Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has advised Prospective Corps Members (PCM) to allow the corps’ Oath to bind them during and after the service year.
Ibrahim made the remarks during a visit to the 2021 Batch ‘C’, Stream ‘2’ PCM deployed to Lagos State for the national orientation program, which begins on Tuesday at the NYSC Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
“You must allow the NYSC Oath to bind you during and after the service year.”
“The essence is for you to continue to promote our national unity and integration because NYSC prioritizes the nation,” said the NYSC director-general.
He described the PCM as a group of young people with great potential in a variety of fields, ranging from political positions in the country to business owners who must give their all to achieve their dreams.
“Because the road to success is not always easy, you must cherish your integrity, work very hard, and be dedicated to your dream; by doing so, I can assure you that the sky will not be your limit.”
“You all have potential, and you can use the NYSC as a platform to achieve success; among you are the president of this country, governors, and chairmen of industries,” Ibrahim said.
The NYSC director-general cautioned the PCM against misusing social media, particularly in forwarding content, claiming that it was contaminated with fake news and misleading information.
“I reiterate that you must exercise caution when using social media; you must be certain of the information you send to anyone because you can be tracked.”
“Don’t use it to spread fake news, hatred, blackmail, or falsehood,” he added. “Rather, use it to promote national unity and integration.”
While assuring them of a memorable service year, he cautioned them not to bribe anyone in order to be assigned to a specific location for primary assignment following the orientation program.
Anyone found guilty of such an act, he said, would be assigned to a location against his or her target.
On the sidelines, Ibrahim emphasized that all corps members must get the COVID-19 vaccination and show proof of it, citing a Federal Government directive.
“You are all aware that the Federal Government has issued a directive to all public servants, including NYSC members, that by December 1, you must show proof of vaccination before entering any office.”
“As a public servant, make sure you are vaccinated; NYSC, for example, is giving priority to being vaccinated, because if you are posted to your place of primary assignment and you do not have proof of vaccination, you will not be accepted.”
“Do not listen to any misinformation about vaccinations.” I’ve had my first and second vaccinations for a long time; the goal is to protect yourself and others.
“I don’t want to get a report that you were rejected at your job because you didn’t get your COVID-19 vaccination or didn’t show proof of it,” Ibrahim added.