NYSC in a statement on its Facebook page warned that it will not hesitate to prosecute initiators of libelous stories against it
By Kehinde Okeowo
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted claims it forced corps members, who are Muslims to shave their long beard in order to continue staying in its orientation camp.
This was contained in a post titled ‘Re: Muslim Corps Members Forced To Shave Long Beards To Avoid Eviction’, which was issued on the service’s Facebook page by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa.
NYSC in the now-viral post, described the report as misleading, adding that it has its code of conduct which Corps members always complied with throughout their service year.
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Megwa wrote: “The attention of the Management of National Youth Service Corps has been drawn to a misleading online story with the above caption.
“To put the records straight, the NYSC from inception till date has its code of conduct which Corps Members always comply with throughout their service year.
“In addition, there is no iota of truth in the misleading, baseless and mischievous story, which only emanated as a fictitious imagination of the uninformed writer.
“Similarly, since the commencement of the on-going 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream Two Orientation Course, no Corps member, either Muslim or Christian has been evicted from any of the NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.
“It is however worthy to note that the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), under the leadership of Prof. Ishaq
Akintola, having confirmed that the story is false, appreciated NYSC Management for mentoring Nigerian youths without religious or ethnic sentiments.
“We, however, want to place on record the effective collaboration recorded with the above body over the years”
The statement also warned that it will not hesitate to prosecute initiators of libelous stories against it in the future.
“NYSC Management, therefore calls on the initiator of the libelous story and other rumour peddlers to stop attributing fake news to the Scheme or be ready for prosecution.
“The Scheme would continue to consolidate on its achievements of the past fifty years and also strive to mentor Nigerian youths towards successful future.” the statement added.
