National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Funmi Ojo, Ibadan
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged Corps members to equip themselves with the right values for greater future development as they commence the one-year mandatory service to the nation.
Makinde stated this during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps members deployed to the state, at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Iseyin on Tuesday.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, charged corps members to take up the challenge of service year with the right mindset, hard work, and commitment in their desire for national development.
“As vibrant youths with potentials, I therefore charge you to avail yourselves of the opportunities provided during this orientation exercise. You are the future and hope of this nation, I admonish you to equip yourselves with the right values to ensure a greater future.
“The orientation program which is the entry point for the service year is packaged with
programs that will test your endurance, physical capacity, discipline and prepare you for the enormous task ahead.
“It will equally provide you with opportunities to add value to yourself by learning some skills for self actualization. Thereby stemming the rising tide of graduates’ unemployment.”
Makinde also promised to continue to assist the scheme in the State by providing a conducive environment for its operations.
Speaking earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Odoba Oche encouraged the corps members to seize the unique opportunity of national service to learn about the culture of their host communities and their ways of life.
According to him, this will continuously promote unity and integration, which is the whole essence of the NYSC scheme.
He said, “My beloved Prospective Corps members, it is my utmost pleasure to let you know that you are blessed to be posted to Oyo State, the Pacesetter State where the welfare and security of Corps members are topmost priority. And as you would soon discover, the Yoruba people are God fearing, very friendly and hospitable.
“I urge you to seize this unique opportunity of National service to learn about the people’s culture and ways of life.
“You are to also during this service year contribute your quota to the unity, integration and advancement of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general”.
The Commandant said the activities in the camp which includes physical training, paramilitary drills, intellectual engagements, citizenship and leadership grooming, lectures on Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training all geared towards making Corps members live a well-ordered life and be self-reliant.
He acknowledged and appreciated the Governor of Oyo State, Seyí Makinde for always supporting the NYSC scheme, thereby making the camp journey a memorable one for the Corps members.
Meanwhile, on the recent outbreak of cholera, the state coordinator has assured of the safety of the Corps members. He said the scheme has put guidelines in place to stop the spread of the pandemic.
“We encourage the Corps members to keep clean hygiene and have good healthy habits. We have sanitisers around the camp, and the Corps members always keep the surroundings clean at all times, including the toilets and bathrooms” he said.
The event featured the administration of oath of allegiance on the 2,513 Corps members, comprising of males – 852 and females – 1,661 by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yetima, represented by Justice O. S Akinyemi.
