Reps Urge MDAs to Stop Rejecting Corps Members

The House of Representatives has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop rejecting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members 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.

 

Presenting the motion, Ambaiowei expressed concern over the increasing practice of government agencies turning away corps members assigned to them, describing it as a setback to the objectives of the NYSC scheme.

 

He said the trend deprives young graduates of opportunities to gain practical work experience and contribute meaningfully to national development.

 

According to the lawmaker, the rejection of corps members often leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by private organisations and, in some cases, exposes them to criminal activities due to a lack of meaningful engagement during their service year.

 

Ambaiowei also argued that the practice amounts to a waste of public resources, noting that the Federal Government continues to pay monthly allowances to corps members who are not effectively utilised at their places of primary assignment.

 

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

 

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

 

Lawmakers also called on government agencies to create work schedules that would accommodate corps members and ensure their skills and talents are effectively utilised.

 

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