RismadarVoice Reporters, August 15, 2026
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the Ebonyi State Government for approving a N30,000 monthly allowance for corps members serving in the state.
Nafiu described the gesture as a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the welfare of corps members and its support for creating an enabling environment for young Nigerians undertaking national service.
The NYSC Director-General made the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila.
He said Ebonyi was among the South-East states where the NYSC enjoyed peaceful deployment and cordial relationships with host communities and other stakeholders.
Nafiu also appreciated the state government for providing a monthly stipend to the NYSC state secretariat and supporting orientation exercises, particularly through feeding augmentation.
He commended residents of Afikpo, host community of the NYSC Orientation Camp, for their hospitality and continued support for the Scheme and corps members.
The NYSC boss disclosed that about 6,000 corps members were currently serving in Ebonyi State, with the majority deployed to the public sector.
He explained that the NYSC operates on the concurrent list, with the Federal, State and Local Governments having statutory responsibilities towards its effective implementation.
According to him, state governments are expected to provide, furnish and maintain orientation camps, while also working with local governments to ensure the security of corps members.
Nafiu further noted that local governments were expected under the NYSC Act to provide accommodation for corps members.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to undertake maintenance works at the orientation camp, particularly the clinic, multipurpose hall, hostels, perimeter fence and other facilities.
The Director-General also identified Ebonyi as a suitable location for expanding the NYSC’s rice farming initiative and appealed to the state government to reconsider granting the Scheme access to the Ezilo land for the project.
Responding, Deputy Governor Obila, who spoke on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru, commended the NYSC management for its mentorship and guidance of corps members.
She described the Scheme as an important instrument of national integration since its establishment in 1973, noting its contributions to cultural exchange, social interaction and national unity.
The Deputy Governor said the state government had maintained a strong partnership with the NYSC and disclosed that it was constructing a female hostel at the orientation camp.
She added that the camp was being expanded annually because of the high demand among prospective corps members seeking deployment to Ebonyi.
Obila assured the NYSC delegation that the state government would further upgrade the orientation camp and consider the request for access to the Ezilo land for the proposed NYSC rice farm.
“With all the requests you have made, I am assuring you that we will do something for the sake of our children. We are highly committed to giving you a leverage that will make our Corps Members live comfortably,” she said.
