NYSC to engage 4,000 corps members in general election in Gombe state

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says it plans to engage no fewer than 4,000 corps members for the conduct of the forthcoming general election in Gombe state.

Mr David Markson, the state’s NYSC Coordinator, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Thursday.

Markson said the corps members had been successfully trained on the successful conduct of the election.
He advised them to be nonpartisan and of good behavior during the election as well as to adhere strictly to the stipulated guidelines.

“We all must be nonpartisan and the NYSC band must not by any chance be used by individuals or group for political rally.

“As the general election draws nearer, the NYSC field officers have been directed to educate corps members on what is expected of them during the exercise.

“In Gombe state, we have successfully trained corps members and reminded them of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between us and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The NYSC has collaborated well with INEC and conducted successful elections in the past and this time around we are ready to conduct a successful exercise,” he said.

He further urged traditional and religious leaders to enlighten their follower on the need to treat corps members fairly to enable them conduct a successful election.

NYSC: 1,329 corps members enroll for skills acquisition training

The Head, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kebbi State, Alhaji Garba Fana, said 1,329 corps members out of 1,428 enrolled for the skills acquisition training in Kebbi State.

Fana disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch C Stream II SAED training and products exhibition by corps members at the permanent orientation camp, Dakingari on Tuesday.

“We registered 1, 428 corps members in Kebbi state while 1, 329 corps members participated in the skills acquisition training in the camp.

“They have to continue their training even after the camp, so that they too become employers of labour, rather than job seekers,” he said.

He said that the corps members could have been motivated to join the skills acquisition programme due to the high rate of unemployment in the country and the need to be self-employed.

Earlier, the NYSC state coordinator, Mr Usman Barde, said the (SAED) programme was created to prepare corps members for self – reliance after the completion of their one year mandatory service

Barde advised corps members to be serious in the SAED training, to enable them become self-reliant.

“Don’t t be a disappointment by going back home after service and be collecting money from your parents,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the SAED programme of the NYSC was established to address the problems of unemployment in the country by teaching corps members basic skills they will need to be self-employed.

Corps members

Ebonyi Govt increases corps members allowances

The National Youth Service Corps members in Ebonyi are currently receiving the increased monthly allowances granted them by the state government.

Gov. David Umahi, during his recent visit to the scheme’s orientation camp in Afikpo, promised to increase the corps members’ monthly allowance from N5,000 to N10,000.

Mr Charles Akpuenika, the Chairman of the NYSC governing board in the stateEbonyi made the disclosure to NAN on Tuesday, noting that the claim could be verified from the NYSC.

Akpuenika, who is the state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said the corps members had continued to send messages of gratitude on receiving the increased allowance.

“It is also noteworthy that the governor also released the sum of N400 million for the rehabilitation of the NYSC orientation camp to ensure that its environment is more conducive,” he said.

The commissioner said that the road leading to the camp was being constructed with concrete as directed by the governor while the streetlight installation was also ongoing.

“The hostels, parade ground and other facilities are also being reconstructed as the governor is determined to support the NYSC scheme to achieve its objectives.

“Ebonyi should rank as one of the states where corps members enjoy such largesse as the governor realises the importance of the scheme to national development,” he said.

Mrs Ann Ibe, the NYSC State Coordinator in Ebonyi confirmed receipt of the increased allowance by corps members and thanked the governor for the kind gesture.

“Corps members started receiving the allowance before the beginning of November and this would motivate them in effectively discharging their duties to the fatherland.

“The rehabilitation of facilities at our orientation camp has fully commenced as promised by the governor and we want to publicly attest to this kind gesture,” she said.

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State

Advise For Muslim Youths Going To NYSC Orientation Camp

*My Brethren going to NYSC Orientation Camp*

_What are your preparations for a gathering not guided by Shari’ah?_

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Nigeria are not the same, thus activities on each camp may be different. For example: what is allowed in Benue may not be allowed in Kano and vice versa. Prepare what to eat, though there is provision for food but it may not be enough or be your choice. Prepare what to wear; short and tight dresses are not our dress especially for the female. Get dresses of that color (especially white) and use it diplomatically. Remember, the best provision for the journey: (taqwa) (http://www.nmnonline.net/articles/taqwa.htm) and strengthen your Iman every moment (http://productivemuslim.com/recharge-your-iman/).

Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN) is on camp to guide you, register with them as soon as you enter. Stay in the mosque arena if it is allowed, for protection of your religion and attend their activities. And MCAN key members should follow protocol also for organizing activities.

On camp you’re living like a traveler; still don’t know your destination, Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). Jurists differed on the ruling but the most evidenced is to do Qasr till you reach your PPA. Please read about Salat Qasr. 

It is haram to mix with opposite sex in the mosque which is the purest place on the face of the earth – then how about orientation camp that is not guided by shari’ah? Allah says: _“those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity”_ (Q 25:72). My brethren, it is not a must to attend promiscuous and immoral gatherings on camp, don’t be fooled.

Islam strives to protect woman and guard them against the causes of temptation and deviation, it is not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: _“No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon her unless there is a mahram with her.”_ A man said: “O Messenger of Allah, I want to go out with such and such an army and my wife wants to go for Hajj.” He said: _“Go out with her."_ al-Bukhaari (1729) and Muslim (2391), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (12/178). So, what is your preparation for this?
Attacks on Muslim sister are frequent on camp. Listen brothers! Allah says: _"The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."_ (Q9:71). Protect your sister diplomatically, who will protect her if not you.

Posting to a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) is a lesson for all; it looks like the Day of Judgment. From different institutions, meet and become friends. Within that short time you will not like to leave your friend but the camping is over you need to go.

Collection of letter to PPA is touching; coper will line up in the same uniform. After collection of letter of PPA some will be happy and some will not be happy. You will see graduate crying! Why? He/she was posted to village while his/her friend was posted to town, thus feel frustrated. My brethren, don’t cry, ask Allah to give you the best, He knows you don’t know. Allah says: _“perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”_ (Q2:216). Any place you’re posted to, your religion is the priority, if you’re still a believer, what makes you happy than that?!

May Allah make piety part of your journey, forgive your sins and fulfil the purpose of the journey. I make Allah responsible for your deen, your trustworthiness and for the results of your actions.

*FIQH CLASS*

Iwambe Yosev Akwa-Ibom Corper Dies

Akwaibom State Loses Another Corper


I'm feeling so sad and I type in tears, i lost a member of my platoon today, I could remember how we gisted in camp n how I will always address him as my camp husband, the last time we spoke he was travelling home to Benue n i told him Yosev bring Benue yam n onion for me oh, I never knew that would be the last time we will speak, I'm feeling so bad, I never called again to check on him, only for me to hear he was very Ill n died today, Amaka how could u be so busy to check on ur friend. Prior to his death, Yosev was posted to Ikotekpene LGA. RIP in Yosev. #IwambeYosev #acorperhasfallen #nysc2016A #Platoon6members love u.

Muslim Group Rejects New NYSC Date For Orientation Due To Ramadan

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, have released a statement rejecting the June 13th date fixed for the NYSC Batch A (Stream II) orientation course, arguing that the Muslim graduates expected to participate in the orientation will be fasting as the date clashes with their Ramadan fasting. The group argues that it would be very strenuous for Muslims to be fasting and also participate in the challenges task set for them during their orientation camp. 

The statement reads in part 
“It is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional for NYSC to hold camp at a time when its Muslim members will be deprived of their freedom of worship and the liberty to practice their creed without fear. This planned camp is exclusive, discriminatory and parochial. We do not want to believe that the shift was deliberately planned to coincide with the Ramadan season with a view to excluding prospective Muslim corpers. MURIC is not trying to indulge Muslim youths. Fasting is no joke and it certainly cannot be combined with the physical challenges which characterize the NYSC camp. 
Firstly, morning drills in NYSC camps are known to be rigorous and the soldiers in charge will not take excuses. Dehydration sets in later in the day particularly in the hotter regions of Nigeria. 
Secondly, adequate sahuur (early morning meal taken approximately between 4 am and 5.15 am) cannot be guaranteed in the NYSC camp. Neither can the futuur (meal taken at sunset to break fast ) be timely as camp schedules are bound to ignore and subsume this very important period. 
Thirdly, attending orientation camp and partaking in the energy-sapping activities on empty stomach is an indubitable invitation to health crisis. NYSC may therefore be inviting Muslim corpers to step on landmines in the planned orientation camp if it holds as presently scheduled. 
There is more to Ramadan than ordinary fasting. That is on the surface. The whole month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual dedication. There are so many other spiritual exercises in which Muslims engage, the tafsiir (exegesis of the Qur’an) session, the taraawih (late evening supererogatory prayers) and nawaafil (night supererogatory prayers). Only the deep can call to the deep. All these cannot be possible in the NYSC camp.”the statement read


http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/205027-muslim-group-rejects-new-nysc-date-says-corps-members-fasting.html

Federal Government Denies Scrapping NYSC Scheme

The federal government has denied scrapping the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
There were reports that the scheme, which was established since 1975 by then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has been scrapped by President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside post-UMTE.
However, the presidency described the story as unfounded and legally illogical.
“NYSC is a creation of the law. Only another law can repeal it,” Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said while reacting to the rumour.

Corpers' Protest At Government House In Bayelsa Over Non Payment Of Allowance

this is sad after four to five years of university education and an additional one  year to serve the nation.its so bad that despite the fact that this graduates are working efficiently to serve the government, their allowee remain unpaid.

what is the  joy of working without pay and what is the reward for hard work? )

A Piece Of My Heart To Batch A 2015 Corps Members Passing Out This Month

Let me begin by saying congratulations. Yeah congratulations because it's not an easy feat for you to pass out of a Nigerian University with the current economic downturn. Against all odds you graduated after which you were mobilized for the mandatory one year national service. Even when majority of you were posted to no man's land, you still strived , survived and even managed to live indelible marks on your host communities. Once again, I say congratulations!

Now the crux of the matter, come Thursday 14th(if am right) the 2015 batch A service year comes to an end. Yes, everything that has a beginning definitely has got to end. Welcome to a period when your beloved parents will sit back a bit and see what you will turn out to be. A period when will make or break you, that period when you will know that all those uncles and aunt's who keep mouthing "I got job for an outsider without even collecting his CV", are just noisemakers. Those relatives telling you when you were in 300level that had it been you have your discharge certificate, they will just give you their slot in NNPC recruitment, this is the period you will know they live on bragging and nothing more.
By now am sure you must have been thinking if this write-up was put up to scare the daylight out of you, on the contrary NO! This piece was written to give you the courage to face the realities on ground and Forge ahead.
I know by now you must have heard people saying there are no jobs in the labour market and others calling it favour market because they believe it will favour them. Now in reality there are jobs in the labour market (whichever you wish to call it) however, the jobs are very few that thousands compete for a few hundred openings. This means there is a very tight competition which may result in some staying in the market as much as a year, two years or more (Did I just hear you say God forbid? Yes I pray God forbids it for you, but it goes way beyond snapping your finger above your head backwards)

1. The first thing at this stage of your life is God. In whatever way you worship HIM, this is the time you need to get closer to HIM because without his approval you will just keep moving around in circles. By this I don't mean you stay all day in church, mosque, synagogue or any of your worshipping centres instead of busy applying for jobs, but rather commune with him for his favour and blessings in the best way you can.

2. Networking. This is the period you need those friends you made over the years most. If I were you, before leaving my PPA I will collect contact details of all those friends I met in service, you never can tell. Also your friends whom you attended secondary school, University and even primary school with, this is the best time you smoothen your relationship with them. Don't be surprised when you go for an interview and you meet a former classmate already working there.

3. Now a week after POP you are back home, thinking which way to go, where to start from. Think no more, first thing first get all your documents well arranged, make photocopies and make several copies of your CV. CV? Yes, if by now you don't have a CV, you should set out to work on it soonest. Google cv format for fresh graduate, you will see several formats which you can tailor to your taste. Make sure you have your CV in soft copy i.e pdf and word format always ready on your phone. Reason? Simply because most companies in applying for jobs require you apply online which you can easily do with your smartphone provided you have it ready made on your phone.

4. Yeah now you are ready for job hunt, but not ready for the whole recruitment process. You are wondering what I mean, right? Yes you can now start applying for jobs by sending your CV online, but when invitation for job tests start flying in what next? Maybe you already know, maybe not. Most company's recruitment process follows thus: aptitude test in form of gmat or shl or dragnet are conducted first after inviting suitable candidates. This tests are quite different from each other and quite tricky, however people pass them. In fact, I never failed any I wrote. Guess what, the best and surest way to pass them is by practicing them before going at all for the tests. It's best for one to start practicing even before job search, however it doesn't you can't still practice it now. This various practise questions are in pdf and word format which u can have on your system or phone for easy practice. They are available online.

5. Even after practising, now you need confidence in yourself more then even ever. Don't be cowed by seeing multitudes at the venue of the recruitment. I was once in a room filled with just first class and 2.1 graduates who are very very sound and we were all about writing a test and I just said to myself, even if it's two people that will scale this hurdle I Wil be one of the two. At the end just 12 people progressed to the next stage and guess what, I was among the 12.

6. The world has indeed turned into a global village, any info you need is now at your finger tips, on the Internet. For the interview stage, there are tonnes of interview questions with answers online that help you to get familiar with interview questions and how well to answer them. Now during interviews believe it or not, lies are allowed. I mean convincing lies, lies which u are only telling because that is the only thing the interviewer wants to hear.

7. Never go home after an interview thinking you have clinched the job, so you won't apply for others, that will be the most devastating decision you ever take. Just keep applying and going for interviews, even if u don't like the company or u see it as a small firm. Just go and learn something there. You are looking me with jaundice eye and saying where will you get the money to be transporting yourself everywhere, of course it is our of the gazillion u saved during your service year now, abi you have forgotten mummy and dad wants to see how you will turn out to be for a while. In fact you can go to more than two interviews a day if you know your way and you multi task. I've been there before. In fact when you go for interview in a particular axis say V. I in Lagos, after the interview take your time to drop hard copies of your CV with firms in such axis which you have done prior homework on while online at home.

8. During this period you will get rejection letters, sorry mails, you get disappointed, but they are only telling you to get going and keep improving, keep learning till you get that dream job and all the experience will turn to great stories and word of encouragement just like this one.

I pray the labour market favours you all. Congratulations once again, but this time it's congratulations in advance for your desired miracle job.