The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed, has issued a marching order to the scheme’s State Coordinators to beef up security around various orientation camps across the country.

General Ahmed handed the order in his keynote address at the 2023 Batch ‘C pre-orientation course workshop held in Abuja on Thursday,stressing that it is for the protection of Prospective Corps Members (PCMs).

He hinged his directive on the measures the management of the scheme is putting in place to avoid incidents, such as road accidents and abduction of PCMs on their way to states of deployment.

Emphasising that the security lapses have put the scheme in the spotlight in recent times, he, therefore, encourages them to put measures in place to curtail such negative trends.

He said: “Despite the modest achievements recorded in recent times, we must continue to strive for improvement in line with global best practices. In particular, reports on the 2023 Batch B Streains I and II Orientation Courses highlighted areas requiring attention including the following, security of corps members.

“This remains a matter of priority in all aspects of our operation, especially during the orientation course. State coordinators must take proactive measures, including liaising with relevant agencies to evaluate the security situation in all camp locations. Security should be beefed up before the commencement of the exercise,” he said.

Enumerating other measures for the scheme, the DG emphasised an unauthorised journey by corps members, stressing: “This is a recurring problem that has become a nightmare for the scheme.”

“Consequently, avoidable incidents, such as road accidents and abduction of PCMs on their way to states of deployment, have put us in the spotlight in recent times. 1, therefore, enjoin everyone to put measures in place to curtail this negative trend.

“In line with a recent decision of the management, state coordinators are expected to take the campaign against night journeys to motor parks, transport companies and other relevant stakeholders before the commencement of the orientation course,” he said.

On dress code, General Ahmed said that; “the NYSC uniform is a brand, which, apart from being a mark of identity, should be a source of pride for corps members. Regrettably, Management has observed that most Corps members violate the official dress code and even tamper with the original design of the uniform.

“Therefore, states FCT coordinators are hereby directed to enforce the dress code both during and after the orientation course, Directors are to monitor the level of compliance during routine inspection visits. I implore state/FCT coordinators to ensure full implementation of the above guidelines for the success of the orientation course,” he noted.

Speaking further, the DG said: “I wish to reaffirm the management’s commitment to deepening the impact of the orientation course on corps members. This informed the choice of the workshop’s theme; ‘Enhancing the orientation course as a veritable tool for leadership development and economic empowerment’. I, therefore, call on participants to map out strategies that will enable us to achieve the best results,” he said.(Daily Sun)