DG NYSC charges employers on security of corps members posted to their organisations

By Peter Usman://

The Director- General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has called on the employers across the country to pay particular attention to the security of Corps members posted to their organizations.

Brig. General Ibrahim said for the fact that Corps members are new in the environment; the need to effectively guide them on safety throughout their stay cannot be overemphasized.

The DG made the call on Wednesday in Abuja on the occasion of the 2021 edition of the Corps Employers Workshop, with the theme: Optimizing the NYSC/Corps Employers partnership for National Development in the context of the New Normal.

Ibrahim also enjoined employers to make some statutory welfare provisions for the Corps members such as transportation, reception/induction on arrival at the service location, accommodation with modest furnishing, transport to and from office or a reasonable amount of money in-lieu of same as well as free medical services and local allowances.

He said, “No doubt, these will be veritable sources of motivation for the Corps members, and will go a long way to engender productivity. The employers are also expected to apply appropriate sanctions against Corps members when they err as well as report details of wrongdoing and actions taken to the Scheme. 

“Employers are expected to issue monthly clearance letter to Corps members, who have worked and so, entitled to be paid the Federal Allowance. It is pleasing to note that the Scheme has been recording great success in the biometric registration and clearance of Corps members and, in the process, made perpetration of unwholesome practices extremely difficult.

“Management has also increased the regularity of our inspection of Corps members at their places of Primary Assignments, PPA with absentees duly sanctioned. Let me use this opportunity to warn that the Scheme will apply appropriate sanctions against Corps Employers and others found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism and abscondment of Corps members from service.

Speaking on the importance of the workshop, Ibrahim noted that the forum will obtain feedbacks from the strategic stakeholders on the strength, weaknesses and potentials of the Scheme as well as chart ways of strengthening its operations.

He said, this edition will also generate ideas that will enable the Scheme to continually weather the prevailing storms of COVID-19, security and other challenges.

The DG pointed out that the programme serves as an avenue for exchange of ideas on the improvement of their operations, especially through the provision of enabling environment for Corps members to render qualitative and efficient services.

On orientation course, Ibrahim stated that the comfort of Corps members during the Orientation programme remain one of the key Corps Welfare provisions, stressing that the management has continued to sensitize State Governments on the need to provide adequate facilities in the Camps.

“We have also been carrying out advocacy for States and Local Governments to provide Transit Camps and Corps Lodges in all the 774 Local Governments Areas in the country. We expect employers to also join in this advocacy and where you have provisions for Corporate Social Responsibility, always endeavour to assist in the provision, maintenance or upgrade of the aforementioned facilities” the DG said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido in his welcome address reiterated that AMAC is the highest employer of Corps members in the FCT, saying that they will continue to sustain the tempo despite challenges.

Candido implored all Corps employers to as a matter of prominence, attached unreserved premium on the security and welfare of Corps members, adding that they must desist from rejection of Corps members but rather treat them well.

He said, “Importantly, I admonish us to ensure effective engagement or utilization of all Corps members posted to us and, to ensure adequate support for their community development service projects, and to be responsive as well as to every other gray areas that the scheme franks at for mutual benefits”

The NYSC FCT Coordinator, Alhaji Suleiman Abdul in a vote of thanks expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty for granting the NYSC FCT the ability to host the occasion which he said will promote the synergy between the NYSC, Corps employers and other stakeholders.

Abdul said the workshop will in turn; culminate in the accelerated development of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

“On behalf of the NYSC Management, may 1, in a special way, appreciate the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA under the distinguished leadership of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello. The NYSC values the support and cooperation it enjoys particularly in the provision of the enabling environment for the Scheme to function in the FCT”