By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has pledged the commitment of his administration to provision of adequate security and welfare for new members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state for the one-year mandatory national service.
Ododo made the promise on Wednesday at the official closing ceremony of the NYSC 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation course at the state NYSC Orientation Camp, Asaya in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Elder Oyibo Joel Salifu assured that his administration, in line with the immediate past government of former Governor Yahaya Bello, would continue to prioritize the security of life and property of the corps members.
He said that their welfare would equally be prioritized to make them comfortable as they serve their fatherland.
Ododo however admonished the 1,383 corps members deployed to the state to make judicious use of the training and deploy the knowledge they received during the orientation course to the service of the nation and Kogi state proficiently.
The governor also charged the youth corps members to deploy the acquired skills to generate income for themselves, as he urged those in the medical line to make indelible marks in the health sector especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Hon. Monday A. Anyebe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, and Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, urged the corps members to be positive role models to the pupils they would be teaching, be humble, courteous and selfless in their dealings.
“Above all, be good ambassadors of the scheme and your families.
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” he said.
Mrs Mofoluwaso Adebimpe Williams, Kogi Coordinator of the NYSC, earlier in her remarks, revealed that 1,383 Corps members comprising 712 males and 671 females were deployed to Kogi State for the one-year mandatory national service to their fatherland.
The Coordinator said that the corps members, within the three-week orientation programme, were taken through well-structured programmes.
The programmes, according to her, include para-military drills, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development, citizenship and leadership trainings, to enhance their productivity and performances during and after the service year.
Williams implored Corps employers, various MDAs, Institutions, public and private sector bodies and organizations to accept corps members posted to them and give them “good welfare packages.”
She charged the Corps members to adhere to rules saying, “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 furthermore advised to accept your postings in good faith as corps members who induce rejection will be punished in line with the NYSC bye-laws and the employers who collude with them will be blacklisted.
“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. (Ends)