By Queen Kunde
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has pledged improved welfare, tighter security and better living conditions for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state.
The governor made the promise on Tuesday while receiving the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the Government House in Lokoja.
Ododo described Corps members as key partners in the development of Kogi State and assured them that his administration would continue to provide a safe and conducive environment throughout their service year.
He said the security of every resident and visitor, including Corps members, remains a top priority of his government.
The governor also announced plans for a complete renovation and upgrade of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Asaya. He revealed that consultants had been engaged and architectural designs were already being prepared to transform the camp into one of the best in the country.
Ododo disclosed that he had personally visited the camp several times to assess its condition, stressing that he prefers firsthand inspection of projects rather than relying only on official reports.
In a move that drew applause, the governor expressed surprise that the payment of the state’s monthly allowance to Corps members had not been sustained. He described the situation as unacceptable and immediately directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to work with relevant officials to restore the payment without delay.
“Corps members deserve adequate support and encouragement while serving the nation,” he said.
The governor also appealed to the NYSC to deploy more teachers and medical doctors to Kogi to strengthen education and healthcare services across the state. He noted that his administration had introduced special incentives, including allowances for medical personnel, to improve healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, praised Ododo for giving priority to the welfare of Corps members.
He said the governor’s recent inauguration of the State NYSC Governing Board marked a major milestone for the scheme in Kogi, adding that the administration had continued to improve Corps members’ welfare through better feeding, transportation support, infrastructure interventions and the planned rehabilitation of the orientation camp.
Speaking during the visit, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended Governor Ododo for his consistent support for the scheme, especially in the areas of security, infrastructure and welfare.
He described Kogi as one of the safest states for Corps members, noting that all the state’s 21 local government areas currently receive Corps members because of the government’s effective security measures.
Nafiu urged the state government to sustain its partnership with the NYSC to further improve the welfare of Corps members and strengthen service delivery across the state.
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