The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has stated that late arrival of Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) to their respective Orientation Camps is not tolerated and accepted in all forms and ramifications, as it contradicts the Scheme’s Operational Guidelines, adding that the Scheme’s policy on mobilization and orientation programmes is clearly spelt out in the enabling Act and Call-Up Letters issued to the PCMs.
A statement by the Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said the Scheme noted with dismay the reports of agitations by some Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) who arrived late to their respective Orientation Camps for the ongoing 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation Course, and were consequently not registered.
According to the statement, “The attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to reports of agitations by some Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) who arrived late to their respective Orientation Camps for the ongoing 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation Course, and were consequently not registered.
“The Scheme’s policy on mobilization and orientation programmes is clearly spelt out in the enabling Act and Call-Up Letters issued to the PCMs.
“For avoidance of doubt, the first paragraph of the Call-Up Letters for this Batch of Corps Members stated that registration will close by 12 midnight of Thursday 29th August, 2024, while the Swearing-in Ceremony for those who successfully completed the registration process would take place simultaneously nationwide on Friday 30th August, 2024.
“As an organisation that prides itself as one with human face, the above notwithstanding, when the NYSC Management got reports of late arrival of some PCMs in some States, the Director General directed that the deadline for closure of the registration portal be extended to 12 midnight of Friday 30th August, 2024.
“Surprisingly, even after this grace period, videos of complaints by some Prospective Corps Members have again surfaced on the social media agitating for further extension.
“In response to this, the Director General promptly visited some camps to assess the situation. He sympathized with the affected Prospective Corps Members but reiterated that adherence to the rules of engagement in accordance with the NYSC Bye-laws, (in which discipline, including adherence to the stipulated dates of resumption to the Orientation Camp), was key. He, however directed that the affected Prospective Corps Members be availed accommodation and feeding before they left the camps.
“He also assured those who made efforts but could not meet up with the registration schedule for this batch, that they would be given some considerations during the 2024 Batch ‘C’ mobilization.
“While Management sympathises with the affected Prospective Corps Members, Nigerians should be reminded that the NYSC is a Scheme whose operations are based on the provisions of the enabling Act and Bye-laws.”
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