NYSC
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Afikpo (Ebonyi), Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday donated N400 million to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the immediate construction and renovation works at its Permanent Orientation Camp, in Afikpo.
Umahi, made the donation during the closing/passing-out parade of the 2018 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members deployed to the state, noted that his visit would change the fortunes of the camp.
Umahi said that the government would collaborate with the leadership of Afikpo North Local Area (LGA) in the construction, adding that N150 million would be used to reconstruct structures within the camp.
“We will construct drainages around the field and re-grass its pitch to make it attain acceptable standard, while constructing a concrete road from the junction that leads to the camp.
“We will construct drainages at both sides of the road that leads to the camp and install solar-powered lights around the field for sports activities to hold at night.
“We will also install solar-powered light along the road that leads to the camp while erecting 25 poles of solar lights around the camp’s premises for improved visibility.
“We will erect a structure at the Very Important Persons (VIP) side of the field to shield dignitaries from sunlight during occasions and all construction works should be completed by the end of October,” he said.
The governor announced a donation of N10 million to the 2, 200 corps members for their transportation to the various areas of primary assignment and N2 million to those who participated in the passing-out parade.
“I want to personally train the civil, chemical and other forms of engineers among the corps members as they will be deployed to our project sites at the end of their training.
“I will cater for their feeding at the Government House during their training, while a monitoring team will be deployed to the three Senatorial Zones of the state to identify outstanding corps members for due reward.
“I will also like to see the medical and laboratory science corps members whom I will aggregate and address at the Government House on Tuesday morning,” he said.
Umahi warned the corps members not to be willing tools for politicians to manipulate during the 2019 general elections as they might fall victim of the peoples’ wrath during such manipulations.
“Nobody will be allowed to rig elections in the state, be it the Independent National Electoral Commiosn (INEC) or security agencies among others as the people are currently more aware and ready to defend their votes,” he said.
Mrs Ann Ibe, the NYSC State Coordinator, who welcomed the governor to the camp, said that the corps members exhibited a high sense of discipline and commitment among others during their stay.
“The corps members will actively engaged in camp activities such as drills, Man ‘O’ War and lectures among others while serving in various camp committees for publicity, protocols and health/clinics among others.
“We deeply appreciate the governor’s promise to give the camp a ‘divine mandate’ stamp and signature, being aware that he is a ‘talk and do’ governor,” she said.
Miss Juliet Odiaku, a corps member from Imo, thanked the governor for his gestures, noting that it would spur her to effectively contribute to the development of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s visit to the orientation camp was the first by an incumbent governor of the state in recent history. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)