By Praise Chinecherem
Director General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed has cautioned employers of corps members against aiding and abetting their absconment during the one year national service.
The DG gave the warning on Thursday in Awka, Anambra State during 2023 edition of the NYSC Corps Employers Workshop aimed at receiving feedbacks from strategic stakeholders on strength, weaknesses and potentials of the Scheme.
Ahmed, represented by Aluyor Osikhuemeh identified delay in issuance of monthly/final clearance to deserving Corps members and lack of provisions of their statutory welfare needs as other shortcomings of corps members’ employers that needed urgent attention.
He also decried challenges of poor treatment as well as lack of support for community service development projects by corps members employers, expressing hope of such issues being addressed at the engagement.
“We are also expected to review the roles of corps employers in achieving the objectives of the NYSC Scheme, ways of addressing the security and welfare needs of Corps Members in their workplaces,” he added.
Earlier, Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Iruma expressed joy over declining reduction in cases of rejection of corps members by employers in the state.
She described corps members as highly productive, particularly when meaningfully engaged in enabling environment.
She said, “Percentage of rejection of corps members in Anambra has drastically reduced. This is as a result of regular meeting with the employers and other critical stakeholders to forge way forward.
“Most youths are restless because they’re not meaningful engaged. But if you create a stable emotional atmosphere, these corp members can give you much more than you bargain.”
Appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the N8,500 monthly stipend to corps members, Iruma called for upward review of the allowance in view of the prevalent economic situation.
“The governor’s favourable disposition to issues concerning the scheme is a clear manifestation of his youth driven policies and his dogged determination to ensure that the state continues to be the light of the nation.
“Besides, the governor has been addressing the issues of brain drain, including recruitment of teachers and medical personnel. On our part, corps members have also been filling the gap.
“But with the prevailing economic situation, 33,000 can barely take care of these basic needs. When someone isn’t settled, it affects the mind.
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“Our corps members have the energy, initiatives and capacity to adapt to working environment,” she said.
