Mr Eddy Megwa, the Lagos State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on the state government to expedite actions on the completion of the NYSC permanent orientation camp.
Megwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that there was need for corps members posted to the state to stay together in the orientation camp.
He spoke against the backdrop of limited space in the Iyana-Ipaja orientation camp, which has resulted to some corps members being dislodged and posted to nearby states.
According to him, a total of 2,041 corps members of 2021 Batch B, Stream One were deployed to Lagos State for orientation camp but 457 were sent to observe their orientation in neighbouring states.
“The numbers of fresh graduates posted to Lagos to serve their fatherland are usually many, and for them coming down here and not able to get accommodated can be worrisome and disheartening.
“On Monday, we had swearing-in for 2041 corps members of the 2021 Batch B Stream One in Iyana-Ipaja but unfortunately we had to send 457 of them to Ogun and Oyo state respectively.
“It is not deliberate to dislodge those presently outside but the fact is obvious, there is limited space in the Iyana-Ipaja orientation camp for the 2,041 posted here,” Megwa said.
The coordinator therefore appealed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to fast track the ongoing project toward completion of its permanent site in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
While applauding the state government for identifying with the needs of the NYSC in Lagos, he noted that the state government had been supportive to the management.
“We really want to relocate to our permanent orientation site in Agbowa, Ikorodu, where we belong and have enough space for present and prospective corps members being posted to Lagos.
“However, I must acknowledge and express my sincere appreciation to his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu for all his support to the management of NYSC here in Lagos.’’
He said that the ongoing construction of a 14,000 bed space capacity in the Agbowa, Ikorodu, permanent NYSC orientation camp would accommodate no fewer than 20,000 Corps members posted to Lagos. (NAN)
