The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has expressed
concerns over the high rate of corps members relocating from Edo to other
states.
The state Coordinator of the Corps, Mrs Frances Ben-Ushie,
expressed the concern at the weekend during the swearing-in ceremony of the
2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members.
Ben-Ushie attributed the high rate of relocation of corps
members from the state to a lack of feeding augmentation during the orientation
course, as well as non-payment of State allowance to serving corps members.
According to her, lack of feeding augmentation during the
orientation course, as well as non-payment of State allowance to serving corps
members, had resulted in massive relocation of corps members to other states.
The Coordinator, who called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to
kindly intervene in addressing the challenges, opined that resolving the
challenges would greatly enhance the effectiveness of the orientation programme
and other NYSC activities in the State for greater impact.
She also listed another challenge confronting corps members
in the permanent orientation camp located in Okada, Ovia North-East Local
Government Area as a lack of provision of annual State subvention to enhance
the operations of the scheme in the scheme as stipulated in the NYSC Act.
She also called on the Edo Government to help build more
hostel accommodation for corps members at the state’s permanent orientation
camp.
Ben-Ushie noted that there was a need to urgently address
critical infrastructure and logistical challenges affecting the smooth
implementation of NYSC programmes in the state.
While also bemoaning the inadequate environment, she
appealed for better workshops, laboratories, and other facilities to enhance
the hands-on training for NYSC’s skills acquisition and entrepreneurship
programme
“Inadequate hostel facilities for corps members and camp
officials continue to pose a major challenge.
“With increasing numbers of participants each year, we
urgently need expanded accommodation to ensure comfort and safety.
“We also appealed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to
help in resolving electricity and water challenges at the camp. These have
significantly increased the operational costs of running the orientation camp.
“There is a need for the completion of the main access gate
into the orientation camp as well as to provide operational vehicles for
monitoring and inspection of corps members across the state.
“Unavailability of a multipurpose hall, as the dining hall
is presently utilized for all hall activities.
“Lack of distinct demarcation and documentation of the
extension of the camp premises which has resulted in encroachment by
unauthorized individuals”, she added.
She, however, commended the state government for its
continued provision of buses for the transportation of corps members to their
various places of primary assignment.
In his address, the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, urged
the new corps members to tap into the numerous opportunities in the state,
cutting across agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship, and
tourism.
Okpebholo, who was represented by Mrs. Aiyegbeni Balogun,
the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Youth and
Humanitarian Affairs, assured the NYSC members of their welfare, safety, and
security in the state.
“From the moment you arrived in Edo, we have worked
diligently to ensure that the environment is conducive for you to thrive,
contribute meaningfully, and enjoy a fulfilling year.
“Your contributions to Edo, whether in education, healthcare,
agriculture, or community development, will have a lasting impact on our social
and economic landscape.
“This is your chance not only to give back to society but
leave a legacy that inspires others,” he said.
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