The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reportedly issued query letters to over 200 corps members serving in Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo State, for allegedly failing to attend a Christmas Carol party organized on December 20, 2024.
According to SaharaReporters, the event was held under the directive of the Local Government Inspector (LGI), Mr. Makanjuola Benjamin, who insisted that all corps members attend, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
A WhatsApp message sent to corps members announcing the event read:
“Good evening, my fellow corps members. This is an official letter for ATIBA Christmas Carol. And please, above is the link for those interested in music and drama for the carol. Let’s endeavor to be there. Note, please, this has nothing to do with religion. Your presence is necessary.”
While some corps members opted out of the celebration, citing concerns about the event’s potential conflict with NYSC regulations, others raised objections based on religious grounds. Footage and photos from the event, obtained by SaharaReporters, showed it to be a Christian praise and worship gathering.
In response, the LGI issued query letters to corps members who were absent, alleging that they traveled outside the state without permission from the State Coordinator between December 16, 2024, and January 6, 2025. The letters also stated that they missed a headcount conducted on December 20, the same day as the carol.
Some of the affected corps members denied the allegations, claiming they were at their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) on the day of the carol.
“How did he know we traveled? We were at our PPA working during this period. There was only either a general or individual group Community Development Service (CDS) on December 20, which is when the carol was held. We’re being accused and punished unfairly,” one corps member said.
Another corps member expressed frustration, stating, “The LGI is now denying us the chance to complete our compulsory monthly biometric registration, which closes on January 10, 2025. If we can’t register by then, it will affect our monthly activities.”
When contacted by SaharaReporters, Mr. Makanjuola Benjamin defended the queries, stating that they were issued in line with NYSC regulations. However, he denied that the corps members were penalized for missing the Christmas Carol party.
Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Abel Odoba, and NYSC Acting National Spokesperson, Mrs. Carol Lembu, both assured SaharaReporters that an investigation would be launched into the matter.
“It is unacceptable to mandate corps members to attend a Christmas Carol or any religious event. That’s against the rules, and we won’t tolerate such practices. We will investigate and take appropriate action if the allegations are true,” Abel Odoba stated.
