By Adeola Kunle
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 to Corps Members serving in the State.
General Nafiu described the gesture as a demonstration of the State Government’s commitment to the welfare of Corps Members and said Ebonyi had become a trailblazer in providing an enabling environment for young Nigerians serving under the NYSC.
The NYSC Director General stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila.
He noted that Ebonyi was among the South-Eastern states where the Scheme enjoyed a peaceful deployment and cordial relationship with host communities and other stakeholders.
General Nafiu also appreciated the State Government for providing a monthly stipend to the NYSC State Secretariat, as well as supporting the Scheme during orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
He commended the people of Afikpo, host community of the NYSC Orientation Camp in the State, for their continued support and hospitality towards the Scheme and Corps Members.
The Director General disclosed that about 6,000 Corps Members were currently serving in Ebonyi State, 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 towards its effective implementation.
“The State Government is to provide the Orientation Camp, furnish it and make it habitable, while we operate. The States are equally to provide security for the Corps Members in conjunction with the Local Governments within the State,” he said.
Nafiu added that Local Governments were also expected, as provided by the NYSC Act, to provide accommodation for Corps Members.
He appealed to the State Government to undertake maintenance works at the Orientation Camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
The NYSC helmsman further identified Ebonyi as a suitable location for the expansion of the Scheme’s rice farming initiative, urging the State Government to reconsider granting NYSC access to the Ezilo land for the project.
“I am appealing to you and His Excellency to give another consideration and oblige us to use the farm,” General Nafiu entreated.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, who spoke on behalf of the State Governor, commended the NYSC Director General and Management for their positive mentorship and guidance of Corps Members.
She said the importance of the NYSC Scheme, since its establishment in 1973, could not be over-emphasised, citing its contributions to national integration through inter-tribal marriages, cultural integration, academic exposure and other forms of social interaction.
“Here in Ebonyi State, we have been working as a team and we have a good synergy with the Secretariat. We work like a family,” she said.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that the State Government was constructing a female hostel at the Orientation Camp, adding that the facility was being expanded annually due to the high demand among prospective Corps Members to serve in the State.
She described Ebonyi as a hospitable State that was willing to deepen its partnership with NYSC and contribute more to youth development.
Princess Obila assured the NYSC Director General that the State Government would give the Orientation Camp a facelift. She also promised to make further enquiries regarding the request for the use of the Ezilo land for the NYSC rice farm.
“With all the requests you have made, I am assuring you that we will do something for the sake of our children. We are highly committed to giving you a leverage that will make our Corps Members live comfortably,” she said.
Adeola Kunle
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