Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Abia State have lauded the governor, Alex Otti, for increasing their basic monthly allowance by 500 per cent.
This followed the government’s announcement of the increase from N4,000 to N20,000 last week, which marked the first of such adjustment in almost three decades.
The chief press secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku, had stated this in a statement in Umuahia, the state capital, describing the increase as a welcome development.
The statement also said those serving as teachers/ medical personnel in the state’s establishments will earn an additional discriminatory allowance of ₦10,000 and 30,000, respectively, to motivate them.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Umuahia, corps members Natala Bako, Inyang Okon, Shehu Lere, Bilkisu Ademola, John Nosa and Ulunmma Ibeji, expressed gratitude to the governor for the increase.
They noted that the increment had not only given them a sense of belonging and hope of a brighter future but would motivate them to put in their best during their service year.
”With this unprecedented gesture, most of us have been going the extra mile to contribute to the development of the state,” said Okon, who is from Cross River State.
Similarly, Lere, who is from one of the northern states, described the increment as one of the greatest surprises he has had in the service, saying it is a huge morale booster.
”Another was the impression I had when I was coming here that the state was under serious insecurity. But, from all indications, I was wrong and sorry about that,” he added.
