Government agencies can’t reject corps members, says Dalung

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has condemned the incessant rejection of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by government agencies.

Dalung who was reacting to the refusal of the Budget Office of the Federation to accept a corps member from Rivers State who was posted there on primary assignment said rejection was not in the interest of youth development and empowerment in the country.

“Government agencies cannot reject corps members. It is unacceptable. Why will government agencies reject corps members? Do you pay them or is it that there is no work to be done?” Dalung queried.

He reminded government agencies and parastatals that it was a government policy not to reject corps members posted to their offices.“The NYSC scheme is a creation of the Federal Government and is intended to involve the country’s graduates in the development of the country.

“They are posted to states from their states of origin and the programme was meant to help them learn the culture of other parts of the country they are posted to. This is aimed at bringing about unity in the country and giving them an opportunity to learn higher ideals of national achievement,” he explained.

Dalung appealed to government agencies and private organisations to absorb corps members to enable them to be positively engaged in nation building. Rejecting corps members, he added, would add to the profile of unengaged youths, which would create further tension in the country.

“Therefore, everybody should join hands to assist our young people through entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes or anything that can gainfully engage them and create wealth for their livelihood and sustenance,” he stated.