File Photo: NYSC corps members
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA) were left fuming on Friday after attending a purported ‘career fair’ that turned out to be a wedding ceremony.
The aggrieved corp members told Naija Daily News that they received a message from the Local Government Inspector (LGI), Henry Sandra Ekeke, directing them to attend a general CDS program titled NYSC-ALAT Career Fair.
The message from the LGI stated that “attendance was mandatory”, and included a threat of sanctions for absentees, adding that thumbprinting was to be done at the venue.
Despite their busy schedules and the high cost of transportation, corps members showed up, only to find out the event was a wedding.
The development left many of the attendees feeling that they were used as an audience for the ceremony.
“This is not fair,” said a corps member who asked to remain anonymous. “The N33,000 allowance we get is not even enough for transportation, and now it’s being wasted on events like this.”
“They think the N33,000 allowance we receive justifies treating us like slaves. It’s demoralizing,” another corps member added.
The corps members were upset that instead of attending a program meant to prepare them for life after service, their time and money were wasted.
Many have called for NYSC officials to take responsibility and ensure corps members are treated better.
As of now, there has been no comment from the LGI or the NYSC State Coordinator.
