‘NYSC food budget not inadequate’

 The state office of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom has urged the state government to support the scheme in feeding of the 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps members.
The state Coordinator, Mr Akinkunmi Martins, made the call in an interview after the swearing ceremony of the 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps members at Nsit Atai.

      
The coordinator said the cost of foodstuffs had increased substantially due to the flood that submerged farmlands in parts of the country.
“I won’t tell how much the NYSC budgeted, but it is grossly inadequate.
“Most of the states are assisting in feeding corps members in camps. And you know that from morning to night, no rest and they need to feed well.”
He commended the state government for renovating and building of new hostels at the camp.
“The state government is trying; but there are areas where they still need to come in. So far, there has been significant improvement.”
Martins said that due to the increasing number of corps members posted to the state every service year, additional facilities such as hostels, multipurpose hall for social activities and camp lectures as well as an administrative block were required.
Earlier, Gov Godswill Akpabio, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Valarie Ebe, urged the corps members to be of good conduct and adjust to the life in camp.

             
Akpabio, promised that his administration would continue to address the problems confronting the scheme in the state.
2,597 corps members comprising of 1,527 males and 1,070 females were sworn in for the one year national service.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara Government  has said that it would partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure the rapid development of the state.
Gov Abdul’aziz Yari said this at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Tsafe, during the swearing-in ceremony for Batch ‘C’ 2012 corps members.
Yari,  represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Hassan Atto, said the NYSC Scheme remained a veritable binding force and most indispensable tool for national integration.
He said the corps members had become positive agents of attitudinal change and development facilitators since the inception of the scheme.

Gov Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara state

          
He said the orientation course was designed to expose corps members to the realities of the world outside the classrooms and prepare them to face the challenges of the contemporary world.
He, therefore, urged the corps members to use the opportunity to serve their country well.
“We will continue with our collaborative intervention in addressing the lingering problems of welfare and hostel accommodation for the corps members.”
The governor said the state government had taken measures to address the irregularities associated with the payment of state allowance to corps members to ensure prompt and regular payment.
Also speaking, state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ruth Bakka, urged the corps members to respect the values and regulations guiding the operations of the scheme. (NAN)