By Saheed Ibrahim

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As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) prepares to celebrate 50th anniversary on May 22, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has disclosed.

He said a new monthly allowance for Corps members awaits President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval.

He noted that the economic empowerment of Corps members through entrepreneurship training initiative has brought to light the capacity of NYSC as an organisation that is responsive to contemporary national needs.

While speaking during the inauguration of a 22-man inter-ministerial committee to plan the 50th-anniversary celebration of the agency, Dare said

He said: “Under the leadership of President Buhari, monthly allowances of corps members were increased from 19,000 to 33,000, which is even above the minimum wage. NYSC has sent a proposal to improve Corps members’ uniforms and their allowances.

“That is already with the President and if approved, the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training may be extended beyond three weeks. So, those are areas that are covered and we believe that this committee will also make recommendations on reforms, not just for improved welfare, but for the system that keeps the NYSC engine running.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Ahmed, commended the Corps members for their roles in the peaceful conduct of the just-concluded Presidential election.

The Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, assured that the group would deliver on the given task.