The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has raised concerns over the rising number of corps members seeking relocation from Edo State to other parts of the country.
According to the reports, the issue was highlighted by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Frances Ben-Ushie, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members over the weekend.
Ben-Ushie attributed the mass relocations primarily to the lack of feeding support during the orientation course and the non-payment of state allowances to corps members.
She appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently intervene, emphasizing that resolving these issues would significantly boost the success of the orientation programme and other NYSC initiatives in the state.
The Coordinator also pointed out other pressing challenges at the permanent orientation camp in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, including the lack of annual state subvention to support the scheme’s operations, as required by the NYSC Act.
Ben-Ushie further appealed for the construction of additional hostel accommodations for corps members and officials to address the growing number of participants each year.
Highlighting infrastructure gaps, she called for improvements such as, Upgraded workshops and laboratories to strengthen the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme,
Resolution of electricity and water shortages at the camp,
Completion of the main access gate,
Provision of operational vehicles for corps member monitoring across the state,
Construction of a multipurpose hall, as the dining area is currently being used for multiple activities,
Proper demarcation and documentation of the camp’s boundaries to prevent further land encroachments.
Despite these challenges, Ben-Ushie commended the Edo State government for consistently providing buses to aid the transportation of corps members to their primary assignments.
In his message to the new corps members, Governor Okpebholo, represented by Mrs. Aiyegbeni Balogun, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, encouraged them to seize the various opportunities available in sectors such as agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship, and tourism.
He assured them of the government’s commitment to ensuring their welfare, safety, and security throughout their service year.
“Since your arrival in Edo, efforts have been made to create a conducive environment for your growth and meaningful contribution. Your impact in sectors like education, healthcare, and community development will leave a lasting legacy,” he said.