The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the Ebonyi State Government for its commitment to the welfare of Corps Members serving in the state.
Nafiu particularly applauded the state government for approving a monthly allowance of N30,000 for Corps Members, describing the gesture as a demonstration of its commitment to creating 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.
According to an official statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Nafiu said Ebonyi was among the South-Eastern states where the Scheme enjoyed peaceful deployment and cordial relationships with host communities and other stakeholders.
He also appreciated the state government for providing a monthly stipend to the NYSC State Secretariat and supporting the Scheme during orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
Nafiu commended the people of Afikpo, host community of the NYSC Orientation Camp, for their continued support and hospitality towards the Scheme and Corps Members.
The NYSC helmsman 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 the effective implementation of the Scheme.
Nafiu urged the state government to undertake maintenance works at the Orientation Camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
He also identified Ebonyi as a suitable location for expanding the NYSC rice farming initiative and appealed to the state government to reconsider granting the Scheme access to the Ezilo land for the project.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, who spoke on behalf of the state governor, commended the NYSC Director General and Management for their mentorship and guidance of Corps Members.
She said the NYSC Scheme had remained important to national integration since its establishment in 1973, citing its contributions to inter-tribal marriages, cultural integration, academic exposure and other forms of social interaction.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that the state government was constructing a female hostel at the Orientation Camp and expanding the facility annually due to the high demand among prospective Corps Members seeking to serve in Ebonyi.
She assured the NYSC management that the state government would give the Orientation Camp a facelift and consider the request for the use of the Ezilo land for the NYSC rice farming project.
Princess Obila further pledged the state government’s continued support for the Scheme and improved welfare of Corps Members serving in Ebonyi.
