Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has announced a fresh package of welfare and infrastructural measures for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state. He has directed the immediate review of suspended state allowances, approved the comprehensive renovation of the permanent orientation camp and reiterated security assurances for corps members in all the 21 local government areas.
The Governor said, while speaking at the Government House, Lokoja, where he received the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, that corps members are still important partners in his administration’s development program.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting, according to Ododo, was concern over reports that the payment of the state’s monthly grant to corps members had not been continued, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He urged the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to cooperate with the necessary government officials to rectify the matter and guarantee that the qualified corps members started to collect the state allowance without delay.
The Governor said the young Nigerians serving in Kogi deserve proper welfare and institutional support for their contributions to education, healthcare and community development.
Gov. Ododo also said that his administration had finalised preparations for a comprehensive renovation and upgrading of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya, saying that the process of engaging consultants had been concluded and that architectural designs for the project were being finalised.
His government wants to check on the public projects directly, not through official reports, and he himself has visited the orientation camp numerous times to check on the situation, he said.
The Governor also told the NYSC leadership that Kogi will continue to provide a secure and conducive environment for the corps members during their service year. He said the protection of citizens and tourists remains one of the greatest objectives of his administration.
Governor Ododo has called on the NYSC to send more teachers and medical doctors to Kogi State as part of efforts to boost critical public services, noting that his administration has already introduced special incentives, including improved allowances for health care practitioners, to boost medical services in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman, Kogi State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, praised the Governor for emphasising the welfare of corps members.
He described the recent inauguration of the State NYSC Governing Board as a milestone, and commended the administration for expanding welfare packages, improving camp feeding, providing transportation support, responding promptly to infrastructure challenges and approving the planned rehabilitation of the orientation camp.
While speaking, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of NYSC, commended Governor Ododo for his continued support to the Scheme especially on security, welfare and infrastructure.
“Kogi is one of the safest states for corps members. The security architecture of the state has allowed the deployment of corps members to all the 21 local government areas, a feat many states are yet to achieve,” the NYSC boss said.
He also congratulated the Governor on the inauguration of the State NYSC Governing Board and asked for more synergy between the Kogi State Government and the NYSC to further boost the welfare, safety and productivity of corps members serving in the state.
The discussion also highlighted the Kogi State government’s strong commitment to improving the NYSC scheme by improving welfare, security, and infrastructure, as the government works to attract more young professionals to assist development in education, health, and other key sectors.
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