Demand Service Or Exemption Certificate Before Giving Employment, NYSC Tells Employers

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has, one again, called on employers of labour in the public and private sectors, to demand the certificate of national service or exemption certificate duly issued by it before offering any employment to first degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) holder.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the Corps’ Legal Aid Workshop with the theme, “Optimizing the Capacity of Corps Lawyers for Seamless Free Legal Services.”

He said the workshop was in furtherance of efforts to harness the potential of the Corps Lawyers for improved Legal Aid Services to the indigent members of the society and to harmonise the operations of the Corps Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) in all the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ahmed, who was represented by Barrister Chris Ogar, said for the Legal Officers and Corps Lawyers to better enlighten the general public on the provisions of the NYSC Act, and for the Corps Members, the NYSC Bye-Laws, which will elicit greater commitment to the performance of stakeholders’ roles as well as the conduct of Corps Members.

“In the same vein, I urge you to use the CLAS platform to sustain your enlightenment of Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities. In line with Management’s resolve to adequately track our performance at all levels and deepen effective service delivery.

“I hereby direct the Legal Unit to enhance its inspection and to collate quarterly reports on the activities of CLAS in all States and the FCT for onward submission to my office.

“Furthermore, I would like to use this medium to remind all employers in the public and private sectors that it is mandatory to demand the Certificate of National Service or Exemption Certificate duly issued by the National Youth Service Corps before offering employment to any holder of a Degree or Higher National Diploma. This is in line with the provisions of Section 12, Sub-Sections 1 and 2 of the NYSC Act,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the NYSC Management’s commitment to sustaining the Corps Legal Aid Scheme as well as the continuous improvement of this annual training aimed at strengthening its activities, while appealing to its partners and other well-meaning members of the society to continue to support the group.