NYSC @ 50: Diplomat Canvases Increased Allowance For Corps Members

A retired diplomat, Ambassador Martine Gereng-Sen has canvassed for an increase in corps members' allowance.

Myschoolnews reports the retired Diplomat made this remark today in her presentation at the NYSC National Governing Board Retreat held in Abuja.

She said the contributions of corps members to national growth so far has made the increase Corps Members' monthly allowances necessary.

The Ambassador disclosed that the achievements recorded by the NYSC in the past fifty years are enormous adding that the Scheme should be made to be continuously relevant.

"The NYSC has achieved commendable milestones that have shown that the Scheme has met the objectives of its establishment. 

The Scheme has made Corps Members to have the sense of togetherness, oneness, friendship and brotherhood among Nigerian youths, irrespective of cultural and social backgrounds.

Emboldened by the high profile achievements recorded by the NYSC in the past fifty years, l lend my support for the advocacy of the Scheme", she said.

The retired career ambassador lauded the NYSC for providing employment opportunities for Corps Members through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme with support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Heritage Bank, Access Bank and other stakeholders.

She commended NYSC Managers for creating employment opportunities for Corps Members such as, "NYSC Ventures, Livestock Feedmill, Garri Processing Factory, Garment Factories, Water Factory, NYSC Printing Press, and NYSC Radio and TV Stations".

Martine, who recalled her youth service days in Lagos in 1981 disclosed that her NYSC experience afforded her the opportunity of knowing cultures of different ethnic groups on the Southern part of the country, and also enabled strong bond of friendship till date.

Speaking further during her presentation, Ambassador Martine hailed the NYSC for promoting national unity, building and consumating inter-tribal marital relationships among Nigerians.

She lauded the patriotic spirit of the Corps Members who displayed selfless services in their host communities through the provision of Community Development Service projects like roads, schools, drilling of boreholes, installation of street lights, construction of restrooms and culverts, among others which has impacted positively.

"Ex-Corps Members have established their own hospitals, like in Adamawa State, there are three of such institutions, Peace Hospital, Yola, Sunshine Clinic, Ganye and Biyama Clinic in Mubi. The proprietors served as Corps Members in Adamawa State and decided not to return to their States of Origin.

They are still using these institutions to provide high quality healthcare services", she stated.

This is coming amidst the celebration of the institution's golden jubilee anniversary.