By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Ebonyi State Government has approved a monthly allowance of N30,000 for Corps Members serving in the state, a development the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has described as a major boost to the welfare of young Nigerians undergoing national service.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended the state government for the gesture when he paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila.
Nafiu described the allowance as evidence of the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for Corps Members, noting that Ebonyi had become a trailblazer in supporting the Scheme.
He also appreciated the state government for providing a monthly stipend to the NYSC state secretariat and supporting orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
According to him, Ebonyi remains one of the South-Eastern states where the NYSC enjoys peaceful deployment, cordial relations with host communities and strong cooperation from stakeholders.
The NYSC boss disclosed that about 6,000 Corps Members are currently serving in Ebonyi State, with the majority deployed to the public sector.
He explained that the NYSC operates on the concurrent list, placing responsibilities on the Federal, State and Local Governments for the effective implementation of the Scheme.
“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,” Nafiu said.
He added that Local Governments were also expected under the NYSC Act to provide accommodation for Corps Members.
The Director-General appealed to the state government to carry out maintenance works at the orientation camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
Nafiu further identified Ebonyi as a strategic 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.
“I am appealing to you and His Excellency to give another consideration and oblige us to use the farm,” he said.
The NYSC chief also commended the people of Afikpo, host community of the state’s orientation camp, for their continued support and hospitality towards the Scheme and Corps Members.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, who spoke on behalf of the state governor, commended the NYSC management for providing mentorship and guidance to Corps Members.
She stressed the importance of the Scheme to national integration since its establishment in 1973, citing its contributions to inter-tribal marriages, cultural integration, academic exposure and broader 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,” Obila said.
She disclosed that the state government was constructing a female hostel at the orientation camp, adding that the facility was being expanded annually because of the high demand from prospective Corps Members seeking deployment to Ebonyi.
The Deputy Governor described Ebonyi as a hospitable state committed to deepening its partnership with the NYSC and promoting youth development.
She assured the NYSC Director-General that the state government would give the orientation camp a facelift and promised to further examine the request for the use of Ezilo land for the Scheme’s 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
