By Felicia Udeji
Corps members serving their fatherland under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme have been facing biting economic hardship, with many struggling to make ends meet. The situation was further exacerbated by the delayed payment of their last allowance, leaving many to wonder if their sacrifices were being appreciated.
However, there is now a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, has announced that Corps Members will soon receive an increase in their monthly allowance. This change will coincide with the implementation of the new minimum wage for Civil Servants, recently approved by the Federal Government.
General Ahmed made this promise while addressing Corps Members at the Kebbi State Orientation Camp in Dakingari and the Sokoto State Orientation Camp in Wamakko. He praised their contributions to the country’s development and encouraged them to use their service year to improve themselves and plan for future success.
While the announcement has brought relief to many Corps Members, some are still wondering what caused the delay in their last payment. Was it a mere administrative oversight, or a sign of more systemic issues within the NYSC? Whatever the reason, Corps Members are eagerly anticipating the allowance increment, which they hope will help alleviate some of the economic hardships they face.
In addition to the allowance increment, General Ahmed also encouraged Corps Members to take advantage of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme to learn vocational skills. These skills, he noted, would help them become self-reliant and potentially create jobs for others, rather than just looking for employment.
The NYSC DG also assured Corps Members that they would not be posted to areas where their safety cannot be guaranteed, urging them to remain vigilant about their security.
For Corps Members, the allowance increment is a welcome development, and they can only hope that it will be implemented soon to alleviate their economic struggles.