By Mohammed Abubakar (In Damaturu, Yobe State)
As part of efforts to ensure improved service delivery in Yobe State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has organized the 2021 edition of the Corps Employers’ Workshop in Damaturu, the state capital even though it took place simultaneously in all the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, represented by the State Coordinator NYSC Yobe State, Mrs. Hafsat Yerima, disclosed that the programme serves as an avenue for exchange of ideas on the improvement of their operations, especially through the provision of enabling environment for Corps members to render qualitative and efficient services.
"In fulfillment of its objectives, the NYSC is promoting national unity and accelerated socio-economic development of the nation as well as instilling in our youths a tradition of industry at work and of patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria amongst other activities. The achievement of these and other objectives can only be sustained through the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including the managers of the Corps members".
The DG NYSC explained that since the inception of the Scheme, the NYSC Management/Corps Employers’ Forum has enabled both parties to continually enhance their capacity for effective engagement of Corps members.
"We are thus able to position the young men and women on National Service as change agents and key contributors to the development of the country. This forum will also obtain feedbacks from the strategic stakeholders on the strength, weaknesses and potentials of the Scheme as well as chart ways of strengthening its operations. This edition will also generate ideas that will enable the Scheme to continually weather the prevailing storms of COVID-19, security, and other challenges".
Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim further informed that, the theme for this year’s Workshop is, “Optimizing the NYSC/Corps Employers Partnership for National Development in the context of the New Normal”. He pointed out that it has been carefully chosen to emphasize their collective roles towards sustaining the impact of the Scheme in the face of the challenges thrown up by the COVID-
"You would recall that in response to the pandemic, restrictions were imposed on socio-economic activities last year. This halted our mobilization and deployment of Corps members for a substantial part of the year just as it temporarily affected the utilization of the serving ones by some Corps Employers.
"However, the pandemic provided opportunity for the NYSC to once again assert its continued relevance through the harnessing of the knowledge, skills and talents of our young men and women on National Service. Accordingly, while the nation was on lockdown, the Scheme remained very visible as we mobilized Corps members to make various interventions in support of the overall national efforts to contain the virus. Apart from the Corps Medical Teams that provided health care services in various health facilities, other Corps members made their impact felt through the following, mass production and donation of face masks, antiseptic liquid soaps and hand sanitizers through the FCT Administration and State Governments all over the Federation".
"Fabrication and donation of automatic and foot-operated water, liquid soap, hand sanitizer dispensers and disinfection chambers in several States; Donation of food and other palliative items to indigent persons; Sensitization of the public on infection prevention and control measures; Decontamination of public premises; and Conduct of free virtual teaching lessons nationwide for students in exit classes of JSS3 and SS3".
According to him, the eventual ease of the lockdown saw increase in the number of Corps members mobilized thereby increasing the number available for posting to employers. "As the COVID-19 prevention protocols are still in force, I call on Employers to continue to carry Corps members along in their respective workplaces with priority given to their safety.
"As we go into the main business of this programme, I will like to draw attention to some observed shortcomings on the part of Corps Employers, including the following, which need to be tackled headlong: delay in applying/not applying at all for the services of Corps members and expecting them to be posted; increasing rejection of Corps members, aiding Corps members to stage-manage their own rejection, under-utilization of Corps members, delay in issuance of monthly clearance to deserving Corps members"
Others are "aiding abscondment of Corps members, Lack of provisions for statutory welfare needs of Corps members, Inadequate provisions for Corps members’ security, exposure of Corps members to COVID-19 risks, inhuman treatment of Corps members in workplaces, delay in issuance of final clearance to deserving Corps members at the end of the service year,lack of support for Corps members’ Community Development Service projects; and Inappropriate usage of the recently introduced NYSC ICT Apps".
He added that In the light of the foregoing, "I would like to remind you of the expected roles of Corps Employers in the effective implementation of the Cardinal Programmes and other activities of the NYSC.
"The following are some of our expectations during the different phases of the Service Year: Orientation Course: The comfort of Corps members during the Orientation programme is one of the key Corps Welfare provisions. Accordingly, Management has continued to sensitize State Governments on the need to provide adequate facilities in the Camps. We have also been carrying out advocacy for States and Local Governments to provide Transit Camps and Corps Lodges in all the 774 Local Governments Areas in the country. We expect employers to also join in this advocacy and, where you have provisions for Corporate Social Responsibility, always endeavour to assist in the provision, maintenance or upgrade of the aforementioned facilities.
"Primary Assignment: Before commencement of Orientation Course, Corps Employers are expected to submit requests for Corps members stating the number, discipline and other specifications that will assist the Scheme in carrying out postings to places of Primary Assignment. At this juncture, I wish to remind you of a subsisting circular from the Federal Government, which prohibits rejection of Corps members by Government Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs). To this end, I wish to appeal to all Corps employers, especially Government Establishments, to make adequate budgetary provisions for the welfare of Corps members rather than rejecting them.
"Welfare of Corps members: In the course of the Primary Assignment, which is the second phase of the Service, employers are expected to make some statutory welfare provisions for the Corps members. These include transportation from camp, reception/induction on arrival at the service location, accommodation with modest furnishing, transport to and from office or a reasonable amount of money in-lieu of same as well as free medical services and local allowances, amongst others. No doubt, these will be veritable sources of motivation for the Corps members, and will go a long way to engender productivity.
"The employers are also expected to apply appropriate sanctions against Corps members when they err as well as report details of wrongdoing and actions taken to the Scheme. Approval of leave/journeys: Let me also remind you that employers have no authority to approve leave or movement of Corps members outside their States of deployment. As the first point in the established channels of communication, you can only endorse their applications for leave or travel permits to the State Coordinator. Also, only the Director-General is vested with the authority to approve travels outside the country.
"Issuance of monthly clearance: Employers are expected to issue monthly clearance letter to Corps members, who have worked and so, entitled to be paid the Federal Allowance. It is pleasing to note that the Scheme has been recording great success in the biometric registration and clearance of Corps members and, in the process, made perpetrating of unwholesome practices extremely difficult. Management has also increased the regularity of our inspection of Corps members at their places of Primary Assignments (PPA) with absentees duly sanctioned. Let me use this opportunity to warn that the Scheme will apply appropriate sanctions against Corps Employers and others found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism and abscondment of Corps members from service.
"Community Development Service (CDS) – The CDS, also known as Secondary Assignment, goes hand in hand with the Primary Assignment and is compulsory for all Corps members. It serves as a platform for contribution to the development and transformation of the host communities. I wish to appeal to Corps Employers to assist the Corps members both in the provision of resources and in the mobilization of support from members of the public towards execution of projects for the benefit of the host communities.
"Winding-up /Passing-out exercise – At the end of the service year, Corps members engage in winding-up and passing-out activities, part of which are aimed at evaluating the service. Corps Employers are expected to promptly process final clearance for deserving Corps members and release them for these activities that will culminate in the collection of Certificate of National Service. It is pertinent to remind all employers to further demonstrate appreciation of the services of Corps members by providing permanent employment for as many as possible irrespective of their States of origin. On our part, we have always encouraged Corps members to seek career employment all over Nigeria, thus promoting the free movement of labour.
"Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED): There is no gainsaying, the fact that white collar jobs are very difficult to come by nowadays. For this reason, the empowerment of Corps members for self-reliant, self-employment and wealth creation has been a major focus of the NYSC since 2012. Corps members are availed of the opportunity through our Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training in the Orientation Camps. As we work with relevant Stakeholders, including Financial Institutions, employers are encouraged to support Corps members towards accessing quality post-camp trainings to enable them actualize their business dreams.
"Security during Service: It is important to mention here that the NYSC Management places high premium on the security of lives and property of Corps members throughout the service year. Accordingly, employers are required to equally pay particular attention to the security of Corps members posted to your organizations. Given the fact that they are new in the environment, you are enjoined to effectively guide them on safety".
The NYSC Boss hoped that they will take critical look at all issues raised while also sharing their experiences so as to chart ways forward in line with the aim of this forum. "On this note, I hereby direct a step down of this workshop to other zones in all States of the Federation and the FCT for wider coverage.
"While appreciating you all for making out time to be with us, it is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the 2021 edition of the NYSC Management/Corps Employers Workshop open. I wish us happy deliberations". NNL.
