Provide platforms for corps members to be productive – Dr. Aremu

Addressing the challenges associated with rejection and acceptance of corps members as well as ensuring their effective performance formed the basis of a day seminar organized by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, for corps employers in Oyo State.

In her paper entitled, “Integrating the corps members into our host communities”, the Deputy Director Administration, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station, Dr Adenike Aremu said NYSC provided a platform for Nigerians to have a shared knowledge of Nigeria’s cultural diversity while also contributing positively to their host communities.

Dr Aremu who advised corps members to be diligent and work in line with the mandate of the places of their primary assignments said organizations should provide a conducive working environment for corps members to make them productive.

While identifying the prevalence of insecurity in the country, favouritism and interference of parents in posting of corps members, as some of the challenges of the scheme, Dr Aremu said the government should improve the funding of the NYSC for better performance.

Delivering a lecture on the theme: “Optimizing, the NYSC/Corps Employers Partnership for National Development in the context of the New Normal” a Professor of Counselling Psychology, University of Ibadan, Rotimi Animashaun said there was the need for employers to apply basic principles that would enhance the productive capacity of the corps members posted to their organization.

In a keynote address, the Director-General, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim explained that the theme of the workshop was carefully chosen to emphasize the collective role of stakeholders in sustaining the impact of the scheme in the face of the challenges posed by Covid-19.

The DG who was represented by the Director of General Services, Mr Emmanuel Attah decried some shortcomings from corps employers which include delay in applying for the services of corps members, under-utilization of corps members and lack of adequate support for corps members among others.

Rotimi Famakin