Ododo gives ₦29.8m to 1,490 NYSC members deployed to Kogi

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has donated ₦29.8 million to 1,490 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state, giving each corps member ₦20,000 to support their transportation and other immediate needs as they commence their primary assignments.

Ododo announced the intervention on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’, Stream II NYSC Orientation Course, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya, Kabba, Kogi State.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, the Governor said the gesture was intended to ease the immediate financial burden on the corps members as they leave the orientation camp for their various places of primary assignment.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, empowerment and the creation of an environment where young people can contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.

Ododo urged the corps members to integrate responsibly into their host communities and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the three-week orientation programme to community development.

He charged them to become agents of positive change by sharing their skills and knowledge, supporting community-based initiatives and contributing to projects that improve the lives of residents.

The Governor also encouraged the corps members to uphold discipline, integrity, patriotism and the spirit of service throughout their mandatory national service.

He assured them of the state government’s commitment to their safety and welfare and appealed to host communities to provide a secure, welcoming and supportive environment for the corps members.

Ododo said his administration would continue to strengthen youth-focused programmes designed to promote productivity, self-reliance and sustainable development among young people in the state.

The Kogi State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Chris Moneke Chika Tochi, said the corps members had undergone three weeks of intensive physical, mental and moral orientation to prepare them for the demands of the service year.

She commended the Governor for his consistent support for corps members deployed to the state, particularly his provision of food items and financial assistance.

Tochi described the latest ₦29.8 million intervention as timely, saying it demonstrated the state government’s concern for the welfare of corps members.

A total of 1,490 corps members participated in the 2026 Batch ‘B’, Stream II orientation exercise in Kogi State before their deployment to various places of primary assignment across the state.