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| Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo |
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has given ₦20,000 to each of the 1,490 members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as they completed their three-week orientation course in the state.
The cash gift, which amounts to a total of ₦29.8 million, was presented on behalf of the governor by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Monday Anyebe Aridaojo, during the closing ceremony held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, on Wednesday.
The ceremony marked the official end of the orientation programme and the formal deployment of the corps members to their respective Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs) across Kogi State. The financial support is intended to help the young graduates cover transportation costs and other immediate expenses as they settle into their host communities.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Chika Tochi Chris-Moneke, commended the Kogi State Government for its consistent support for the scheme and the welfare of corps members serving in the state. She specifically acknowledged the government’s earlier donation of 50 bags of rice and a cow to the orientation camp, describing the gesture as valuable support that contributed to the successful conduct of the exercise.
Chris-Moneke urged the corps members to apply the knowledge, skills and values acquired during the three weeks of intensive orientation throughout their service year. She encouraged them to contribute positively to the development of their host communities and to uphold the ideals of the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Addressing the corps members, Commissioner Anyebe charged them to settle into their various Places of Primary Assignment and carry out their responsibilities with diligence, selflessness and commitment. He said the state government remains committed to supporting the NYSC programme and urged the corps members to share relevant skills acquired during the orientation course with residents of their host communities.
Anyebe also appealed to employers, community leaders and residents of the various communities to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the corps members and to pay attention to their welfare throughout the service year. He expressed confidence in the capacity of young people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.
The commissioner further commended the NYSC management, the state coordinator and her team, as well as other agencies that participated in the orientation exercise, for the successful completion of the programme. He then declared the orientation course closed on behalf of Governor Ododo and formally presented the ₦20,000 welfare package to each of the corps members.
The three-week orientation exercise typically includes physical drills, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) training, lectures on national values, community development, and other activities designed to prepare corps members for productive service.
Governor Ododo’s administration has maintained a pattern of supporting NYSC members deployed to Kogi State through food items, financial assistance and other welfare interventions. Similar gestures have been extended to previous batches, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to youth development and the welfare of young graduates serving in the state.
The 1,490 corps members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II will now proceed to their various Places of Primary Assignment across Kogi’s local government areas, where they are expected to contribute to education, health, community development and other sectors during their one-year service.