Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and security of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and staff serving in the state.
Ododo gave the assurance on Tuesday in Lokoja while receiving the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, during a courtesy visit.
The governor recalled his experience as a corps member in Imo during the 2002/2003 service year.
He said the challenges he encountered strengthened his resolve to ensure a more rewarding service experience for corps members posted to Kogi.
Ododo said the state government had continued to support corps members through transportation to their places of primary assignment and augmentation of camp feeding.
He added that the government also supported Community Development Service (CDS) projects and maintained sustained security measures across the state.
Ododo announced plans to undertake a comprehensive renovation of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Asaya in Kabba, rehabilitate the NYSC Kogi Secretariat and provide utility vehicles to enhance the scheme’s operations.
He also appealed to the NYSC management to deploy more professionals to Kogi, assuring the scheme of sustained government support and improved welfare packages for corps members.
Responding, Nafiu commended the Kogi Government for its consistent support for the NYSC, particularly in the areas of security, welfare and logistics.
He said the inauguration of the NYSC State Governing Board would further strengthen collaboration between the scheme and the state government in advancing the objectives of the service corps.
Nafiu reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Kogi Government and pledged to deploy more corps members to support the state’s socio-economic development.
NAN reports that the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Monday Anyebe, and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr Jerry Omodara, attended the meeting.
Others were the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Caroline Embu, the Director of Special Duties, Mr Mfongang George, as well as other senior government and NYSC officials.
