The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members serving in Kogi State to embrace entrepreneurship and leverage available opportunities to build sustainable sources of income.

Mr Nafiu, who gave the advice on Monday in Lokoja during a working visit to the NYSC Kogi Secretariat, also tasked them on diligence.

The DG in his address to corps members and staff, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to improving their welfare and strengthening the implementation of its programmes in the state.

On welfare, Mr Nafiu assured corps members that he would engage the Kogi State Government on the payment of state allowances.

He also instructed the state coordinator to stop posting corps members to private organisations that neither provide accommodation nor pay stipends.

He noted that places of primary assignment should offer mentorship, skill acquisition and a conducive working environment rather than exploit corps members.

The director-general disclosed plans to improve the welfare of corps members through increased transportation support to orientation camps, enhanced feeding arrangements, and improved quality of NYSC kits from 2027.

He commended members of staff for their dedication and professionalism, assuring them that the management would continue to prioritise their welfare and urged them to sustain their commitment to efficient service delivery.

Earlier in her address, the state Coordinator of the NYSC, Chika Chris-Moneke, described the visit as a demonstration of purposeful leadership, fatherly disposition, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of corps members and staff.

She said that Kogi State currently has 3,953 corps members serving across the 21 Local Government Areas, (LGAs) of the state and supported by 106 members of staff dedicated to advancing the objectives of the scheme.

Mrs Chris-Moneke commended the continuous support of the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters and the Kogi State Government, noting that the enabling environment provided by both had significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the NYSC programmes in the state.

She informed the DG that preparations were at an advanced stage for the forthcoming Corps Employers’ Workshop and the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).

(NAN)