Gov Abiodun, Ogun State
Very Soon, corp members of the the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) will be scampering over themselves to be posted to Ogun State as the state is planning to upgrade the scheme, make it more qualitative and rewarding to corpers posted to the state.
Ogun State is planning to turn the NYSC to an empowerment scheme which enable corp members to raise capital for the programs of their dreams within the one year term of the exercise.
According to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, lands could be allotted to Corps members to plant any crop that would be ready for harvest in the space of eight months, which could be sold and proceeds used to start their personal businesses after the one year mandatory programme.
The state government assured that it would not hesitate to approach all relevant agencies that could be of assistance in making the exercise, a rewarding and memorable one for corps members posted to the state.
The Commissioner gave the assurance while playing host to the management team of NYSC, Ogun State Secretariat in Abeokuta today.
He said Corps members serving in the State would be engaged in meaningful ventures, particularly agriculture that could make them self-reliant after their service years.
“We can approach the Ministry of Agriculture to give them land to farm or plant any crop that can be ready in eight months; the Corps members will sell the crops and take the proceeds to start any business they like. This will show that the one-year exercise is not a waste”, he submitted.
The Commissioner urged the team not to hesitate in seeking Government’s support whenever they discover any Corps member undertaking projects that could be presented at the yearly Presidential Honours, adding that the State is known for outstanding performances.
Earlier in her remarks, the State Coordinator, Dr. (Mrs.) Belinda Faniyi, said the visit was to appreciate government for their support so far, as well as to sensitise the Local Government Chairmen on their roles towards the success of NYSC in the State.
In another development, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape has advised Information Officers in Ogun State Civil Service to always carry out their duties diligently as the reward would come when they least expected it.
The Commissioner who gave the advice during a courtesy visit by the new Executive Member of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Chapel, in his office, said the role of Information Officers could not be over emphasised in projecting the activities of Government, as well as getting feedbacks from the citizens, urging the new executives to map out plans that would be beneficial to their members who trusted and gave them the mandate to occupy their present positions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Olawale Olanrewaju called for support of government in addressing the issue of hazard and wardrobe allowance for officers, saying they were the image makers of government, appreciating the efforts of the Commissioner towards the effective management of Chieftaincy Matters and the assistance to the Local Government Transition Committee members in the State.
