The mandate I received upon my appointment is to protect the lives of all corps members observing their mandatory one year service to the nation, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has declared.
This is as he gave the assurance that he would do everything possible to continue to carry out the mandate.
The NYSC boss who made the promise while speaking with the 2019 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 11) corps members during his unannounced visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State added: “I will not rest on my oars until everyone of you here seated acts in accordance with the expectations of the NYSC management and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
General Ibrahim hinted that he was not always at peace whenever he had to explain why a corps member lost his or her life.
“I am talking to you not only as the Director General of this laudable scheme but as a father who knows and understands very well the psychological trauma parents go through when they lose a child they have invested a lot in to bring glory to such families.
“Please, I am begging you to desist from making frivolous and unauthorised journeys. When the unexpected happens, I am always very sad to console and explain to parents that we have lost their son or daughter.”
He vowed that in carrying out his mandate, any corps member who embarked on unapproved journey when caught would face the full wrath of the law in line with the Act establishing the scheme.
General Ibrahim also cautioned members of the service corps not to expose the good names of NYSC to ridicule by misinforming the world through unguarded use of social media.
“You do not because of surmountable challenges you are facing at a particular time destroy the laudable scheme which the Federal Government has invested huge resources in to attract graduates of this great country both at home and in diaspora to contribute their meaningful quota to its development.
“As a nation, we know that we are passing through challenges. NYSC wants you participate in the programme so that you can proffer solutions and not to add more burden to its existence by using the social media negatively,” he said.
While urging corps members to be ready to serve wherever they are posted, he said: “The unity of this country lies in your hands and you can only support the Federal Government by agreeing to give your very best through meaningful service to your fatherland outside your comfort zone.
“If not for this progressive scheme, some of you for instance, undertake all your educational pursuit in Ibadan, want to work in Ibadan and still want to marry in Ibadan but for the pragmatic approach of NYSC, you would have remained a local champion.”
He also warned on improper dressing by corps members.
According to him, NYSC would no longer sit back and watch the corps members dress indecently or inappropriately.
He encouraged them to benefit from the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the NYSC, saying it would lead them to economic and financial emancipation.
“Your academic qualifications are no doubt intimidating and outstanding but I want to encourage you to embrace both in-camp and post camp training of SAED to make yourself budding entrepreneurs and captains of industries,” he said.
The Director General who had the Acting Director, Special Duties, Mr. Adeola James Afolayan, on his entourage had earlier inspected facilities at the camp.
He was taken round by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio.
The Director General expressed satisfaction with the way the camp is run.
