NYSC URGES CORPS EMPLOYERS TO OPEN ATTENDANCE REGISTERS, WARN AGAINST SERVICE EVASION AND NEGLIGENCE
Read Time:2 Minute, 43 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on corps employers across the country to step up their statutory responsibilities, including keeping proper attendance and movement registers, to monitor corps members’ performance and discourage growing cases of truancy and service evasion.
The Gombe State Coordinator of NYSC, Chinwe Nwachuku, made the appeal during a one-day corps employers/management workshop held in the state on Thursday, with the theme “Strengthening NYSC/Corps Employer’s Partnership for Improved Mutual Benefits.”
“If a corps member didn’t work for you, don’t give them clearance,” Nwachuku cautioned. “We must have movement and attendance registers to monitor corps members and ensure accountability at their places of primary assignment.”
Declaring the workshop open, Head of Gombe State Civil Service, Ahmed Abdullahi, encouraged corps employers to not only engage corps members meaningfully but also improve their welfare to boost morale and productivity.
“Visit them even after providing accommodation; it will give them a sense of belonging,” he said. “This service is a short but critical part of their lives.”
Representing the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, the Director of the North-East Area Office II, Taraba, Aishatu Adamu, decried the increasing neglect by corps employers, which he said was weakening the Scheme’s impact and leading to rising cases of absenteeism, indiscipline, and poor community engagement.
“The NYSC is doing its part providing orientation updates, deploying corps members, and facilitating communication. Employers must also live up to their roles,” he said.
Nafiu listed employers’ responsibilities to include formally receiving corps members, providing accommodation or alternatives, assigning tasks, issuing monthly clearances, ensuring workplace supervision, and releasing them for community service and entrepreneurship development activities.
He raised concerns over troubling reports of employers colluding in service evasion and failing to maintain discipline, warning that such acts threaten the integrity of the Scheme.
“Where is the partnership that once inspired corps members to eagerly contribute to national development?” he asked, urging the workshop to address weak supervision, poor welfare, and security gaps.
The DG reminded participants that under the NYSC Act (Cap N84 LFN 2004), corps members are entitled to accommodation, healthcare, transportation support, and a conducive work environment. He also called on state and local governments to invest in infrastructure such as transit and permanent corps lodges to aid deployment.
“Our inspection visits have shown that lack of proper accommodation has contributed significantly to poor supervision and service evasion,” Nafiu stated, adding that participants must see the workshop as a national duty and come up with actionable solutions.
Former NYSC Assistant Director, Mailumo Abubakar, in his presentation, recommended a review of the posting policy to encourage service in rural areas rather than cities.
“There’s a need to make rural postings more attractive, so corps members feel fulfilled serving there,” he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Magaji Abubakar, Principal of Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Tabra, stressed the importance of corps member welfare, mentorship, and workplace support.
“The way you treat corps members while they’re with you determines how they’ll remember the experience and contribute in the future,” he noted.
The workshop concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between NYSC and corps employers to ensure discipline, productivity, and the preservation of national service values.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0