We Aren’t Mobilising Corps Members For War, Says NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has debunked reports that it is mobilising corps members for war.

Emeka Mgbemena, the NYSC Deputy Director (Publications), issued the rebuttal in a statement on Friday following comments made by Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director-General of the NYSC.

Ibrahim had in an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday said corps members are part of the country’s military reserve forces and can be mobilised for defence duties.

But the NYSC said the comments of its Director-General were misrepresented by the media, insisting that no corps member will be deployed to be war front.

The statement read: “This is to clarify the misrepresentation of the NYSC Director- General’s recent interview with the media currently trending on the social media.

“The Director-General had stated that in line with the National Defence Policy, corps members are like soldiers on reserve, because their education, exposure and sophistication, can make them easily adaptable to military training.

“He charged them to remain focused and patriotic; and for the spirit of NYSC to live in all Nigerians.

“General Ibrahim never at any point said that corps members are being mobilised to fight war.

“The scheme shall continue to safeguard the interest of corps members at all times.”