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 state government’s commitment to the welfare of Corps Members, noting that Ebonyi had emerged as a trailblazer in providing an enabling environment for young Nigerians serving under the NYSC scheme.
The NYSC Director-General made the commendation 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 NYSC had continued to enjoy peaceful deployment, as well as 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 the Scheme during orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
He commended the people of Afikpo, host community of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in the state, for their continued support and hospitality towards the Scheme and Corps Members.
The NYSC boss disclosed that about 6,000 Corps Members were currently serving in Ebonyi State, with the majority deployed to the public sector.
According to him, the NYSC operates on the concurrent list, with the Federal, State and Local Governments having statutory responsibilities towards the effective implementation of the Scheme.
He explained that state governments were responsible for providing, furnishing and maintaining habitable orientation camps, as well as collaborating with local governments to ensure the security of Corps Members.
Nafiu further noted that Local Governments, as provided by the NYSC Act, were expected to provide accommodation for Corps Members serving within their jurisdictions.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to undertake maintenance works at the Orientation Camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
The NYSC Director-General also identified Ebonyi as a suitable location for expanding the Scheme’s rice farming initiative. He appealed to the state government to reconsider granting the NYSC access to the Ezilo land for the agricultural project.
Responding, Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, who spoke on behalf of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, commended the NYSC Director-General and management for their positive mentorship and guidance of Corps Members.
She said the importance of the NYSC Scheme, established in 1973, could not be overemphasised, particularly its contributions to national integration through inter-tribal marriages, cultural exchange, academic exposure and other forms of social interaction.
The Deputy Governor said Ebonyi State had maintained a strong partnership with the NYSC, describing the relationship between the state government and the NYSC Secretariat as one built on teamwork and mutual support.
She disclosed that the state government was constructing a female hostel at the Orientation Camp and noted that the facility was being expanded annually due to the high demand from prospective Corps Members seeking to serve in Ebonyi.
Obila described Ebonyi as a hospitable state committed to deepening its partnership with the NYSC and contributing to youth development.
She assured the NYSC Director-General that the state government would give the Orientation Camp a facelift and promised to make further enquiries regarding the request for the use of the Ezilo land for the NYSC rice farming project.
The Deputy Governor said the state government remained committed to improving the welfare and living conditions of Corps Members serving in Ebonyi.
“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.
