NAN – Members of the National Youth Service Corps have reacted to the Corp’s decision to charge prospective members N4,000 for the online processing of call-up letters.
In an interview in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, stated that the fee was necessary to ensure the technological growth of the Corps directorate in its operations.
“Most prospective corps members are however not convinced that this will be in their best interest and have appealed to the government to reduce the cost.
Mr Tony Adewumi, a batch ‘A’ corps member, stated that although the intention seemed honourable, one should not have to pay to serve one’s country.
“N4,000 per corps member is too exorbitant. The government should be providing incentives, not discouraging the younger generation from serving,” he said.
Saleem Salahudeen, a member of the NYSC CDS Editorial Board, pointed out that the initiative would not only save time and manpower but would reduce the stress and risks corps members often encounter in their effort to collect the letters.
He said: “It is a welcome development and a stepping stone for technological advancement and national improvement on service delivery.
“The initiative which is expected to commence with the next batch of incoming corps members is aimed at ensuring speedy, efficiency and cost effectiveness in service delivery to corps members,” Salahudeen said.
