Are you a prospective corps member or a corps member who is still in the NYSC camp or you just passed out from your various 21 days from NYSC camp and you have been hearing CDS right from your camp but you still don’t know its full meaning. If your answer to this question is yes, then I’ll provide you with the full meaning of CDS in NYSC, when you can join CDS in NYCS, types of NYSC CDS group and how to join CDS group in NYSC.
In this post, we will also discuss why it’s important to join a CDS group in NYSC, its benefits and other relevant information you need to know about the NYSC CDS group in general.
CDS Meaning in NYSC
The full meaning of CDS in NYSC is Community Development Service. It’s a programme in NYSC that is subdivided into groups which corps members join to help contribute positively to the development of the communities they’re being posted after their orientation camp throughout the period of national service.
Types CDS Group in NYSC
There are 2 main categories of the NYSC CDS group that corps members can engage in such as:
- Individual Community Development
- Collaborative Community Development
Individual Community Development
This category of NYSC community development service (CDS) involves an individual corps member working directly with his/her host community to execute personal developmental projects. The project can be based on the host community’s needs and it’s mostly the corps member ingenuity which can be implemented within the corps member’s entire service year.
Collaborative Community Development
This category of the NYSC community development service (CDS) involves an integrated development where the programme works with local and foreign Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other establishments with common development interests that emphasize on the grass root.
Unlike the individual community development, the collaborative community development is based on a mandate to come up with a memorandum of understanding MOU for a clear understanding with the supposed organizations. The selected corps members on the given projects are mostly exposed to a certain level of training based on the said project needs or the expected goals.
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List of CDS Groups in NYSC
Here is a List of CDS groups in NYSC.
1. CORPS LEGAL AID GROUP (CLAD)
The corps legal aid CDS group purpose is to provide free legal services to the less privileged with prison inmates which are (Victims of denials & violation of rights).
They also serve the purpose of sensitization of the general public on fundamental human rights.
The corps legal aid CDS group activities include:
- Provide public lecture and awareness on fundamental human rights.
- Advocacy.
- Visiting prisons.
- Providing legal service to inmates and indigent persons.
2. SPORTS GROUP
The sports CDS group purpose is to identify talents among serving corps members, create avenue for recreation & healthy rivalry among corps members & the host community, arouse consciousness of living healthy & purposeful lifestyles as means of participating in one form of physical activities or another.
The sports CDS group activities include:
- Identity & training members of the host community.
- Organizing sports competitions.
- Sports competitions participation.
3. CULTURAL & TOURISM GROUP (DANCE, BAND, DRAMA & TOURISM); TO PROMOTE ARTS & CULTURE
The cultural & tourism CDS group purpose is dissemination of vital socio-economic & political problems & prospects.
The cultural & tourism CDS group activities include:
- Identifying talents among corps members.
- Entertainment.
- Setting up of the schemes theater groups.
4. EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT GROUP (ADULT EDUCATION, ICT, MASS LITERACY & EXTRA MURALS)
The education development CDS group purpose is to Enhance the Education Standards within the host community and Provide career guidance & counseling for students.
The education development CDS group activities include:
- Create a campaign against illiteracy.
- Organize Extra-mural classes for Adults.
- Organize in-school programmes.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & SANITATION GROUP (ECO-VANGUARD, NESREA)
The environmental protection and sanitation CDS group purpose is to promote & sustain a healthy environment, to create awareness on sustainable environment management & regeneration.
The environmental protection and sanitation CDS group activities include:
- Sanitation.
- Tree planting.
- Reforestation
- Landscaping.
- Drainage control.
- Erosion control.
6. EDITORIAL AND PUBLICITY GROUP
The editorial and publicity CDS group purpose is to Complement the activities of the NYSC Public Relations Unit (PRU) in disseminating information to the host community.
The editorial and publicity CDS group activities include:
- Making presentations on mass media to enlighten people within the host community on socio-cultural education.
7. ROAD SAFETY GROUP
The road safety CDS group’s purpose is to contribute to public safety roads.
The road safety CDS group activities include:
- Sensitization & road traffic control.
- Rendering First Aid services to accident victims.
- Establishing road safety clubs in school.
8. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & HIV/AIDS GROUP
The reproductive health and anti HIV/AIDS CDS group purpose is to train & mentor students, to mobilize & strengthen community based responses on HIV/AIDS prevention.
The road safety CDS group activities include:
- Sensitization & Campaign.
9. ANTI-CORRUPTION GROUP (EFCC & ICPC)
The anti-corruption EFCC and ICPC CDS group purpose is to help in eradicating corruption through campaigns.
The anti-corruption EFCC and ICPC CDS group activities include:
- Sensitization.
- Creating awareness in schools & organizations
- Establish Anti-Corruption Corps members in schools.
10. SERVICE DELIVERY GROUP (ATTITUDINAL CHANGE, RE-BRANDING)
The service delivery CDS group purpose is to provide sensitization on service delivery & good work ethics.
The service delivery CDS group activities include:
- Sensitization.
- Training.
- Group discussions on value re-orientation.
11. Millennium Development Goals MDGS GROUP
The MDGS group CDS group purpose is to create awareness & actualize the 8 goals of MDGs.
The MDGS CDS group activities include:
- Advocacy & Mentoring of the host Community.
12. MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES GROUP (RED CROSS, POLIO PLUS ETC.)
The medical and health services CDS group purpose is promoting and providing medical services.
The medical and health services CDS group activities include:
- Health Outreach.
- First Aid administration.
- Establishment of a Community based clinic.
- Setting up of a clinic for the NYSC Secretariat.
13. DR*UG FREE AND QUALITY CONTROL GROUP (NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON)
The NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON CDS group purpose is to eradicate fake & adulterated foods and dru*gs, Creating awareness on the dangers of dr*ug abu*se.
The NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON CDS group activities include:
- Campaign & Sensitization.
- Establishment of dr*ug free clubs in Schools.
- Ensuring linkages with the host Communities.
14. AGRO-ALLIED GROUP
The agro-allied group CDS group purpose is to Support Agro-Allied activities within the host Communities, to promote better food production & security.
The agro-allied group CDS group activities include:
- Demonstration farms and or Extension Services.
- Advocacy.
- Establishment of Farmers Cooperative Societies.
- Teaching of new farming techniques to hot communities.
- Training & Capacity building.
- Establishment of young farmers clubs in the host Communities.
15. CHARITY SERVICES AND GENDER GROUP
The charity services and gender CDS group purpose is to improve the living standard of the downtrodden, Establishing charity outreaches to the public.
The agro-allied group CDS group activities include:
- Mobilize funds & other resources for less privileged
- Visits of orphanages and prisons
- Donation of materials to homes
16. NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) GROUP
The national emergency management agency (NEMA) CDS group’s purpose is to create awareness on disaster management, to disseminate information on how to manage disasters via Corps Emergency Vanguards.
The national emergency management agency (NEMA) CDS group activities include:
- Public enlightenment on disaster management & control through the emergency Vanguards.
- Disaster management.
- Liaison with (NEMA) on ways to assist during emergencies.
- Formation of emergency vanguards club in schools.
When Can I Join CDS Group in NYSC?
You can join the NYSC CDS group after you have left orientation camp and have to report to your place of primary assignment (PPA). You will then go to your NYSC Local Government Area for registration, after the local government area registration you can then join your preferred CDS group within your NYSC LGA.
How to Join CDS in NYSC
To join the NYSC CDS group, you need to complete your NYSC Local Government Area (LGA) registration. You can then ask your Local Government Inspector (LGI) to direct you to the available CDS group within your NYSC secretariat. Check for the best you wish to join, provide a photocopy of your NYSC Call-up letter and the required documents.
You will be given a book to write down your NYSC information, then you will be given an NYSC CDS card which will be used to take the CDS weekly attendance.
FAQs
What is The Meaning of CDS in NYSC Group?
The meaning of CDS in the NYSC group stands for community development service.
What Are the Objectives of CDS in NYSC?
Here are objectives of CDS in NYSC:
1.The first objective of the NYSC CDS is by Impacting positively on the improvement of rural community life.
2.It helps to develop corps members’ entrepreneurship spirit.
3. It allows corps members to utilize the challenges faced in rural development and to provide the Nigerian Youth the ideals & capacities for leadership, national service endurance, patriotism, selflessness, creativity and community service
4. To expose corps members to diverse traditions & customs of their host
communities.
5. To provide forum for corps members to experiment with ideas to enable them
Translating these ideas into concrete achievements makes them rely less on foreign technologies thereby encouraging the use of local raw materials in execution of projects.
6. To Harness the enormous talents & skills of corps members into an effective machinery of change in Nigeria’s rural communities.
7. To Provide on-the-job training & experience for corps members.
8. To Provide complimentary service in Nigeria’s National development activities, by ensuring that Nigerian under-privileged population learn basic techniques for
self-help through the appropriate technology concept that is being promoted by the NYSC.
9.To corps members the tradition of dignity of labor and
productivity.
10.By complementing the activities of government at all levels in the stride
towards national development.
Can I Join More Than One CDS Group in NYSC?
A corps member should be committed to only one CDS group to ensure they participate fully in their activities for maximum output.
Is CDS compulsory for corpers?
Community Development Service (CDS) in NYSC is compulsory for every corps member to be in one of the above listed CDS groups. It’s compulsory for your CDS President to Sign and stamp your LGA final clearance form before you will be able to complete your last clearance at your LGA for passing out.
Is There A Punishment for Missing CDS in NYSC?
The Punishment for missing NYSC CDS is not having your local government area monthly clearance form not signed by your CDS President, which will in turn lead to lack of monthly clearance. This could lead to missing monthly clearance and you won’t be paid your monthly NYSC allowance.
What is the Best CDS Group to Join in NYSC?
The best CDS group to join in NYSC can be determined entirely based on individual preference or interest. An individual is interested in providing road traffic safety may choose to join the Road Safety or NEMA CDS group. Conversely, a person who is interested in fighting corruption may see the EFCC and ICPC CDS group as the best NYSC group to join.
Conclusion
The NYSC CDS is composed of a group of corps members who are assigned to a specific government/non-governmental organization with similar interests to include them in the development of their host communities.