200 corps members queried for absenteeism, not Christmas carol – NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps has denied reports that it queried 200 corps members in Oyo State for participating in a Christmas carol.

It was reported that query letters were issued to 200 corps members serving in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State for allegedly failing to attend a Christmas carol party held on December 20, 2024.

In a statement released on Friday, NYSC’s spokesperson, Eddy Megwa, clarified that no such action was taken, describing the allegations as baseless.

“The NYSC respects the religious rights of all corps members and remains committed to fostering unity and tolerance,” Megwa stated.

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The clarification follows speculations about alleged punitive measures against corps members for engaging in religious activities.

Megwa clarified that the queries were issued because the corps members failed to participate in their scheduled Community Development Service activities and were also absent during the 2024 headcount, which aimed to ascertain the number of corps members available during the holidays.

She added that the corps members were also not at their respective places of primary assignment during the period in question, stating that the NYSC operated within the confines of its bylaws in determining penalties for the corps members.

Part of the statement reads: “For clarity, the affected corps members in Atiba did not participate in their scheduled Community Development Service activities and were also absent during the December 2024 headcount conducted to ascertain the number of corps members present in Atiba. Furthermore, they were also not at their respective places of primary assignment within the local government during the period in question.

“Disturbingly, they all failed to obtain written permission from the NYSC Oyo State Coordinator to travel outside the state between December 16, 2024, and January 6, 2025.

“The queries issued to them by the Local Government Inspector serve as a corrective mechanism in the scheme and have nothing to do with the alleged Christmas carol.

“As a responsible organisation, the National Youth Service Corps operates within the confines of its bylaws, which not only guide the activities of all corps members but also stipulate penalties for every offence.”

The NYSC spokesperson also pointed out that the weekly and monthly Community Development Service activities were mandatory for corps members throughout their service year and were also a condition for obtaining the Certificate of National Service.

She reiterated the open-door policy of the scheme with the press, encouraging balanced reporting of the NYSC’s activities.

Megwa also urged the public “to disregard the online publication with its erroneous intent to cause unnecessary religious apprehension among the public.”