‘NYSC Was Not Unfair To Decamped Member’

[TGD]

 THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State has refuted allegation that it acted unfairly on circumstances surrounding the decamping of a corps member.

Ekundayo Tolulope Damilola had been decamped over refusal to put on trousers as required by the scheme's dress code.

It had been alleged that NYSC authorities sent Damilola away from the camp at about 11pm, about two weeks ago.

State Coordinator, Mrs. Theresa Anosike, at the weekend, told reporters during a press conference at the Sagamu Orientation Camp that Damilola was not sent packing as alleged.

Anosike explained that one Apostle Otaru of Antioch Church, Sagamu, came to pick her up at about 10.27pm, acting on behalf of her pastor, Apostle Paul Adenuga. This, the Coordinator said, was after the corps member had written an undertaking that she could not comply with the camp's stipulated dress code.

"Since it was late, she was advised to go back to her hostel and prepare to leave in the morning. But she told us that her father sent somebody, who was already on the way, to pick her up," said Anosike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coordinator said Damilola's action contradicts signed undertaking to abide by the NYSC's dress code.

She said the corps member wrote a letter, saying that because of her religious convictions, she could not comply with the code and had therefore "decided to leave the camp quietly."

The Coordinator said: "Several camp officials had accosted her at different times. But she refused to wear the items, saying she had a covenant with God and there was nothing anybody could do. She insisted that she was ready to forgo the scheme, rather than wear them."

Anosike explained that the NYSC is a paramilitary outfit, like the Police, Customs, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corps and Prisons. She said that corps members, irrespective of religious, cultural and social backgrounds must wear prescribed uniforms for all activities on camp and throughout the service year.

"Any member who refuses, fails, or neglects to comply with this rule, shall be tried by the Camp Court. And if found guilty, is liable to be decamped and sent out of the orientation camp," Anosike said, quoting from the NYSC byelaw.

It would be recalled that at a press conference during the week, Apostle Adenuga, General Overseer of Faith Revival Apostolic Church, condemned NYSC authorities for sending Damilola away from the camp at a late hour of the day.



The Guardian