A former Director, Corps Welfare, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr John Abhuere, has allayed fears of attack on corps members during the forthcoming general elections.
Abhuere, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that Nigerians were now better informed of their role in the development of the country.
He said although some corps members were victims of election violence in the past, security agencies and relevant stakeholders had equally been enlightened on the need to protect the lives of corps members during elections.
“In the past, some corps members were killed, but the truth of the matter really is that the National Youth Service Corps has been working.
“The truth of the matter too is that the country, the populace have come to recognise and appreciate the contributions of youths in election.
“I would think really that security agencies have been educated, the corps members have been given their own tips and even the politicians are aware of the fact that they need to protect the youth around them.
“So, to a reasonable extent, I will say with all confidence that security of the corps members participating in this election is very much guaranteed.’’
Abhuere said the leadership of the NYSC, which had military training, had not rested on its oars to ensure the safety of corps members before, during after the election.
“Don’t forget that the NYSC itself is a para-military organisation, and the leadership is a military officer and they have always liaised with all the security agencies and they are given special instructions to ensure that corps members are taken care (of), so the fear should really be reduced.
“Although it is God that really protects, but I want to believe that having done this for the past years, the country is now conscious of the role corps members can play.
“That we need the corps members to be there in order to give credibility to what is being done, because part of the problem in the past was that people were not educated enough to do the kind of job they were being given.’’
Speaking on the fear that corps members might be compromised by politicians in the course of their duties, Abhuere said they were patriotic Nigerians and would not be party to any fraudulent process.
“The youth we have are very patriotic. I will give you an instance in Adamawa where every person had ran away. A Corps member held tight to the box that he was given and I ask and he said that is why I was there.
“So, I really think that some other youths may be compromised, but certainly not the corps members. I want to believe that a corps member has integrity. They are brought up to love the country.
“They are brought up to do the job to the best of their own ability and I think so far so good, we shouldn’t think about people being compromised.
“The whole idea of being compromised, how are they going to do it? Their role is to (accredit) people, clear them, make sure that you vote, then they count and announce. When are you going to do the compromising.’’
The former director, however, cautioned corps members to be security conscious while discharging their duties, particularly during the forthcoming elections. (NAN)
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