By Leonard Okachie
Mrs Ufuoma Dick-Iruenabere, Abia Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), has appealed to the State Government and other corps employers for an upward review of N20,000, as minimum local allowances for corps members in the state.
She made the appeal on Tuesday at the official opening ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members deployed to Abia, at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area.
The coordinator urged the corps employers to look into the welfare packages given to corps members posted to the state, considering the current economic realities of the nation.
According to her, the welfare packages in the area of provision of decent accommodation and improvement of local allowances will motivate the corps members to do more for the people.
She congratulated the newly inducted corps members and charged them to resolve in their minds to actively participate in all camp activities lined up for them.
Dick-Iruenabere disclosed that 1, 293 corps members, comprising 642 males and 651 females were registered for the three-week orientation exercise.
Declaring the camp open, Gov. Alex Otti said that his administration was committed to recognising and rewarding acts of selflessness and service.
Otti, represented by Chief Cyril Nwigwe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, assured the corps members of handsome rewards in their efforts to uplift their host communities and improve the lives of the less privileged.
He urged them to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the scheme through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training programme.
Otti said :”I am confident that the NYSC Management has meticulously designed this programme to equip you for self-employment opportunities post-service, thereby empowering you to become employers of labour.
“I urge you to honour this call to service, give your utmost in all that you do, and take time for self-reflection as you contemplate your life beyond this service year.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, represented by Justice CC Nwakama, administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members.
The Mayor of Bende LGA, Chief Chijioke Nwankwo and Eze Jerry Igwe, the Traditional Ruler of Iwueze Autonomous Community, Okoko Item, were among the dignitaries in attendance.(NAN)
