By Simeon Bankole
The State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps in Ondo State, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has charged corps members to undertake personal and group Community Development Service (CDS) projects that will help to uplift the living standard of people in the society.
The State Coordinator made the charge in her address during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) orientation course.
“It is my ardent hope that you will strive to meet the expectations of Nigerians by contributing towards the progress and development of our dear country. I urge you to sustain the spirit of patriotism, hard work and resilience which you imbibed during the orientation course”.
Mrs. Ani who said that she was impressed with the corps members impressive participation in the entrepreneurial trainings conducted under the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme encouraged them to build on the skills acquired by availing themselves of opportunities for post-camp training as it will assist in empowering them for self-reliance.
“On our part, we are continuously liaising with financial institutions and other stakeholders with a view to providing start-up loans to enable you actualise your business dreams. I wish to assure you that management will continue to explore avenues for optimising the impact of the programme”.
The NYSC Ondo State boss enjoined the corps members to be security conscious at all times, reiterating that security is everyone’s business.
“You should avoid acts that can endanger your lives such as staying out late, attending night parties, visitation to dangerous places, and acceptance of car lifts and gifts from strangers. Management remains committed to making adequate provisions for your welfare and security. Accordingly, we are in constant liaison with security agencies and other critical stakeholders with a view to ensuring your safety as well as addressing other essential needs for a fulfilling service year”.
She warned them not to engage in acts that can portray the Scheme in bad light especially drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and Advanced Fee Fraud, otherwise known as 419 and spreading of fake news among others.
“I urge you to avoid using the social media for ethnic jingoism, rumour peddling and the promotion of hatred. Instead, your activities online should be targeted at self-improvement as well as promotion of the unity, peace and development of our dear country. Avoid being speculative on issues affecting the NYSC and, instead, visit our website, social media platforms and other official channels for clarification”.
The State Coordinator lamented the recalcitrant attitude of some corps members towards night journeys and warned that the management will not fold its arms and allow obstinate members of the service corps drag the good name of the enviable Scheme into the muds.
“I would like to reiterate our warning against unauthorised journeys and night trips. Travelling at night will not only increase the risk of accident, but also make rescue difficult. You are, therefore advised to always cut short your trips from six o’ clock in the evening and pass the night at NYSC Lodges nationwide, military barracks and other locations officially designated as safe and always board vehicles only at approved motor parks so as to avoid falling into the hands of criminals”.
Mrs. Ani reminded members of the service corps of the Oath of Allegiance they took in which they pledged to accept postings in good faith and enjoined them to perform their duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws as well as workplace rules and regulations.
The whole camp community was erupted in wild jubilation as the Publicity and Protocols Committee was awarded Certificate of Excellence for being forward-thinking, exceptionally innovative, creative and contributing to the success of the 2023 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) orientation course.
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