Cross River to Spend N23m on NYSC Corps Member’s Allowance (1/9/08)

Cross River State Government has set aside N23 million to supplement the allowance of youth corps members serving in the state.

Governor Imoke disclosed this at the NYSC camp, Obubra after delivering President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua’s address at the official swearing in of 2008 batch B corps members, explaining that each of the 2,300 youth corps members serving in the state is expected to receive N10,000.

Imoke disclosed that the purpose of his visit to the camp was not only to witness the swearing in and oath taking of ceremony, but also inspect facilities with the view of improving them, noting that even if government was incapable of doing a thorough renovation and rehabilitation work within 21 days, an appreciable level of work will be attained to alleviate the conditions which corps members encounter there.

The governor said the State will also supplement the feeding of corps members as well as deliver three cows for their Bonfire night while they are under going their orientation at Obubra.

It would be recalled that NYSC officials had anticipated to temporarily relocate the NYSC orientation camp at Obubra to Odukpani due to the deplorable condition of facilities there, but this was seriously objected by the State House of Assembly thereby prompting the State Government to take action.

The president in his address read by Imoke, urged corps members to participate actively in all programmes during their service year as agents of change and nation building, adding that as partners, they should key into government seven point agenda to sustain economic growth and development.

Yar’Adua disclosed that the nation is committed to vigorously pursuing the rebuilding, expansion, maintenance and upgrading of all critical infrastructure, adding that this quest is anchored on the preeminence of the rule of law, good governance, and the pursuit of equity and justice in the conduct of all government business.

The President reminded them of the contributions of their predecessors to the development of their various host communities remain enduring monuments to the creative and productive capacities as well as the resilience of the Nigerian youth, saying that it is his expectation that the worthy antecedents of the predecessors will serve to inspire them to equally noteworthy achievements during their service year as they face up to the challenges and opportunities provided by the scheme.

The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports Hon Raymond Obeten said the State Government was out to cure the odds encountered by corps members in the camp and commended the chairman of Obubra Local Government Council Mr. Nicholas Ayuwa for attending to the needs of the camp.

Obeten, on behalf the State Government, welcomed the corps members to Cross River, especially those who were coming to the state for the first time and hoped they would respond favourably to camp life.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Mary Dan-Abia in her welcome address, remarked that the camp which ranked first among equals 17 years ago when it was opened has now become a shadow of itself as its facilities have deteriorated and require urgent face lift.

Government House Press