February 03, (THEWILL) – National Youth Service Corps members serving in different parts of the country, even in very remote parts where poverty is at the highest level and conditions are quite excruciating, had cause to smile when the Federal Government announced last year that it would increase their monthly allowances. The government promised to start paying each corps member the sum of N70,000 every month, effective from July 2024.
N70,000 is the new minimum wage reluctantly instituted by the Federal Government after a lengthy negotiation with organised labour. Naturally corps members are pleased with the increase, though the impact on their overall well-being is guaranteed to be minimal. Against the backdrop of a failing economy, poverty and hardship, a monthly allowance of N70,000 could hardly be sufficient reason to celebrate. The new monthly allowance was confirmed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on September 25, 2024 signed by its Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta.
Sadly, in spite of its promises, government has been unable to pay the N70,000 allowance. Many corps members were shocked when they recently received credit alerts of N33,000 instead of the promised new monthly allowance. Talk about failed promises!
Of course, the struggle continues for corps members all over the country. It does not matter that these breeds of Nigerians have to endure unimaginable hardship just to serve their country. As a matter of fact, it looks as if the objectives of the NYSC Scheme are gradually being defeated by factors beyond the control of its members. Gone are those days when serving Nigeria used to be deeply satisfying and rewarding, in a sense that corps members always felt fulfilled and truly needed.
The feeling is a lot different nowadays. Today not many fresh graduates of tertiary institutions of learning eagerly look forward to going on the mandatory the national youth service for obvious reasons. THEWILL recalls that once upon a time in Nigeria, many corps members were brutally murdered during a crisis that almost stalled the General Election of 2015. Neither the Federal Government of the day nor the political elite did anything to protect the affected corps members, some of who were deployed in the election as auxiliary staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Most of the dead were allegedly caught in crossfires between warring political camps.
Corps members are still quite vulnerable in the country, at least in the eyes of parents and other concerned Nigerians. Little wonder, there have been concerns for the safety of corps members serving in parts of the country perceived to be afflicted with insecurity. For anxious relatives, the fear of bandits, insurgents and kidnappers is beginning of wisdom. Indeed, a group of corps members on a journey to there are of primary assignment WERE REPORTEDLY KIDNAPPED.
