The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on States and Local Government Councils to prioritize their statutory responsibilities to the Scheme.
General Nafiu made the appeal during a visit to Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, in Yenagoa.
In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, Nafiu reminded the governor of the need to constitute the NYSC State Governing Board and Local Government Committees, noting that the statutory bodies which are currently non-existent in the state play critical roles in the security, welfare, and proper utilization of Corps members.
The DG, who explained that he was in the state to monitor the ongoing 2025 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course, commended the Governor for providing a new 700-capacity male hostel at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Boro Town, as well as the ongoing construction of a female hostel, now at 50 percent completion.
He also applauded the government for other interventions, including prompt payment of monthly allowances and post-camp transportation subsidy; support for families of deceased Corps members; and sustenance of the State NYSC Honours Award.
Highlighting the relevance of the Scheme, Nafiu revealed that the 5,000 Corps members currently serving across Bayelsa State deliver services that save the state about three billion naira annually. He added that 3,349 Bayelsa youths are presently serving in other states of the federation.
The DG appealed to the Governor to provide vehicles for the NYSC State Secretariat to enhance monitoring and inspection, as well as expedite work on the female hostel at the Orientation Camp.
He further reminded the Governor of a pending request for land for rice farming, noting that NYSC’s venture into agriculture is aimed at training Corps members for self-employment and wealth creation.
