The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has announced a 100 percent increase in the allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state.
The allowance, previously set at N5,000, has now been raised to N10,000 for the duration of their one-year mandatory service.
Governor Aliyu made this announcement during the joint orientation exercise for Sokoto and Zamfara states, held at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Farfaru, Sokoto. Addressing the newly sworn-in Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members, he acknowledged the importance of the NYSC scheme in national and state development, emphasizing the need to support it amidst current economic realities.
“I made the approval considering the current economic realities and the overall importance of the NYSC scheme to national and state development,” Governor Aliyu stated. He further urged the corps members to uphold the spirit of unity, treating all citizens as fellow Nigerians regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
Assuring continued support for the NYSC scheme, Governor Aliyu assured them of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the security and welfare of the corps members.
In response, Muhammad Bello, the Chairperson of the NYSC Governing Board and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Sport and Social Development, commended the governor for the prompt payment of state allowances to the corps members. He urged the corps members to maintain discipline, noting the regimental nature of camp activities.
During the event, the state Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa, represented by Justice Ibrahim Tambuwal, administered the national and NYSC oaths to the corps members, officially initiating them into the service year.
The State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Usman Yaro, expressed gratitude for the governor’s support and acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Army, police, civil defense, and other stakeholders in facilitating a successful orientation exercise.