The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawunmi, yesterday, reaffirmed the commitment of the scheme to collaborate with the 36 state governors, including the Federal Capital Territory, to guarantee the safety of corps members undergoing their service year nationwide.
Speaking at the NYSC Lagos Orientation Camp, in Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos, during the Closing Ceremony of the 2015 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) Orientation Course for corps members deployed to the state, Olawunmi said the scheme will continue to put tight measures in place to guarantee the safety and security of corps members nationwide.
Reacting on the heels of the recent killing of 27-year-old serving corps member, Miss Idowu Yetunde Shukurat, in Illorin the Kwara state capital, Olawumi who regretted the unfortunate incident, however said that her suspected assailants have been apprehended by the Kwara State Police Command and charged to court.
His words: “The killing of our corps member, late Miss Idowu Yetunde Shukurat is something that was very painful and was indeed a sad point for us in the scheme. Our thinking is that we have put so much in place as far as the security of corps members is concerned. It’s not about the NYSC putting those measures in place alone, state governments too have their own security strategies in place to ensure the safety and security of their citizens, including the corps members.
“The unfortunate incident is just one of those isolated cases that is very regrettable and a sad point for us in the scheme. As much as it is for the parents of the corps members. The Kwara State government has also expressed their sadness over the issue and that has led to the security agencies rallying round to arrest some people which they have already charged to court. We would continue to do whatever we can to ensure the security and safety of our corps members.”
Appealing to corps members to make efforts in getting integrated into their host communities, as well as getting fully involved in the change philosophy of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the NYSC boss said:
“My appeal to corps members nationwide is that as far as their security is concerned, one of the strategies we taught them while they were in camp is that the first layer of what they need to do about their safety and security is to get themselves integrated in the host communities where they are serving.
“They must do this by learning the language of their host communities, learning about their culture, putting efforts in terms of community development service, such that they can be fully integrated. They know the communities and the communities know them. That for us is the first level of ensuring adequate security for these corps members.
“Then, my second appeal to them is that a new administration has just come in, and this administration is talking about change. Change in so many aspects of our lives to bring about positive virtues into our national lives. So, as corps members who are graduates and always in uniform, we are pushing them to be the vanguard of this change. Wherever they are, they must be noticed for very good values. Very soon, we are going to call them out to be seriously involved in driving this change nationwide,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe, who charged the corps members to always maintain good character in their Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs), however, appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide a state-of-the-art NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp that will be commissioned to the honour of his administration. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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