The Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Akwa Ibom, Mr Julius Amusan, said on Thursday that five corps members serving in the state died during the 2019 Batch “A” service year.
Amusan who made the closure during the passing out parade of the corps members in Uyo, said the corps members died in different circumstances.
“May I, therefore, humbly request that we observe a minute silence in memory of the late patriots; may their souls continue to rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.
He said 23 members would repeat the service and explained that seven of them absconded while 16 violated the schemes’ by-laws.
The coordinator said the absconded members had been recommended to repeat the service whenever they showed up.
Amusun commended those that successfully completed the mandatory service.
In his remarks, Gov.Udom Emmanuel promised to improve the welfare of corps members in the state.
Emmanuel, represented by Mrs. Mary Bassey, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, commended the Federal Government for increasing the monthly allowance of corps members from N19, 800 to N33, 000.
“On our part, this government will not relent in paying adequate attention to the welfare and security of corps members.
“I commend your zeal and welcome you to the larger society where you are expected to continue to make individual and collective contributions towards national growth and development.
“Let me state here clearly that the National Youth Service Corps has been a critical partner in the development of Akwa Ibom state.
“Your contributions in the implementation of government policies and programmes impacted greatly on all sectors, particularly education, agriculture, infrastructural development and health care delivery.
“The government and people of Akwa Ibom state cannot compensate you adequately for filling the gap in our educational and socio economic lives,” Emmanuel said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to the state were 2,582.
RELATED NEWS —22 Corps Members to Repeat Service Year, as One Die in Sokoto
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has declared that one of the 2019 Batch “A” corps members lost his life in the course of service in Sokoto State.
Philip Enaberue, MYSC State Coordinator, made the disclosure during the passing out parade of 1, 760 outgoing corps members, on Thursday in Sokoto.
Enaberue disclosed that 22 corps members would have their service year extended for various offences and five others would receive prestigious Sultan of Sokoto and State Awards.
He said commendation letters would also be issued to two other corps members, adding that the awards were designed to appreciate the corps members for outstanding performances during the service year.
The coordinator urged the outgoing corps members to utilised the skills acquired during vocational training at orientation camp and service period in view of the market availability.
“Try to be good ambassadors to this country and your family, you should ensure that you associate with people of good characters, do not join a bad company.
“All the vocational training you were exposed during your orientation are enough to make you excel without wandering in the saturated labour market,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, enjoined the outgoing members to be vanguards of promoting national unity in line with the fundamental objectives of the scheme.
Tambuwal admonished the corps members to uphold good morals imbibed during the service year, saying that government acknowledged their contributions to the development of the state.
He advised them to be discipline and desist from acts inimical to their successes, stressing that his administration has placed premium on the welfare of corps members in the state.
On her part, Lubabatu Usman, Chairperson, NYSC Governing Board in the state, thanked the governor for his continuous support to the scheme.
Usman congratulated the outgoing corps members for their meritorious service to the nation and urged them to be good ambassadors of the country wherever they might found themselves.
