The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has pledged to eliminate the fraudulent enrollment of unqualified individuals for the mandatory one-year national service.
They have called on various stakeholders to support their efforts to ensure the integrity of the mobilization process.
The NYSC has particularly appealed to institutions that produce corps members, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Federal Ministry of Education, and SIDMACH Technologies, among other stakeholders, to help maintain the integrity of the process.
Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, Director-General of NYSC, spoke at the opening ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2024 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop, on Thursday.
The theme of the workshop was “Strengthening Collaboration with Stakeholders for Effective NYSC Mobilisation Process.” He emphasized that the mobilization process is not just a procedural formality but the foundation for national service.
“The mobilization process is the first step in a journey that shapes the lives of a large number of Nigerian youths. It is therefore crucial that we are careful in how we conduct this exercise.
“Let us take this opportunity to reflect on our past successes, analyze our current practices, and envision a future where the NYSC continues to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for national development” said Brigadier General Ahmed.
NYSC Director of Mobilisation, Hajia Walida Isa, noted that the fraudulent enrollment of unqualified individuals has been a persistent problem, necessitating vigilance and proactive measures from stakeholders.
She explained that the NYSC pre-mobilization workshop is a crucial part of the mobilization process, bringing together the Scheme, corps-producing institutions, and other stakeholders to brainstorm and strategize for continuous improvement.
Isa highlighted recent successes in reducing mobilization challenges through various innovations and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.
However, she acknowledged that more work is needed to combat the fraudulent enrollment of unqualified individuals, which manifests in multiple ways.
“As we approach another batch of NYSC mobilization, we must continue to address contemporary issues facing corps member mobilization in Nigeria,”
“The mobilization process is essential for our nation’s development, but it is not without its challenges, particularly the fraudulent enrollment of unqualified persons. We must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach,” Isa said.
She stressed the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the mobilization process.
While ICT offers many benefits, it also presents unique challenges that must be addressed.
Isa also underscored the importance of partnerships with organizations such as JAMB, NBTE, NUC, the Federal Ministry of Education, and SIDMACH Technologies.
Additionally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to rehabilitate some facilities at the FCT NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa.
Represented by the Head of Civil Service of the FCT Civil Service, Samuel Atang, Wike revealed that the request for the rehabilitation of these facilities has been received to provide a conducive environment for corps members.
“We will liaise with the appropriate authority within the Corps to ensure the rehabilitation process and the provision of all other basic facilities are completed as soon as possible,
“This will be in addition to other numerous supports provided by the FCT administration. We will continue to support the NYSC in achieving its mandate in the Federal Capital Territory and the nation of Nigeria,” Wike stated
Wike also encouraged participants to pay close attention to the discussions and contribute meaningfully to develop practical solutions that would enhance the mobilization process.
