The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General YD Ahmed, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of corps members. He made this statement while receiving the management team of Capital Express Assurance Limited (CEAL) at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Brigadier General Ahmed praised CEAL for its consistency in carrying out its statutory responsibilities in line with the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with NYSC. He stressed the need for the two organizations to jointly assess the implementation of the accord from time to time, to identify and address any areas of concern.
The NYSC DG further stated that the Scheme would continue to prioritize issues that concern corps members’ welfare in the administration of the Scheme. He assured CEAL that NYSC would never relent in meeting its obligations in the partnership and called on CEAL to sustain its prompt response to issues pertaining to insurance cover for corps members.
In her remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mrs Odukale Adebola, disclosed that the company has been responsible for providing insurance services to corps members for quite some time. She stated that the company, which has existed for over 30 years, has always paid benefits to families of corps members who pay the supreme sacrifice and provided succour to those who suffer permanent disabilities through the programme in the course of the service year via the “Corps Welfare Insurance Scheme.”
Mrs Adebola also stated that CEAL intervenes in executing special projects for NYSC as part of its corporate social responsibility. She cited the construction and furnishing of a vocational centre at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Keffi, Nasarawa State, and the provision of technological devices in support of NYSC’s digitization process as examples.
She appealed for the fostering of a symbiotic relationship between the two organizations for the overall interest of corps members. The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties pledging to continue to work together to improve the welfare of corps members.
The NYSC Scheme was established in 1973 by the Nigerian government to promote national unity and integration by exposing young graduates to the country’s diverse cultures and traditions. The one-year compulsory programme involves corps members serving in various states across Nigeria, engaging in community development projects, and receiving various forms of training.
However, over the years, the welfare of corps members has been a major concern, as they face several challenges during the service year, including inadequate funding, poor living conditions, and insecurity. The NYSC DG’s commitment to addressing these issues and prioritizing corps members’ welfare is, therefore, a welcome development.
CEAL’s involvement in providing insurance cover for corps members is also a step in the right direction. The Corps Welfare Insurance Scheme provides cover for corps members in the event of death, injury, or disability during the service year. The fact that CEAL has consistently fulfilled its obligations under the partnership with NYSC is commendable.
Furthermore, CEAL’s intervention in executing special projects for NYSC, such as the construction of a vocational centre and the provision of technological devices, demonstrates the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. It is hoped that other organizations will emulate CEAL’s example and support NYSC in its efforts to improve the welfare of corps members.
In conclusion, the NYSC DG’s reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of corps members is a positive development that will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges faced by corps members during the service year. The partnership between NYSC and CEAL in providing insurance cover for corps members and executing special projects is also a welcome development that should be sustained. It is hoped that other organizations will
