By Abel Johngold Orheruata
ISELE-UKU/Nigeria: Delta State Government has given the assurance that the State will continue its tradition of acknowledging and rewarding outstanding performance of corps members in all the facets of services in the State,
The State Deputy Governor, Barr Kingsley Otuaro made the assurance on Thursday, January 18, 2018, when he represented the, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the official swearing in ceremony of the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State.
Addressing the corps members, Barr. Otuaro told them to see the call to service that they have responded to today, as a call to dedication to our fatherland. Adding that it is important that they are receptive to instructions in the various trainings they will be subjected to.
He stressed that the orientation exercise is designed to instill in them, requisite leadership qualities such as perseverance, endurance, discipline of the mind purpose, including the ability to live peacefully with others from different sociocultural backgrounds. He added that youths are the leaders of tomorrow. That this therefore, confers on them, the mandate to articulate ideas and develop positive mind sets towards marking Nigeria a great nation, despite all odds.
“As we officially mark the beginning of your service year today, you have the privilege and unique opportunity to serve our fatherland and leave indelible contributions by embarking on those felt need projects in your host communities. Those who will require and appreciate your service are the needy majority in the rural communities. So, avoid undue lobbying for posting to urban areas as they are already congested”. Barr. Otuaro stated.
He noted that the State is safe and hospitable, and so the State Government expect that corps members reciprocate by appreciating the rich culture and people of the State.
The Deputy Governor advised the newly sworn-in corps members to be security conscious at all times, that on its parts, the State Government will do all within its power to ensure that corps members enjoy their stay during the service year.
Barr. Otuaro appealed to the corps members to contribute meaningfully to achieve the scheme’s objective by using the platform of various NYSC Community Development Services at the grassroots to carry out public enlightenment and mobilization for change of behaviour, thinking, orientation and outlook.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Sulaiman Kazaure charged Corp Members to be good ambassadors of the country in their places of primary assignments.
He said the decision to merge Corp Members for Delta and Edo in the orientation course was due to the fact that the number was few and gave assurance that the scheme has been reformed to impact positively on the members physically and cultural belief of Corp Members.
In his remarks, the State Secretary to State Government and Chairman, NYSC Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas charged the corps members to commit themselves fully to the demanding physical and psychological training which they will experience during the 3 weeks orientation course.
The SSG, who was represented by the acting permanent secretary, Office of the SSG, Mr Godwin Idama, urged them to be good ambassadors of their families.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, NYSC Delta State, Mr. Benjamin Omotade informed that, the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course is unique in every sense. Noting that the NYSC Delta State playing host to the Director-General and some members of NYSC top Management at this occasion of swearing-in of corp members. Besides that, Delta State was having the exceptional privilege of hosting Corp Members deployed to Edo State, for their induction and orientation training.
He also informed that the orientation course took off on a peaceful and promising note on Tuesday, 16th January, 2018 with the registration of prospective Corp Members. Adding that, at the end of the registration at midnight of Wednesday, 17th January, 2018, a total of one thousand, five hundred and eighty nine (1,589) Corp Members comprising seven hundred and seventy six (776) males and eight hundred and thirteen (813) females were duly registered for Delta State. For Edo State, eight hundred and sixty eight (868) Corp Members comprising four hundred and eighty one (481) males and three hundred and eighty seven (387) females were registered and fully prepared to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Mr Omotade Benjamin appreciated the State Government and the good people of Delta State for their immeasurable support and assistance to NYSC in the State.
