National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has sworn- in 1,635 corps members of the 2024 Batch “A “Stream two set, deployed to Enugu State for the one-year mandatory national youth service, with a call on the new Corps members to promote national unity .
Enugu State Governor ,Dr. Peter Mbah made the call in his address at the swearing- in ceremony held on Tuesday at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu Local Government Area, Enugu State.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai , Governor Mbah’ said the NYSC scheme was established after the Nigerian civil war to promote national unity
Pix- Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai represented Gov Mbah
He advised Corps members to participate actively in the orientation program, saying,
“The orientation offers you the opportunity to interact. You most not loose sight to the historic perspective that brought about the NYSC . it is intended to bring unity in Nigeria we must not allow people to divide us”, Governor Mbah said.
He also urged them not to discriminate against anyone or allow anyone to divide them. Governor Mbah advised them to respect the laws of the land, saying, “the Promotion of National unity and integration which is the major reason for the establishment of the NYSC is at the core of the existence of our Nation.
Pix.: The newly sworn- in Corps members
“The NYSC thus provides a platform for Nigerian youths from different cultures to interact extensively with a view to appreciating the diversity of the country, debunk stereotypes and erase the prejudices many harbour about Nigerians outside their cultural extraction.
“The Scheme is therefore a very important programme which affords you the opportunity to widen your horizon, acquire more knowledge and participate in building the Nation you are to superintend over in future,” he said.
The Governor urged the new Corps members to participate actively in the programs at the orientation camp, adding that the NYSC initiated skills acquisition programs in the orientation camps to empower Corps members to be self reliant.
Pix: Ossai signing NYSC visitors ‘ register
“The skills development training will not only prepare you for self employment after service but will certainly make you an entrepreneur and employer of labour. Youths with vision and mission can turn the situation of the current economic meltdown to their advantage by developing skills that will enable them participate in the economic activities that will make them relevant in the society.
“This programme is not only important to the Nigerian nation, but also to you as an individual, given the numerous benefits you stand to derive from it. I therefore enjoin you all to embrace the exercise with the seriousness it deserves, particularly the skills acquisition and entrepreneurial training which the NYSC Management lays much emphasis on, ” Governor Mbah said
He assured that the state Government will support the NYSC and provide facilities necessary to make their stay smooth ,saying, “We are committed to doing everything necessary to make your stay a memorable one.”
Pix: Chairman, NYSC Governing Council and Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lyold Ekweremadu
In his speech, the Chairman of the NYSC Governing Council and Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Lloyd Ekweremadu urged the corps members to take the orientation programmes seriously.
“I also wish to remind you that as ambassadors of your families and alma mater, you must not engage in any act that will tarnish the image of the people and institutions you represent. In this regard, I advise you to obey the camp rules and the officials who are your guardians in this very important assignment.
“Pix: Ekweremadu Jnr.
“The state government is embarking in upgrading the facilities in the camp for your relative comfort,” he said.
Ekweremadu disclosed that his ministry has embarked on the training of over five hundred youths on Agriculture and three hundred on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable them become self reliant and to reduce youth unemployment in the state.
Performing the swearing- in, Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, who was represented by Justice A. O Onovo , urged the corps members to take great advantage of their stay in the state and use it to prosper themselves.
“There are a lot of things to learn from each other as you interact, see what you can teach your neighbours and what you can learn from them. Don’t say you don’t like the other person for one reason or the other, every individual is created for a purpose,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the state Coordinator, NYSC, Christiana Salmwang, said the corps members were 1,635, they comprised 825 male and 810 female.
Pix: NYSC Enugu state Coordinator, Christiana Salmwang
She commended Enugu State Government for its support to the NYSC scheme especially the efforts geared towards the restoration of electricity to the camp and expanding water supply.
The state coordinator appealed to the state government to intervene in the provision of operational vehicles to facilitate inspection of corps members, who are serving in every part of the state.
She also said that the Enugu State Rural Electrification Board was yet to connect the camp to the national grid as the second borehole was yet to be successful.
Salmwang urged corps members to always be punctual to every camp activity embrace the program with the highest degree of patriotism, service and humility and adhere to the NYSC bye-laws.
Pix: The swearing -in
Pix: Newly sworn- in Corps members
The NYSC Orientation programme is the first aspect of the service year. During the exercise, the corps members will be groomed and inducted through various activities which include Para-military drills, Leadership and Citizenship training, Lectures on important topical issues, about government programmes and policies as well as Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training. They also undergo tutelage in the language and culture of the people of the state they were posted to .
Author: Maureen Ikpeama