The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, has advised newly deployed NYSC members to shun crime and criminal tendencies.
The DG NYSC noted that being a serving corps member is not an immunity against prosecution for criminal offences.
Ahmed said this on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the three-week orientation course of Batch A Stream I corps members held at the Amada temporary orientation camp in the Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He asked the corpers to develop a sense of responsibility and shun activities that may portray the NYSC in a bad light, especially with drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime, advanced fee fraud and the spreading of fake news.
The PUNCH reports that the batch had no fewer than 839 members, comprising 465 males and 374 females.
Ahmed, who was represented at the ceremony by Gombe State Coordinator, Ada Imoni, enjoined the NYSC members to conduct their affairs with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the corps’ Act and by-laws.
He said, “At all times, you should be good ambassadors of the NYSC as well as your families and institutions of graduation. Therefore, you must be wary of acts that can portray the Scheme in bad light, especially drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime, advanced fee fraud and spreading of fake news, amongst others. Also, remember that your membership of the service corps does not confer on you immunity from the legal consequences of any wrongdoing. You are, therefore, enjoined to continue to be law-abiding while also serving as role models for the younger ones.
“I urge you to avoid using social media for ethnic jingoism, rumour peddling and the promotion of hatred. Instead, your activities online should be targeted at self-improvement as well as promotion of the unity, peace and development of our dear country. In the same vein, avoid being speculative on issues affecting the NYSC and, instead, visit our website, social media platforms and other official channels for clarifications.”
While reminding them about their performance in previous elections, Ahmed urged the corps members to be patriotic in the conduct of the 2023 elections.
He said, “My dear compatriots, as you are already aware, the 2023 general election is around the corner. As was the case with the previous elections conducted from 2008, Corps members will form the majority of ad hoc personnel that will be enlisted for the conduct of the exercise. It will interest you to know that the performance of your predecessors contributed to the credibility of the previous elections, and earned NYSC accolades from both local and foreign observers. Therefore, I enjoin you to take a cue from them by performing the election duties with a high sense of responsibility.”
He stated that they should be guided and guarded by the provisions of the Electoral Act, assuring them of their safety ahead of the polls.
“You are to ensure adherence to the guidelines contained in the Electoral Act and, especially, remain neutral throughout the exercise. As you get set to partake in this important national assignment, I would like to assure you that we have secured the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies regarding your welfare and safety before, during and after the elections,” Ahmed added.
