Borno, Yobe to get corps members – NYSC

[DT]

DESPITE the security challenges bedevilling Borno and Yobe States, the National Youths Service Corps has said that the two states will continue to receive corps members, but will not host orientation camps until when security situations in the two states improves.

Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okorie Affia, stated this at the weekend while fielding questions from newsmen in Bauchi.

"Benue and Nassarawa States will host orientation camps of corps members for Borno and Yobe States, and corps members who are desirous to serve in those states

will be posted there. But those who do not want to serve there will be relocated right from the Benue and Nassarawa orientation camps," he said.

Speaking on the security of corps members, he said though the organisation is not a security outfit, it was collaborating with security agencies with a view to ensuring safety of corps members at places of their primary assignment.

"The NYSC is not a security organisation, it relies on all security agencies to provide security for corps members and all Nigerians as well. Remember that these corps members are going to be deployed round the state. We have, however, identified their lodges where they reside and given that information to the police and the

SSS so that they can go on rescue mission any time there is trouble as soon as possible. These corps members will be protected in their places of primary assignment by all major stakeholders and these include state governments and security agencies in the state," he said.

Asked whether corps members would be allowed to participate in future elections in the country, General Okorie-Affia said NYSC members would continue to serve as ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during elections.

Daily Trust