The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has demobilised 54 fake graduates who were unlawfully mobilised for youth service by the University of Calabar, News About Nigeria reports.
This was revealed by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, in Abuja.
Ahmed stated that this action is part of the NYSC’s ongoing efforts to prevent unqualified graduates from obtaining the NYSC Certificate of National Service.
The demobilised individuals will face prosecution for their involvement in the fraudulent activity.
In addition to the 54 demobilised, another 19 candidates who had initially registered online for mobilisation were barred from service.
Furthermore, the NYSC withheld the production of four certificates of national service for other implicated individuals.
“This is in addition to the 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, bringing the total to 178,” Ahmed added.
The Director-General praised the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, for her integrity in reporting the illegal mobilisation of unqualified graduates from her institution.
“The Vice-Chancellor personally informed us that some names appeared on the institution’s list that shouldn’t have been there. After reviewing the list, we decided that their certificates would be invalidated. I commend her for taking this step,” Ahmed said.
He also noted a previous incident where a bread seller was fraudulently included on the graduation list from the same institution.
Ahmed stated that the NYSC would intensify efforts to cleanse its mobilisation process and would continue to collaborate closely with heads of corps producing institutions and relevant stakeholders to eliminate such malpractices.
He further warned that any lapses in the mobilisation process reflect poorly on the integrity of the institution’s management.
“Those responsible for inputting the data of graduates should be people of integrity,” he stressed.
Ahmed also urged employers to verify the authenticity of the NYSC certificates presented to them during job placements.
