By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dissociated itself from a reported N200 levy allegedly being proposed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in connection with the mobilisation of graduates for national service.
The NYSC, in a statement signed by its Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said it had neither discussed nor agreed to the collection of any levy from students by NANS or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the students’ body on the matter.
The clarification followed a viral publication titled, “NANS Moves to Collect N200 Levy from Nigerian Students, Links Dues to NYSC Mobilisation.”
The Scheme described the report as misleading, stressing that its mobilisation process is conducted strictly through established official channels and in line with policies and guidelines approved by the Federal Government.
According to the NYSC, the mobilisation exercise involves collaboration between its management and the Heads of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), who are responsible for providing relevant information on their graduates for mobilisation.
It stressed that the mobilisation process is neither linked to nor dependent on the activities of any student association or organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NYSC mobilisation process is straightforward and is conducted through established official channels,” the Scheme stated.
The NYSC consequently urged students and Prospective Corps Members to disregard any information suggesting that payment of a levy to NANS or any other association is a prerequisite for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps.
The Scheme reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and efficient mobilisation process in accordance with extant government policies and guidelines.
It further advised members of the public to rely only on official NYSC channels for information concerning mobilisation and other activities of the Scheme.
