The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has asked Gombe State government to resume payment of monthly stipend to corps members posted to observe the mandatory national service in the state.
Gombe State coordinator of the NYSC, Ada Imoni, made the call on Tuesday at a short ceremony to end the temporary orientation camp for new entrants into the scheme.
Apart from the federal government monthly allowance to the corps members, it is an unwritten rule for state establishments and other places of primary assignment of the corps member to compliment the federal government payments.
While many states have observed that willful emoluments to corps members in their respective states, Gombe State has been working with the corps members without stipends for them over the years. Previous administrations stopped the N1,000 monthly payment to the NYSC staff.
“May I appeal to His Excellency to resuscitate the payment of monthly stipend to corps members serving in the State, especially those in the rural areas,” Imoni said.
“If implemented, it will serve as a morale booster and will also spur them to give their best to the development of the state. Thanking you in anticipation, your Excellency,” the coordinator said at the temporary orientation camp in Amada Akko Local Government Area of the state.
A total of 1,443 corps members, comprising 857 males and 586 females, were posted to Gombe State for the 2023 Batch A Stream 2 orientation course.
Imoni explained that for corps members to find solace in serving the state creditably, the suspended stipend should be reintroduced.
She also used the opportunity to appeal to the corps members to conform to the norms of their host communities, stressing that it would spur healthy ties.
“It is pertinent I remind corps members of the ideals of the scheme instilled in them in the course of this orientation course. As you proceed to your places of primary assignment, you must respect the culture, traditions and norms of your host communities. Remember, respect begets respect. It is, therefore, necessary for you to learn to mingle with them for the next year,” Imoni added.
