Press Releases

Fashola Charges NYSC To Consider Creating An Army Of Life Savers From Serving Members

Feb 15, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday charged the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to consider the creation of an army of life savers from serving corps members across the country who could assist the populace during accidents and emergencies.

According to Governor Fashola who spoke when he received the State Director of the National Youth Service Corps, Mr Ladipo Laniyan at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the Corps members would be trained on practical courses which would empower them to assist accident victims before doctors or medical personnel come calling.

Governor Fashola explained that the authorities of the Scheme can collaborate with the State Government such that training teams can visit during the orientation exercises to take the corps members on how they can be more beneficial to the society.

He added that with such training, the corps members would be useful wherever they are posted to in future such that when the unexpected happens, there is a first responder there who has undergone practical training to save life.

He said currently the State boasts of trained men in the Police, Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) on how they can be first responders and revive people, save lives before medical help comes.

Governor Fashola also said the Corps members can also be useful on a yearly basis in specialized areas like doctors, nurses, social workers and health care givers, such that they can function at various health institutions in the Local Government areas, remand homes, orphanages and old peoples’ homes, especially on community service days.

He explained that Government has also created the superstructures that would enable people to work along the line of becoming employers of labour, adding that there is a micro finance institution in the State that is enabling people to grow by empowering them, giving them new skills and opportunities to acquire their own businesses.

He stressed that while government continues to recruit people directly into specialized fields where there are needs, there is a need for the Corps members to see themselves as potential employers of labour.

Said he: “You should take advantage of the various courses Lagos State has to become independent and self employed. We believe the university is just to prepare a graduate and not an end in itself. The concept of employment in the public service has its limits. We cannot employ 14,000 people at a go and this is not unique to Lagos”.

Governor Fashola said the State Government does not pay lip service to security of Corps members posted to the state as the death of any Corps member is regarded as a depletion of the talents and manpower of the country.

He charged every State and Local Government to see the NYSC scheme as one programme that must succeed along the line of the objectives of the founding fathers which is to ensure national integration such that every Corps member must be safe in any part of the country where he or she finds himself.

While assuring that Lagos State and its Local Government areas would ensure that everybody is safe, he urged all other States and Local Governments to evolve policies that makes sure that adequate protection is provided to people who come into their domain.

While commending the collaboration existing between the State Government and the NYSC office, Governor Fashola promised to ensure that as the number of Corp members increase, the State does its best to cater for their welfare.

Speaking earlier the State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ladipo Laniyan had commended the State Government for the facelift it had given to the NYSC Orientation camp in Ipaja declaring that it ranks as the best nationwide.

Mr Laniyan also commended the State Government for its prompt release of the subvention to the NYSC.

Mr Laniyan who contended that Corps members posted to the State are at the State’s disposal said apart from primary assignments, discussion are ongoing on how complimentary roles can be performed.

The State Coordinator informed that many corps members have been enlisted for the proposed LASTMA and LAWMA clubs at Local Government levels as a means of ensuring a cleaner city and easing traffic congestion statewide.

He also called for the provision of Corpers Lodge in all Local Government areas of the State as one of the practical steps of ensuring safety of all Corps members posted into the State, pleading that an upward review should be effected in the remuneration of Corps members posted to the State to encourage more to work within the public service.

Among those who were present during the meeting were Commissioner for Special duties, Dr Tola Kasali, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele and other members of the State Executive Council as well as members of the management of the State NYSC.