Lagos- The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Monday charged employers to provide enabling atmosphere and welfare facilities for corps members that would be posted to their organisations.
Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of 3,603 members of the 2014 NYSC Batch ‘C’ set at its orientation camp in Iyana-Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos.
Adeyemi said that it was imperative that employers create adequate room for corps members to strive to excel during their one-year national service with their organisations.
She also advised prospective employers seeking the services of corps members to send in their requests to the state coordinator during the orientation period.
“Corps members are key stakeholders in our economy and our shared future; they are our next generation of business and civic leaders.
We must empower them to lead.
“A total of 3,603 corps members comprising 2,115 female and 1,488 male are ready to undertake the onerous task of service to the nation.
“Out of this number, 999 corps members are in Oyo State for their orientation due to space constraints in Lagos camp,’’ she said.
Adeyemi said that the orientation courses were packaged to equip them physically and mentally for the demands and challenges of the service year and beyond.
“Let me remind you that your call to join the vanguard of youths in the service of the fatherland is a noble one.
“Therefore, avail yourselves of the opportunities provided by this orientation and be the best you can in line with the excellent nature of the state.
“People of excellence go the extra mile to do what is right; remember the race for excellence has no finishing line,“ she said.
According to her, the three-week programme is characterised by military drills, lectures on topical issues, physical fitness exercises, martial arts, national consciousness, disease control, advocacy training, sports and games, skill acquisition and social activities.
“in the course of the orientation, you are expected to reflect on the formative objectives of the scheme and resolve to contribute towards its achievement.
“Your participation in all activities during the course is germane to sharpen and mould you for the purpose of quality service delivery,’’ she said.
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in a message, urged the corps members to be law-abiding citizens and partner the state government in creating the Lagos of their dream.
Fashola, represented by Dr Wale Ahmed, the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, urged them to cultivate a healthy relationship with one another during their stay on the camp.
“Fellow compatriots in national service, the service year comes with great expectation from your host communities; as immediate beneficiaries of your services, much will be expected of you by them.
“Let me inform you that the task of nation building is a collective effort which, therefore, means you should be ready to face the numerous challenges that come with it.
“Let me reiterate that this camp is a mini-Nigeria and the path you want the nation to follow will be mirrored under this platform,“ he said.
Fashola urged the corps members to take very seriously the numerous lectures and programmes that the NYSC would organise for them.
He said that the state was looking up to them for physical transformation and technological ideas that would add to socio-economic development.
Fashola said that the corps members were also expected to make impact in the areas of education, poverty eradication, rural health and combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He urged them to make use of the state toll free emergency lines whenever they were in distress.
“This administration takes the security of corps members seriously and in case of any security challenge, call either 767 or 112 emergency toll-free help lines and be sure someone will attend to your need,’’ he said.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilola, represented by Chief Magistrate Eniola Fabanwo, administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members. (NAN)
