The House of Representatives has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, including the National Assembly, to stop rejecting members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and instead create opportunities for their effective engagement during the mandatory one-year national service.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei during plenary on Thursday.
Moving the motion, Ambaiowei recalled that the NYSC scheme was established through Decree No. 24 of 1973, now the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as part of post-civil war efforts aimed at fostering national unity, reconciliation and reconstruction.
He noted that the scheme was designed to bring together graduates from different parts of the country to serve in states other than their places of origin or residence, thereby promoting national integration and a shared sense of purpose.
The lawmaker stated that over the years, the programme has contributed significantly to national cohesion, community development, business growth and social integration, with many corps members establishing successful careers and even family ties in their host communities.
He, however, expressed concern that many government establishments now reject corps members posted to them, thereby denying the young graduates opportunities to acquire valuable work experience and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to him, the trend has left many corps members vulnerable to exploitation by private organisations and exposed some to criminal activities due to lack of engagement.
Ambaiowei further argued that the rejection of corps members amounts to a waste of public resources, as the government continues to pay monthly allowances to graduates who are not effectively utilised.
He warned that the development undermines the original objectives of the NYSC scheme and could discourage future graduates from embracing the programme.
The lawmaker stressed that proper deployment and utilisation of corps members in government institutions would not only provide them with practical experience but also enhance productivity and contribute to economic growth.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged all MDAs, including the National Assembly, to desist from rejecting corps members and to develop work schedules that would accommodate and integrate them into their operations.
The House also mandated its Committee on Youth Development to liaise with the Director-General of the NYSC with a view to developing a framework for effectively engaging corps members and harnessing their potential during the service year.
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