The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned that organisations that fail to provide basic welfare support, including accommodation and transportation, for corps members posted to them will no longer participate in the scheme.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, gave the warning during an interactive session with corps members in Lokoja, Kogi State, stressing that employers must improve welfare packages for corps members under their care.
According to Nafiu, the era of organisations benefiting from the services of corps members without fulfilling their welfare obligations has come to an end.
He directed all public and private establishments engaging corps members to immediately provide adequate accommodation and transportation, noting that the provisions were no longer optional.
The NYSC boss warned that organisations that fail to comply with the directive risk being blacklisted and excluded from future deployments of corps members.
Nafiu also assured corps members that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting their welfare and security throughout the one-year national service programme.
He called on state governments, local councils and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by creating a conducive environment for corps members serving in their communities.
READ ALSO:SEC, NYSC move to curb ponzi schemes with new CDS initiative
On security, the Director-General urged corps members to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility.
He further charged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and integrity, reminding them that they represent not only the NYSC but also their families and institutions of graduation.
Nafiu encouraged corps members to take advantage of the Scheme’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by acquiring practical skills that could generate income after their service year.
He advised them to identify business opportunities in their host communities, embrace entrepreneurship and cultivate prudent financial habits.
Describing the service year as an opportunity for personal and economic development, the NYSC Director-General urged corps members to manage their allowances wisely and adopt a savings culture to secure their financial future.
Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in Kogi State, Mrs. Tochi Chika Chris-Moneke, commended Nafiu for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of the management’s commitment to the welfare and security of corps members and staff.
She disclosed that the state secretariat was making arrangements for a Corps Employers’ Workshop and the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme aimed at strengthening the scheme’s community development efforts.
