The National Youth Service Corps has vowed to continue checkmating the unqualified persons including fake graduates appearing as Prospective Corps Members and persons, who, having served previously or issued with Exemption Certificate, in attempt to present themselves again for the National Service.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed who disclosed this at the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop in Abuja on Wednesday said due to this attempt registration process in Camp will, therefore, be reviewed and strengthened to checkmate the activities of these fraudulent elements.
The DG said, “Like we’ve warned previously at various forums, any unqualified person caught and those aiding them will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution”.
He stated that the essence of this workshop is to review the conduct of the previous Orientation Courses with view to strategizing for optimal performance, adding that the Management is committed to deepening the impact of the Orientation Course on Corps members, especially to prepare them for nation building.
Which he said informed the choice of the theme of the Workshop, “Orientation Course: Panacea for Engendering Youth Attitudinal Change and National Development.” While called on Prospective Corps to contribute meaningfully as the scheme map out strategies that will enable the agency achieve positive outcomes.
To further enrich this workshop, General Ahmed said resource persons will be presenting lectures on topical issues, including strategies for re-orientation of Corps members to enhance their leadership traits for national development.
Adding that, “There will also be syndicate works and presentations to further deepen our discussion on the subject matter and proffer solutions to the challenges facing the Scheme.
“As was the case with previous exercises, the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course will be conducted in two streams. Details will be unveiled in due course. Despite our modest achievements in recent times, we must continue to strive for improvement in line with global best practices”, he stated.
Base on report of the previous Orientation Courses, the DG said there are other issues that need to be addressed. Security of Corps, General Ahmed boldly stated that no doubt, there has been a tremendous improvement in this area. “However, security remains a matter of priority in aspects of our operation, especially during Orientation Course.
He added that proactive measures must be taken by State Coordinators and other stakeholders to evaluate the security situations in all Camp locations. “There should be proper surveillance of the Camps and adjoining areas before and during the exercise”, the DG noted.
Youth Attitudinal Change, NYSC Boss said the development of any nation is dependent on positive character of its people. Instilling moral and ethical values in the mobilized graduates.
“And encouraging them to exhibit good character right from the camp is germane to the growth and development of the country. I enjoin all course officials to continue to serve as excellent role models through exemplary conduct throughout the exercise”.
Speaking on Leadership Training, the General lamented that a bane of the development as a nation has been the lack of training to adequately prepare the youth for leadership roles, vowed that his management as a matter of priority, will continue to explore available avenues for leadership training for the Corps members,
Which he said will involve in their Camp administration, especially via membership of committees as well as appointment as Corps Camp Directors, Platoon Leaders, amongst others. “This will go a long way in instilling confidence in them and preparing them for future challenges. Closely linked to this is the need to make our youth to see the wisdom in teamwork”.
The DG called for measures to curb unauthorized Journey by Corps Members adding that the scheme is not relenting in its efforts to check this problem which he said has become a nightmare for the Scheme in view of the perilous consequences such as road accident and abduction of Prospective Corps Members on their way to States of deployment.
On COVID, the DG said, “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised that COVID-19 testing should recommence in the Orientation Camps. This is as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.
“Therefore, it becomes necessary to ensure regular surveillance in all our Orientation Camps. While the testing will not be made compulsory this time, Corps members will be sensitized on the need to confirm their health status. The modalities for this will be communicated in due course”, he added.
NYSC DG emphasized on the Aesthetics of Camp Environment which must sustain the corporate image of the Scheme at all times, he said they must enhance their ambience. “Consequently, the Quarter Guard, which is the first service window, must always be neat with regular paint coating and planting of trees and flowers”.