…DG blames institutions’ negligence for mobilization of fake corps members
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to adopt innovative strategies to surmount the myriads of challenges confronting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to enhance best practices for the engagement of young graduates in national development efforts.
Wike gave the promise at the NYSC meeting with heads of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) in the country held on Monday in Abuja.
He expressed appreciation over the enormous contributions of corps members deployed to serve in the territory, especially in key sectors such as health and education.
The NYSC has consistently symbolised our collective commitment to national development, unity and integration. However, like any other human endeavour, we are aware that the Scheme faces challenges, including those posed to the mobilisation process.
“In this regard, the need for the adoption of innovative strategies to surmount challenges and enhance best practices for the engagement of our young graduates in national development efforts cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the scheme, Brigadier-General YD Ahmed, blamed the negligence by the Corps Producing Institution (CPI) for the fake mobilisation of fake corps members.
According to him; “The decision to initiate this direct interface with Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts came as a result of our desire to elicit more decisive actions regarding the roles of their institutions in the Mobilization process.
“This is also coming on the heels of our second meeting with Heads of CPIs based in some West African countries. The benefits yielded by that meeting further motivated us to convene this forum.
“Part of the agenda of this meeting is to evolve strategies for the elimination of identified flaws and ensuring a more seamless mobilization process. Over the years, we have thoroughly examined the process and identified avoidable problems while constructive engagements with relevant stakeholders have led to a number of resolutions aimed at addressing them.
“However, some CPIs are not doing enough on the implementation of these decisions. In trying to identify and remove the obstacles, optimism has been expressed in some quarters that the direct involvement of the Chief Executives of the institutions in the process will promote deeper appreciation of issues and ensure achievement of desired results.
“We have also observed that the delegation of the roles of principal officers of some institutions to their subordinates is partly responsible for the shortfalls and abuses that have bedeviled the mobilization process, including the presentation of unqualified persons for enlistment.
“I am, therefore, confident that this meeting will elicit greater commitment from these highly respected stakeholders. I consider it appropriate to use this forum to reaffirm our commitment to the security and general welfare of corps members. In this regard, I would like to reiterate our appeal to CPIs, parents and the general public to use all available avenues to complement our efforts in sensitizing young graduates on Call-up for National Service to avoid travelling at night when reporting to their states of deployment.
“We have always advised that serving and Prospective Corps Members should break their journeys whenever it is 6:00 pm; pass the night at military and police barracks, NYSC Lodges and other facilities officially designated as safe; and continue their journey in the morning,” he said.