NYSC Warns Employers: Provide Accommodation, Welfare or Lose Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned employers across the country to improve the welfare of corps members posted to their organisations or risk being barred from participating in the scheme.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said employers who fail to provide basic welfare, particularly accommodation and transportation where necessary, could be blacklisted from receiving corps members in future postings.

Brig.-Gen. Nafiu gave the warning during an interactive session with corps members in Lokoja, Kogi State, as part of his working visit to the state.

He stressed that corps members deserve a safe and supportive working environment throughout their service year, adding that organisations benefiting from the scheme have a responsibility to provide adequate welfare for them.

The NYSC Director-General also reassured corps members of the Federal Government's commitment to their welfare and security, while appealing to state governments, local government authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen their support for the scheme.

According to a statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Director-General urged corps members to remain security conscious and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.

He reminded them that security is a shared responsibility and encouraged them to remain vigilant throughout their service year.

Brig.-Gen. Nafiu also advised corps members to uphold the core values of the NYSC by remaining disciplined, dedicated and law-abiding in their places of primary assignment.

He urged them to avoid acts capable of tarnishing the image of their families, educational institutions and the NYSC, describing them as ambassadors of all three.

The Director-General further encouraged corps members to take full advantage of the Scheme's Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, noting that acquiring practical skills could provide sustainable sources of income after service.

He said the prevailing economic realities make entrepreneurship increasingly important and advised corps members to identify business opportunities within their host communities rather than waiting until the end of their service year.

"Be proactive, identify business opportunities within your host communities, and start making some money for yourselves even now," he said.

Brig.-Gen. Nafiu also urged corps members to cultivate prudent financial habits despite current economic challenges, describing savings as a critical foundation for long-term financial stability.

He advised them to use their service year as an opportunity to learn sound financial management that would benefit them beyond the programme.

Earlier, the NYSC Kogi State Coordinator, Mrs. Tochi Chika Chris-Moneke, welcomed the Director-General and described his visit as a demonstration of the management's commitment to the welfare and security of corps members and staff in the state.

She also disclosed that the state secretariat is preparing to organise a workshop for corps employers and a Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme in the coming weeks as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders and expand the scheme's community development initiatives.