The Rivers State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe, has called for the immediate intervention of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to relocate the state NYSC secretariat.
A statement by the State NYSC Head, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Christian Okereke, revealed that Oleghe made this appeal during a visit to Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where he expressed worry over the deplorable condition of the secretariat complex.
He begged the governor to urgently “relocate the NYSC State secretariat to a better place owing to the fact that the current office is highly dilapidated with structural defects.”
Oleghe also requested for the release of a utility vehicle and official residence to be used by any NYSC coordinator posted to the state.
Other appeals was that the governor should approve an office for the SSAO II, release utility vehicle as well as provide official accommodation for the director.
The NYSC coordinator thanked the governor for creating what he termed a peaceful environment for corps members to thrive, adding that, “the NYSC top Management in Abuja rates Rivers State highly as one of the states where “NYSC is at home”, a rating that prompted the approval of the location of NYSC South South Area Office II overseeing the affairs of the scheme in Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states in Port Harcourt.
“The approval of the location of the SSAO II in Rivers State was borne out of top management appreciation of the lofty support to the Scheme over the years by Rivers State government.”
While also appreciating Fubara for the supports NYSC has been enjoying in the state and the payment of monthly state allowance to all corps members, Oleghe pleaded that the monthly state allowance be paid more regularly.
On his part, Fubara who received the coordinator and other NYSC officials extolled the scheme’s contributions in nation building, especially in the education sector.
The governor commended NYSC in the state for “bridging the gap in skilled manpower by the deployment of corps members who have over the years filled those gaps with competence, expertise and professionalism.”
The statement noted that Fubara recalled a time in his hometown; Opobo, when there was shortage of teachers and how corps members were on ground to fill the void, adding that the community remained grateful to them.
Speaking further, the governor said the scheme was a reliable partner with government, ameliorating the disturbing situation of unemployment amongst graduate youths through the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme.
He commended the NYSC management for its recent policy to help the government achieve food security through the engagement of corps members in the agricultural and food production value chain and assured them of his administration support to their goal. As regards his requests, the governor assured Oleghe of a feedback that he said would be suitable to the scheme.
