The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Cross Rivers state has reacted to the viral report that an JSS 2 student in the state impregnated a serving corps member, describing the report as “handiwork of fake news hawkers”.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr Abdullahi Yuguda, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of NYSC in the state
The statement reads: “The attention of the NYSC in Cross River has been drawn to a malicious publication making the rounds in the social media, alleging that a female corps member was impregnated by a teenage boy (student) in the state.
“To put the records straight, there is nothing as such in Cross River as claimed by the unknown writer. It is only meant to malign the reputation and integrity of the scheme and the public perception of our corps members.
“NYSC is a reputable organisation that is very proud of her Corps Members because of their high level of discipline and responsibility and therefore cannot be involved in such a shameful act.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the authorities of NYSC at Local, Zonal and State levels never received any report of such formally or informally.
“The said news is the handiwork of fake news hawkers who derive joy in seeking attention or traffic to their websites, at the expense of protecting journalistic code of ethics”, the statement said.
The statement further stated that the originators of the news failed to state the source of the news but was rather dwelling on imaginary school, JSS 2 student and Corps Member.
“Worthy of note is the fact that, NYSC has a laid down procedure for approaching matters on Corps Discipline and Reward. But as at the time of fielding this rejoinder, no Corps Member in Cross River is connected with such negative act.
“It will interest the general public to note, that one of the focus of NYSC Orientation programme is that of instilling high sense of discipline and reinforcement of strict moral standards and conduct which subsequently guide their operational behaviour at their various places of primary assignment and their host communities of service.
“While calling on the general public to dismiss and disregard such jaundice report, Management of the Scheme in Cross River advises the authors and originators of such callow write up to retract same”, the statement added.
The statement advised the originators of the report to desist from manufacturing fake news with the intention of tarnishing the image of the scheme, rather, they should pay attention to the numerous selfless services rendered to Cross River communities by corp members serving in the state.
