The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi, on Wednesday said the scheme would not compromise in its efforts to ensure the safety of its corps members before, during and after the 2015 general elections.
This came just as the Edo State Governor stressed the need to encourage innovations and entrepreneurship among serving and former members of the scheme, in the face of unemployment in the country.
Brig. Gen. Olawumi also stated that the decision that no corps member will be compelled to serve in states under emergency still stands,” a move which he said had necessitated the hosting of two streams of orientation courses in such states.
The DG, who stated this in the opening ceremony of scheme’s management conference held in Benin, the Edo State capital, said a total of 134,000 corps members had been selected and trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the March 28 and April 11 polls and assured parents and guardians of their safety.
“The scheme fully prepared for the national assignment, as all participating corps members have been adequately trained to competently play their roles. We have equally put in place necessary security measures for their safety,” he said.
He explained that the theme for the conference, “Fulfilling the Mandate of the Scheme in the Face of Current Challenges,” captures issues, such as insecurity, rejection of corps members in places of primary assignment, funding and inadequate infrastructure, posed critical challenges to the scheme.
He also said the increasing larger corps population, from “a modest ” 2,364 graduates in 1973 to the current figure of about 250,000, with a projection that “it may hit 300,000 in a couple of years,” had added a complex dimension to the operation of the scheme.
Olawumi added, “It is hoped that this conference will brainstorm on some of these challenges and come up with strategies that will enhance our performance in the next one year.”
While commending the corps members for their commitment to service to their fatherland, he warned that the scheme would not tolerate any form of misconduct or bias, during the polls.
He also lauded the efforts of the Edo State Government in ensuring that the scheme got a befitting permanent orientation camp in Okada.
Declaring the ceremony open, Governor Oshiomhole, decried the use of tribalism by unscrupulous politicians, as a tool to create a divide among Nigerians.
He, however, lauded the scheme for remaining committed to the unity of Nigeria.
He also expressed confidence that the introduction of the card reader would strengthen the credibility of the polls. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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