Spread the word
The Chairman of the Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) Abuja, Mrs Francisca Ogar, has condemned the suspension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Obubra, Cross River state, by its Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
The Chairman of the forum, in a statement in Abuja, stated that the position was taken at a recent Congress of the forum where members expressed the opinion that it was a shared responsibility: state governments in Nigeria have a statutory responsibility to provide, support, and maintain NYSC orientation camp facilities, although the federal government, through the NYSC, also has responsibility for administering the scheme.
The Forum also argued that though the Obubra camp has delapidated facilities and fallen down structures, it is a reflection of many Orientation Camps in many parts of the country and none of which has been closed.
The journalists wondered whether there was communication between the state and the federal government; just as they lamented how the closure of the camp would impact negatively on the state which relies heavily on corps members for manpower especially in schools, hospitals and other establishments.
They wondered if the Cross River state was being targeted as the board Chairman Ntufam Hilliard Etta a Cross Riverian was nominated but has neither been sworn in or given the necessary support to function effectively long after his nomination for almost a year now.
The forum therefore, called on the NYSC Director General to relocate the camp to a government secondary school with boarding facilities or higher institution with accommodation temporarily while fixing the camp instead of the suspension as announced.
They also called on state governments to proactively ensure Orientation Camps nationwide are regularly maintained and upgraded for healthy and conducive environment for corp members across the federation.
Spread the word