The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has invalidated 101 certificates of persons fraudulently mobilised for national service.
The NYSC Director, Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa announced this in a statement issued on Monday, August 12, 2024.
According to the statement, the corps took this action to maintain the integrity of the national service programme and prevent unqualified individuals from participating.
Megwa said; “The 101 persons were illegally mobilised by the University of Calabar for national service during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NYSC service years.
“Out of the figure, 99 were underlisted for service, while two others were exempted from service.
“Consequently, the management of NYSC hereby restates its strong commitment to ensuring that unqualified locally and foreign-trained Nigerian youth, especially those purported to have graduated from unaccredited universities, are not recognised.
“We will always ensure only qualified persons are issued with NYSC Certificates of National Service.”
He declared that “the NYSC certificates of the affected persons have been invalidated forthwith.”
Megwa urged members of the public, especially corps employers, government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, corporate and religious organisations, multi-national companies, crop-producing institutions and other critical stakeholders of NYSC, to take note for prompt action.
He also urged members of the public to always confirm, from NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja, the authenticity of certificates of national service, as well as exemption and exclusion letters being presented for any purpose.
Meanwhile, the NYSC has maintained that its directive on the suspension of biometric clearance and Community Development Services (CDS) still subsists
This is against a circular making the rounds on social media purportedly signed by the NYSC Director General.
The Scheme said the directory in circulation was a ruse which only existed in the imagination of those it described as unpatriotic element(s) behind its issuance.
It cried out over the spate of misleading information being rolled out by some mischievous personalities, saying it has become a matter of grave concern.
“The Scheme is now poised to employ all means in unmasking and dealing accordingly with these perpetrators,” it added in a statement signed by Eddy Megwa, Director, Information and Public Relations.
“No genuine circular from the NYSC has or will ever be released through social media bloggers.
“For the purpose of clarity, the NYSC’s directive on the suspension of biometric clearance and Community Development Services (CDS) still subsists.
“Corps Members will be adequately informed through the official channels of communication when the suspension is lifted.
“Furthermore, Corps Members should be reminded again that the NYSC and indeed the Federal Government remain absolutely committed to their welfare throughout the service year.
“It is for this reason that successive administrations have always ensured that members of the service Corps are always included in every wage review in the history of our nation. The situation in this instance will not also be different.
“While we await Government pronouncement on the newly increased minimum wage; all Corps Members are warned against allowing anyone to instigate them to embark on any form of protest as it will be a clear departure from the oath they swore to and the provisions of the NYSC Bye laws.
“The Scheme will not hesitate to invoke the content of NYSC Act and bye law on any Corps Member that takes law into his hands.
“Be rest assured that a second will not be wasted in issuing pronouncement and implementing same as soon as the scheme gets the go ahead from the appropriate authorities on any review of your stipend,” it stated.
