By Amos Ogunrinde.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Ayodele Adeyanju wants management of NYSC to consider upward review of the monthly allowance of corps members in the country.
Mr Adeyanju made the call in Ado Ekiti while delivering a lecture as part of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of NYSC.
He noted that the current allowance could no longer cater for the needs of corps members due to the economic situation in Nigeria.
Mr Adeyanju explained that all sectors of the nation’s economy had felt the impact of corps members since the establishment of the scheme on the 22nd of May 1973 by the then military Head of State, Retired General Yakubu Gowon, hence the youths should not be allowed to suffer.
“Things are very costly in Nigeria, so your monthly allowance can no longer cater for your needs, Mr Adeyanju informed the corps members”.
He stated further “are you aware that government is planning to remove fuel subsidy? After the removal, things will be more expensive, so I want NYSC management to consider upward review of your allowance”.
The Permanent Secretary told the corps members how the scheme came into being in 1973 after the Civil War majorly for three reasons, which include Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation adding that the purpose of establishing the scheme had been met.
Mr Adeyanju said the youth corps had also been playing active roles in the nation’s electoral process through the memorandum of understanding between NationaI Youth Service Corps, NYSC and the Independent NationaI Electoral Commission, INEC.
He however appealed to corps members to continue to foster nationaI nnity and development which were parts of the reasons for the establishment of the scheme.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Mary Chikezie described the scheme as an instrument for nationaI nevelopment, peaceful coexistence, inter-ethnic marriages and job creation through skills acquisition.
Mrs Chikezie implored the youths to always make positive impact anywhere they find themselves and also continue to be good ambassadors of the scheme.
“My children, you are the strength of the nation, so be ready to contribute your quota to the development of your fatherland”. Mrs Chikezie advised them.
She informed the gathering that 2, 364 corps members were mobilised nationwide in 1973; when the scheme was established.
Highpoints of the event include presentation of award to some outstanding personalities, host Communities of the NYSC Ise/Orun/ Emure Ekiti for supporting the Corps.
The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale who spoke on behalf of the host Communities said the scheme had brought Development to the areas.
The event also featured exhibition of goods produced by the corps members through Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED in the areas of Agro Allied, food processing and preservation, hair dressing, power and energy, cosmetology, culture and tourism, film and photography as well as tailoring.
