The Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has approved a monthly stipend of ₦20,000 for each National Youth Service Corps member serving in the area.
The decision was announced by the Executive Chairman of the local government, Chief Uno Etim, during a courtesy visit by corps members serving within the council area.
According to the chairman, the payment takes immediate effect and is intended to provide additional support to corps members as they carry out their national service responsibilities.
“For the corps members serving here, we have approved a monthly stipend of N20,000 for each of the corps members, and the payment takes immediate effect,” Etim said.
The announcement means eligible corps members posted to the Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area will receive the additional monthly payment from the council throughout their service, subject to the local government’s implementation arrangements.
Etim also encouraged the corps members to regard the local government as their home for the duration of their service year, stressing that the council would provide the necessary support to enable them to perform their duties effectively.
He said their deployment to the area should not make them feel like strangers, assuring them that the local government was prepared to support their welfare while they contribute their time, knowledge and skills to communities within the area.
“Expect necessary support which will enable you to discharge your responsibilities effectively. For you to be posted here, consider this area your home for the duration of your service year,” the chairman told the corps members.
Beyond the monthly financial support, the council chairman also addressed concerns surrounding accommodation and the general welfare of the corps members.
Etim assured them that issues affecting their living conditions would receive prompt attention from the local government. He subsequently directed the Works Department to inspect the lodges occupied by corps members and identify areas that require renovation or other interventions.
The inspection is expected to help the council determine the condition of the accommodation facilities and address problems that could affect the comfort and welfare of corps members serving in the area.
The chairman described the ₦20,000 monthly stipend as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to supporting young Nigerians deployed to the local government through the NYSC programme.
He noted that corps members contribute their time, energy and skills to the development of their host communities and should therefore receive appropriate support during their service year.
The National Youth Service Corps programme deploys Nigerian graduates to different parts of the country as part of the country’s national integration and development efforts. Corps members are expected to contribute to their host communities through their primary assignments and Community Development Service activities.
For corps members serving away from their home states, additional support from host communities and local authorities can also help them cope with accommodation, transportation and other day-to-day challenges associated with their deployment.
Etim further assured the corps members that their safety, welfare and peaceful completion of their service would remain priorities of his administration.
The development also reflects the role local governments can play in supporting corps members beyond the assistance provided through the national service structure.
Speaking on behalf of the corps members, the Community Liaison Officer, Ukachukwu Ifeanyi, expressed appreciation to the council chairman for the gesture and other development initiatives in the local government area.
The ₦20,000 monthly payment approved by Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA is separate from any allowance or payment provided by the Federal Government through the NYSC. It is specifically an additional local government support package for corps members serving in the area.
The announcement is therefore expected to be particularly significant for corps members posted to the local government, as the additional financial support could help with some of the expenses they face during their service year.
With the payment taking immediate effect, attention will now turn to its implementation and the council’s plans to address accommodation and other welfare concerns affecting corps members in the area.
For the corps members serving in Urue-Offong/Oruko, the decision provides an additional form of support as they continue their national service and contribute to the development of their host communities.
