FG Plans To Increase Welfare And Corps Members’ Allowances
The Federal Government is thinking of enhancing corps members’ welfare, particularly their allowances, as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) gears up to commemorate 50 years of operation.
This information was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by Mr. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, in response to inquiries from reporters after the creation of the NYSC@50 anniversary committee.
Dare said that the NYSC administration had made a proposal to upgrade the corps members’ uniform and to raise their compensation.
“It has already been submitted to the President, and if it is approved, even the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training would last for the duration of the full youth service and continue beyond the first three weeks.
Hence, those are the areas that are addressed, and we think that this committee will also provide suggestions for improvements and changes, not only for welfare but also for the NYSC system that powers that engine.
The minister said that since its inception on May 22, 1973, the NYSC has had a significant influence on the country’s health and education systems.
He continued by saying that the Federal Government wanted to commemorate the program’s 50 years of operation because it recognizes the contributions made by young Nigerians, particularly those who have completed the NYSC, to the country’s social, economic, and political growth.
“It is encouraging to see that the SAED program of the plan is piqueing corps members’ interest in wealth building and self-employment.
The program deserves praise for its outstanding contributions to the advancement of national integration and unity, healthcare delivery, education advancement, and social and infrastructure development via its main task and community development services.
“During the last 50 years, we have increased from about 2,300 youth corps members to between 350,000 and 400,000 youth corps members yearly.
“Overall, I believe the plan has been successful since it has been able to pass about eight million corps members in our nation.”
In order to highlight the initiative to Nigerians, he gave the 22-member inter-ministerial committee the task of identifying and articulating the significant milestones the program has accomplished over the last 50 years.
Also, the committee must thoroughly review the scheme’s functioning and suggest areas for improvement in order to maintain its relevance. These programs and activities should be undertaken to commemorate the scheme’s 50th anniversary.
The minister said that submissions from corps members are anticipated for the logo and mascot to mark the milestone.
According to Dare, the committee should also provide management recommendations on how to proceed in order to construct further NYSC garment factories, schools, and SAED centers, as well as to fully and right away launch all recently built NYSC businesses.
He urged the committee’s members to work diligently on their terms of reference while assuring them of assistance from the administration.
Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, the director-general of the NYSC, praised the succeeding corps members for their contributions to the country’s credible election process.
He also praised their engagement in various initiatives, including the battle against the corona virus, the population census, immunization campaigns, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
The chairman of the inaugurated committee, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, stated that the group will deliver on the duty assigned it and also come up to the anticipated expectation.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), retired general Yakubu Gowon, a previous head of state, founded the NYSC to promote unity and integration within the country.
