The Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has advised corps members to acquaint themselves with the requirements for the conferment of the President’s NYSC Honours Award.
He gave the advice while addressing the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps Members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Amada Gombe State and their colleagues in Yobe State Orientation Camp.
Ibrahim who said grading for the honours award starts from the Orientation Camp, revealed that potential award winners must excel in all the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, namely, Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-Out programme.
He urged the corps members to show high level of diligence, dedication, loyalty, efficiency, patriotism, punctuality, teamwork and contribute immensely to the development of their fatherland.
He assured that the selection process for the award is always transparent and handled by a committee of Nigerians with proven integrity from both the public and private sectors.
Speaking on Community Development Service, lbrahim urged the Corps Members to study the felt needs of their host communities and execute projects that would uplift the living standard of the people.
He however advised them to obtain approval from the NYSC before embarking on such projects.
He warned that NYSC policy does not allow Corps Members to execute projects with their personal money, but such money should be sourced from within their host communities.
He also revealed that any Corps Member that relocates from his initial State of Deployment or stage-managed rejection is automatically disqualified from winning the NYSC Honours Award.
“To quality for NYSC Honours Award you must not relocate, you must not reject posting to your place of Primary Assignment, you must get approval from the NYSC for the project you want to embark upon. Equally, you must have won the State Honours Award before you can qualify for nomination for the President’s NYSC Honours Award. Also note that you are not expected to spend your money to execute any project.
“Try to distinguish yourselves and do things that will be memorable after your service year like your predecessors.” the DG stated.
He advised them to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the Scheme which was designed to empower them for self-employment and wealth creation, instead of seeking for the unavailable salaried jobs.
The Director-General added that the Scheme has partnered with relevant institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Access Bank, NYSC Foundation, among others to provide soft loans to Corps Members in order to establish their businesses.
Ibrahim also reiterated that efforts are on-going to establish the NYSC Trust Fund which would provide start-up capital for Corps Members as they exit service.
The NYSC boss admonished Corps Members to always seek permission from their State Coordinator before travelling, and ensure they board vehicles from designated motorparks only.
“Don’t abuse your privilege. Don’t make yourself available for kidnappers and in whatever you are doing, cast your mind back to where you are coming from.
“Avoid cutting corners, cherish your dignity and the sky will be your limit.”
General lbrahim disclosed that posting and other services are free in NYSC, and anyone that tries to undermine the integrity of the posting policy would be sanctioned accordingly.
During the Swearing-in ceremony, a total of 1,365 Prospective Corps Members comprising 650 males and 715 females took the Oath of Allegiance which was administered by Hon. Justice Muazu Abdulkadir Pindiga.
