The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, has issued a strong caution to corps members nationwide, urging them to steer clear of drug abuse, social vices, and unauthorized travel as they commence their national service.
General Ahmed delivered the message during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State.
He warned that involvement in drug trafficking, abuse, cybercrime, and other criminal activities will not be tolerated, stressing that corps members who flout the law would face the full weight of legal consequences. “Your membership of the Scheme does not confer any immunity on you from the legal consequences of any wrongdoing,” he stated.
Addressing the dangers of unapproved travel, the DG reiterated the NYSC’s zero tolerance for night journeys and unauthorized trips. He urged corps members to always obtain permission from appropriate authorities before embarking on any journey and to ensure such travel is concluded by 6:00 p.m. In cases where it becomes necessary to sleep over, he advised corps members to lodge at safe and recognized places such as NYSC lodges, military barracks, or police stations.
He also encouraged corps members to continue upholding the ideals of the Scheme by being law-abiding, disciplined, and exemplary in conduct. “You are expected to be good ambassadors of the NYSC, your families, and the institutions that produced you,” he said.
The DG highlighted the need for corps members to make the most of the skills acquisition training they received during the orientation, urging them to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to self-reliance in light of the limited availability of white-collar jobs.
He assured that the NYSC is actively collaborating with security agencies and host communities to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of all corps members throughout their service year.
The ceremony marked the end of a three-week intensive orientation programme aimed at instilling discipline, unity, and a sense of national service in the new corps members deployed to Niger State and other parts of the country.o
