NYSC says corps members not being mobilised for war

THE National Youth Service Corps, on Friday, reacted to reports that it was mobilising corps members for war, saying it is not true.

A statement by the NYSC Deputy Director (Publications), Mr Emeka Mgbemena, said that it would continue to safeguard the interest of corps members.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, while reacting to moves to scrap the scheme, had reportedly said corps members were part of the national defence policy of Nigeria and could be mobilised for war when necessary.

However, the NYSC in the statement emanating from Abuja said Ibrahim was quoted out of context, adding that the DG never said corps members were being mobilised for war.

The statement read in part, “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 prayed 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 a war. The scheme shall continue to safeguard the interest of corps members at all times.”