NYSC, INEC reassure Nigerians of safety of corps members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have reassured Nigerians of the safety of the corps members who would be deployed for 2015 general elections.

The assurance was given at a briefing jointly addressed by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier Gen. Bamidele Olawumi, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Abuja on Friday, March 27.

Olawunmi said that no fewer than 168,000 corps members applied for ad hoc job of which 34,000 had passed out with the ‘Batch A’ in February.

He said that the scheme, in collaboration with INEC and security agencies, has put in place measures to ensure the safety of corps members who would be participating in the elections.

Some of the measures, according to the NYSC boss, are that the scheme has discussed with security agencies and community leaders on the need to ensure the safety of the corps members before, during and after the polls.

Olawumi said that the scheme has also compiled all the contact details of all security agencies and distress call centres and made them available to corps members in case of any emergencies.

“I want to use this opportunity to reassure our corps members nationwide and their parents that their security is paramount to us, from this moment until when the last corps member will return to his or her home.

“We are going to work round the clock monitoring them, to ensure that they all return safely,’’ Olawumi said.

He, however, urged politicians to impress it on their followers the need to ensure the safety of all corps members.

The director-general also gave assurance on the welfare of the corps members participating in the elections including payment of their allowances.