Female members of the National Youth Service Corps are to undergo martial arts training for self-defence, NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Afia says.
The NYSC DG made this known yesterday in Abuja, saying that the decision was driven by the fact that female corpers were being molested in some parts of the country.
Okore-Afia, in an interview with journalists in Abuja also said the NYSC might prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission not to use corps members for elections, if their security could not be guaranteed.
He said, “We had issues of female corps members being molested by Okada riders commercial motorcycle operators and traditional rulers. The reason is that if these young ladies had some form of training in self-defence, they will be able to say no in more ways than one.
“We will give these young ladies girls a fighting chance so that if they are faced with such a situation, before the deed is done, these young corps members will probably no longer be helpless victims.”
He also said the security that would be provided during the July 14 governorship election in Edo State would ensure the safety of corps members.
He explained that the delay in paying April and May allowances of corps members was due a mix-up in the Federal Ministry of Finance, office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the office of the Director-General, Budget office.
Okore-Afia stated that only those who relocated from one state to the other without proper administrative procedures, were being owed allowances.
He said the NYSC had gone beyond looking for donation for corps members by providing insurance cover for them.
He said, “We have a life assurance policy for corps members. It is NIm per corps member. It is managed by capital Express Insurance. We also have health insurance for corps members. We have gone beyond looking for donation for corps members.”
Okore-Afia said although all states were entitled to corps members, the NYSC would not post corps members to violence-prone areas.
He said, “Nigeria has 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory. By our mandate, we must post corps members to every state of the federation.”
