By Nkechi Eze
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on States and Local Government Councils to prioritise their statutory responsibilities to the Scheme, emphasising that effective support structures remain essential to corps members’ security, welfare and performance.
In an official signed statement, the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, disclosed that the DG made the call during his visit to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in Yenagoa.
Brigadier General Nafiu reminded the Governor of the urgent need to constitute the NYSC State Governing Board and Local Government Committees, which are currently non-existent in Bayelsa. He stressed that these statutory bodies play critical roles in the security, general welfare and productive utilisation of corps members posted to the state.
The DG stated that his visit to Bayelsa was primarily to monitor the ongoing 2025 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course. He expressed appreciation to the State Government for the provision of a new 700-capacity male hostel at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kaima, as well as the ongoing construction of a corresponding female hostel, which he noted was already 50 percent completed.
He also commended Governor Diri for other forms of support, including the prompt payment of monthly allowances, provision of post-camp transportation subsidies, support to families of deceased corps members and the continued sustenance of the State NYSC Honours Award.
Highlighting the Scheme’s contributions to Bayelsa’s development, Brigadier General Nafiu disclosed that the 5,000 corps members currently serving across the state deliver services that save the Bayelsa State Government an estimated three billion naira annually. He added that another 3,349 Bayelsa indigenes were presently serving in states across the Federation, reinforcing the national character and mobility of the Scheme.
During the visit, the DG appealed to Governor Diri to provide vehicles for the NYSC State Secretariat to enhance monitoring and inspection duties. He also urged the government to ensure the swift completion of the female hostel at the Kaima Orientation Camp.
Brigadier General Nafiu further reminded the Governor of the Scheme’s earlier request for land for rice farming, explaining that NYSC’s agricultural ventures are designed not only to support food production but also to train corps members in self-employment and wealth creation.
The visit reinforced ongoing collaboration between the State Government and the NYSC, with both sides expressing commitment to improving the welfare, safety and productive engagement of corps members in Bayelsa.
