No matter what this news report says, I think the security of corps members all over the country is of utmost importance. Precious lives cannot just be wasted for a cause that serves little importance as of this year 2013!

What do you think?

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
yesterday paid N4.6 million each to the families of
members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who
died following the Suleja bombings during the 2011
general election.

The money was paid to the next of kins of the corps
members that were used as ad hoc staff during the
election.
The money was paid by the Finance Department of the
commission.
Family members were paid under closed doors as members
of press were shut out from the ceremony.

A source at the INEC Finance Department told THISDAY
that the money was part of insurance claims as the corps
members who worked as ad hoc staff were insured.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode
Idowu, confirmed the payments to THISDAY.
INEC, while presenting the cheques to the families of the
victims in Abuja, through an insurance company, Niger
Insurance Company Plc, said the money was meant to
assist them.

The Deputy Director, Insurance and Due Process of Niger
Insurance, Mr. Thomas Afanga, who presented the cheques
on behalf of the organisation, regretted the incident just as
he said INEC was determined to protect its staff in the
course of their constitutional assignments.
One of the victims’ families who identified himself leader,
Dr. Ezeezuemeh Ethelbert, expressed gratitude over the
commission’s gesture, saying the money would assist
them in no small measure even as he regretted that
President Jonathan was yet to fulfil his promise to the
surviving victims of the blast.

The president had, through former Director General of
NYSC, General Ismaila Tsiga, at the presentation of N5
million to the families of those who died during the
incident, promised automatic employment to those that
survived.

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