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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned serving corps member against participating in the planned nationwide protest slated to commence on August 1, 2024.
The NYSC management reportedly issued the warning to corps members, circulated on various social media platforms, reminding them that they are prohibited from participating in any political activities.
According to the statement, this restriction is based on the laws governing the NYSC scheme, which explicitly bar corps members from engaging in political movements.
The statement reads in part: “Nationwide protest circulating in the media space is scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 1st, 2024. I want to remind you that, as Corps Members, you are prohibited by law from participating in any form of protest or demonstration.
“Section 14 of the NYSC Act clearly states that Corps Members shall not participate in any political or religious activities, including protests and demonstrations.”
When contacted for comments, NYSC Director of Public Relations, Dr. Eddy Megwa, said he could not talk at that time.
Intel Region reports that Nigerians have started mobilising themselves in thousands to hold a public demonstration across the country, tagged as ‘EndBadGovernance’.
This protest aims to express their displeasure over the hardships President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has created.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has reacted to the planned protest by youths, emphasising the importance of a clear conscience as a potent defence against corruption.
Tinubu warned that the protest which, according to him, is fuelled by anger and hate, could degenerate into violence capable of setting the country backwards.
He said: “The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports.
“They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.
“We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger.
“The internet has made it possible to hold meetings in artificial settings. They hold meetings and sponsor anger,’’
“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable.’’
The President highlighted the need to prioritise the future of Nigerian children by teaching them good citizenship and responsibility.
He also highlighted the efforts of his government to minimise the hardship face by the citizenry.