28th July 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

The Abia State Government led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has warned employers of labour against the exploitation of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who are posted to serve in their various organizations. This warning was coming on the heels of allegations that some employers in the State are taking advantage of the high unemployment rate in the country to treat the corps members in their employ as cheap and dispensable labour.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba who gave the warning stated that it was inhuman and degrading to treat corps members without dignity and respect, charging employers to recognize them as their own “children or siblings”. He was speaking at the opening of this years NYSC/Corps Employers Stakeholders Workshop held last Thursday in Umuahia, Abia State Capital.

He said: “It is disheartening that some employers, who were once treated with dignity and respect during their own national service, now subject corps members to ridicule, rejection, and incredible conditions.
“The State Government is committed to improving the living standards of corps members posted to the State, knowing that their well-being directly impacts their productivity”.

The Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu in his key-note address on the occasion, shared the concerns of the Commissioner. He said that the workshop provided a veritable platform to engage employers in strategic communication, harmonization of views, and an opportunity to explain policy directions. The NYSC boss urged all corps employers to commit themselves to the welfare of corps members, including transportation, a healthy working environment, and other essential aspects.

“I, therefore, enjoin you to use this workshop and your participation in it as a patriotic duty. I call on you to make individual and collective contributions in shaping the nation-building efforts of the corps members”.

The Abia State Coordinator of NYSC, Ms. Gladys Adama who also spoke at the workshop stated that it was aimed to equip stakeholders and corps members with the knowledge to enhance the well-being of corps members, thereby achieving optimal productivity. She appreciated the Abia State Government for providing the enabling environment for corps members to operate and thrive in the State.

The admonition of the State Government to employers of labour in Abia could not have come at a better time, especially with the prevailing economic hardship in the country. It is criminally unfair for employers to engage corps members and subject them to long working hours without requisite compensations.

In many instances, they are just paid peanuts without any benefits whatsoever to cushion the harsh effects of the economy. The corps members are easily discarded at the end of their service year without the employers making any efforts to retain them in permanent capacities. They see the NYSC scheme as a source of supply of cheap personnel who are routinely dumped at the end of every service year.

This uncharitable attitude should be stopped. Our corps members deserve a better deal. The one year national service should be a period for them to learn on the job and acquire practical experience that would guide them in their future endeavours. They should, therefore, be provided with the basic minimum comforts like transportation and accommodation by their employers. Such gestures would definitely go a long way in enhancing the productivity of the corps members.

By drawing public attention to the abuse to which corps members are subjected and tasking employers to tow the path of rationality and responsibility, the Otti-led administration has shown itself as a caring and compassionate leadership that is primarily driven by the common good. There is no doubt that the admonition of the government would go a long way in putting the employers on their toes, and making them to do the right thing.

Governor Otti may need to go a step further by putting in place a monitoring mechanism to monitor the compliance of the various agencies receiving corps members in the State with the rules of engagement. If this is done, it will be a win-win situation for all the parties involved.

May Abia continue to prevail!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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