LAGOS – The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, on Thursday urged Nigerians to embrace the newly-introduced online registration process for corps members.
Adeyemi made the plea while chatting with newsmen on the sidelines of the swearing-in of 2,278 corps members for the 2014 Batch ‘B’ stream 11 at the orientation camp at Iyana-Ipaja.
She said the N4,000 being charged for the service was not going to the purse of the NYSC, adding that this had been explained by the director-general of the corps.
The NYSC boss said the process was meant to improve the services of the NYSC and not to exploit prospective corps members.
“It is optional; it is to provide an easy platform for corps members to register for the scheme. Corps members do not have to travel to their institutions to collect their call-up letters.
“We have had situations where prospective corps members will travel and something will happen to them.
“But with online registration, which is in partnership with the providers, all these things are out of it.
“We are trying to see how best we can improve our operations, though with a fee,’’ she said.
Adeyemi said some states were presently having their 2014 Batch ‘C’ Orientation and the registration exercise was seamless and stress-free, with the new online process.
“Everything that we do manually before has been computerised and put online and made easy for everyone.
“We should not throw the baby away with the bath water; it is a very good introduction; the NYSC is not feeding fat on the corps members,‘’ she said.
Adeyemi said the stream two corps members had registered in August but could not participate in the orientation exercise because of the Ebola Virus Disease and the state of emergency in the health sector.
“The management decided to bring them back to complete the three-week orientation course, to avail them the opportunity to know the fundamentals of the scheme and prepare them for future challenges.
“Over the past 41 years, the NYSC has successfully graduated youths into leaders of today and tomorrow.
“The developmental growth in critical sectors of the economy such as agriculture, education, health and rural development cannot be mentioned without the invaluable contributions of corps members.
“The orientation course which you are undergoing presently is aimed at exposing you to the rudiments of the NYSC.
“The course enhances better understanding of the objectives of the scheme, as well as creating a platform that promotes national unity,’’ she said.
Adeyemi urged the corps members to comply with all camp rules and regulations, and also make discipline and selfless devotion their watchwords.
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State urged the corps members to be agents of change in the state.
Fashola was represented by Dr Wale Ahmed, the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties.
He said, “The state is looking up to you for physical transformation and technological ideas that will add to the socio-economic development of our education sector, poverty eradication, rural health and combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“The service year comes with great expectations from your host communities, as they are the immediate beneficiaries of your services.
“Much will be expected of you by them.
“The task of nation-building is a collective effort; which, therefore, means you should be ready to face the numerous challenges that come with it,’’ he said.
The governor urged the corps members to seize the platform of the scheme to cultivate a healthy relationships with one another. (NAN)
