NYSC Director-General Urges Employers to Prioritize Welfare and Safety of Corps Members

The Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General YD Ahmed, has emphasized the need for employers to take the welfare and security of serving corps members seriously. This call to action was made during the 2023 Corps Employers Workshop held under the theme, 'Optimising the Productivity of Corps Members through Enhanced Welfare and Security during the Service Year.' The workshop was conducted at the multipurpose hall of the NYSC Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.

Brigadier-General Ahmed underscored the significance of corps members, referring to them as 'assets' to the country. He noted that the Workshop holds a pivotal place in the scheme's calendar as it brings together key stakeholders responsible for the management of this segment of youth contributing to national growth and development.

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According to the Director-General, this workshop serves as a platform for evaluating the relationship between employers of corps members and the administrators of the NYSC scheme. It addresses issues crucial to the welfare, security, and overall operations of the scheme with the aim of enhancing productivity.

The representation of the Director-General by the NYSC South-west Coordinator, Julius Amusan, stressed some critical challenges faced by corps members during their service year. Notably, many corps employers fail to provide adequate transport allowances or suitable accommodation for their corps members, affecting their ability to perform optimally.

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Security concerns were also addressed, with reports of threats to corps members' safety in areas of accommodation and primary assignment. Kidnapping was highlighted as a growing issue, with corps members being potential targets. Brigadier-General Ahmed urged employers to take responsibility for monitoring the activities and safety of their corps members.

Odoba Abel Oche, the state coordinator of NYSC in Oyo state, emphasized that the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to improve the welfare and productivity of corps members. He described it as a platform for the exchange of ideas and an opportunity to enhance service delivery, aligning with NYSC's goals and objectives for nation-building.

The Chairman of the NYSC governing board in Oyo State, Wasilat Adegoke, commended the workshop's timeliness. She acknowledged that inadequate welfare packages and insufficient motivation by some employers had led to corps members feeling undervalued, which in turn affected their performance.

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In closing, Dr. Olufunke Adetuberu, a Life Coach and CEO of Mending Lives Foundation, provided recommendations to improve the welfare and security of corps members. She stressed the importance of treating corps members as children and encouraging employers to view their service as an opportunity to provide orientation and life lessons.

Dr. Adetuberu also appealed to the government to do more to support the welfare and security of corps members. She emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure the success of the NYSC scheme and the well-being of its members in these challenging times.

The NYSC Director-General's call and the discussions during the workshop underscore the importance of enhancing the welfare and security of corps members to optimize their productivity and contribute to national development.