Speaking during a program at Family FM on Thursday on issues affecting corps members, Whyte emphasized the need for vocational training reforms within NYSC camps and condemned any form of exploitation or unfair deployment practices.
Addressing a key proposal from the NYSC leadership, Whyte commended the idea of transforming NYSC orientation camps into compulsory vocational training grounds.
“This initiative is commendable as it equips corps members with skills they can use after their service year. It is a step in the right direction,” he stated.
However, he expressed concern over the exploitation of corps members in some organizations, describing it as a violation of labour laws.
He emphasized that corps members, who are contributing to national development, should not be treated as slaves.
“It is very wrong for an organization not to pay corps members their due allowances, especially when they are already receiving funding from the government. Corps members must enjoy working in their assigned organizations.
" Every individual has the right to human dignity, and organizations must treat corps members with respect,” Whyte said.
He also criticized the misplacement of corps members during deployments, citing examples where graduates of law and medicine are assigned to teach in classrooms, while those with unrelated qualifications, such as Yoruba studies, are deployed to banks.
“This deployment inconsistency is not good enough and needs to be addressed to ensure corps members are placed in roles that align with their expertise and training,” he added.
Whyte also raised concerns about the age of some corps members, pointing out that many have surpassed the NYSC age limit.
He urged NYSC officials to perform their duties diligently, ensuring that the integrity of the program is maintained and the government’s objectives are not undermined.
He also cautioned against the indiscriminate inclusion of graduates from foreign institutions, stressing that only qualified institutions should be allowed to participate in the scheme.
Whyte called on Nigerians to speak up against injustices in the NYSC program and other societal issues.
“I urge our people to voice out against wrongdoing to help our nation move forward. Nigerians must follow the rule of law and ensure they do not go against it,” he concluded.
