The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps NYSC,Brig General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed has urged legal officers in the scheme to leverage emerging technology, be abreast of the novel developments and advancement in the legal profession and equip themselves for a more effective legal service delivery.
NYSC DG represented by Director, Procurement, Chief Chinwedu Chukwu ,assured that NYSC Management will continue to support the Legal Unit to achieve its mandate, while also providing necessary work tools to aid the performance of all Legal Officers in the Scheme.
General YD Ahmad stated this today while declaring open the Training Workshop for NYSC Legal Officers with the theme “Optimizing the Capacity of Legal Officers for Organizational Compliance With Statutory Provisions”,held in Abuja.
The DG who charged the participants to brace up for the onerous demands of their schedule ,said the annual Legal Officers’ Capacity Building Training was line with one of the focal areas of the policy thrust of his administration; “enhancement of capacity building to stimulate efficiency and higher corporate performance.”
He said the workshop is organized as part of the general training schedule of the Scheme aimed at enhancing the capacity and knowledge of Legal Officers on their professional roles in ensuring organizational compliance with statutory provisions to strengthen the operations of the Scheme.
He said “In particular, it is intended to broaden the skills, instinct and horizon of the Officers and equip them for more effective service delivery.
“As you are already aware, the Legal Unit of the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters was established to take care of legal matters for the Scheme. As part of measures to strengthen the Unit for optimal performance, Management posted Legal Officers to States and FCT Secretariats. Furthermore, the take-off of the Area Offices in January, 2020 necessitated the posting of Legal Officers as part of the full complement of the staff required for the smooth operations of the Scheme at the Area level. Reports reaching me, which I am happy to mention, is that the posting of Legal Officers has enhanced efficiency in the areas of legal advice, litigation and supervision of the Corps Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS).
“My dear participants, the instruments guiding the operations and activities of the NYSC are the Scheme’s legal frame-work and other applicable statutory provisions. Your advice will guide Management at all times in taking decisions, especially at very critical moments, which will largely determine the level and extent of compliance by the Scheme with statutory provisions. Also, such decisions will go a long way in shaping public impression about the Scheme field of law as well as sharing of experience in line with global best practices.
” I encourage you all to be attentive to presentations that will be made by the Resource Persons, and bare your minds on all issues. As you go into the main business of the day, Management looks forward to receiving your far reaching resolutions and recommendations that should be beneficial to the Scheme.
” It is important to note that the Legal Unit has been very diligent in handling litigations for the Scheme. Also, as a result of effective coordination and supervision by the Unit, the Corps Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) has long been one of the most impactful projects under the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS). I charge you all to build on the foregoing achievements by redoubling your efforts in the performance of your duties. I want to use this medium to commend officers who have been instrumental to the achievements recorded so far by the Scheme in the area of legal representation. However, I urge you all not to rest on your oars, especially with regards to rendering objective legal advice and quality legal representation of the Scheme.
‘I am confident that after the training, your knowledge would have been further enriched to enable you efficiently handle litigations for the Scheme and give quality legal advice to the Management at your various stations”.
In his welcome address,the NYSC Acting Director, Legal Services, Barr. C. U. Ogar said the Workshop is organized to enhance the capacity of Legal Officers in the Scheme in line with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal professions’ stand on continuing Legal education for Lawyers.
He added that the Workshop is also aimed at assembling NYSC Legal Officers from different parts of the country to brainstorm and refresh their Legal minds on the rudiments of Legal practice, particularly in the area of Organizational Compliance with Statutory Provisions.
“It is necessary to mention here that apart from litigation in Courts on behalf of the Scheme and rendering quality Legal advice to Management, Legal Officers also supervise the Corps Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS), one of the numerous Community Development Service (CDS) groups in the NYSC charged with the responsibility of providing free Legal services to indigent citizens in their host communities. I therefore enjoin all participants to take full advantage of this programme to sharpen your knowledge for more proficient Legal service delivery. As you go into the business session, I urge you to fully participate in the deliberations and come up with fruitful recommendations that will assist Management in sustaining its compliance with statutory provisions.
“We have brought eminent and experienced Lawyers as Resource Persons to deliver lectures on the carefully selected topics for this Workshop and other incidental matters. I enjoin the participants to be very attentive to the lectures and maximize the benefits of the time invested in the Workshop in order to be more effective and efficient in your duty of rendering quality Legal advice to Management and handling litigation in
Courts on behalf of the Scheme. I have no doubt that, at the end of this Workshop, participants shall be fully updated with knowledge of the Law and other Legal matters that will assist them in carrying out whatever assignments they shall be given”Ogar stated.
In his Goodwill message,the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf represented by Hon Justice N. K. Nwosu-lheme described the legal officers as the guardians of justice, whose dedication to the noble profession is crucial in shaping the future of the nation.
“Your role goes beyond mere legal representation; you are the champions of human rights, the defenders of the vulnerable, and the pillars of our democracy.
He urged the participants to embrace the values of integrity, compassion, and excellence. Embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with this legal profession. “Remember that the law is a powerful tool for change, and your expertise can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many” the Chief Judge added.
Also in his message ,the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission,Dr. Aminu Maida who was represented by Mr Emeka Obi, Deputy Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, said NYSC has stayed true to the ideals for its establishment since 1973 and it has played a vital role in fostering national unity by instilling values such as service to community, oneness and brotherhood of every Nigerian citizen regardless of cultural, ethnic or social leanings.
He added that Legal Officers, be it in the public or private sector, are key stakeholder in any organization, being primarily responsible for the management of its legal affairs.
Maida said legal officers must ensure that their organization comply with relevant laws, policies and regulatory provisions.
“In order to ensure that this role can be performed effectively, the legal team must be knowledgeable about all relevant instruments guiding the operations of the organization. These instruments would Thet typically include the specific policies and legislation which establish the organization as t well as other laws and policies, which impact on its operations/service delivery.
“Legal Officers should undergo training and capacity building to aid a firm understanding of t f the laws and policies setting up their organisations. Such programmes should also provide guidance on identification and understanding of stipulations of other relevant laws. It should be mentioned that Management’s adherence to legal advice provided by Legal Officers is important as this ensures that the organisation is not adversely exposed to penalties, legal consequences such as law suits, and even reputational damage.
“The Commission once again commends the NYSC for organising this capacity building programme which will enhance the service delivery of its Legal Officers and by extension the NYSC as a whole. The entire nation has benefitted immensely from the activities of the teeming population of youth corps members who daily add value to the
operations of various businesses in various sectors thereby contributing to the growth of the economy. This valuable contribution is also felt in the communications industry and in the operations of the Commission as it carries out its mandate of Nigerian communications industry. regulating the
“As duly noted by the NYSC, the Commission is a stakeholder in the data protection of citizens in Nigeria to the extent that it mandates its Licensees to protect the information of subscribers against accidental or improper disclosure (as provided in its Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, 2007). In the same vein, access to the personal data of subscribers is strictly regulated by the Commission as provided in the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations, 2022. The Commission and its Licensees are duty bound to ensure that subscribers’ personal data are safeguarded and cannot be released to a third party without the consent of the subscriber or the Commission.
The Commission’s Legal Officers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that these regulatory provisions on data protection of subscribers information are complied with and this is a typical example of ensuring compliance with statutory provisions”NCC Boss said
