National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Funmi Ojo
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Tuesday urged Corps Members to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development
(SAED) Programme, saying it will reduce the rate of unemployment.
He stated this during the swearing-in-ceremony of Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Corps Members deployed to Oyo State at the Permanent Orientation camp, Iseyin.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke reminded the Corps Members on the alarming rate of unemployment among the youths and urged them to take maximum advantage of this opportunity.
“On the alarming rate of unemployment among the graduate youth. I will not forget to harp on one of the major components of the Orientation Course, the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. The programme is targeted at reducing the perennial problem of youth unemployment in the country. I therefore implore you to enthusiastically avail yourself of the opportunity to get trained.”
The Governor, described the scheme has an harbinger of success where development of all spheres has contributed to the growth of the nation.
“The scheme has been a harbinger of all-round socio-economic and political development extending to the education, agriculture, healthcare, innovations in infrastructural development in Nigeria, also a vanguard of national unity and cohesion of a multiethnic and pluralistic natured entity called Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the newly appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke, represented by the Director, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs. Kudirat Mustapha reminded the Corps Members of the importance of the scheme which is to foster national unity.
She said, “It is important to let you know that, National Youth Service Corps was established as part of the mission to harmonize the country after the civil war, the mission it has uncompromisingly sustained for over 50 years of existence, your predecessors over the years have built landmark antecedents of fostering National unity and integration, as well as complementing the labor force in all sectors of the economy. It is therefore expected of you to consolidate passionately on those legacies with high level of patriotism and loyalty.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Coordinator, of NYSC Mr Odoba Abel Oche charged Corps Members to embrace the cultural heritage of Oyo known for their hospitality.
“My beloved Prospective Corps Members, Oyo State and indeed Yoruba people are noted for their rich cultural heritage, and as you will soon discover. The Yorubas are very friendly, and hospitable people. I therefore urge you to seize this unique opportunity of national service to learn about the Yoruba culture and ways of life. There are the things that promote unity and integration which is the whole essence of the NYSC scheme. In the past 50 years, the NYSC has been very impactful. From it’s inception, life-long friendship and bonds have been established and national awareness has increased.”
The high point of the swearing in ceremony was the administration of the oath of allegiance by Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima.
A total of 1,864 Corps Members, comprising of 915 males and 949 females including those dislodged from Lagos were posted to Oyo State for the swearing in ceremony.
