Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has sought the assistance of the Senate Committee on Youth Development in providing critical support for the upgrade of the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in the state.

The governor also appealed to the Committee to develop policies aimed at fostering skill acquisition among Nigerian youths, emphasizing that education without skills in this modern era would put the youths at a disadvantage.

Oyebanji made the appeal in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Friday during a meeting with members of the Senate Committee on Youth Development led by the Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, shortly after their fact-finding visit to the NYSC camp in Emure Ekiti.

The governor expressed concern over the poor condition of the NYSC camp, noting that the facility had suffered neglect over time following the corps’ inability to adequately maintain it.

He said, “I am not happy that NYSC has shifted its responsibility to the state. Ideally, both of us should be responsible, but NYSC just washed off its hands from its facilities in the state.

“We are doing our best to fix the road leading to the camp and fix 45 units of convenience facilities, in addition to other interventions. I implore you to ensure adequate provision for the camp in the next budget so the facilities can be upgraded”.

the Senate Committee Chairman, Adaramodu, said their visit to Ekiti was to assess the condition of the camp and identify areas requiring urgent intervention, adding that despite the Senate being on recess, the visit was prioritized to incorporate the rehabilitation of the camp in the upcoming budget deliberation.

Adaramodu appreciated the governor for his quick intervention during the recent near-disaster in the NYSC camp and his commitment and dedication towards youth development in the state.

He said the significance of their visit included providing support for the efforts of the state government as he said that the Senate Committee would contribute 250 mattresses and chairs to the camp as a palliative measure while working on the major intervention.

He also promised to personally facilitate the construction of a new hall as a constituency project and the installation of solar-powered street lights to improve security within the camp.

Also at the meeting were the committee members – Senator Kenneth Eze; Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun; Clerk of the Committee on Youth Development and Community Engagement, Mrs Ijeoma Chukwuem; and Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Riko Shuabu

Others were Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Gold Adedayo; Commissioner for Local Government, Mr Folorunso Olabode; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Sola Adeluyi; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Micheal Omolayo.