ETIM EFFIONG
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has urged corps members to be good ambassadors of the scheme and stay away from acts that could damage the image of the corps.
Ibrahim, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, said this in Nsit Atai, Ikot Itie Udung, Ibrahim on Tuesday.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2021 Batch ‘C’, Stream 2 corps members, Ibrahim asked the corps members to be security-conscious and steer clear from troubles.
He said: “Therefore, you must be wary of acts that can spoil our image, especially vices such as drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and advanced-fee-fraud.
“Also remember that your membership of the service corps does not confer immunity from the legal consequences of any wrongdoing.
“I, therefore, enjoin you to continue to be law-abiding, while also serving as role models for the younger ones.”
The director-general urged corps members to perform their duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws as well as workplace rules and regulations.
He warned corps members against involving themselves in community politics, emphasising that it should be a no-go-area to them.
Ibrahim also urged the corps members to build on the knowledge of NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) they acquired to become self-employed.
He said the NYSC management would continue to liaise with financial institutions and other stakeholders to provide start-up loans to those willing to start up businesses.
The DG warned corps members against using social media for ethnic jingoism and rumour peddling but self-improvement and promotion of unity in the country.
He warned corps members against unauthorised journeys and avoid night trips, stressing that travelling at night would not only increase the risk of an accident but also make rescue difficult.
Ibrahim appealed to corps employers to always accept corps members posted to them and provide them with a good welfare package.
He said, “I urge you to mentor them properly to enable them to develop their potentials.
“I also call on other stakeholders, including state and local government authorities as well as traditional rulers, to give the necessary encouragement to the corps members,” he said.
The state coordinator thanked Gov. Udom Emmanuel for always supporting the activities of the scheme and corps members during and after the orientation camp.