From Abel Daniel, Lafia
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed appreciation ho the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its continued support towards the safe conduct of orientation course for new corps members across the country.
Fadah expressed the gratitude at the swearing in ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members posted to the state at the Magaji Dan-Yamusa NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.
“Indeed, the sustained provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and other commodities by the NCDC for usage in all Orientation Camps is a clear indication of the Agency’s interest in the success of the Scheme,” he said.
Fadah represented by Mr. Abdullahi Jikamshi, Coordinator of the scheme in the state also thanked the state ministries of Health as well as Federal and State tertiary health institutions for their support in the areas of Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and general health services provided in the camps.
He assured that NYSC will continue to take every step available with regards to the safety and wellbeing of corps members in state’s they are posted to for the orientation course and one year service.
Fadah however advised corps members to play their part in ensuring a safe orientation course by adhering strictly to the established safety measures such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks and the use of hand washing facilities provided at strategic locations in the orientation camp.
“You are to equally avail yourselves of the COVID-19 vaccination that will be administered on camp if you have not done so,” he said.
The NYSC DG also warned the newly sworn in corps members against engaging in cult activities and other vices.
“You must continue to distance yourselves from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices. I also urge you to avoid using the social media to spread fake news,“he said.
Fadah also urged the corps members to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the NYSC Act and the NYSC Bye-Laws and also admonished them to sustain high level of discipline and enthusiasm especially by remaining compliant with the Camp rules and regulations
He advised them to take full advantage of the Skills And Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training they would get during the three weeks orientation in order to become self reliant after service.
“I will like to remind you that white-collar jobs are not readily available. Therefore, I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self-employment offered through the SAED Programme.
“You are expected to choose from any of the skill areas, and make yourselves available for the training, which starts from the orientation camp. On our part, Management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme,” he said.
He appealed for the support of all stakeholders in the call for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund which according to him has reached an advanced stage of legislation.
“This will enhance the smooth operations of the scheme, especially by addressing the challenges of infrastructure and providing start-up capital for corps members,” he said.
In an interview with newsmen, Jikamshi confirmed that a total of 976 corps members comprising 745 males and 231 females were deployed for the service in the state and have been registered in camp to participate in the three weeks orientation course.