NYSC @ 50: DG Condemns State, LGAs' Non Support Of Corps' Vision

Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General, YD Ahmed, on Tuesday, scored the State and Local Governments' attention to the Scheme very low in the last five decades.

According to him, the level of responsibilities of the various tiers of the government in owning the Scheme, especially the States and Local Governments needs much to be desired adding that both tiers of the government have been lacking in taking up their statutory responsibilities in the 50 years of the Scheme.

YD Ahmed disclosed this on Tuesday, during a media chat with Editors, and Bureau Chiefs, at the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja.

Ahmed, however, appreciated the federal Governments efforts in sustaining the dream and vision of the Scheme and thanked President Mohammed Buhari’s administration’s unwavering support for the scheme, adding that the State and Local Governments should be alive to their responsibilities.

Giving the overall activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the National Youth Corps, Ahmed said the scheme has continued to wax stronger despite the odds facing it, adding that the programme has done well in the last 50 years.

Speaking on the responsibilities of government and other stakeholders in the sustenance of the programme, the DG explained that stakeholders attitude to the roles expected of them have become one of the challenges faced by the scheme, especially the State and Local Governments.

He commended the NYSC partner agencies for their abiding faith in the Scheme.

According to him, the NYSC Act clearly spells out the responsibilities of each of the three tiers of government, stressing that the federal Government had shoulders lion share of the scheme’s needs and demands.

Ahmed disclosed that  the provision of orientation Camp facilities, post-camp accommodations and transportation for corps members, logistics support for inspection of corps locations, material support for Community Development Service and security of corps members are the statutory responsibilities of the state and local governments but that both tiers have failed to live up to their expectations.

The DG stated that the level of response of many of the states and local governments to these duties leaves much to be desired.

“We have sustained our advocacy engagements with a view to getting State Governments to undertake renovation and upgrade of Orientation Camp facilities.

“I wish to use this opportunity to renew our appeals to the State and Local Governments that are not discharging their statutory responsibilities to reconsider their stance and support the Scheme.

“The primary beneficiaries of the services are the indigenes and residents of the States.” He said.

NYSC DG, however, said the Service is intensifying its sensitization channels on the provisions of the NYSC Act, to have enable Nigerians and organisations to have a better understanding of the Scheme, and play their roles towards achieving its noble objectives

“For instance, of many employers seem not to be aware of their statutory obligations to Corps Members serving in their establishments. We expected them to be above board so as to encourage the Corps members to be at their best in the course of the service.” He added.