Members of the National Youth Service Corps were absent at the Metropolitan Square venue of Nigeria's 53rd Independence anniversary ceremony organised by the Kwara State government.

Ilorin residents at the event said they were surprised at the absence of the corps members.

Traditionally, members of the NYSC join the military, police, school students and pupils as well as other para-military outfits for the Independence Day march pass.

Some of the residents who spoke to Punch correspondent said the absence of the corps members  denied the audience of their match pass though the other para-military outfits, the military and students and the political class were present at the anniversary.

One resident, who identified himself as Alhaji Jimoh Akani, said the corps members' absence was a big surprise to him as they usually feature at the anniversary.

The NYSC Coordinator in Kwara State, Mr. Abioudun Fagbemi, told Punch correspondent on the telephone that the corps members could not make it to the Independence Day parade as a result of logistics problems.

Fagbemi said himself and other officials of the NYSC attended the ceremony.