NYSC mulls raising corpers’ allowance, DG tells lawmakers
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Allowance paid to those serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may soon be raised to enable them cope with the high cost of living ravaging the land, NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed has disclosed to federal lawmakers.
Corpers are currently paid N33,000 monthly allowance, N3,000 above the national minimum wage.
Ahmed told the House of Representatives Youth Development Committee, chaired by Martins Etin, the increase would depend on the review of workers’ salaries proposed by the federal government.
NYSC skills acquisition scheme
Ahmed expressed optimism President Bola Tinubu would assent to the NYSC Trust Fund Bill to reposition the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme established in 2022, per reporting by The Guardian.
He disclosed corps members trained under the programme, in their areas of interest, have the potential to become employers of labour instead of waiting to be offered jobs at the end of the service year.
He reiterated the resolve to ensure corpers are well cared for at orientation camps, adding proactive measures have also been taken to minimise cases of rejection of those posted to places of primary assignment.
He said the NYSC, in conjunction with the security agencies and the Zamfara government, has made inroads to secure the release of corps members kidnapped in the state.
“We have always given key advice to prospective corps members. The issue of traveling at night … it’s there on paper. We strictly advise them not to embark on night journeys.
“If they get anywhere by 6pm, they have to break the journey and pass the night in any military barracks or in our NYSC lodges spread across the country,” Ahmed added.
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NYSC requests Gowon’s backing for its Trust Fund
Yakubu Gowon was approached in June 2022 by the NYSC to help create a Trust Fund for the young graduates’ scheme he established 50 years ago as military Head of State when he himself was 31.
Former NYSC Director General Mohammed Fadah, a Brigadier General, solicited the support of Gowon, now 88, to help create the Fund to expand the scope of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
The Gowon junta established the NYSC by decree Number 24 of 22 May 1973 “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity” after the Civil War.
The proposed NYSC Fund also seeks to empower more corps members to establish their vocational businesses, Fadah said when he paid a visit to Gowon at his office in Abuja.
He enthused the Fund would reduce unemployment among graduates and make them self-reliant in the face of scarce white collar jobs.
A statement issued by NYSC Press and Public Relations Director Eddy Megwa quoted Fadah as applauding the vision of Gowon for establishing the scheme.
Contribution to national development
Fadah said the NYSC has enabled millions of young graduates to contribute their quota to national development and urged Gowon not to relent in offering advice for the progress of the NYSC to consolidate its laudable achievements.
Gowon commended the managers of the NYSC for sustaining his vision.
“I understand you people are doing very well and people have been saying it and been reporting good about it. So, continue doing better,” he said.
“Thank you for coming to brief me on what you hope to achieve and build on the success of your predecessor, to ensure that the NYSC scheme continues to grow from strength to strength.”
Gowon also commended NYSC participants for living up to the ideals that established the scheme.
“Let me also appreciate all of you corps members – present and past – for making this scheme a success. It is not me, it is all of you that are doing the work that makes it so successful. You have a good Director General and board supporting that.”