The Federal Government has announced the cessation of posting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to states deemed unsafe due to escalating security concerns across the nation. This decision comes amidst recent incidents involving the abduction of corps members in various parts of the country; raising concerns about their safety during the NYSC scheme, designed to foster national integration.
Jamila Ibrahim Bio, the Minister of Youth Development, disclosed this crucial information during an interview on Channels Television’s flagship current affairs program, ‘Sunday Politics,’ which was closely monitored in Abuja. Miss Bio highlighted key measures undertaken to ensure the safety of corps members; they include: refraining from posting them to states considered unsafe, and implementing collaborative security efforts involving various government agencies and security outlets.
Additionally, transportation strategies are being devised to ensure the safe transit of corps members to and from camps, and their respective destinations. The Minister also mentioned ongoing NYSC reforms aimed at aligning the scheme with present national realities, particularly regarding remuneration and job market preparation for corps members.
Miss Bio emphasised the holistic funding of the NYSC, and hinted at transforming the scheme into a revenue-generating agency to empower corps members for better integration into the job market. This recent update underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the safety and welfare of NYSC participants while adapting the scheme to meet contemporary challenges, reflecting a proactive step towards mitigating risks faced by corps members during their mandatory national service.
