NAN-H-61
NYSC
By Temitope Salami
Sagamu (Ogun), Feb. 13, 2017 (NAN) The Governor of Ogun, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, has urged youth corps members not to forget the ideals behind the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Amosun gave the advice when declaring closed the orientation for the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sagamu on Monday.
Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also tasked corps members to be worthy ambassadorsof the country by projecting its image positively in their primary places of assignment.
He commended members of the three-week Batch for their perseverance throughout the period of ”tedious and strenuous training” while exercise lasted.
Amosun, while reminding the corps members of the aims and objectives of the NYSC scheme, also pleaded with them to foster and promote the concept of unity in diversity wherever they were posted.
“I encourage you to put in more dedication and selflessness into serving your fatherland; as stated in a line of the NYSC anthem.
“Just as many of your predecessors had proved worthy of praise in their various places of assignment in time past, you have a noble heritage to uphold.
“Be rest assured that the people of Ogun are very hospitable and caring.
“I dentify with the people of your host community, soar their hopes and aspirations and your entire service year will surely be worthwhile and memorable,” the governor said.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) onn the side line of the event,Afuape also urged graduates to concentrate on exploiting their potential and putting their talents to use.
He said the reality of global unemployment meant that not every graduate would have access to white-collar jobs, hence the need for them to be innovative.
“Education should be functional, people should go to school to be able to function independently and create wealth for self actualisation and others.
“They must make good use of the NYSC scheme to develop specialised vocational skills to supplement the few available white-collar jobs.
“They must ensure to keep busy, always, for their benefit,” Afuape said.
The commissioner, who said that opportunities for enterprise and access to loans were limited, also urged the youth to be innovative and set targets for self actualisation in life.
“Ogun is ready to provide funding for those enterprising enough and qualified for such funding.
“We know that it is not enough to learn a skill without an avenue to discharge the knowledge, so we will support as much as we can where funds are available.”
The commissioner also appealed to the Federal Government to reinstate the National Sports Festival scrapped in 2012 to ensure production of excellent athletes and aid in the development of sports.
“Without contests and competitions, our athletes looking to take up sports as sources of livelihood will not be encouraged.
“Competitions breed excellence and without high grade competitions like the sports festival, all efforts to develop sports will be on the decline.
“We also call on corporate organisations to partner with government and help fund sports development to enviable standards.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Ejiaka Mbachi, the Ogun NYSC State Coordinator, said the scheme would continue to complement the efforts of the state government in education and healthcare delivery.
“We will continue to deploy corps members to all identified areas of need, especially the rural communities where we shall implement advocacy programmes of interest,” Mbachi said.
NAN reports that 2,532 corps members completed the orientation course and have been posted to their various places of primary assignment. (NAN)
TDS/ORO/DUA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Dada Ahmed