NYSC Cancels Parade For Outgoing Corps Members Amid Security Concerns

Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia

Oct 1st, 2011 – NYSC Cancels Parade For Outgoing Corps Members Amid Security Concerns

 The directorate of the National Youth Service Corps has cancelled the passing out parade for the outgoing Batch C corps members who are expected to finish the one year compulsory programme on Tuesday, October 4.

 Though the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that the directive was in compliance with the decision of the government to have a low-key independence celebrations, findings by our correspondent indicate that the measure is taken to forestall any plan attacks by terrorists groups in the country.

 Okore-Affia, while answering questions at an interractive session with journalists, said the directorate would soon open distress call centres for the use of corps members as additional measures to enhance their safety and security as they serve their fatherland.

 Acknowledging that the directorate lacks the power to suspend the redeployment of corps members to volatile areas of the country, Okore-Affia said the purpose of setting up the scheme would be defeated if corps members are made to serve in their states or states that are contiguous to them. 

He said: “I heard that the Federal Government has directed that the celebrations of this year’s independence anniversary should be low-key. In line with that, our passing out will be low-key as there will not be any parade. As you are aware, some areas may not be conducive for passing out parade and, to ensure the safety of the corps members, we will keep to that low-key celebration.

 “We do not have the authority to stop posting corps members to volatile areas but we try as much as possible to post them to areas that are not volatile. It was unfortunate that some of our members were killed during the post election violence that erupted but these are things no one could easily identify” 

Speaking on the need for the distress calll centres, he said each corps member would be required to furnish the authorities with “functional GSM  numbers and other relevant information” such that it would be easy to get to them whenever they need help (The Nation).