The Acting Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Christy Uba has called on employers of corps members in Zamfara state to ensure their security and welfare.
Uba made the call during the flag off ceremony of 2022 edition of the Corps-employers workshop in Gusau.
The Workshop was themed “ACHIEVING IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY OF CORPS MEMBERS THROUGH ENHANCED WELFARE AND SECURITY DURING THE SERVICE YEAR”.
The Acting DG who was represented by the Assistant Director NYSC North West Area Office, Kaduna, Hajiya Kuburat Bolanle described the employers of corps members as partners in progress with the NYSC scheme.
“It is important to mention here that the NYSC management places high priority on the security of lives and property of Corps Members throughout the service year.
“Accordingly, as employers you are required to equally pay particular attention to the security of Corps members posted in your organizations.
“Considering the fact that they are new in the environment part of your responsibilities is to effectively guide them on safety”, the Acting DG explained.
According to her, the employers of corps members are to serve as their immediate parents as long as they have been posted to serve in their organisations.
“When we post corps members to different states, we expect the employers and stakeholders of organisations to play parental roles to them as they do to their biological children.
“In the course of primary assignment, the second phase of the service, employers are expected to make some statutory welfare provisions for the corps members.
“These include transportation from camp, reception on arrival at the location of service, accommodation as well as free medical services and local allowances among others”, She added.
“I will like to draw attention to some observed shortcomings on the part of Corps employers including the following.
“Delay in applying or not applying for the service of Corps members, increasing rejection of Corps members, Aiding Corps members to stage-manage their own rejection as well as under-utilization of Corps members.
“Other challenges also include delay in issuance of monthly clearance to deserving Corps members, in human treatment of Corps members and lack of support for Corps members Community Development Service projects among others”, the Acting NYSC DG said.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar reiterated state government’s commitments in the promotion of welfare of Corps members posted to the state.
He said the state government has taken adequate steps in improving the welfare and security of Corps members posted to the state.
Earlier in a welcome address, the State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammad Taura said the Workshop was aimed at arming employers and other stakeholders of the scheme with the knowledge of how to improve the welfare and productivity of Corps members.
Taura urged participants to take the proceedings of the Workshop for the good of not only Corps members but also for the benefit of their organizations.
He commended Zamfara government for providing enabling environment for the Corps members to operate in the state.
