Youth Minister urges corps members to sustain spirit of patriotism
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, has urged corps members to sustain the spirit of patriotism throughout their service year and even beyond.
Dare made the plea at the terminal parade of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), marking the end of a three week Orientation Course for Batch ‘A’ Stream One corps members at its Permanent Orientation Camp in Iseyin.
He enjoined them to ensure that they impact and leave an imprint of service and lasting legacies in the various communities where they would be posted to for their primary assignments.
The Minister encouraged them to acquire entrepreneurial and extra digital skills in order to be able to survive the current digital economy.
He said that the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure that beyond increasing their monthly allowance, not long ago, other allowances such as bicycle and transport were equally increased.
Dare promised to do all within his capacity to ensure that there was an improvement in the kits of corps members.
In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, urged the corps members mobilised to the state to be good ambassadors by shunning all acts that could portray the scheme in bad light.
Ahmed enjoined them to always propagate the message of unity, which according to him, is the pillar of the scheme.
The Director-General, represented by Mr Odoba Abel, the Oyo State Coordinator, expressed satisfaction over the conduct and behaviour of the corps members throughout the orientation course.
He hoped that they would strive to meet the expectations of Nigerians by contributing immensely to the development of the nation.
Ahmed commended the corps members for their active participation in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, encouraging them to build on what they have learnt.
“I have received impressive reports on your participation in the entrepreneurial trainings conducted in the camp under the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“I encourage you to build on the skills acquired by availing yourselves of opportunities for post-camp training as this will go a long way in empowering you for self-reliance,” he said.
Ahmed urged corps members to be security conscious at all times as they proceed to their respective places of primary assignment.
He enjoined them to avoid any act that could endanger their lives such as late night movement, visit to dangerous places and unauthorised journey.
The Director-General, also assured them of his continuous engagement with the security agencies so as to provide adequate security for corps members, saying that their security was his utmost priority.
On expected roles of corps members in the conduct of 2023 elections, he said both local and international communities have hinged their hope of a fair and credible election on the corps members based on the excellent performance of their predecessors in the scheme.
He warned them to handle election duties with a high sense of responsibility and adhere strictly to the rules guiding the conduct of the elections.
Ahmed further urged them to be neutral umpires in the huge national assignment, assuring them that INEC and all security agencies were committed to ensuring their welfare and safety before, during and after the elections.
