The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has approved a 100 per cent increment in the allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to Sokoto State.

The allowance was increased fromN5,000 to N10,000 for their mandatory one-year service.

Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday at the joint orientation exercise for both Sokoto and Zamfara states at the NYSC temporary orientation camp, Farfaru, Sokoto, during the swearing-in of Batch ‘A’ stream 1 corp members posted to the states.

The governor said, “I made the approval considering the current economic realities and the overall importance of the NYSC scheme to national and state development.

“I also donate the sum of N10,000 to each corps member posted to Sokoto and Zamfara state that is currently undergoing orientation exercise as a welcome gift.

“I charge you all to be of good behaviour andto embrace the spirit of ‘One Nigeria’ and treat all citizens as fellow Nigerians, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries,” he added.

He assured that his administration would continue to support the scheme to achieve its set aims.

“The state government would not joke with your security and welfare since a conducive environment is essentialfor good service,” he added.

On his part, the Chairperson of the NYSC Governing Board and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Sport and Social Development, Muhammad Bello, urged the corps members to be disciplined.

Bello explained that camp activities are regimental, hence the need to imbibe the discipline to cope with its daily activities.

He said, “The local, state, and national award is given to an outstanding corps member based on his or her performance during the service period and is based on merit.”

He thanked the governor for the prompt payment of state allowance to the corps members.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Usman Yaro, explained that corps members deployed to the state had been registered and gradually adjusting to the demands of the orientation exercise.

While thanking the governor for his support, he also appreciated the Nigerian Army, police, civil defence and other paramilitaries and stakeholders for their roles in the camp.

The highlight of the event was the administration of national and NYSC oaths on the corps members by the state Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa, who was represented by Justice Ibrahim Tambuwal administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members. (The PUNCH)