By correspondent.
….. tasks them to be good ambassadors
Kogi State goveror, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,says the is proised to provide adequate security and welfare to corps members deployed to the state to serve their one-year mandatory national service.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance on Wednesday during the official closing ceremony of NYSC 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation course held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp Asaya in Kabba Local government area of the State.
Represented by his deputy, Elder Oyibo Joel Salifu, the Governor further assured that the state government,just like before,would continue to prioritize the security of life and property of the corps members as well as their welfare to make them comfortable while they serve their fatherland.
He,therefore, admonished the corps members deployed to the state to make judicious use of the training they received during the orientation course to serve the nation and Kogi state proficiently.
The governor, who also advised the youth corps members to start using the skills they acquired in the course of their training to generate income for themselves, urged those in the medical line,among them,to make indelible mark in the health sector, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
He said: “As you all are being deployed to your places of primary assignment, I implore all of you to remain good ambassadors of the scheme and be responsible role models to other youths. You must avoid all forms of social vices and live an exemplary life for our overall development. As future leaders of our country, you should strive hard for the realization of sustainable development.
“Kindly note that, the knowledge and experience that you all will gain during this your service year should be useful to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.
” I encourage you to be innovative and determined to discover the vast opportunities that will be coming your way in this service year for the development of Nigeria as a nation”.
Earlier in her remarks, the Kogi State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Mofoluwaso Adebimpe, warned corps members not to abscond from their place of primary assignment during their service year.
She revealed that 1,383 Corps members were deployed to Kogi State for their one-year mandatory national service, noting that 712 were male and 671 females.
While assuring that the trainings have equipped them for the onerous task ahead of them at their places of primary assignment, the State Coordinator also warned them against playing truancy and acts capable of denting the image of the scheme and their families.
She said: “My dear Corps members, you have just completed the first phase of the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC scheme. You are now on your way to the very important second phase which is the Primary Assignment.
“At the end of this ceremony, your posting letters will be issued to you. You are therefore advised to proceed,straight, to your Places of Primary Assignment and settle down for business immediately. I want to urge you not to induce rejection of your posting as it is a grave offence to do so.
“You must obey the rules and regulations of the NYSC because erring corps members will be punished as spelt out in the NYSC Bye-laws. You are advised not to travel without discretion especially during this period of general insecurity in the nation.
“If you have genuine reason to travel, you must obtain permission through the proper channel. My beloved compatriots, it is imperative at this juncture to warn you to avoid the wrong use of social media and the broadcast of fake news and hate speech.
“Doing these is at cross purposes with the Federal Government’s efforts at stemming social media related crisis in our nation” she warned.
” I urge you to be positive role models to the pupils you will be teaching. Be humble, cautious,
and selfless in dealing with your employers, Colleagues and the entirety of the people you may come across during the course of your service to fatherland.
“As you move into your various host communities, I urge you to be security conscious and maintain vigilance at all times. Avoid acts and places that can endanger your lives, avoid keeping late nights outside your houses, do not embark on unauthorized journeys out of your Places of Primary Assignment and please avoid friends with questionable characters. Above all be good ambassadors of the scheme and your families.
” In keeping with the objectives of the scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities, appreciate and respect their cultural values. Let me sound this note of warning again, avoid the use of social media for propagation of fake news, hatred, rumours and other negative vices. I encourage you to use the social media to promote unity and peace even in our diversity”.
NYSC was created on the 22 of May 1973 during the general Yakubu Gowon regime, as an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war, according to Google.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
