10 NYSC Corp Members Die In Delta, Ogun, Rivers

As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 2011 Batch ‘B’ wound down, yesterday, about 10 corps members died in Delta, Rivers and Ogun states respectively.

In her speech at the passing out parade in Asaba, Delta state. The Delta State Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Vivian Omeruo, pointed out that the death of five corps members was unfortunate even as it was heroic as they died in active service.

She added that 25 corps members were pencilled down for various sanctions ranging from repeat of service to extension of service as punishment for various acts of indiscipline.

4 corp members die in Ogun
In Ogun, state, the state coordinator, Theresa Anosike, said that four corps members died during the service while 12 whose offences range from abscondment absenteeism as well as gross insubordination were disciplined in conformity with the NYSC statute.

She stressed that three of the affected members would have their service year extended for between two to four months while nine of them would be re-mobilised for repetition of their service year.

I dies in Rivers
Also, no fewer than 28 corps members of the NYSC in Rivers State have been sanctioned for various offences, while one of the corps members reportedly died.

Speaking at the passing out parade, the state coordinator, Mrs. Josephine Okuonghae, stated that the deceased corps member, Ejiofor Emmanuel was serving at Community Girls Secondary School, Elele-Alimini, Emohua local government area of the state, before his sudden death.

Niger dismisses 7 corps members
Seven corps members in Niger state were dismissed and three members service year extended.

The state coordinator, Justice Andrea, congratulated the successful members and wishes to commend those who took it upon themselves to execute personal community development projects.

Mild Protest in Ekiti
The out-going Batch B corps members who served in Ekiti State frowned at the State government’s inability to pay them their three months allowance.

The youth corps members who are 1,871 in number said most of their members who served in the public primary and secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state were seriously affected.

200 voluntarily serve in Jigawa
The Jigawa state coordinator Mr. Ishaya Dede, has expressed satisfaction that corps members posted to the state were safe, citing that 200 corps members voluntarily re-deployed from neighbouring states to jigawa because of the peace enjoyed in the state.

100 besiege Kebbi SUBEB over allowances
Meanwhile, over 100 youth corps members of the out going Batch B serving in the state Universal Education Board (SUBEB), laid siege on the Jigawa state headquarters of State Universal Basic Education Board over non-payment of their allowances which have accumulated for several months.

The incident which occurred in Birnin Kebbi saw corps members blocking the only entrance to the vicinity of the board by closing the gate disallowing entry and exit of the place thereby trapping the staff of the board including the Executive secretary of the board Alhaji. Sodangi Bello and his directors.

On arrival at the scene, LEADERSHIP observed that the protesting corps members were shouting slogans ‘We must be paid today, nobody will chop our allawee, were some staff of the board frantically tried to forced themselves out from the gate but the corps pushed them back and hold on to the gate tightly.

One of the corps member who spoke to LEDERSHIP, said that the people refuse to pay them since the time they came for service in Kebbi state, “We served in their schools but don’t want to pay us our little N2000 for a year now, they keep on telling us to go to Ministry of Finance, go to Ministry of Youths and now they are telling us that the Governor did not release our money but we know that the Governor released our money.”

It was after numerous persuations and appeal that corps members finally allowed LEADERSHIP correspondent to pass through the gate in order to hear from the Executive Secretary of SUBEB, Alhaji Bello who said that the non payment is not the fault of the board because government did not release the funds to pay them, “As you can see by the door we have paid some of them since, it remains only this Batch B group who have not been paid and even now as i am speaking to you we are trying to get somebody to go out and follow up the file but the closed the gate.”

The corps was adamant for any reconciliation until they are paid and Executive Secretary along his staff remained confined in their offices. However reports reaching LEADERSHIP indicated that the state Government had quickly ordered the payment in order to salvage the situation.

Governor Idris Wada has advised corps members to shun vices capable of tarnishing the good image of the country.

He pointed out that they have to strive towards making the nation great, as leaders of tomorrow and worthy ambassadors of the National youth Service Scheme.

Ajimobi’s Daughter, 4 Others Receive State Award
The daughter of  of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, was honoured in recognition for coming out tops in seven different NYSC community development projects worth over N30 million.

The seven projects which the Governor’s daughter carried out include the building of an equipped ICT centre at the state NYSC secretariat, renovation of a two storey classroom block at Eleyele school, Ibadan, construction of a six room VIP toilets at the same school and provision of water there as well.

The NYSC state coordinator, Pastor Olanipekun Alao, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of most of outgoing corps members to the development of the state.

Corps Members Rewarded in Lagos
The Lagos State government has  rewarded some 2011Batch “B” corps members for their outstanding performances in their respective places of primary assignments.

The  passing out parade took place at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Iyana Ipaja.

Speaking at the event,  the Chairman, NYSC Governing Board who is also Commissioner for Special Duties in the State, Dr Wale Ahmed, said the rewards was in recognition of the meaningful contributions of the corps members to the overall development of the Lagos state.

“In this regard the board has approved for presentation of awards of distinction to corps members of this Batch. In the bid to further encourage excellence by serving corps members in the state, the government recently gave a cash award of N250,000 to ex-corps members who performed  exceptionally, he said.

The commissioner promised that the board particularly would continue to work in order to ensure that the NYSC operates for the purpose for which it was created, noting that the board will embark on extensive talks, consultations with the concerned ministries for acceptance and strict compliance with the new posting policy of the scheme.

The Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, while acknowledging the outstanding performances of corps members in the state in their various areas of primary assignments, noted their contributions had impacted positively on the development of the State.

“The corps members have served in all the areas of the economy particularly education, Health care delivery, Traffic control, Environmental Sanitation and beautification and has enhanced the quality of life of the citizenry and this is quite commendable”, she said.

Adeyemi advised them to optimally use  the experiences and skills acquired during the service year.