More facts are beginning to emerge into why a corps member spotted in the National Youth Service Corps kit with a skirt was asked to leave the Amada Temporary Orientation Camp in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Recall that the crested white vest or plain vest worn with khaki trousers or shorts, irrespective of gender, serves as official wear for Corps members undergoing the mandatory three-week orientation course.
According to a press statement obtained by our correspondent from the Head of Public Relations Unit in Gombe NYSC, Margaret Dakama, the Corps has emphasised on its approved uniform, stressing that sanction awaits those found defacing the uniform.
Dakama said the penalty for wearing an unapproved uniform after being cautioned is to be decamped.
She added that as a corps member, the person in question would be watched subsequently in her Place of Primary Assignment.
However, to be decamped simply means to be asked to leave the camp, while maintaining the status of a Corps member.
She said, “Our attention has been drawn to pictures and videos of a corps member wearing a skirt, trending on social media, said to be decamped from NYSC Orientation Camp Amada, Gombe State.
“Every Corps member is issued kit items which include; shorts, belt, khaki jacket, khaki trouser, jungle boots, tennis shoes, crested vest and white T-shirt, and is expected to wear such kit items throughout the duration of the service year.
“It is, therefore, an offence to deface the Uniform to any form other than the one issued by Management.
“The National Youth Service Corps Bye-laws reprinted in the year 2000 Schedule 2, section 1 sub-section (I) says ‘Failure to wear the uniform provided for any particular activity penalty; The Corps member should be informed to go and wear the uniform, failing which he will be decamped’.”
Gombe NYSC clarified that the yet to be identified Corps member refused to wear the appropriate uniform despite attempts by officials to warn her, stressing that they awaited appropriate decision by the headquarters.
“We wish to place on record that the said corps member blatantly refused to wear the khaki trouser and chose to wear a khaki skirt instead (A case of defacing and refusal to wear our uniform).
“She was made to face the camp court, found guilty and subsequently decamped in accordance to the provisions of the NYSC Bye-laws.
“The NYSC Secretariat Gombe has compiled and forwarded a report on the Corps member and awaits further directives from our National Directorate Headquarters,” Dakama added.
