Following the nod given by the Federal Government to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to start planning for the next orientation exercise , the Imo State chapter has appealed to the State government to assist it in providing logistics to observe the COVID -19 protocols.
The State coordinator of NYSC, Suleman Abdul made the request when they paid a courtesy call to the State Task force on COVID -19, led by professor Maurice Iwu at the Government House, Owerri yesterday.
Abdul informed that in adherence to the protocol, the camp reduced its 600 intake to 200 per camp while they seek for another location at Orlu.
“We have started our preparations for the orientation exercise, we have sanitizers, handwashing machine and water, but we have our major problems which is to get logistic and support.
“Secondly, on collection of samples , we used first two days to collect samples , but we don’t have expertise , we need your help in this area.” Abdul said.
READ ALSO: Anambra govt Pledges Support for Safe NYSC Orientation Camp Resumption
Reacting to his request, Iwu assured the NYSC to relay their message to the governor, Hope Uzodimma, however, he added that he had no fear that their request will be granted, he also urged them to be agent of change by using corps members to sensitise the public.
“The Federal Government is very careful in reopening of schools, some of them that are sophisticated more than Africa opened their schools and came back, we have to be careful that this corps members are not the super spreaders themselves.” Iwu said.
News
The National Youth Service has agreed to partner National Blood Transfusion Service in the dissemination of messages on blood safety and voluntary non – remunerated blood donation to the Nigerian public.
This disclosure was made by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim while welcoming the National Coordinator of NBTS, Dr. Omale Joseph Amedu who was on a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director -General today in his office.
Gen Ibrahim, who eulogized successive batches of Corps Members on their contributions to national development, particularly the present of Corps Members who stood to be counted in the battle against COVID-19 with various inventions and donations of materials such as dispensers, face masks, sanitizers and liquid soaps, among others, revealed that the Scheme mobilizes an average of 350,000 Corps Members annually, which places it on a strategic position to drive the advocacy on blood safety and voluntary non- remunerated blood donation.
“I want to assure you of our cooperation in this regard, as putting the NYSC as a platform to sensitize Nigerians on your mandate is a welcome development. We will appoint Desk Officer that will liaise with you to kickstart the process”, Ibrahim said.
Earlier, the National Blood Transfussion Service had decried the low level of public awareness on voluntary blood donation in Nigeria. The agency said this emanated from deep cultural myths and misconceptions on voluntary blood donation by members of the public.
The National Coordinator, Dr. Amedu, who sought the partnership with the NYSC Scheme lamented the wide gap in demand and supply of safe blood units in the country.
He described NYSC Scheme as a veritable medium to achieve the mandate of national re-orientation on safe blood donation. Read Also :NYSC Documentation Explained
He added that the NBTS is poised to establish a National Strategic Blood Reserve for emergencies through Public-Private- Partnership that would create jobs, reduce poverty and generate revenue for the Government.
“The role of the youths in achieving these concepts cannot be over- emphasized. To achieve these initiatives, there is need to mobilize the youths which constitute about 85% of the voluntary non-renumerated blood donor pool”.
“In view of the need to have a robust national blood system and key into the World Health Organization’s Action Framework to advance access to safe, effective and quality assured blood production, the management of NBTS wishes to strengthen her mandate in collaboration with the NYSC”, Amedu said. Speaking further, he stated that the NBTS is working towards achieving One Million Safe Blood Units Initiative which will ensure that only safe blood is available for transfussion. Read Also: Nalda Set To Train NYSC Corps Members In Mechanized Farming
Amedu requested for the formation of National Blood Transfusion Service Safety Club NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) group and organization of health seminars during NYSC Orientation programme held nationwide.
He said the synergy with the NYSC would enable every NYSC voluntary donour know their blood group, free of charge, and also access free health check-up whenever they present themselves for pre-donation counselling and blood donation.
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, on Saturday, disclosed of training National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members on mechanized farming under the Back-to-Farm initiative towards enormous food production and job creation.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary, NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, during a virtual meeting with the Director-General, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and management.
Ikonne also expressed the readiness of NALDA to partner with NYSC to train corps members on new farming techniques with value chain benefits that would make them self-employed, produce food for the country and create wealth for themselves and also becoming an employer of labour.
He further stated that NALDA had designed a programme called, ‘Back-to-Farm’, in view of including corps members who are in great numbers among the Nigerian youth, which they would be actively engaged in agricultural training and incentives.
While speaking he described the corps as a veritable platform to harness skills of young Nigerians and graduates towards achieving self-employment and national development.
He said: “This is part of the agency’s mandate towards the implementation of the Federal Government’s agenda to ensure food sufficiency and diversify the nation’s economy.
“NALDA had designed a programme, titled; ‘Back to Farm’, where corps members would be actively engaged in agricultural training in a conducive environment with necessary incentives.
“The programme would enable Corps Members to engage in profitable mechanized farming.”
The NALDA boss also pointed that there are NYSC Farms across the country which could be used as training ground for corps members.
Meanwhile, the NYSC DG, General Shuaibu Ibrahim, commended the federal government for the initiative through NALDA, and also for the partnership move with NYSC under the initiative.
According to Ibrahim, the partnership will be of enormous benefit to corps members who most at times end up in the labour market waiting for white-collar jobs, but with the Back-To-Farm initiative basically designed for Nigerian youth, it would add value to their lives and secure their future as entrepreneurs along various value chains in the agricultural sector and contribute to the growth and development of the economy.
Also, the NYSC boss disclosed that the Scheme had mobilized over 350,000 corps members annually with different skills that would make them self-reliant and also employ other youth.
By Gabriel Ewepu
The National Youth Service Corps was conceptualized as a veritable vehicle to galvanize national unity and integration, speeding up the healing process of a country just emerging from the pains of a bloody civil war which left in its wake great devastations in both human and material terms, on both sides of the conflict.
The birthing of the Scheme in 1973 was a follow – up to the three Rs of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation pronounced by the Gen Yakubu Gowon administration at the end of the Biafra/Nigeria civil war in 1970.
The first set of Corps members who commenced service in July 1973 were graduates of the then existing Nigerian universities of the 1972/73 academic session who did so amid protests by the would – be Corps members, their parents and guardians. The students thought it’s not worth it, “wasting” a whole year to the so – called service to the nation, when companies were on queue to employ them, with guaranteed car loan and good life.
On the part of their parents and guardians, they felt that letting their sons and daughters travel to far – flung states constituted a heavy security risk, given that the wounds inflicted by the civil war were still fresh.
Notwithstanding the protests, the then Federal Military Government was resolute in going ahead with the establishment of the Scheme, having given due consideration to the perceived gains derivable from the Corps.
Therefore, 2364 graduates of the universities constituted the pioneer members of the Scheme, deployed to the then 12 states of Nigeria.
Interestingly, the Corps, having weathered so many existential storms has grown exponentially over the past 47 years, mobilising currently for service over 300,000 Nigerian youths, hence making it the biggest youth – mobilisation agency in the globe.
The question begging for answer is: After 47 years, who wants the Scheme dead, albeit instalmentally?
The traditional and new media were awash with the report of the Osibanjo – led Economic Sustainability Committee, recommending the suspension of the NYSC Orientation programme for two years. The Committee further proposed the deployment of Prospective Corps members from their higher institutions of graduation, straight to states of service.
The position of the Committee, doubtlessly fraught with so many flaws is manifestly antithetical to the philosophy behind the establishment of the Scheme as the Orientation camp introduces the Corps members to the service Scheme.
In fact, as an ex – Corps Member from the South West, a stakeholder of the Scheme that faithfully served in Niger State which broadened my horizon, I can aptly say that the Orientation camp is the launching pad for the one year national service. It affords Corps members a better understanding of the objectives of the Scheme; acquaints them with their environment in their political, cultural, social and economic setting, while preparing them for their particular roles in the Scheme.
The Orientation camp is a regimented environment which inculcates the spirit of discipline among the Corps members — a primary ingredient needed for national rebirth, by subjecting them to military drills; and educating them on nationalistic issues.
Above all, the Orientation camp lays the foundation for the much envisaged national unity and integration through the interaction of Corps members from diverse ethnic groups, social strata and religious backgrounds .
Lasting friendships cutting across tribe and religion have been built over the years; in addition to inter tribal marriages that arose as a result of exposure to the Orientation camp. Who then wants the NYSC dead?
Sadly, over the years, the NYSC Scheme has remained a hapless head that receives undeserved ruthless knocks from every Tom, Dick and Harry. Most of the challenges besetting the Scheme are extraneous to it.
Truly speaking, I don’t envy the managers of the Scheme, especially the PR managers who usually have a lot of explanations to offer when NYSC suffers vicariously for other agencies’ failings.
For instance, if a Corps member comes on harm’s way, even in his father’s house, as long as he’s a Corps member, the Scheme must take responsibility for his fate.
The NYSC is blamed for every wrong thing in Nigeria, from unemployment to insecurity. Some people would often ask derisively : After NYSC, what next? The rhetorical question is borne out of the spiraling unemployment situation in the country which of course is not the making of the Scheme, as Corps members can never be insulated from the vagaries of the economy.
It’s heartwarming to note that the Scheme answered the rhetorical question with the introduction of the NYSC skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme, which has in-camp and post-camp components.
While in the camp, Corps members are exposed to skill training in chosen skill sets and they continue with the training after the Orientation course.
From diligent investigation, a number of ex – Corps members have been able to set up thriving businesses, arising from the NYSC skill acquisition programme. READ: NYSC Orientation Camps To Be Used As Isolation Centres.
I have a female cousin who studied Architecture, but today earns a living from the business of hat, bag and shoe – manufacturing, employing and mentoring four employees.
Therefore, cutting off the Orientation programme which I hold as a veiled attempt to reach the jugular of the Scheme, will be akin to dealing an unkind cut to the youths.
NYSC unarguably remains the major youth programme in the country, and no amount of resources expended on youth – development is a waste. The youths are the future of this country, and the future of this country should not be toyed with.
I hastily posit that I consider giving focus to the youths as one of the greatest achievements of the Scheme. The Orientation camp is like a crucible that changes the perception of an average Corps member about life.
Is it not amazing that many cultists who drop the toga of cultism before entering the camp since the NYSC has zero tolerance for cultism leave the camp after three weeks with a refocused mindset, abandoning the figurative toga left at the entrance of the gate.
It’s still very doubtful that anyone who served the nation diligently as a Corps member would support tinkering with the soul of the NYSC — the Orientation camp, unless for political expediency, as pundits have begun to give political coloration to the recommendation of the Osinbajo — led Economic Sustainability Committee.
Many have alleged that the Scheme has become an albatross for so many politicians that evaded service, therefore they must conspiratorially snuff life out of the Scheme insidiously. READ NYSC Terms and Meaning
Who wants the NYSC dead? The Scheme is a microcosmic Nigeria. Killing the Scheme in any guise is akin to piercing the heart of the nation with a hot knife, which after all may give the day to the promoters of separatist movements and tribal jingoists.
Nigerians are watching the President to know his reaction. Will he acquiesce to the recommendation of the Committee which on the face value appears innocuous, but in reality a representation of a gold chalice, laden with poisonous venom?
– Akinola, a public affairs analyst
The decision to reverse or tamper with any part of a national program is a very sensitive one that requires deep thinking and reflection. Historical perspective rightly provides us an insight and ideas behind any establishment or creation.
Despite being the only living asset this country has bequeathed its youth, it is incomprehensible that the Economic Sustainability Committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will recommend that the NYSC orientation camp to be suspended for, at least, 24 months.
Formation of NYSC remains one good development that has kept us running as one Nigeria. Therefore, calling for suspension of first and one of its four cardinal programs amounts to erasure; a way of saying NYSC is no longer needed.
How come we are pushing hard to suspend a pivotal part of the only scheme that has given graduates across Nigeria institutions of higher learning the opportunity to see beyond their immediate societies, inculcate other peoples’ ways of life and contribute their quota to the fatherland?
While it is understandable that the coronavirus pandemic is currently shaking the world and has in fact crippled our economy in no small way, but it is still not enough to sacrifice the future of our youths on the altar of economic downturn.
Although, long before now, the scheme has met with barrage of criticisms from some Nigerians, citing the fact that the program has failed to achieve any of its set objectives.
Some have pointed out the number of corps members killed in the regions they were sent to due to ethnic and religious violence; others claim that it is now an avenue for massive corruption by government officials.
We can still map out sustainable ideas to bridge the gap of failure and negligence which the scheme has suffered in the past, rather than want to tamper with it. There’s no such establishment without flaws; perhaps, it’s our collective responsibility to plaster the leakage in our national system, and to live up to expectations.
The orientation course is to familiarize corps members with the environment in their place of posting, toughen and prepare corps members physically for the task ahead, equip them with practical, social and leadership skills that will enable them with the challenges of the service year and the nation in future.
By the time the orientation course is suspended as recommended by the Osinbajo-led committee, none of the aforementioned objectives of the orientation course will be carried out, and corps members will be directly mobilized to their place of primary assignment, without basic knowledge of where they are being deployed to — of their culture, religion and differences.
The federal government and national stakeholders must not allow this to happen. If it does happen, we have directly bowed to the sustained the criticism of those Nigerians who see the scheme as total waste of time and a way of sending Nigerian graduates to meet their demise.
Abdulganeey Abiola Adeyemi,
Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.
In its report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari last week and seen by TheCable, the committee recommended the consideration of suspension of NYSC camps for 24 months.
“The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.
“Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.
“In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment.
“This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service placement pipeline.”
In March, NYSC camps were shut following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Nigeria.
A statement released by NYSC at the time said “the corps members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the orientation camps when the situation improves”.
Only last week, the scheme submitted a proposal for reopening of its camps nationwide.
It is unclear if the federal government will take this portion of the Economic Sustainability Committee’s recommendation.
To me, i don’t think NYSC can suspend orientation camp ….The role the orientation camp plays in a corps member is very crucial and the Nysc officials understand this.
A 21-year-old Nigerian woman doing her mandatory national service in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, has been gang-raped in Uyo, the police have said.
Nigerians have been demanding tougher actions on rape from the authorities after waves of sexual violence across the country.
The police in Akwa Ibom said in a statement on Tuesday that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member was raped on May 24 by two men. The victim is doing her primary assignment in Uyo.
The statement signed by the police spokesperson in the state, N-Nudam Fredrick said one of the men alleged to have raped the corps member has been arrested, while the other is on the run.
The police identified the arrested man as Ofonime Emmanuel Essien of 15 Iba Oku Street, Uyo. He is said to be 25 years old.
The fleeing suspect has been identified as Frank Okon.
“Investigation revealed that the victim visited her colleagues at No. 15 Iba Oku Street and later took her phone to the room where the suspects are living at the same address for charging and met Ofonime Emmanuel who pretended to be asleep, while Frank Okon and two girls were in the room,” the police said.
“Shortly after the victim left for her colleagues’ room in the same compound she was called by Frank Okon that Ofonime Emmanuel was awake. The suspects swooped down on the victim and serially gang-raped her as she entered the room.”
Say NO to Rape!!!!
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Tuesday, said the suspended 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course which was suspended due to Coronavirus pandemic would be completed when the Scheme received the green light from the Presidential Task Force (PTF).
NYSC suspended the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course just one week into the exercise as a proactive measure to avert the spread of COVID-19 to any of the Orientation Camps.
The Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this during a courtesy visit to his counterpart of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Abuja.
He said conscious of the possibility of the further or complete lifting of lockdown, the strategies mapped out by the NYSC Management had taken care of various scenarios, and would be presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 through the NCDC for guidance.
Ibrahim said other operations of the Scheme were scaled down in line with the Federal Government’s restrictions order, adding that the Passing-out of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps members was low-keyed with full adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols.
He also briefed his host on the various COVID-19 interventions made by NYSC, especially through Corps members’ activities all over the country, including sensitization; production and distribution of face masks, liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, automated disinfection chambers; as well as automated and foot-operated liquid soap, hand sanitizer and water dispenser.
Ibrahim solicited the PTF’s support in the funding of mass production of the automated disinfection chambers for use in all the NYSC Orientation Camps.
He commended the NCDC for its role in the overall national efforts at containing the COVID-19.
In his response, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, commended NYSC for its support to the fight against the coronavirus through Corps member’s activities. He particularly expressed delight at the fabrication of handwashing machines and production of disinfectants amongst other interventions.
Ihekweazu, who praised the contributions of the Scheme to the unity and development of the country, stressed that it deserved every form of support to enable it to succeed.
He said the proposals presented by the Director-General would be studied and recommendations made to the appropriate authorities.
The Director General (DG) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, is a man of excellence and a result-oriented leader.
A year after assuming office, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has transformed the NYSC to be a leading institution in community engagement with stakeholders in Nigeria, especially during this era of Covid-19.
Ibrahim has also sanitized the NYSC mobilisation system. On assumption of office as the NYSC boss, he was confronted with the issue of mobilisation of unqualified persons with fake or questionable degree certificates. Having identified the sources of such certificates, for the first time in the history of the Scheme, he promptly convened a meeting with the Registrars of some African Corps Producing Institutions at the end of which far-reaching strategies were adopted to curb the trend
The result has been heartening as many illegal institutions, mostly in the West African sub-region, were most of the phony certificates are procured, have been shut down.
Also, 65 fake Corps Members were apprehended during the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream Two Orientation Course and handed over to the security agencies for prosecution.
General Shuaib has engaged corps members productively, making them to deploy their ingenuities in producing and distributing palliative items free of charge to communities, as part of the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) initiative.
For instance, in a bid to assist in curbing the spread of COVID-19, Corps members in the NYSC Garment Factory located in Minna, Niger State Capital, have donated 1,000 face masks to the State Government. This, it did with the consent of its host community as a developmental process.
In addition, NYSC Orientation Camps across the country were quickly prepared for use as isolation centres, just as the Corps Medical Personnel were sensitised and deployed to assist their senior colleagues in the medical field, in battling the pandemic which poses a formidable threat to humanity.
In Ogun State, the NYSC Secretariat has boosted the fight against the deadly COVID-19 scourge, especially in areas of sensitization of the public, and donation of liquid soaps, face masks and sanitizers to the State government. Items donated include 300 pieces of 600ml of liquid soaps, 636 pieces of 100ml of hand sanitizers, 1126 pieces of face masks and cartons of noodles.
Similarly, corps members in Kebbi State embarked on a fumigation exercise as part of their contribution towards preventing the spread of Coronavirus.
The corps members fumigated their lodges, the Arewa local government Secretariat, staff quarters, and the police station. The State Coordinator of NYSC in Zamfara, Namalam Mohammed Taura, has approved the grant for a Corps Member from legal aid Community Development Service Group to construct an automatic hand washing machine for the Secretariat.
In the same vein, NYSC Sokoto State has designed and fabricated specialised water flowing instrument for handwashing to fight against the COVID-19. In their contribution to the fight against the pandemic, corps members in Oyo State constructed a semi-automated hand washing equipment with soap dispensing mechanism and underground drainage system.
Likewise, corps members in Lagos, Taraba, Ebonyi, among other States have also donated similar relief items to various relevant institutions in the fight against the pandemic.
In Ekiti State, production and donation of covid-19 material to the state implementation and preventive committee. In Abuja, the FCT Corps Members used their skills in contributing to the effort to combat the Coronavirus.
The NYSC campaign in engaging a large number of Nigerian youth to be productive could be attributed to the training they undergo through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development (SAED) of the service.
If they end up becoming self-reliant, job-creators and successful entrepreneurs after their service years, then the present-day corps members have nobody to thank than their incumbent DG Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu, who has effectively operationalized and empowered the SAED programme, in every necessary way.
A Recent Interview With The Director General of NYSC Brig Shuaib Ibrahim on His One Year Stay in Office.
Brigadier General Ibrahim Shuaibu recently clocked one year in office as Director General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He expressed delight over the success story of the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and the plan to generate revenue from the creative ingenuity and productivity of corps members. But in an exclusive interview with the ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL, Shuaibu disclosed that the NYSC management cannot say when it would actually resume the mobilization of prospective corps members due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congrats for marking your one year in office, Sir. We will like to begin this way, to what extent have your administration reinvigorated the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, especially with a view to creating jobs and tackling unemployment among youths?
The SAED programme has recorded tremendous successes, which can even be seen from the activities of our corps members in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our corps members, nationwide, produced face masks, sanitizers, disinfectant tools, and automatic sanitizing machines. They are also involved in the sensitization and distribution of palliatives of some of these items to communities. If you go to our garment factories, our corps members are involved in sawing of the COVID-19 preventive materials. So, it is quite tremendous. We have already put in place and also functionally, our SAED Centres. We are about to put the mega one in Gombe State to use now. The one in Kazaure has reached 95% completion. The one in Nasarawa State, which is in partnership with Access Bank, will soon commence construction in Keffi.
What about the commencement of the projects in other parts of the country?
Likewise, the one in South East and South South will also commence. The one in South West, Ekiti State to be precise, is also at advance stage with over 98% completion. The NYSC takes the skills acquisition programme very seriously. We have the in-camp and post-camp training. So that at the end of the orientation, the training continues. And we are lucky that we have a very good partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders who availed the corps members with soft loans. What we are doing now is to try and see that we have a perfect mechanism of monitoring. Because it ought to be a revolving loan, so that the system can be sustained over time.
What about the performance of the corps member in the SAED initiatives
In terms of performance, our corps members are doing exceptionally well in SAED. Some of them are into fish and snail farming, among others. Some of them are even working in our NYSC farms in Kebbi, Saminaka, Kwali and other parts of the country. Yet we need additional farmlands for the NYSC. But we have approached some of our State Governors, sequel to my address to them at one of their meetings of the Governors’ Forum. We want to embark in commercial farming of rice. We want to key into the Federal Government’s policy on local content on agric business. This is because we don’t want to be a burden on government. Therefore, we must continue to look for ways to internally generate our revenue.
How can the Scheme become self-reliant and stop being a burden to the government?
You see, because we realized that many people see NYSC as a burden, the management sat down immediately I came on board. We resolved that we must find ways to generate something and bring to the table. That is why we rejigged our ventures. We now have NYSC bread and Table Water Company in Kubwa. Their products are everywhere in Kubwa. So, we want to see how we can replicate same in the States. So that during orientation exercises we can get these items from our production plants, and feed our corps members in camps.
Do you intend to amend the NYSC Act?
Again, in order to sensitize Nigerians on NYSC, I organized a sensitization workshop on the NYSC Act, and the role of key stakeholders such as individual, students, schools and government. It was held immediately after I came on board. The aim was to see how we can amend some clauses in the Act. We are also organizing a movie called “NYSC, Call to Service”. Once you watch the movie, you don’t need to ask anybody about NYSC. You will be informed about the Scheme. Also, we organized our Sports and Cultural Festival in February. At the event, which was quite interesting, several talents were discovered. We observed that the performances of these corps members in drama, comedy and dance, are beyond exceptional. So, we are going to establish the NYSC National Cultural Troupe so that when there is any event, our troupe can be invited to showcase the stuff it is made of. And this will help to generate income and revenue for members of the troupe and the troupe itself. We will write the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the need for agencies and other stakeholders to patronise the NYSC National Cultural Troupe. I have also discussed with the Governors’ Forum to provide us farmlands so that we can grow rice and other farm produce.
What are other sectors are you looking at?
We are planning to sustain our NYSC movie over time. It will be called NYSCwood. So, our corps members who studied drama and Theatre Arts will be invited to act films and entertain people. Their dramas and films will be centred on promoting national unity, condemning social vices, and several others, so that Nigerians can learn from them. So, these are some of the plans we have, and would be sustained even after I leave office. Again, we have also strengthened our IT platforms. We have renegotiated necessary terms with our IT integrated provider. That is also going to generate revenue. So, we are gradually becoming a national asset, instead of a burden to the government and society.
Like workers, corps members are also paid the minimum wage as ‘allawee’. Tell us how you achieved the feat?
You know the corps members apart from their allowances, they also enjoy some little stipends from States such as transport allowances and support in various other ways. So, the allowances came at the right time, because some of the corps members took advantage of the increment to start saving. Some of them even send part of it to their parents back home, just to support them. There are others who invested their allowances into learning relevant skills and petty trading. And by the time they finish service, they have become self-reliant. With the loan also coming, they will boost their businesses and become employers of labour.
Recently, we saw some corps members carrying out special projects across the country. How was the NYSC able to harness their potentials?
From the contributions of our corps members in the COVID-19 fight, you will come to realize that we greatly tapped from their potentials. This is because I tasked them that let’s take the challenge of COVID-19 and turn it into an opportunity for the NYSC. And how can they go about it? They can produce sanitizers, disinfectant soaps and face masks. And after receiving the clarion call from the management, they hit the ground running. Most of them have done very well. There is also a medical doctor who is involved in the production of face masks.
How is the Mobilisation of Corps Members?
Similarly, our mobilization is driven through Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). And where we have challenges, we introduced the physical verification of their credentials, which has led to the arrest of several fake members who tried to come into the scheme. What we discovered last year was mind-boggling. In the Batch C of November/December last year, over 22, 000 foreign-trained graduates uploaded their credentials online for mobilization. But when we went in for the physical verification, only 3, 420 showed up. So, that is to tell you that we are winning the war against fake certificates.
The state of some orientation camps have been described as an eyesore. How far is your intervention in the area of rehabilitating them?
The provision of orientation camps is the responsibility of the States. You know the NYSC is built on three tripod—the Federal, State and Local Government. The Federal takes a large chunk of the expenditure, while the States provide the orientation camps and take responsibility for their maintenance. We are supposed to have local government committees who also lend support at their own level. So, most of the States have permanent orientation camps, it is just the issue of maintenance and renovation. As for those that don’t have, I was able to hold a meeting with the representatives of the States. At the meeting attended by Secretaries of State Governments and Commissioners of Youths and Sports, I stressed the need for them to be alive to their responsibilities. And I am happy that since that meeting, most of them have responded. We have about 35 permanent orientation camps, the problem is just their maintenance.
You immediately suspended the orientation camping of mobilized corps members and also stopped other activities of NYSC following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. When are you going to resume the exercise and also mobilize other fresh graduates?
Well, I don’t know. I cannot tell you when. You know the nature of our training is just like that of the military and paramilitary. You can see that the Nigerian Navy also suspended the training exercise for its fresh cadets. So, the moment the coast is clear, we are also going to key into the way training will be, so that our corps members can be called back in soonest. The Batch A, Stream 1, as we all know was suspended. We still have another 11 days to cover. So, by the time the coast is clear, we are going to recall them back to complete the remaining part of the training. Immediately after that, the Stream 2, will begin theirs two days after. So, we are also waiting in the wings to see how things go. We are hoping and praying that this thing should be over as quickly as possible.
What are your major achievements so far?
One of our greatest achievements so far is that we ensure that persons who weren’t qualified, but came for mobilization were arrested, prosecuted and jailed. I must also say that are ongoing skills acquisition centres are pride to the scheme. Once they are all completed, our corps members will continue to be trained. And by the time they finish their service they will not start hunting for jobs. But instead, they will have something to fall back in. I must thank the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the abiding faith in the scheme. The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, State governments, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies and our stakeholders have been very very supportive in our initiatives and achievements. We are indeed grateful.
Lastly, what are the legacies you wish to bequeath as DG of NYSC?
I want to ensure that our mobilization process will continue to be seamless. So that those who are not qualified will not come and make themselves available for service. I want a situation where our process will be driven by technology. This is because NYSC activities involve a lot of traveling both by corps members and staff. And it is risky. Just like I said when I came on board, I will prefer to die rather than loss a corps member. Because it is very touching for their parents and guardians.
Finally, how do you want to be remembered after your tenure?
First, I want to see the situation where the staff and Nigerians will see me as someone who came, who saw and also conquered. I want a situation that by the time I leave, people should say when he was around, he never joked with the welfare of staff and corps members. I want the situation where they will say I came and touched lives. So that I can be able to visit the NYSC Headquarters someday, and say ‘Hi’ to the staff