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NYSC: Pay Attention To Security Of Corps Members, D-G Urges Employers
The Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yushau Ahmed, has urged employers of corps members to pay particular attention to security of corps members posted to their organisations.
Ahmed, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, NYSC acting Zonal Coordinator, South East, gave the advice during the 2023 Corps Employers Workshop yesterday in Enugu with the theme “Enhancing the Wellbeing of Corps Members for Optimum Productivity.”
He said that the workshop was aimed at receiving feedback from strategic stakeholders on the strength, weakness and potentials of the scheme, as well as chart ways of strengthening its operations in the post jubilee era.
“We are also expected to review ways of addressing the welfare needs of corps members in their places of primary assignment and deliberate on how to ensure safety of corps members in their places of assignments.
“We are expected to look at the roles of the corps employers in community development service, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development, security during service and health initiative for rural dwellers,” he said.
The NYSC Enugu State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, said that the theme of this year’s workshop was more apt in the present situation, where Nigerians were faced with increased insecurity coupled with the dwindling resources to adequately take care of the ever expanding corps population.
Adama added that security of corps members was an issue that must always be given adequate attention.
She urged the employers not to apply for corps members if they could not provide accommodations for them or give them money in lieu of accommodations.
During the business session, Mrs I. Oladipo, Deputy Director, Account, NYSC South East, presented a paper on “The role of NYSC and corps employers in impacting the host community through community development service, health initiative for rural dwellers, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development in the post jubilee era.”
Oladipo said that community development service programme of the NYSC was one out of the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC scheme in which corps members contribute positively to the development of their host communities.
She added that the NYSC skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development projects reached out to all Corps members mobilised for the one-year mandatory service to the nation.
She urged the employers to emphasise more on the welfare of the corps members as well as correct them when they go wrong.
Meanwhile, Mrs Dimma Anyaocha, Assistant Director, Operations, NYSC, South East, in her presentation on “The role of corps employers in ensuring the welfare and security of Corps members”, said that corps employers who played a major role in the welfare and security of the past 50 years deserve to be celebrated.
Anyaocha identified notable victories of the employers, adding that some of them had successfully retrained or employed corps members after their service year, some corps members, with the recommendation from the corps employers, had won NYSC awards and even moved on to get jobs in other sectors, among others.
Some employers, who participated, urged the NYSC to provide accommodations for the corps members in all the Local Government Areas.
A warrant Officer, David Igbidi, from Air Force Comprehensive School, Agbani, Enugu, said his school had adequate conducive accommodations for the corps members posted to the school.
He requested for NYSC medical personnel to be posted to his school.
Mr Johnson Ugochinyelu of Akpugoeze High School, Akpugoeze, Enugu, said that most of the schools in Enugu did not have accommodations for their staff, therefore, the corps members would find it difficult to be given accommodation.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.