NYSC to blacklist employers denying corps members accommodation, transport

The National Youth Service Corps has announced plans to blacklist employers that fail to provide accommodation and transportation for corps members posted to serve with them.

In a statement shared on its social media page on Tuesday, the Director-General of the scheme, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while interacting with corps members during a working visit to Kogi State.

Nafiu said, “Any employer who did not provide accommodation and transportation for Corps Members would be blacklisted from enjoying Corps services.”

He urged organisations employing corps members to improve their welfare, stressing that adequate support would enhance their productivity and well-being during the service year.

The NYSC boss also assured corps members of the Federal Government’s commitment to their security and welfare.

“The Federal Government is resolutely committed to your security and welfare,” he said, while appealing to state and local governments, as well as other stakeholders, to increase their support for the scheme.

He reminded corps members that “security is everyone’s business” and urged them to promptly report suspicious activities to relevant security agencies.

Nafiu also advised the corps members to remain disciplined, dedicated to duty and avoid acts capable of tarnishing the image of the scheme.

He further urged them to take the post-camp Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training seriously, describing it as an opportunity to become self-reliant.

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

Acknowledging the prevailing economic challenges, the NYSC Director-General also encouraged corps members to cultivate a savings culture.

“Take your service year as a training ground for future financial management by managing your finances wisely,” he added.

Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in Kogi State, Mrs Tochi Chika Chris-Moneke, commended the Director-General for the visit, saying it demonstrated his commitment to the welfare and security of corps members and staff.

She also disclosed that the state secretariat was planning to organise a corps employers’ workshop and a Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme in the coming weeks.