Stop rejecting corps members – Reps caution MDAs

The House of Representatives has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to stop rejecting members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to them for the mandatory one-year national service.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei during plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Ambaiowei expressed concern over what he described as the growing practice by government establishments of rejecting corps members assigned to them, a development he said was denying young graduates valuable opportunities to gain practical work experience and contribute to national development.

According to him, the trend has left many corps members vulnerable to exploitation by private organisations while exposing some to criminal activities due to a lack of proper engagement during their service year.

The lawmaker further argued that the rejection of corps members amounts to a waste of public resources, noting that the Federal Government continues to pay monthly stipends to graduates who are not effectively utilised in their places of assignment.

He warned that the development could undermine the objectives of the NYSC scheme and discourage future graduates from participating actively in the programme.

Following deliberations, the House adopted the motion and called on all MDAs, including the National Assembly, to desist from rejecting corps members posted to them.

Lawmakers also urged the agencies to develop work schedules that would accommodate and effectively integrate corps members into their operations to maximise their skills and potential.

In addition, the House mandated its Committee on Youth Development to liaise with the Director-General of the NYSC to develop a framework for the effective engagement of corps members and ensure their talents are harnessed for national development throughout the service year.