Last Sunday, a message went viral on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claiming that the monthly stipend for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members would be increased to N66,000, starting in July.
The viral message stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the increment. Corps members currently receive N33,000 as their monthly allowance for their one-year mandatory service. Although, last month’s stipend was delayed.
The message, WikkiTimes observes was disseminated to several groups and it has generated a lot of reaction among prospective and serving corps members.
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In addition, the message further stated that the delay in payment of last month’s allowances was due to the planned increment.
CLAIMS
“Serving corps to start receiving N66,000,” the message announced. “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu orders DG of NYSC and his staff across the country in collaboration with Nigeria’s commercial Banks to begin paying corpers sum of N66,000.00, allowances. A statement reviewed earlier this morning, on Sunday, 2nd of July, 2023.”
It added: “According to him, the payment has to start from this month, July 2023. And that reason why Corpers have not received the July allowances yet.
“Corpers has exercised some patience and expected their allowee, as soon as possible, as effect will be resolves underway. And sorry for any inconveniences you might going through.”
VERIFICATION
To check this claim, WikkiTimes contacted Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a media aide to Tinubu and said the message never emanated from the presidency.
“Anything that has no stamp of authority, no source. It didn’t emanate from the presidency,” Abdulaziz told WikkiTimes. “When there is a sign bearing somebody’s name, that is when it will be serious.”
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WikkiTimes also checked NYSC’s website to verify the claim, but nothing was found.
Further, this reporter contacted Eddy Megwa, NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations. He also refuted the claim, saying the scheme had not been told about that.
“We are not aware,” he said. “Please, don’t listen to anybody for now. “If there is anything like that, NYSC will call a media briefing and inform the media accordingly.”
VERDICT
Based on the facts available, WikkiTimes’s checks showed that the claim is false and misleading.
