Dare Babalola
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has penalised 24 corps members deployed to Sokoto State for various acts of indiscipline, including absenteeism and abscondment.
State Coordinator, Usman Yakubu Yaro, disclosed this during the passing-out ceremony for the 2025 Batch A, Stream I corps members held in Sokoto. According to him, eight of the affected corps members will repeat their service year, while 16 others have had their service extended as punishment for different infractions.
Yaro emphasised the scheme’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, warning that truancy and other violations would continue to attract strict sanctions.
Despite the disciplinary actions, he commended the majority of corps members for their positive contributions throughout the service year. He noted that two individuals were recognised with the prestigious Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Award for their outstanding community development projects.
Addressing the outgoing corps members, the coordinator urged them to remain worthy representatives of the NYSC and to apply the skills they acquired during service, particularly in light of the increasing difficulty in securing white-collar jobs.
He also advised them to prioritise their safety by avoiding night travel and, when necessary, to seek shelter in secure locations such as NYSC lodges, security formations, or traditional institutions.
Yaro further expressed gratitude to Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his continued support, especially in the payment of allowances, as well as to the Sultan of Sokoto for backing youth-oriented programmes.
Highlighting the impact of corps members across the state, he pointed out that many were deployed to rural communities, where they contributed significantly to healthcare delivery and education, helping to address critical gaps in underserved areas.
The ceremony marked the completion of the service year, with a renewed call for corps members to uphold the values of discipline, patriotism, and national service in their future endeavours.
