The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Aminu Maida, has commended the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, saying that the scheme has stayed true to the ideals for its establishment since 1973.

He noted that NYSC 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.

Maida stated this during his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the NYSC legal officers workshop in Abuja on Monday.

“Legal Officers, be it in the public or private sector, are key stakeholders in any organization, being primarily responsible for the management of its legal affairs,” he said.

“A major part of this responsibility includes ensuring that the organization complies 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 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 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 lawsuits, 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 benefited 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 the Nigerian communications industry.

“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 subscriber information are complied with and this is a typical example of ensuring compliance with statutory provisions.”