No fewer than 53 corps members will repeat their service, even as they have been denied NYSC discharge certificates at the passing out ceremony in Ipaja, Lagos for absconding during service year and other offences committed.

While addressing the 8,165 Batch 'C' corps members deployed to Lagos State, the NYSC state coordinator, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi said; "Disciplinary measures of repetition of service shall be meted on 21 corps members who absconded and 32 given extension of service ranging from two weeks to two months."

According to Adeyemi, the punitive measure was to discourage serving corps members from playing truancy while on national assignment adding; "The NYSC teaches and exemplifies discipline, patriotism and committed service."

However, on a sad note, Adeyemi disclosed that out of the 8,165 that served in the state, eight persons whom she referred to as patriots, lost their lives during the period.

The state coordinator who charged the discharged corps members to live by tenets of hard work, urged them to practise the various skills acquisition programmes they were exposed to in the past 12 months. "An entrepreneur is a founder, an organiser, producer and promoter of his own business, thinking along this direction will save you the disappointment of waiting for non-existent white collar jobs," she said.

However, in line with the NYSC policy of rewarding excellence and hardwork, four exceptional corps members were giventhe State Honours Award to factor out the Nigeria of your dream."

Fashola who was represented by Mr Joseph Abolude, Director, General Services Department, Ministry of Special Duties noted that the problem of youth unemployment in the country has become worrisome and a source of concern to all. He said: "The government is doing so much to curb unemployment, but a lot still needs to be done by private entrepreneurs and yourselves."

His words: "Do not hesitate to put onto practice the experience you have gained by setting up your own enterprise, no matter how small and grow there from. You need to look inwards because the days of white collar jobs are over.