Reps - Seek to increase NYSC allowances

The House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja passed for second reading a bill seeking an improved welfare package for members of the National Youth Service Corps.

The bill seeks to amend the NYSC Act No 51 of 1993 by making provisions to enhance the welfare of corps members, encourage acquisition of special business and commercial skills at the end of the annual service year.

Moshood Mustapha (All Progressives Congress – Kwara), who sponsored the bill, expressed regrets over unemployment and poverty rate bedeviling the country.

He said the proposed amendment would encourage self-employment.

Section 7(3) of the proposed amendment seeks to increase state governments annual subvention from N500,000 to N50m, to enable NYSC to cater adequately for the welfare and skill acquisition needs of corps members.

It said such minimum subvention shall be provided before the commencement of the service year, for which it was intended.

Section 18 (2) also seeks to increase minimum accommodation allowance from N250 per month to N5,000 while transport allowance might be increased from N150 per month to N5,000.

The sponsor added, “The bill seeks to amend the NYSC Decree 51 of 1993 to provide for the training of corps members to acquire skills and business.

“It would enable them to seek other means of sustainable livelihood and fend for themselves other than the white collar jobs that are in acute shortage.”

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Swindled Blind Woman Gets N550,000 Back

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday recover N550,000 from fraudsters, who conned a blind woman, Mrs Mary Ihekanacho of N830,000 in a Job scam.

According to a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said the syndicate conned the woman by promising to facilitate her son’s employment with one of the big oil companies.

David IIoyanomo, an official of the commission, presented on behalf of the Executive Chiarman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, proclaimed in his presentation that “the EFCC stands for justice for all and called on the general public to ensure that they assist the Commission in carrying out its duties by coming forward to give evidence in the court when it is required”.

He further praised the officer of the Commission for the manner in which the case of Mrs. Ihekanacho was handled.

Mrs. Ihekanacho who was elated praised the EFCC for coming to her aid.

 “I had lost hope. I prayed and asked God to take control and was surprised when Richard called me and told me that the young man has been arrested”.  Ihekanacho said. 

She proceeds by urging Nigerians to support the EFCC in their endeavour to abate the fraudulent activities in the country. "If someone can scam a blind woman, what else won't that person do?" she asked.

Gift Onyegam, who defrauded her, has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment without fine option. The court also ordered Onyegam to pay Ihekanacho, the sum of N711,000 (seven hundred and eleven thousand naira) in restitution.