The National Youth Service Corps has told corps employers to take stricter steps in supervising corps members, warning that lack of attention is weakening the scheme’s purpose.
At a workshop held on Thursday in Gombe, the NYSC State Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachuku, advised employers to keep movement and attendance registers for proper monitoring of corps members at their place of primary assignment.
“If a corps member didn’t work for you don’t give them clearance letter. We must have movement and attendant registers to monitor corps members,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Head of Gombe Civil Service, Ahmed Abdullahi, urged employers to care more about corps members’ welfare.
“Engage them in your various organisations. Even after providing them accommodations, visit them they will have a sense of belonging. The service is for a short period and beginning of your life,” he said.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who was represented by Aishatu Adamu, the Director of the North-East Area Office II, warned that many employers were now ignoring their duties and helping corps members to break the rules.
“This workshop is a patriotic call to action. It is an opportunity to work out measures that will strengthen the long-standing partnership between NYSC and corps employers, with a view to curbing both old and emerging negative trends in corps administration,” Nafiu said.
He explained that the NYSC always informs employers about orientation schedules, gives them notice before deployment, and allows access to orientation camps. In return, employers are expected to provide accommodation or its alternative, give work induction, supervise corps members, clear them monthly, and allow them attend CDS and SAED activities.
But the Director-General said this was no longer happening as it should. “Our inspection visits have revealed a concerning level of negligence. Many employers cannot account for the whereabouts of corps members, largely because they fail to provide them with proper accommodation. This has led to an increase in indiscipline, service evasion, poor supervision, and rejection of corps members,” he said.
Nafiu also asked state governments to build transit lodges and told local governments to construct permanent corps lodges to support smooth posting.
He stressed that the NYSC Act, Cap N84 LFN 2004, lists clear rules on what corps members should receive, including safe housing, transport help, healthcare equal to staff, and a good work environment.
“Where is the partnership that once inspired corps members to eagerly contribute to national development?” Nafiu asked.
He called on participants to treat the workshop as a national assignment and offer useful ideas to bring back the spirit of service and discipline.
During a presentation, Mailumo Abubakar, a former Assistant Director of NYSC, said many corps members are sent only to towns and this should be reviewed.
“There is need to overhaul the posting policy of corps members; many of them are usually posted to town. We should create situations they are delighted with rural areas,” he said.
Also speaking at the workshop, Principal of Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Tabra, Alhaji Magaji Abubakar, said employers must do more to support corps members.
“Providing ideal work environment, by providing the needs the employer can maximise corps members’ potentials. Enhancing allowances to reflect the rising economic challenges. Assign experience staff to mentor them through training. The way you relate with them while working with you will form how they will hold you in the future,” he said.
