Ododo vows improved welfare, security for corps members
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Ododo vows improved welfare, security for corps members
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare, security and well-being of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC members serving in the state, describing them as key partners in the government’s development agenda.
Ododo gave the assurance on Monday while receiving the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the Government House in Lokoja.
The governor congratulated Nafiu on his appointment and expressed confidence that his leadership would introduce reforms capable of strengthening the NYSC Scheme and enhancing its contribution to national development.
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He assured the NYSC leadership that his administration would continue to provide a safe and conducive environment for corps members throughout their service year, stressing that the security of residents and visitors, including corps members, remained a top priority of his government.
Ododo disclosed that he had personally visited the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya on several occasions to assess its condition, adding that his administration had concluded plans to embark on a comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the facility.
He said consultants had been engaged while architectural designs for the project were already being prepared.
The governor also expressed surprise that the payment of the state’s monthly allowance to corps members had not been sustained, describing the development as unacceptable.
He directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to work with relevant officials to resolve the issue and ensure prompt payment of the allowance.
Ododo further 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, including allowances for medical personnel, to improve healthcare services across the state.
The Chairman of the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of corps members.
He noted that the recent inauguration of the State NYSC Governing Board marked a significant milestone for the scheme in the state and highlighted the government’s interventions in camp feeding, transportation, infrastructure and welfare.
In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General, Nafiu, lauded Ododo for his 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 the state’s 21 local government areas currently receive corps members due to the government’s effective security architecture.
He also appealed for sustained collaboration between the state government and the NYSC to further improve service delivery and the welfare of corps members.
