The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to provide commensurate reward to any youth corps member, who distinguishes himself and offer scintillating service to the state.
The Governor, who gave the assurance at the NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, showered encomiums on the National Youth Service Corps for fostering national unity, enhanced skill development, rural transformation, and manpower support across the country, since its advent .
Governor Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Gold Adesola Adedayo, who doubles as the Chairman, Ekiti NYSC Governing Board, described the workshop as as timely and strategic to offer a veritable platform for dialogue between NYSC management and employers of corps members.
Acknowledging the contributions and personal sacrifices of the Corps members to nation building and rebirth, Governor Oyebanji, assured that the State Government would continue to provide commensurate incentives for their patriotic services, through payment of stipends to corps members serving in key sectors like education, health, and those posted to rural areas.
The governor, said: “As a State, Ekiti continues to benefit immensely from the selfless services of Corps members. In our schools, they bridge the manpower gap in core science subjects, mathematics, English language, and technical education.
“In the health sector, we are proud of their contributions through quarterly medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) which is touching lives in underserved communities. In the agricultural sector, several corps members have been involved in sensitization campaigns, community farming initiatives, and extension services.
“In infrastructure, corps members have executed impactful personal and group projects – ranging from classroom rehabilitation, rural electrification, to provision of potable water in communities”.
Stressing that the success of the scheme lies in the tripartite arrangement, comprising the Corps, Government, and Employers, Oyebanji called on employers to fulfil their statutory and moral responsibilities, by shunning unethical practices like rejection of posted Corps members without just cause.
The governor also warned the employers against aiding evasion of service or extorting corps members in exchange for falsified records, adding that these actions undermine the very essence of the NYSC programme and should no longer be tolerated.
He advised all Corps employers, both public and private, to recommit themselves to creating enabling environments where they can render meaningful services, develop capacity, and feel genuinely appreciated, stressing that the progress of any nation largely depend on how those that are serving their motherland are treated.
“As we deliberate today on how to strengthen this partnership, I call on everyone here to see corps member not just as temporary staff, but as critical contributors to development. Let us guide them, mentor them, and above all, reward them.” he said.
In his submission, the Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, explained that the NYSC /Corps Employers’ workshop, was conceptualised to harmonize views through strategic communication with Corps Employers and boost decision making.
The DG, represented by the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Riko Shuaibu, said the workshop was organized to work out measures to strengthen the long standing partnership between the NYSC scheme and Corps employers to curtail any negative trend and improve service delivery.