The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has disclosed that a new monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members is awaiting President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval.
He noted that the economic empowerment of corps members through entrepreneurship training initiative has brought to light the capacity of NYSC as an organisation that is responsive to contemporary national needs.
Dare disclosed this in Abuja, during the inauguration of a 22-man inter-ministerial committee to plan the 50th anniversary celebration of the agency. He said: “Under the leadership of President Buhari, monthly allowances of corps members were increased from 19,000 to 33,000, which is even above the minimum wage. NYSC has sent a proposal to improve on corps members’ uniforms and their allowances.
“That is already with the President and if approved, the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training may be extended beyond three weeks. So, those are areas that are covered and we believe that this committee will also make recommendations on reforms, not just for improved welfare, but for the system that keeps the NYSC engine running.”
Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Ahmed, commended the corps members for their roles in the peaceful conduct of the just-concluded Presidential election.
Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, assured that the group would deliver on the task given it. Apart from planning the 50th anniversary, the committee is also to propose programmes and activities for the event; examine operations of the scheme and recommend areas of improvement to sustain its relevance.
It is also expected to call for entries from corps members for logo and mascot to commemorate the anniversary.