Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on employers to prioritise the safety and well-being of corps members serving under them.
The Director General made the call at the 2025 edition of the NYSC Corps Employers workshop on Wednesday in Lafia.
The DG was represented at the occasion by the scheme Director, North-Central Area Office, Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe.
He emphasised that employers should do everything they can to ensure that corps members serving with them are safe throughout their service.
He further explained that from the report available, corp members continued to be confronted with challenges such as rejection, delay in issuance of monthly clearance.
Others are: non-provision of statutory welfare, inhuman treatment, abuse, delay in issuance of final clearance, among others.
He advised that for security reasons, no employer should grant permission to corps members to travel outside the state without informing the management of NYSC.
“Treat them like your staff and provide them with the necessary incentives to motivate them for one year they are working with you,” he added.
The NYSC DG, however, expressed optimism that they would be able to surmount the challenges and equip the corps members with the technical know-how to face the challenges and opportunities after the service year.
Earlier, Mr Salamatu Muhammad, Nasarawa State Co-ordinator of NYSC, noted that the workshop was a platform where stakeholders share experiences to improve the situation.
The state Coordinator appreciated the employers for their partnership and support and appealed for their sustenance.
She also appreciated Gov. Abdullahi Sule, the number one corporate employer, for the support and assured that the scheme would continue to contribute its quarter to the development of the state.
In his goodwill message, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, thanked the management for organising the workshop for corps members and their employers.
The commissioner, represented by My Jonathan Gabi, Director of Youth Development, appealed to the Corps employers to pay attention to Corps members’ safety and well-being.
He added that better welfare would motivate the corp members and improve their level of productivity.
The commissioner, therefore, promised the state government would give serious attention to the safety and well-being of corps members and the youth population.
“They are the ones that have the energy needed to ensure that our economy grows, so we will give them the necessary support,” Kwanta added.
Some of the Corps Employers who spoke at the event, Likita Bahago of Federal University of Lafia and Charles Orinkpa of Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ Secondary School, Azuba, described the workshop as timely.
They therefore, promised to continue to ensure the safety and well-being of corps members under them for better output. (NAN).