NYSC Expresses Worry over Challenges Facing the Scheme in Ebonyi

From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki

The Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Bala Abubakar has expressed strong worries over some of the challenges facing the scheme in Ebonyi State.

Abubakar, who voiced the worries while addressing the State NYSC officials and corps members at the scheme’s Permanent Orientation Camp, Old MacGregor College in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, during her one-day visit to the state, said her visit with the members of the board was to know how the corps members were fairing in the state and to inspect the facilities within the camp.

“We came to know how you are feeling, to know the way you are faring in the orientation camp since you came in here. We are also here to inspect the facilities in the camp. It’s our tradition that whenever we go round in any state orientation camp like this, after, we try to book an appointment to see the executive governor of the state,” the NYSC Board Chairman said.

She expressed concern over the dilapidated nature of some facilities in the camp, and called for government intervention to make it a conducive environment for the corps members and NYSC officials.

“I have heard from the coordinator this morning, and she has mentioned a myriad of problems. The first thing that disturbed my spirit immediately I came here, is the condition of this your hall. It’s not conducive, and I’m just wondering is this still under construction….?” She said.

The Board Chairman urged the corps members to be security-conscious and also to keep the NYSC rules always while rendering service to the nation.

“I urge you to be conscious of security in this place. I’m confident that in the camp, there are many security agents here, but be conscious of security, by making sure you do not go outside the camp. 

“It’s because we have adequate security in the camp but when you go out there, nobody will take care of you there. You should keep on being security conscious, being dutiful, and obedient to the instructions given to you by the coordinator, staff and supporting staff that are working in this camp,” she advised.

While wishing the corps members a successful service to the nation, Ambassador Abubakar urged them to use the opportunity of the NYSC programme to learn skills that would help them improve on their income base in the future.

The NYSC National Board Chairman with her team later proceeded to pay a courtesy call to the state governor, David Umahi at the Old Government House Abakaliki.

Presenting their mission statement to Governor Umahi, the Board Chairman, commended his interventions to ensure the success of the NYSC in the state, especially his provisions of a permanent orientation camp at Afikpo, the NYSC Complex office in Abakaliki town, rehabilitation of some dilapidated infrastructures, construction of concrete based road network leading to the camp, installation of solar street light in the orientation camp and the restoration of the NYSC rice Mill to the management.

She, however, called for the establishment of a state governing board to strengthen the existing relationship with the state government, completion of projects at the permanent orientation camp, and improvement of the welfare of Corp members serving in the state to enhance their performance, among other requests.

“We are pleading with the state government to make the orientation camp to be more conducive for Corps members by establishing a state governing board and also to complete some of the projects in the camp facility, especially, the multipurpose hall, the parade ground and camp officials hostels,” she said.

Responding, Governor David Umahi, represented by his Deputy, Barr Eric Igwe, noted that his administration had been partnering with the NYSC since 2015 when he assumed office.

He assured the members of the National governing board of the government’s commitments to the welfare of Corp members and promised to ensure the establishment of the state governing board for the NYSC before the end of his administration.

Umahi said his administration has been known for the culture of completing its projects, maintaining that every project at the permanent orientation camp would be completed in due time while reassuring the welfare of Corp members in the state.

End