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NYSC Members Happy, Task FG On Security
Some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Lagos yesterday expressed joy over the increase in the monthly allowance paid those serving in the scheme.
In separate interviews with newsmen, the corps members, however, pleaded with the Federal Government to put them under an insurance policy.
Apart from corps members frequently dying in road accidents or natural causes away from home, 10 of them were murdered in the North during the post election violence in April.
They described the increment as a good development, especially now that the least paid worker in the country is expected to take home a minimum of N18,000 a month.
Our correspondent reports that the monthly remuneration of the Corp members was increased from N9,700 to N19,800 by the Federal Government.
Most of the corps members were, however, of the view that more was still needed to be done in the area of their security and welfare.
Mr Tafida Mundi, 23, said that most corps members were overwhelmed by the increment, but would want government to put them under an insurance policy and find other ways of making the one-year compulsory national service more interesting.
“Everybody is happy over the new allowance— both members in orientation camp and serving members. We have been dancing since the announcement yesterday.
“We want government to introduce real insurance policy for members; we need a lasting solution to the issue of security among corps members,’’ he said.
He added: “Last night, we got news that a corps member was hit by a stray bullet somewhere in Ewekoro, Ogun state during an armed robbery attack and he died on the spot.
“We want a lasting solution; we don’t want to go to NYSC service and come back dead, we want to be alive for our parents,“ he said.
Mundi noted that some members were now afraid to wear the NYSC uniform, which used to be a thing of pride in the past.
Miss Omolara Jokodola, 24 , said that corps members were serving their fatherland and should be given more encouragement.
She pointed out that many of them were now afraid due to the crisis which claimed the lives of 10 members in April.
“We thanked Mr President for increasing our monthly allowance but we want him to insure our lives.
“Am happy for the new pay, it is a change from the usual way of doing things. I thought government will drag their feet with the corps members the way they are dragging the minimum wage with workers.
“But it is not enough, Nigeria is not a fair country, I don’t see why corps members should be receiving the same allowance like the cleaners and gardeners,’’ she said.
Jokodola said that for the fact that corps members were serving the government and any risk they were exposed to during the service year should be the responsibilities of the government and not theirs.
Miss Goldie Osuaewu, 24 , said that it was a good thing that their allowance had been increased because corps members were facing a lot of risks.
“The increment is okay but, not enough compared to the level of insecurity around us. We want government, the NYSC and the states we are serving to assure us that we are save for our parents.
“A lot of corps members died during the last post-election crisis in the country. So, I think government should do more for us, he said.
Meanwhile, Youth corps members are now to receive 19,800.00 as allowance with effect from March 2011, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, has announced
Tsiga made this known in Abuja on Monday during a visit by a team from Barry University, Miami, Florida and Africans in Diaspora Partnership.
Our correspondent recalls that the NYSC members were receiving 9,775.00 before now, while President Goodluck Jonathan had in his 2010 campaign tour, promised the increase.
According to Tsiga, the allowance of the NYSC members will be paid in arrears, to include the 2010 Batch ‘B’ members, who finished their service year on July 7.
Tsiga expressed his happiness with President Goodluck Jonathan, for considering the plight of the corps members, stating that the scheme would work hard to realise its objective.
He also expressed satisfaction with the visit of the team, stating that it was timely, as seven youth corps members were successful in the Entrepreneurs competition organised by the Africans in Diaspora Partnership.
“I can assure you that the resources expended in the training and empowerment of the seven entrepreneurs have not been wasted since all of them are doing very well.
“Indeed, we see in them great potentials for wealth and job creation in the near future, that is why we are looking forward to greater and expanded opportunities for more corps members as talents abound in the scheme,’’ Tsiga said.
He said that the contribution of NYSC members underscored national relevance of the scheme, adding that the scheme would ensure that the gains were not lost to the threat of post-service unemployment.
According to Tsiga, the agencies which partnered with the scheme on skills acquisition are the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Directorate of Employment and the MDGs Office.
Earlier, Mr Adewale Alonge, leader of the delegation, had praised the scheme for its foresight and readiness to ensure that NYSC members were well equipped to stand on their feet, without looking for government employment after the scheme.
“Nigeria is a great country but we always hear the bad news and there are people in this country that are doing great things and that is why we still believe in the country.
“We believe with every single cell in our body in the future of this great country, and the whole world and Africans in Diaspora look up to Nigeria as a leader and we cannot afford to fail them,’’ Alonge said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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