The House of Representatives has cracked down on government agencies that reject National Youth Service Corps members assigned to them.
Lawmakers adopted a motion on Thursday demanding that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies stop turning away corps members posted for their mandatory one-year service.
Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei sponsored the motion. He raised alarm over what he called an alarming trend in government establishments.
According to the lawmaker, rejected corps members miss out on practical work experience and chances to serve the nation. Many end up vulnerable to exploitation by private companies instead.
Ambaiowei warned that some corps members have drifted into criminal activities due to lack of proper engagement during their service year. This shouldn't be happening, he noted.
He also highlighted the financial waste involved in the rejections. Government continues paying monthly stipends to graduates who aren't being used effectively at their duty posts.
Such rejections could damage the NYSC scheme's objectives, the lawmaker argued. Future graduates might lose interest in participating actively in the programme.
Lawmakers supported the motion and resolved that all MDAs, including the National Assembly, must stop rejecting corps members. The agencies should develop work schedules that properly integrate corps members into their operations instead.
Government bodies must maximize the skills and potential of these young graduates, lawmakers insisted. They called on officials to ensure corps members are utilized effectively throughout their service year.
The House's Committee on Youth Development got a fresh mandate on Thursday. They'll now work with the NYSC Director-General to create a framework ensuring corps members are properly engaged and their talents are harnessed for national development.
