Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo.
As Nigeria’s 2023 General Election approaches, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Taraba State for their one year compulsory National Service have been warned to stay away from engaging in local politics with their host communities.
The Director General, NYSC, Brigadier General MK Fadah gave the warning while speaking on the occasion of the Closing Ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘B’, Stream I Orientation Course of the Corps members deployed to the State.
The Event was held this Tuesday at the State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sibre in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of the State.
The DG, represented by the State NYSC Coordinator, Anthony Nzoka said, instead of engaging in local politics with host communities, they better engage in personal and group Community Development Schemes (CDS) projects that will help to uplift the living standard of the people.
He further advised them to perform their duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-laws as well as Workplace rules and Regulations.
“In keeping with objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their culture”,
“I must however, emphasize that engagement in their local politics is a no-go-area for you”,
“Furthermore, I enjoin you to undertake personal and group Community
Development Service (CDS) projects that will help to uplift the living standard of the your host communities”, he said.
Warning the Corps members against unauthorized journeys and night trips, he added that travelling at night will not only increase their risk of accident but also make rescue difficult.
On Covid-19 pandemic, MK Fadah said, the prevention protocols are not meant to be observed in the Camp only saying, with their level of awareness of the virus, he was confident that they would continue to be on the guard everywhere they find themselves while helping to sensitise the members of their host communities.
NYSC boss however, expressed joy over what he described as impressive reports he received on their participation in the Entrepreneurial trainings conducted at the Camp under the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“I encourage you to build on the skills acquired by availing yourselves of the opportunities for post camp trainings, stressing that such will go a long way in empowering them for self reliance.
Our Correspondent gathered that about One Thousand, Seven Hundred (1700) Corps members who registered during the opening ceremony also participated during the closing ceremony.
