The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has exposed a significant case of fraud involving the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where a bread seller and other unqualified individuals were falsely mobilized for the mandatory one-year national service.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, revealed that a bread seller, who had never attended UNICAL, was listed as a graduate and slated for national service. This alarming discovery is part of a broader crackdown, during which the NYSC recently invalidated the certificates of 101 unqualified graduates from the university, bringing the total number of voided certificates to 178.
Brigadier General Ahmed commended the Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi, for her honesty in reporting the irregularities within her institution. Professor Obi noticed that several names on the graduation list did not belong to legitimate graduates and promptly informed the NYSC.
“The inclusion of a bread seller on UNICAL’s graduation list is a blatant act of fraud. We are committed to eliminating such fraudulent practices to maintain the integrity of the national service,” said Brigadier General Ahmed.
As part of the NYSC’s efforts to ensure only eligible graduates are mobilized, 54 individuals who were illegally included in UNICAL’s graduation list have been demobilized. Of these, 19 had already registered online for service, but their participation was promptly halted.
The NYSC is strengthening its collaboration with educational institutions and other stakeholders to prevent such occurrences in the future. Brigadier General Ahmed urged employers across Nigeria to verify the authenticity of NYSC certificates presented by job applicants, stressing the importance of hiring genuine graduates.
This decisive action by the NYSC underscores its dedication to preserving the credibility of the national service program and serves as a stern warning to those attempting to manipulate the system.
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