By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan – Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appealed to council chairmen and traditional rulers to ensure the safety and security of corps members posted to their communities for their primary assignments.
Makinde made the appeal on Thursday at the swearing in ceremony of 2019 Batch C Stream 1 corps members deployed to Oyo state, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Iseyin.
The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, also assured the corps members that his administration would make efforts at sustaining law and order in the state for them to have a peaceful service year.
Makinde tasked the corps members to embrace the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training offered by the NYSC and use it to create jobs after the programme rather than be job seekers.
The governor, who acknowledged the alarming rate of unemployment in the country, advised the corps members to acquire vocational skills that they could be used in future to create wealth.
“To effectively achieve good results, I charge you to establish a healthy relationship among yourselves and live amicably with others under any given circumstance,” he said.
The Chairman, Oyo state NYSC Governing Board, Hon. Seun Fakorede, implored the corps members to allow discipline, service and humility, the motto of the scheme, to be their guiding principles through out the entire service year.
He assured them of having a memorable stay in the camp as adequate preparations had been put in place to ensure a hitch free orientation course.
“Even though we cannot offer you the luxury you enjoy in your homes, the little we have provided can guarantee a minimum comfort; make friends, share ideas with one another, that’s the essence of bringing you together.
“The course content embraces paramilitary drills, physical training, sports, social activities which are meant to prepare you mentally and physically for the arduous task of nation building,” he said.
Earlier, the state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Eniola Ambekemo, said as at 12 midnight on Wednesday, a total of 2171 corps members comprising 874 males and 1297 females had been registered in camp for the programme.
Ambekemo equally said that the NYSC management was adequately prepared for the corps members to enable them have a memorable experience.
She commended the state government for its exceptional love for the youth and support to the NYSC scheme, while requesting the government’s assistance to provide ultra-modern auditorium for the corps members.
“We also need additional hostel blocks and toilet facilities that can conveniently cater for the rising number of corps members deployed to the state.
”This will enhance the smooth running of the camp,” she said.
