The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the Ebonyi State Government for approving a monthly allowance of N30,000 for Corps Members serving in the state.
Nafiu described the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Corps Members and praised Ebonyi for providing an enabling environment for young Nigerians participating in the national service scheme.
The NYSC DG spoke during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila.
He said Ebonyi was among the South-Eastern states where the NYSC had enjoyed peaceful deployments and cordial relationships with host communities and other stakeholders.
Nafiu also appreciated the state government for providing a monthly stipend to the NYSC State Secretariat and supporting orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
He commended the people of Afikpo, host community of the NYSC Orientation Camp, for their hospitality and continued support for the Scheme and Corps Members.
The NYSC boss disclosed that about 6,000 Corps Members were currently serving in Ebonyi, with the majority deployed to the public sector.
He explained that NYSC operates on the concurrent list, with the Federal, State and Local Governments having statutory responsibilities for its effective implementation.
According to him, state governments are expected to provide, furnish and maintain habitable orientation camps, as well as work with local governments to ensure the security of Corps Members.
Nafiu also appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to carry out maintenance works at the orientation camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
He further identified Ebonyi as a strategic location for expanding the NYSC’s rice farming initiative and appealed to the state government to reconsider granting the Scheme access to the Ezilo land for the project.
Responding, Deputy Governor Obila, who spoke on behalf of the state governor, commended the NYSC management for its mentorship and guidance of Corps Members.
She highlighted the Scheme’s contributions to national integration since its establishment in 1973, including cultural exchange, inter-tribal marriages, academic exposure and social interaction.
Obila said the state government had maintained a strong partnership with the NYSC, describing the relationship as one that operated like a family.
She disclosed that the state was constructing a female hostel at the orientation camp and expanding the facility annually due to the high demand from prospective Corps Members seeking deployment to Ebonyi.
The Deputy Governor assured the NYSC DG that the state government would give the orientation camp a facelift and further consider the request for the use of the Ezilo land for the NYSC rice farming project.
She reaffirmed Ebonyi’s commitment to improving the welfare of Corps Members and strengthening its partnership with the NYSC.
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