By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja 

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been advised to avoid risky engagements throughout the service year. 

The corps Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, gave the advice yesterday while addressing the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps members deployed to Kogi State at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Asaya, Kabba.

He urged them to avoid night travelling, lone movements and acceptance of ride from strangers, adding that they should report suspicious activities around them to the law enforcement agencies.

In the statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Relations Emeka Mgbemena, Ibrahim also enjoined them to use the period of the Orientation Course to imbibe teamwork, build lasting friendship, promote the unity of the country, add value to themselves and the NYSC.

General Ibrahim said many of their predecessors had made history by distinguishing themselves through participation in national assignments such as elections, immunization programmes, population and housing census and COVID-19 prevention, among others.

He also stressed the need for them to always be of good conduct, adding: “Shun cybercrimes, drug abuse, cultistism and other acts of criminality. You must be good ambassadors of families, NYSC and your institutions”.

The Director-General urged the Corps Members to obey set rules and regulations in their places of primary assignment. 

He warned that the Scheme would not condone acts of indiscipline, and that every infraction would attract sanctions as stipulated in the NYSC Bye-Laws.

“You are the future leaders of this country, you must be disciplined, respectful, obedient, patriotic and hardworking. Note that the rules and regulations in your places of primary assignment are also binding on you,” he added.

General lbrahim sensitized the corps members on the criteria for selection of winners of the President’s NYSC Honours Award, stressing that they must excel in all the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-Out activities. 

“Once you relocate from Kogi State or change your place of Primary Assignment, you are disqualified,” he said. 

The NYSC boss further advised the corps members to embrace the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme of the Scheme, aimed at  empowering them for self-employment and wealth creation. 

He noted that many of their predecessors that went through the programme had become employers of labour.

“Please, open your minds so that you will benefit immensely from the skill acquisition training. Avoid cutting corners: drive your vision with passion; remain focused and the sky will be your limit,” he added. 

He informed them that Bill for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund that would empower corps members with start-up capitals to establish their businesses as they exit service had passed through the second reading followed by public hearing at the National Assembly.  He said when actualized, the Fund would reduce the rate of unemployment and insecurity among the youths.

Ibrahim enjoined the corps members to identify felt needs of their host communities and initiate projects that would positively improve their standard of living.

He warned against using their personal money or borrowing to fund the projects, stressing that they should source for funds from within the community.

He urged the Corps Members to be guided by the spirit and letters of their Oath of Allegiance even beyond the Service period.

“The unity of the country should be paramount to you and you should avoid anything that will jeopardise the unity, integration and cohesion of this country. You must let the spirit of NYSC live in you,” lbrahim added.

The DG warned against the negative use of the social media, advising that they should use same for promotion of national unity and development.