The National Youth Corps Service has warned corps members not to travel once it is 6:00 p.m.

The NYSC also advised corps members to terminate long-distance journeys anytime it is 6:00 p.m. and lodge at any security outpost.

The NYSC coordinator in Plateau, Caroline Embu, stated this while addressing the 2021 batch ‘B’ stream 11 corps members at their formal closing and passing out from the orientation programme.

She NYSC also cautioned corps members against embarking on “unnecessary” and “unauthorised” journeys, especially night journeys, “which management abhors.”  

She also advised corps members to desist from engaging in local politics.

Ms Embu added that the NYSC management was working in synergy with security agencies to ensure the safety and security of corps members.

She gave the charge on behalf of NYSC’s Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, whom she represented at the ceremony.

Ms Embu further urged the corps members to serve as ambassadors of the NYSC by offering selfless service and by being instruments of unity in their host communities.

The NYSC coordinator also challenged the corps members to participate in the post-camp Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) and become proficient in a particular skill.

She said such proficiency would equip them for self-development and service, which would improve their socioeconomic status after their service year.

The coordinator also encouraged corps members to take the COVID-19 vaccines, tasking them to urge those in their host communities to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Peoples Gazette had reported that the NYSC advised members to be ready to pay abduction-for-ransom syndicates currently on the rampage across Nigeria.

Tell your family, friends to prepare ransom before travelling on Nigerian roads, NYSC warns corps members (gazettengr.com)

A security advisory introduced in March 2021 asked college graduates serving as corps members to inform their family members and friends before embarking on a road trip. This would enable them to prepare sufficient ransom that may be required if abducted and save them from untimely and brutal death in the hands of the violent criminals.

“When travelling on high-risk roads such as Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene or Aba-Port-Harcourt road, then alert your family members, friends and colleagues in order to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded,” Security Awareness and Education Handbook for Corps Members and Staff said between pages 58 and 59.

The NYSC issued a statement to deny the manual as fake news after it circulated on social media on Thursday, boosted by known personalities, including UK-based medical doctor Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya.
(NAN)