THE GidiGlobe learnt in Abuja that disparaging comments made by the INEC Commissioner in charge of Information, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, about the competence of corps members recruited for the exercise strained relations between the two agencies. Soyebi’s allegation that the incompetence of corps members for the hitches noticed since the beginning of the exercise led to speculations that the NYSC might withdraw them.
This was also based on allegations that some corps members were manhandled by security agencies for daring to ask for for their allowances. INEC is yet to pay an agreed N10,000 deposit out of a total of N30,000 promised corps members before the commencement of the exercise.
A source said both agencies moved swiftly to avert the withdrawal of the corps members from the exercise, to save the nation from embarrassment. Our correspondent could not obtain details of the meeting or when it took place.
But, the NYSC’s Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Foluso Kolajo, said rumours of a planned withdrawal of corps members were untrue. Speaking on the telephone on Thursday, she said, “It’s a lie, there is nothing like that (withdrawal). In fact, (Mr.) Soyebi who made the comments has apologised and he has been asked to retract it in the papers.
“We are on top of the situation and corps members are doing very well. The DG is currently on tour of states to see how they are faring.”
The NYSC registrars had expressed displeasure over the shoddy treatment given to them by INEC. A corps member, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being victimised, told THE PUNCH, “It is sad that in spite of the sacrifices we are making, INEC can go on air to insult us. They have not paid our allowances; yet we continue to sacrifice and go to our duty posts only for somebody to sit in an airconditioned office and blame us for their incompetence.”
Barely two days ago, corps members in some states of the federation took to the streets to protest the non-payment of their allowances for the exercise.
Meanwhile, the NYSC DG, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Tsiga, on Thursday exonerated corps members of blame for the hitches recorded in the exercise. Tsiga, who was in Enugu to assess the welfare and security of corps members involved in the exercise, told journalists that it would have failed if not for the collaboration between INEC and the NYSC.
He said the Direct Data Capture machines would have stopped working had corps members not applied the experience they acquired in the university.
“The whole thing would not have gone anywhere with illiterates who don’t know anything about computers,” he stated. He noted that majority of the corps members were graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions whose capability could not be underrated.
Tsiga said, “The person who said that the corps members were overrated said he was quoted out of context. We know we have intelligent graduates in Nigeria.
“They are the future of Nigeria. Let’s believe him that he was quoted out of context. But I believe my corps members can do anything to move Nigeria forward. Look at inconveniences they are going through.
“Their allowances were not paid by INEC. We are struggling to make sure they are paid their allowances but they are still there working for the sake of the country.”
However, theResident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Mr. Josiah Uwazuruonye, told our correspondent that the allowances of the corps members in the state had been paid. Uwazuruonye said a copy of the pay schedule had been forwarded to the NYSC Cordinator in Enugu State, Mr. Aniefok Okpongete, since Tuesday for necessary action.
He said, “From their training allowances to whatever allowance, we have paid them. We did that by forwarding the pay schedule to the NYSC coordinator, so that the scheme could in turn remit the funds into their accounts.
“They should hold the scheme responsible if they have not received their pay. Aside the allowances, they are to be paid N30,000 for the exercise proper and we have paid them N10,000. The only thing we owe them is the balance of N20,000 each, which will be paid at the end of the exercise.”
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