What is important is doing only what God wants you to do.

    I don’t want to live my life based on what others are doing. We may not have the same assignments or have the same convictions. So, for me, it’s about you and God.

    As a minister to singles, can you introduce mature waiting spouses or match-make people?

    When we talk of match-making, I tell people I don’t think it is bad to provide a platform for people to meet. What I think is wrong is if you say ‘why don’t you marry so so and so so person?’ But we do provide platforms for people to interact and exchange contacts.

    There are mature, highly-placed persons who come to me to ask if there is someone I can recommend for them to marry. My response is that it would be difficult for me to do that because I don’t know people intimate enough.

    So, you have never been tempted to hook people?

    Well, it is not common with me because I would want them to pray and be convinced. You know if they have storms tomorrow, they would see me as the devil that brought them together. I allow people to make the choices themselves while we only provide platforms for them to mingle.   

    Lately, there have been agitations that the process of how church funds are spent should be more democratised. How do you react to this?

    I believe there is no where anywhere that everybody determines how money is spent. In government, societies and communities, there are always people you entrust to make that decision. In government, we have voted for some people to determine how monies are spent. We can’t have a debate or national conference on that.

    In the church too, there are leaders entrusted with that responsibility. A pastor can always call the board of ministers who can debate and consider what they will spend on. I leave our Financial Committee to come up with the budget while I only share my visions with them.

    We brainstorm and determine how we want to spend the money. Sometimes, we can’t rule out the fact that there would be emergencies for which the church must respond. When our brethren had accident in 2009, we had to come in. They came for one of our programmes and had an accident on their way back to Abuja in Ile-Ife. We stepped in and paid for their hospital bills.

    That was an emergency that we had to take on. Sometimes, God also leads us to make some expenses. I was lying down here one day when God told me about the name of one of our mechanics. I later heard he had an accident. So, we had to raise funds for him.

    So, there is no way everybody can determine how church fund is spent but leaders have to take up the responsibility.

    How many branches do you have now?

    We have two in Lagos, one in Abuja and another one in Port-Harcourt. The church just started in Australia and we are planning to take off in Ilorin too.

    Is it that you don’t believe in expansion or chose to take your time to open new branches? 

    Well, I like to be sure God is involved in whatever I do. I don’t want to do something that He will not fund that will now put me under unnecessary pressure.

    I don’t believe in competing with anybody at all. I am not into ‘we started ministry together and he is way ahead of me’.  That does not bother me at all. What bothers me is doing what God wants me to do exactly. I discover that many African ministers are into fierce competition but I have decided to just do what God wants me to do. How fast I move does not bother me. I don’t mind supporting others at all.

    I recently saw Billy Graham ministries helping some villagers in Malawi and Rwanda. I told my wife that God will have us do something about it. I even started weeping. I was wondering why African churches can’t support a need in their own continent. Why does it have to take Billy Graham to raise support for villagers in Africa? The reason is that we are all busy opening branches and expanding our territories instead of doing what God wants us to do.

    So, ministerial success is not about expansion?

    It is not at all. It has nothing to do with the size of your congregation or the branches under you. It is also not about the car you drive or the jet you fly. You have to find a bible-based definition of success. It is not about things but your assignment in life.

    Making money is not wrong if God helps you to. You can make money and still be a failure. It is about the impact you are making and the lives you are touching.

    If making money is your motivation, then you will make all that you can and can all that you make and sit on it, like someone said. There are churches with billions stashed away while needs are there everywhere.

  • NYSC pensioners plan protest against IGI

    NYSC pensioners plan protest against IGI

    Pensioners of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under the old pension scheme, the Pay As You Earn (PAYE), are planning to protest against the Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI) over non-payment of their monthly pensions in the past six months.

    Its National President, Jim Oduak made this known in Abuja while informing the Director-General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Ms Nellie Meshack of the development.

    According to him, IGI is their underwriter and has constantly delayed their pensions.  He said the NYSC pensioners are suffering while many have died. He noted that some earn as little as N3,500 monthly pension, which is not paid promptly.

    He said the protest has not been carried out because they need to mobilise members from all over the country for it to hold at the IGI head office in Lagos.

    NYSC Board of Trustee Secretary, Benjamin Eriba said the Federal Government has paid money to IGI for their pension up to May this year, but the underwriter has only paid up to March. He said the firm was appointed for them in 1995, noting that they are considering changing the underwriter and appoint another.

    Meshack, however, warned that the Directorate would not hesitate to deal with erring underwriters, adding that she does not want to single out IGI as the Directorate has gotten complaints about others.

    She stressed that the issue around underwriters owing pensions is germane. “It is not right that underwriters hold on to pensioners’ money. It will seem as if President Goodluck Jonathan does not care about the plight of pensioners,” she said.

    She continued: “But anyone who stands in the way of the mandate, which is ensuring that pensioners get their pension benefits, we will fight such person or institution. It is a new regime with the establishment of PTAD for pensioners under the old pension system in the country.”

    She queried why the Board of Trustees would continue to employ IGI to manage their pension if they have constantly had problems with paying pensioners on time, adding that the Directorate will investigate and deal with the situation.

    IGI’s Managing Director, Rotimi Fashola, who spoke on telephone with The Nation, said IGI owes the pensioners only two months and not six.

    He attributed the delay to failure by the Federal Government to remit money regularly.