NYSC Bows to Pressure, Redeploys Corps Members

 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has bowed to pressure from members of the House of Representatives and other concerned Nigerians: it has instructed all 2012 Batch 'B' prospective corps members deployed to Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna States who have not reported to camp to immediately report at its directorate headquarters in Abuja for redeployment.

The NYSC, in a press statement signed by the director-general, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia, and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday, said those posted to Yobe State will now hold their orientation course at the Nasarawa State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Keffi, while those posted to Borno State should report in the Benue State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Wanume, Tarka LGA.

"All 2012 Batch 'B' prospective corps members deployed to Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna states who have collected their call-up letters but are yet to report in camp should immediately report at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Abuja, for redeployment," the statement said.

But speaking with LEADERSHIP, the deputy director, publications, Mr. Peter Atilola, said the latest arrangement would not stop those currently in camp and willing to be relocated from doing so.
Clarifying the decision of the scheme, the NYSC's head, press and public relations unit, Mrs Abosede Aderibegbe, said those that would be redeployed from the headquarters would join others posted to Yobe and Borno states in Nasarawa and Benue states for their orientation course before deploying them to other states other than Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna states.
"Those affected will join Yobe and Borno in Nasarawa and Benue states for their orientation, before being posted to states different from their states of origin and the five states listed above," she assured.

FG assures corps members of safety
Meanwhile, the federal government has assured that adequate security would be provided for the corps members anywhere they are posted to for the national service.
Information minister Mr. Labaran Maku, briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, noted that the minister of youth was already designing a modality for tackling the corps members' fear.
Reacting to House of Representatives resolution on the matter, Maku said there was no cause for government to start implementing a programme that questioned the national cohesion, adding that government considered it as its responsibility to guarantee the security and safety of its citizens anywhere in the country.