Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has paid N202.6 million to 3,587 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members’ allowances for a year. According to him, the prompt payments of monthly allowances, could also serve as incentives for corps members work in the state. The Desk Officer of the NYSC scheme, Christopher Akaba on Sunday in Maiduguri; disclosed that; “The payments of allowances to various batches of corps members serving and out gone ones, are incentives to work in the state under Zulum’s 10-point pact transformation and development agenda. He said corps members serving in the state receive a monthly stipend of N10, 000 each, while all medical corps doctors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and paramedics respectively receive N100, 000 and N50, 000. He noted that these are beside, furnished accommodation to all categories of corps members serving in the insurgency affected state. “The regular payments of allowances along with other services provided to serving and out gone corps members; are incentives for them to remain serving and work in Borno,” he said. In a breakdown of working incentives, Akaba, who is Senior Special Assistant to Zulum on Jobs Creation and Youths Empowerment, said: “N75’43 million was released during the period under review; to pay allowances of 454 serving medical doctors and paramedics’ corps members. “Similarly, about N127.21 million was also released to pay allowances of 3,133 of other category of corps members in the state. He noted that the provision of welfare packages to corps members, which he claimed among the top ranking the country, was part of Zulum’s administration’s drive in motivating corps members deployed to serve in the state, despite security challenges. He explained that in view of the security challenges in some parts of the state, no corps member was posted to serve in volatile areas. According to him; the state government has been collaborating with security agencies within the state to ensure the security of lives and properties of corps members. He said that; it was also in line with Governor’s request; when the Director General of the NYSC scheme, Brig-Gen. Shuiabu Ibrahim paid him a visit last year. The arrangements, he added; has reached an advanced stage to resume orientation exercise in Maiduguri following the provision of an orientation camp with state of the art facilities. “The camp has been completed and ready for takeoff, immediately the military gives clearance to commence corps members’ orientation,” he said. The State Coordinator of NYSC, Nura Umar, commended the Governor for the commencement and offsetting outstanding allowances of serving corps members. He said the state government; has made the safety of corps members; a priority along with the provision of befitting accommodation to them, while serving. He said serving corps members in the state; have contributed in the socioeconomic development of state; in the health and education sectors, including welfare of people affected in decade long insurgency. “This year, the NYSC has offered free medical treatment, conducted tests and provided drugs to over 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs),” said Umar. He also encourages all NYSC state offices to play a leading role in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
