LOKOJA, Nigeria – The Kogi State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Mofoluwaso Williams, has urged pregnant corps members to fulfill their civic duties responsibly. She emphasized that pregnancy should not be used as an excuse to shirk responsibilities.
Mrs Williams expressed these views during the Kogi Annual 2023 Corps Employers Workshop in Lokoja. In her paper titled “Tackling Emerging Challenges in Corps Administration through NYSC/Stakeholders,” she addressed several challenges faced in corps administration.
“Pregnancy is not a disease,” Williams firmly stated, encouraging organizations not to let corps members employ pregnancy as a reason to evade their responsibilities towards the nation. She further stated, “Pregnant or nursing corps members should not be tolerated if they use their condition as an excuse for absenteeism or disrespectful behavior towards officers.”
The NYSC Coordinator acknowledged that organizations often encounter issues such as absenteeism, laziness, rudeness, and evasion from duties with some corps members. Some might fail to consistently report at their place of assignment, while others might be unproductive, expecting remuneration without appropriate work output.
Additionally, Mrs Williams highlighted the presence of “toxic corps members,” individuals who seem to constantly criticize their peers and colleagues, leading to friction within the workplace.
However, Mrs Williams underscored the importance of guiding and mentoring corps members. She advised employers to be invested in the personal and professional growth of corps members, nurturing them into competent, trustworthy, and effective future leaders. This call to action not only emphasizes the value of the NYSC program but also underscores the collaborative responsibility between employers and the NYSC to cultivate an effective work environment and ensure the program’s success.
