Corps members relocating from Edo over non-payment of allowances, others – NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has expressed concerns over the high rate of corps members relocating from Edo to other states.

SOCIETY WATCH reports that the state Coordinator of the Corps, Mrs Frances Ben-Ushie, expressed the concern at the weekend during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members.

Ben-Ushie attributed the high rate of relocation of corps members from the state to a lack of feeding augmentation during the orientation course, as well as non-payment of State allowance to serving corps members.

According to her, lack of feeding augmentation during the orientation course, as well as non-payment of State allowance to serving corps members, had resulted in massive relocation of corps members to other states.

The Coordinator, who called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to kindly intervene in addressing the challenges, opined that resolving the challenges would greatly enhance the effectiveness of the orientation programme and other NYSC activities in the State for greater impact.

She also listed another challenge confronting corps members in the permanent orientation camp located in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area as a lack of provision of annual State subvention to enhance the operations of the scheme in the scheme as stipulated in the NYSC Act.

She also called on the Edo Government to help build more hostel accommodation for corps members at the state’s permanent orientation camp.

Ben-Ushie noted that there was a need to urgently address critical infrastructure and logistical challenges affecting the smooth implementation of NYSC programmes in the state.

While also bemoaning the inadequate environment, she appealed for better workshops, laboratories, and other facilities to enhance the hands-on training for NYSC’s skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programme.

Inadequate hostel facilities for corps members and camp officials continue to pose a major challenge.

“With increasing numbers of participants each year, we urgently need expanded accommodation to ensure comfort and safety.

“We also appealed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to help in resolving electricity and water challenges at the camp. These have significantly increased the operational costs of running the orientation camp.

There is a need for the completion of the main access gate into the orientation camp as well as to provide operational vehicles for monitoring and inspection of corps members across the state.

“Unavailability of a multipurpose hall, as the dining hall is presently utilized for all hall activities.

“Lack of distinct demarcation and documentation of the extension of the camp premises which has resulted in encroachment by unauthorized individuals”, she added.

She, however, commended the state government for its continued provision of buses for the transportation of corps members to their various places of primary assignment.

In his address, the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, urged the new corps members to tap into the numerous opportunities in the state, cutting across agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship, and tourism.

Okpebholo, who was represented by Mrs. Aiyegbeni Balogun, the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, assured the NYSC members of their welfare, safety, and security in the state.

“From the moment you arrived in Edo, we have worked diligently to ensure that the environment is conducive for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy a fulfilling year.

“Your contributions to Edo, whether in education, healthcare, agriculture, or community development, will have a lasting impact on our social and economic landscape.

“This is your chance not only to give back to society but leave a legacy that inspires others,” he said.