Enugu State Governor ,Dr Peter Mbah has donated a sum of N5m to the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) ,Enugu state to be utilized as additional funding for feeding of the 2,345 Batch ‘B’ (Stream Two) set of the 2023 corps members posted to the state (while on camp).
He announced the donation during the swearing- in of the new corps members at the NYSC camp,Awgu, in Awgu Local Government area of Enugu state.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, also announced that his administration has approved a Transformer to be powered today;(Friday , August 18,2023) and had done some works to restore power supply at the Camp.
He mentioned some of the works done to include clearing of 6km power line through Awgu,Mmaku,Obeagu to Achi.
Changing of pot insulators, broken cross arms and sanitizing of the line.
The Governor added that the state government would approve two industrial boreholes with overhead tanks in the orientation camp for the corps members as well as rehabilitation of the existing toilets and the building of new ones in the camp. Mbah also promised to rehabilitate access road leading to the NYSC Camp.
“We will approve the construction of access road leading to the camp and continue to strengthen the security in the state,” he said.
He urged the corps members to always exhibit the highest degree of loyalty in the society, noting that ,”the NYSC Scheme was established by its founding fathers for the twin purpose of serving as a platform to drive national integration as well as to harness and mobilize the creative and productive energies of the youths of Nigeria for National development”.
He said that it was gratifying that the Scheme has, over the years, lived up to the vision, impacting positively on the National development process especially in the rural areas through community development projects executed by their predecessors as well as their contributions to educational social and health care delivery services in rural communities.
“It is on this note that I challenge you all to strive to surpass the worthy achievements of your predecessors in the scheme. I enjoin you to freely integrate with members of your host communities and actively participate in their development efforts,, “he said.
Governor Mbah assured the Corps members of their safety in the state, saying: “Dear compatriots, I wish to assure you that my administration is youth friendly, and we will do everything within our ability to make the state attractive for youth investment.
” We clearly understand that youth unemployment is a ticking bomb and therefore a clear vision and multidimensional and pragmatic roadmap for addressing it is being enunciated and subsequently implemented.
“We intend to collaborate with NYSC in the implementation of youth-oriented programmes geared towards skill acquisition training and poverty eradication. We believe that this initiative will adequately engage our youths and trigger their productive instincts thereby saving them from the ills of idleness and lack of productivity.
“My dear corps members, the success of every service year is dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise. The Orientation Programme provides the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological conditioning for the challenges of the service year and beyond.
“Enugu State Government on its part will continue to create the enabling environment for youths to maximize their potentials while keeping faith with the ideals of the NYSC scheme by providing the requisite support to enhance’ its capacity to deliver on its core mandate, the Governor said.
He assured the Corps members that Enugu State is peaceful and they should feel free to visit and enjoy the tourist sites that abound in the State.
“My administration has taken and will continue to take more steps to strengthen all security agencies through the provision of more and sophisticated security gadgets in all parts of the state especially at the interiors for the rapid response in case of any breach of peace in any part of the state.
“As you commence your one-year national service today, I implore you to exhibit he highest degree of loyalty, dedication, discipline and commitment to national ideals. While praying that Almighty God guides and guards you all through the next twelve months, I wish you all a successful and fulfilling service year.”, Governor Mbah said.
Earlier, the Coordinator, NYSC, Enugu, Mrs Gladys Adama appealed to the state government to assist in subsidizing the feeding of the corps members in camp.
Adama said that the facilities in the NYSC, Enugu camp were old, worn out and dilapidated as the ones still in use were stretched to the limit, bearing in mind that it was the oldest camp in the whole federation.
She added that 1,075 males and 1,270 females corps members registered for the scheme with total number of 2, 345 corps members for the programme.
Administering the oath of allegiance, the Chief Justice of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, represented by Justice A. Onovo, urged the corps members to always conduct themselves properly.
“Having gone so far in your academic pursuit, you have been found worthy to serve your nation and try at all times to do what is right in the society,” he advised.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Llyod Ekweremadu, urged the corps members not to engage in any act that could tarnish the image of their various families and institutions of graduation.
Represented by the permanent secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Youths and Sports, Chuka Ezike, Ekweremadau called on the corps members to obey camp rules and regulations and shun any form of cultism and indiscipline that could attract disciplinary measures from the camp management.
“You must therefore, be focused and strive to leave good and lasting legacies in your host community,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Pedro Nwankwo, urged the Corps members to integrate properly with the Communities you are posted to and learn from them while they make their own positive impacts.” Learning is a lifelong journey and it is essential to continuously embrace new ideas from the Communities you are posted to . That is what the program is all about,” he said.
Nwankwo also urged the Corps members to adhere to any security advice by the security personnel and abide by the camp rules and regulations. He assured that the Local Government will work closely with camp officials to assist in ensuring that their stay is memorable in the most positive ways possible.
He advised the Corps members to “embrace the spirit of service, to be the catalysts for change and our national rebirth, and to inspire others to join us in building a strong robust and inclusive nation that we all can be proud to call our country”, Nwankwo said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama