By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare, security and overall well-being of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, promising to renovate the permanent orientation camp and review the payment of state allowances to corps members.
Governor Ododo made the pledge on Monday while receiving the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the Government House in Lokoja.
The governor described corps members as vital partners in the state’s development agenda and assured the NYSC leadership that his administration would continue to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for them throughout their service year.
Congratulating Brigadier General Nafiu on his appointment, Ododo expressed confidence that his leadership would introduce reforms that would further strengthen the NYSC scheme and deepen its contributions to national development.
He disclosed that he had personally inspected the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya on several occasions and announced plans by the state government to embark on a comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the facility.
According to him, consultants have already been engaged while architectural designs for the project are being prepared to transform the camp into one of the best orientation facilities in the country.
On the issue of the monthly state allowance for corps members, the governor expressed dissatisfaction over the discontinuation of the payment, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He immediately directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to liaise with relevant government officials to review the matter and ensure prompt action, stressing that corps members deserve adequate support while serving the nation.
Governor Ododo also appealed to the NYSC to deploy more teachers and medical doctors to Kogi State to strengthen service delivery in the education and health sectors, noting that his administration had introduced special incentives and allowances for medical personnel to improve healthcare delivery across the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of corps members.
He noted that Governor Ododo recently inaugurated the State NYSC Governing Board, describing the move as a milestone in the history of the scheme in Kogi State.
Anyebe added that the governor had consistently supported the NYSC through improved welfare packages, transportation assistance, enhanced feeding at the orientation camp, prompt intervention in infrastructure challenges and the planned renovation of the permanent orientation camp.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, praised Governor Ododo for his unwavering support for the scheme, particularly in the areas of security, infrastructure and corps members’ welfare.
He described Kogi as one of the safest states for corps members, noting that all 21 local government areas in the state currently receive corps members due to the government’s effective security architecture.
The NYSC Director-General also commended the governor for inaugurating the State NYSC Governing Board and called for sustained collaboration between the state government and the scheme to further improve service delivery and the welfare of corps members.
