By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has disclosed that the state government will commit N5 billion to the construction of the permanent orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps in the state.
He also announced a gift of N200,000 to all the corps members under Batch B Stream I posted to the state as “bonus” to make their stay comfortable, in addition to 20 cows and a trailer load of rice.
The governor declared this on Tuesday during the swearing-in of the 2024 Batch B Stream I corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Paiko, Niger State.
Bago said, “All corps members serving in Niger State today are entitled to a N200,000 bonus from Niger farms.
“So, each of you has N200,000; I understand you’re about 1,600. So we are going to credit your account with N200,000. This is to give you comfort to stay in Niger State.
“We want to build a brand new NYSC camp. So, Niger State is putting N5 billion to build a new NYSC camp for you.”
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, on Tuesday further stated that the governor also promised to give automatic employment to corps members in the medical field upon the completion of their service.
The statement added, “While reassuring them that the state government will ensure the security and well-being of the corps members, the governor used the medium to call on them to key into his agricultural revolution in the state, adding that the state government will support anyone who is willing to engage in farming through Niger Foods Limited.”
A total of 1,301 corps members were said to have been posted to the state under the 2024 NYSC batch B Stream I Orientation Course.
The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima AbdulMalik, represented by Justice Mariya Ismail, was also said to have administered the oath of allegiance to the corps members.