Makinde, others charge NYSC members on selfless service

Gov. Oluwaseyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged the 2023 Batch ‘A’ stream II youth corps members deployed to the state to leave a legacy in their various host communities by rendering selfless service to the people.

He made the call on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘A’ stream II orientation course for members held at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Iseyin, Oyo State.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede, also urged the NYSC members to make their impact felt in their host communities by embarking on projects that would add value to peoples’ lives.

He urged them to be role models at their various places of primary assignment, especially the ones posted to teach in schools so as to influence the lives of students positively.

He called on the youth corps members to shun all forms of anti-social behaviours.

The NYSC Coordinator in Oyo, Mr Abel Odoba, admonished members to relate cordially with the people of the host communities, avoid unnecessary journey and steer clear of any act of indiscipline.

He noted that “if the proposed NYSC Trust Fund got an approval from relevant authorities, it would enhance the provision of conducive camp environment and needed facilities during orientation programme.”

It was reported that 2,129 NYSC members deployed to the state have been posted to different places of primary assignment across the 33 local government areas of the state.

In Akwa Ibom, Gov. Udom Emmanuel had cautioned the NYSC members not to allow divisive tendencies to influence their approach to national issues.

He told members during the official closing of 2023 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members at the National Youth Service Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area on Tuesday to guard their minds against negative narratives.

Represented by Mr Emmanuel Akpabio, the Director, Youths Development in the state’s Ministry of Youths and Sports, Emmanuel said “as future leaders, I encourage you to have big dreams for yourselves and for the country.”

The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, urged the corps members to build on the skills acquired from the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to empower themselves.

Ahmed, who was represented by the scheme’s Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, said the corps authority would liaise with financial institutions and other stakeholders to provide start up loans for them to actualise their dreams.

He urged the corps members to be security conscious and avoid night travels.

In Bauchi State, Gov. Bala Mohammed, said the scheme remained relevant in instilling peace and unity among Nigerian youths, 50 years after its establishment.

Mohammed said this on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch A stream II orientation course at Wailo Camp in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the scheme, in spite of its challenges, had largely forged the ties of brotherhood based on trust, hope and aspirations for a greater Nigeria.

Represented by the state’s Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, the governor charged the youth corps members to exhibit patriotism and selflessness while performing duties at their places of primary assignments.

In her remarks, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, said communities would witness rapid and accelerated development with the deployment of the NYSC members.

She said members posted to the state were physically and mentally equipped to face the challenges of the service year “and they have
displayed high sense of discipline and positive attitude in all aspects of the orientation course.”