Has Singer Davido broken the law by leaving his NYSC camp?

It obviously is no longer news that Nigerian singer, Adeleke David, better known as Davido, just last month, registered for the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The singer reported to the NYSC orientation camp at Iyana-Ipaja to complete his registration, on Thursday. However, not more that 48 hours later, he was said to be on his way to Boston for his ‘Locked Up‘ tour of the United States of America.

A large number of Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise popular singer Davido because he left the NYSC camp just days after registering for the scheme. Many feel this is against the law.

That move by the dad of two has drawn the ire of many Nigerians who say he should not had been given the opportunity because it goes against the bylaws of the NYSC.

All NYSC members are expected to be on ground at the camp during the three weeks’ orientation programme, with a few exceptions.

It is unclear if Davido requested for an exemption.

Excerpts from the NYSC Bye-laws revised in 1993 give strict rules for corps members during the orientation period.

According to the code of conduct section of the bylaw, during the period of orientation, every member shall:

1. Attend regularly, and participate, fully in all official engagements on the field, at lectures and all places of work.

Any member who comes late to any official engagement on the field, at lectures or places of work shall be tried by the Camp Court and, if found guilty, be liable to be decamped and sent out of the camp

The member shall only be allowed to come back for service by joining the next batch for the orientation exercise.

2. Not leave orientation camp or absent himself from any official activity without the written consent of the State Coordinator but when absent from his duties on account of illness, ensure that such absences is covered by an “Excuse Duty Certificate” issued by a medical doctor then on duty at the camp

Any member who leaves the camp without the permission from the State Coordinator shall be tried by the Camp Court and, if found guilty, be liable to be decamped and sent out of camp.

The member shall only be allowed to come back for service by joining the next batch for the orientation exercise.

The camp commandant in charge of Lagos has not confirmed or denied if this is true neither has Davido or any one in his camp said anything about it.

We can just assume that this is the case as Davido’s social media pages are filled with advertisements for upcoming shows he has in the USA.