Corps Members Banned From Unauthorised Journeys

Days after about 18 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members lost their lives in Taraba state, members have been banned from unauthorized journeys by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Zakari Kazaure, on Tuesday.

According Kazaure travelling out of camp or places of primary assignment without obtaining permission remained an offense.

Kazaure spoke at the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp, situated in Ise/Emure, in Ise/Orun local government area of Ekiti.

He was on a visit to educate corp members on dangers inherent in playing with their health and security.

According to him, the standing rule of the agency is being repeatedly ignored in a manner that suggested that authorities had abdicated their roles of looking after the well-being as well as the welfare of the corp members.

“You all have to avoid night journeys and other unnecessary journeys for that matter

” Remember that before you embark on any journey, the need arises that you first inform your immediate supervisors and obtain necessary permits

“A graduate is expected by the society to be above board. I, therefore, want you to please join hands with me to ensure that the tragic incident in Taraba is the very last of such.”

Kazaure, who arrived in the Ekiti state camp at about 4.45p.m expresssed deep regrets over the tragic death of nine corp members in Taraba State during the weekend, describing it as a huge loss to him personally, and the nation in general.

NAN reports that the director-general who himself claimed to have undergone the NYSC mandatory programme, over 30 years ago, said the sad incident was highly regretted and called for a minute silence to honour those who lost their lives.

According to him, there is also the need for corps members to respect the culture and tradition of their host communities.

Kazaure said that any corps member in the coiuntry was free to call his personal number on 07042542779, in case of any emergency that the felt their immediate supervisors could not handle.

He warned them, particularly the females, to avoid dressing irresponsibly and also pway from sharp practices such as engaging in Iinternet fraud among others.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the new State Director, Mrs. Aniefiok Okpongete, told the director-general that a total of 1,809 Corps members were currently registered, comprising 1,109 males and 700 females.

However, she said that a total of 187, among them, 149 females and 38 males had been advised to leave camp on account of being either pregnant, nursing mothers or facing critical health challenges.