The N23.5m was donated to the injured ex-corps members at the 2014 NYSC President’s Honour Award. The Ibeto Group and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, promised N5m to the victims while Heritage Bank pledged the beneficiaries N1.5m each, bringing all the donations to N23.5m.
A statement issued by its Director (Press and Public Relations), Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, explained that out of the three organisations that promised to make monetary donations, only Akpabio fulfilled his promise of N5m to the nine injured corps members.
She revealed that the money was donated to the corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive Initiative, a public/private sector partnership scheme.
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Aderibigbe, who described the source of the report as questionable, said the allegation was aimed at tarnishing the image of the NYSC.
She said, “The money pledged to the Hope Alive Programme of the NYSC and the nine critically injured ex-corps members was a public matter. Therefore, there is no way somebody or the NYSC will sit on their money.
“The cash awards by the private sector partners and the offer of employment by the Federal Government would indeed bring succour not only to the now physically-challenged ex-corps members but also to their families who placed their hopes in them for support after their service year.”