SEE HOW Former NYSC Members Given Presidential Award

The federal government has given employment letters to 173 ex-corps members for appointment into ministries in the civil service.

The former members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) officially got their appointment letters from the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) on Monday, December 14, Vanguard reports.

Deaconess Joan Ayo who is the chairman of FCSC applauded the awardees for distinguishing themselves during their service year and labelled them as special people.

She said: “You are a special breed, congratulations for this achievement. You did not only excel in the Universities but even in your NYSC.

It shows you are hard working that is why you have been able to distinguish yourselves among your peers. Your appointment is on merit and that is why it has nothing to do with the federal character principle.  “Your selection is devoid of political influence. It has nothing to do with political affiliation.

“You are a special breed and I really congratulate you. You have exemplified good character and hard-work. It is natural for you to display integrity and patriotism, and that is why you are here.”

”You have also displayed high sense of integrity, while others were sleeping, you were just there to contribute your quota to the survival and development of the nation. Few months ago, you were made to undergo various induction training by this commission, all geared towards preparing you for the task ahead. Today, as we present to you these letters, you are expected to visit the office of your state commissioner for proper documentation”.

The ex-corps members who served in 2012, 2013 and 2014 had earlier received their awards from the government of Goodluck Jonathan and had undergone induction courses. Deaconess Ayo explained that the delay in the appointment of the awardees and the nine Hope Alive members was due to the change in government.

Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawunmi, the director general of NYSC said: “The initiative is also designed “to give hope to future corps members that the scheme and indeed this great nation will not abandon those who may suffer similar fate in the course of national service.

“This indeed is a worthy initiative. In the past, youth corps members who sustain injuries leading to permanent disabilities during their service were subjected to post-service emotional and psychological trauma as they were neglected by the same society they were mobilised to serve”

He added that the federal government was committed to protecting all serving corps members.