The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied social media reports claiming high food prices in orientation camps, labeling them as unfounded and mischievous fabrications.
In a statement released by Eddy Megwa, NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, on Saturday, the allegations were described as “laughable, absurd, and unfortunate.”
Megwa condemned the circulating narrative, which suggested that a state coordinator encouraged corps members to leave the orientation camp due to food shortages.
“The story is nothing but a tissue of lies, intended to cause mischief,” stated Megwa.
NYSC management insisted that such a claim is baseless, particularly considering the experience and rank of the state coordinators involved, who are seasoned officials, many with over 25 years of dedicated service.
Megwa outlined the operational framework of the orientation camps, emphasizing the system of checks and balances in place to ensure a smooth and well-regulated course of activities, including the feeding of corps members.
“A Resident Officer from the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters is always present to oversee the adherence to policies and rules,” he explained.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig Gen Yushau Dogara Ahmed, was also mentioned as playing a hands-on role, visiting camps each season to personally attend to the welfare of the Corps Members.
Megwa also touched on the regulation of camp markets, acknowledging that while they are shielded from exploitative practices, they are not immune to the broader economic challenges faced globally.
He took a stern tone against those behind the spread of the false claims, accusing them of seeking to profit at the expense of the nation’s peace of mind.
“Their actions inflict incalculable damage to our dear country and the psyche of our people,” he said.
The NYSC Director urged those disseminating falsehoods to cease their harmful activities and reminded that the Scheme maintains an open-door policy, always ready to provide clarifications on its operations.
Peoplesmind