By Hadiza Suleman
The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has disassociated itself from the news making the round that the Nigerian government has increased the remuneration for corps members.
People&Politics reports that corps members are currently being paid N33,000 monthly allowance.
During his visit to the NYSC orientation camp in Ogun State on Saturday, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed, had spoken on the possibility that corps members would have their allowances increased as soon as the negotiations on minimum wage negotiation are completed.
Gen Ahmed, however, later said his comments were misrepresented in some sections of the media where he was quoted as saying President Bola Tinubu had approved an increment for corps members.
The clarification was made by the NYSC spokesperson, Eddy Megwa.
According to him, “For clarity’s sake, General Ahmed, while addressing corps members, said it is expected that they would benefit from the minimum wage when it is approved; he did not say the president has approved any increment in corps members’ allowance.”
Mr Megwa advised journalists to uphold tenets of verification in their reportage so as not to incite unnecessary apprehension among the scheme’s stakeholders.
He added, “Meanwhile, as part of his oversight functions during orientation periods, the DG advised the corps members on different issues relating to patriotism, entrepreneurship, security consciousness, and community development, among other issues of youth development for leadership roles.”