By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed satisfaction with the contributions of 8,890 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving across the state, while requesting the deployment of more corps members to complement manpower in the state.
Otti made the request when the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, paid him a courtesy visit at Umunu, Umuehim, in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
The NYSC Director-General commended the Abia State Government for its immense support to the Scheme, particularly the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp, provision of a new Secretariat complex and the upward review of corps members’ allowances.
Nafiu described Abia as a peaceful and corps-member-friendly state, noting that the state has a higher population of female corps members than males and is among the few states where corps members are deployed to every local government area.
He appealed to the governor to implement the recently reviewed allowance for corps members and commence the second phase of renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp.
Responding, Governor Otti congratulated Nafiu on his appointment as Director-General of the NYSC and recalled that the deplorable condition of facilities at the Orientation Camp during his visit in 2023 prompted his administration to embark on a comprehensive renovation.
According to him, the first phase of the renovation has been completed, while he has directed that work on the second phase should commence.
The governor said his administration was pleased with the presence and contributions of the 8,890 corps members currently serving in Abia, stressing that their services remain valuable to the development of the state.
Otti therefore appealed to the NYSC management to deploy additional corps members to Abia to further strengthen manpower across various sectors.
He stressed that Abia was not only home to corps members during their service year but also welcomed those who demonstrated commitment and excellence during their service.
The governor cited the Head of Service of Abia State, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, as an example, noting that he came to the state as a corps member and was offered automatic employment into the state civil service after distinguishing himself during his service year.
Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for corps members and ensuring that their service year in Abia remains productive and rewarding.
The NYSC delegation’s visit provided an opportunity for both parties to strengthen collaboration and discuss measures aimed at improving the welfare, deployment and service conditions of corps members in the state.
