By Adesina Wahab
The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme established on May 22, 1973, has been in the news recently following the death of a corps member from a failed abortion of a pregnancy allegedly linked to an NYSC official in Ogun State. The deceased corps member (name withheld), sources said was in a romantic relationship with the NYSC official (name withheld) and that led to the pregnancy and subsequent abortion that led to her death.
The development has raised a lot of questions, one of which is that should NYSC officials be romantically involved with corps members under their supervision? Bearing in mind that university and polytechnic graduates being mobilized for the scheme are adults, as it is not possible for any of them to be less than 18 years before being called up for the exercise.
There should be no romantic relationship — Kalejaye
Speaking to Saturday Vanguard on the issue, a parent, Mrs Joy Kalejaye, opined that it is unethical for NYSC officials to be in a romantic relationship with corps members under their supervision.
“To me, NYSC officials doing that are just sex predators. They are just cashing in on the innocence and lack of experience of some of these ladies they are to supervise. Let me tell you, nobody should be deceived by the seeming big stature of some of these ladies, some of them are even girls.
“Some of them are what people in Lagos parlance call ‘Omo get inside’. People who are probably not streetwise. Some of them have always shuttled between home, school and places of worship.
“You may say they are university graduates, that does not mean anything. Some attended private universities where they were under controlled environment and were not really exposed. Also, some are barely 21, 22 years. If they are experienced, the lady in question was reportedly pregnant, why did she allow raw intimacy with her partner?
“Assuming that everything was done in consensual manner, an NYSC official engaging in such a relationship with a corps member is simply being unethical. So, he will be giving the corps member undue preferences and advantages.
“There is a proverb in Yoruba Language that “Esin ki i je koko abe re” (a horse does not eat the grasses beneath it). There is no way such a relationship can be justified and in this case, justice must be served.”
NYSC officials are not legal guardians to corps members — Lawyer
Also commenting on the development, a lawyer, Mr Babatunde Jimoh, said NYSC officials only owe corps members duty of care, as they are not legal guardians to the corps members.
“An official of the NYSC can face administrative liability for gross misconduct under public service rules. He can also face civil liability if the family of the corps member decides to sue, just as criminal liability if the corps member was coerced to carry out the abortion. The doctor, who carried out the abortion will need to be interrogated.
“As a parent, it can be devastating. Also, parents feel bad when things like that happen even if the corps members are legally adults, there is a reasonable expectation of institutional responsibility.”
Reaction by NYSC
The NYSC has also reacted to the incident. In a statement by Caroline Embu, the Director of Information and Public Relations, the NYSC said it is cooperating with security agencies and reaffirmed its stance on discipline and accountability.
“The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances that are currently being investigated.
“The Scheme is aware of the news circulating in the media concerning the suspected involvement of a staff member. We wish to confirm that the matter is currently under investigation by relevant security agencies, and the individual concerned has been taken into custody.
“We wish to use this medium to reiterate that the NYSC maintains a strict code of conduct for its staff and corps members and will not condone any act of misconduct or abuse of office.
“While investigations are ongoing, we urge the public to refrain from speculations and allow due process to take its course,” NYSC stated.
The scheme added that the welfare, safety and dignity of corps members remain a priority, even as scrutiny intensifies around the incident. The NYSC also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and said it remains committed to ensuring that the truth is established and justice served.
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