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NYSC: Why We Introduced Online Registration for Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) monday disclosed that the decision to ask potential corps members to register online was aimed at simplifying the process of collecting call up letters by corp members as well as the security risk associated with travelling long distance for that purpose.

The service also said the idea which was to eliminate the cumbersome nature of registration of corps members at orientation camps was aimed at sustaining efficiency of operation of the scheme by creating a more graduate-friendly mobilisation process.

In a statement signed by the Director in charge of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Olubunmin Aderibigbe, the NYSC explained that it also became necessary to introduce such an exercise in view of the fact that the “Scheme also mobilises foreign trained Nigerian graduates from all corners of the globe and this platform offers them a seamless opportunity to participate in national service since the barrier of distance has been eliminated.”

While saying that the online registration is not compulsory for corp members, Aderibigbe said the idea was conceived to remove all impediments that make the mobilisation process a nightmare for the graduates.

She said further that for the NYSC, “the online registration also renders service evasion by prospective corps members practically impossible while those who sign the Community Development Service (CDS) attendance register through proxies will henceforth realise the futility of such fraudulent practice.

“The initiative will also help to facilitate proper and adequate record on relocated corps members while simplifying the collection of Call-up letters which is wholly the responsibility of the prospective graduates”.

The statement read: “The attention of the Board of the NYSC has been drawn to some reports which suggest a misunderstanding of the online registration for the mobilisation of corps members and the rationale behind it. We hasten to say that the whole idea is not only noble but was indeed designed in the best interest of the corps members.

“Given the security challenge in some states of the federation and the observed cumbersome process of collection of Call-up Letters in most institutions, the idea was conceived to remove all impediments that make the mobilisation process a nightmare for the graduates.

“For instance, in this day and age, we saw no need why any graduate should have to travel hundreds of kilometers with all the associated risks, just to collect his/her Call-Up Letter. By registering online, the idea that any unscrupulous official could make the process of collection of Call-up letter difficult for corps members will also be eliminated.

“However, as a result of competing needs, it was obvious that the lean purse of the scheme cannot fund such a massive deployment of technology commensurate with desired efficiency, accurate data and seamless operations. Therefore, in 2013, the scheme decided to key into the federal government’s approved National policy on Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a veritable tool for building a world-class infrastructure that would drive the process.”

She explained further that: “the deployment of full ICT solutions for the processing of data of mobilised graduates and coordinating the institutions has become compelling so as to sustain efficiency of operation of the Scheme by creating a more graduate friendly mobilisation process.

“This is moreso as the scheme also mobilises foreign trained Nigerian graduates from all corners of the globe and this platform offers them a seamless opportunity to participate in national service since the barrier of distance has been eliminated.
“Notwithstanding the obvious merits of the initiative, the NYSC management has deliberately made the online registration optional for those who may choose to travel to their schools to collect their call-up letters.

She stressed that since the commencement of this initiative, it has witnessed high level of acceptance from graduates who can see its benefits.

She listed the benefits to include “mobilization for graduates who only need to register and print their Call-up letters online without embarking on a needless and potentially risky journey to their schools; creation of a more reliable platform for storage and retrieval of data for participating graduates and removal of the excruciating registration experiences in camps for both corps members and officials.

She stressed that “As an accountable and transparent institution, it is important to state that the initiative which actually started in the second quarter of last year followed all the rules with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) involved in all the processes that led to contracting SIDMACH Technologies to undertake various services for the NYSC.”

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