Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier Gen Yusha’u Ahmed has asked corps-producing institutions to eliminate other infractions that are products of insider abuses during mobilisation processes.
The DG spoke during the 2023 pre – mobilisation workshop for Batch C in Abuja on Friday.
He noted that despite the introduction of several measures to eliminate flaws, it was quite worrisome that there were still shortcomings, especially on the part of some corps-producing institutions.
The NYSC boss said despite several measures unanimously agreed upon at previous workshops with corps-producing institutions, there are still breaches that constituted hindrances to the achievement of the desired objectives.
He said,
“As you are already aware, this forum offers an opportunity for appraisal of our respective roles in the mobilisation process. The energy and resources invested are indicative of our determination to continually improve the process. However, while we have introduced several measures to eliminate flaws, it is quite worrisome that there are still shortcomings, especially on the part of some Corps Producing Institutions. Therefore, our focus will be on overcoming the observed shortcomings with a view to ensuring a seamless process.
“Despite several measures unanimously agreed upon at previous workshops, there are still breaches that constitute hindrances to the achievement of the desired objectives. I must, therefore, reiterate the need for Corps Producing Institutions, as major sources of the Mobilization data, to take adequate steps to enhance their integrity.
“You will recall that before we commenced the inscription of course of study and date of graduation on the NYSC Certificate in 2021, we had cases whereby graduates mobilised based on their supposed fields of studies, later confessed to studying different courses, especially those that were not accredited. Other infractions that are products of insider abuses must be eliminated completely.
“Although our records show that some of the infractions that were a source of serious concern have reduced compared to the last few years, we shall continue to tackle observed lapses until we are able to attain an error-free mobilisation process. The ultimate aim is to have data that will be completely reliable.
“In this regard, this meeting will address some infractions identified during the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course. Among them were deliberate alteration of date of graduation to enable prospective corps members to get mobilised as well as disparities between the names on Statement of Results and those on Call-up letters.
“While these infractions should ordinarily attract sanctions, especially in line with our earlier resolutions, management has decided to give the last warning to the schools involved.
“I urge all and sundry to pay particular attention to the issue of poor implementation and outright non-implementation of policies and resolutions as these constitute drawbacks to the mobilisation process. By the time all resolutions made here are implemented to the letter, many of the identified challenges would have fizzled out.”
The DG said during the 2023 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilization workshop, corps producing institutions were mandated to return all unclaimed Exemption Certificates and enter the returns online.
He however lamented that some corps producing institutions failed to comply till date.
“Such delays constitute impediments to our efforts at providing accurate data on unclaimed certificates. I wish to, therefore, warn that we shall begin to invoke the penalty of withholding new Exemption Certificates for graduates of any institution that fails to return unclaimed ones,” he said.
The DG also urged corps producing institutions on the sensitisation of prospective corps members (PCMs) against traveling at night when reporting to their States of Deployment.
“This call has become necessary in view of recent incidents of kidnap and road accidents involving PCMs, all of which occurred due to night journeys.
“It is, therefore, incumbent on every one of us to always contribute towards discouraging our young graduates from putting themselves in harm’s way. On our part, the NYSC management will continue to accord priority to the security and general welfare of Corps members,” he added.
Director, Corps Mobilisation, Walida Siddiqque said there has been a reduction in the mobilisation of unqualified persons for national service.
She attributed the reduction to innovations introduced and that have enhanced the level of collaboration with all stakeholders.
She said,
“However, a lot is still required to be done, as it has been observed that there is a growing trend of disparity between uploads by Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) and the information supplied by Prospective Corps Members during online registration.
“Enhancing data integrity for a seamless mobilisation process will not just require new ideas, but also attitudinal change and the desire for thoroughness in data management. Permit me to reiterate that data is sacred, and any error or manipulation in its application will have negative ripple effects on the progress and development of the country in all its ramifications. It is in light of this that I wish to remind us of the importance of the responsibility which has been entrusted in our care.
“I therefore urge you to be painstaking in your uploads and ensure that the information you transmit is the true reflection of the bio-data and academic profile of the prospective corps members concerned.”
