Rita Odafe
NYSC Queries Over 200 Corps Members for Non-Attendance at Christmas Event
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reportedly sent query letters to more than 200 corps members in Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo State, for allegedly missing a Christmas Carol Party, as reported by SaharaReporters.
Corps members indicated that the event took place on December 20, 2024, at the instruction of the Local Government Inspector (LGI), Mr. Makanjuola Benjamin, who encouraged participation from all corps members irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“Good evening my fellow corp member. This is an official letter for the ATIBA Christmas Carol. And please see the link above for those interested in music and drama for the Carol. Let’s make an effort to attend. Note that this does not pertain to religion; your presence is important,” stated a WhatsApp message disseminated to invite corps members.
Some corps members chose not to attend, expressing worries that their attendance might contravene the service’s regulations. However, evidence collected by SaharaReporters indicated that the gathering was more aligned with praise and worship rather than a traditional Christmas celebration.
Consequently, several corps members of non-Christian faiths opted out, concerned about the clash with their personal beliefs.
SaharaReporters revealed that the LGI, Mr. Makanjuola Benjamin, subsequently issued query letters to all corps members who did not show up for the event.
The letters accused the absentees of leaving the state without the necessary authority from the state coordinator, citing the period from December 16, 2024, to January 6, 2025, and noted their absence during a headcount on December 20, 2024.
In response to these claims, one corps member relayed: “How did he know we traveled? We were at our Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) during this time. The only event that took place on December 20 was the community service, and we received accusations for not attending that. It was the lone event organized on that day.”
Another affected corps member remarked, “The LGI is now preventing us from taking part in our mandatory monthly biometric registration which ends on January 10, 2025. If we miss this window, we won’t be registered for activities this month.”
Upon being approached for a comment, Mr. Makanjuola Benjamin stated to SaharaReporters that the querying of the corps members was consistent with NYSC rules. He contended that the accusations concerning the party attendance were untrue.
Meanwhile, Oyo State NYSC Coordinator Abel Odoba and NYSC Acting National Spokesperson Mrs. Carol Lembu assured SaharaReporters of a forthcoming investigation into the situation.
“Corps members cannot be compelled to attend any Christmas Carol or religious event. That is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I will look into this matter, and if the claims hold true, necessary actions will be taken,” Abel Odoba stated to SaharaReporters.
