The Director of Corps Welfare and Health Services, National Youth Service Corps, Mr. Benjamin Folorunso Ayo-Omotade, has declared that corps members serving nationwide are truly nation builders.
He made the declaration on Thursday during his visit to Osun State where, incidentally, he started his career.
According to the scheme’s foremost corps welfare officer, corps members, through their training and mentorship, have proven that NYSC is not a misplaced priority but a treasure that will take the country to her deserved place among the comity of nations.
Ayo-Omotade who spoke at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, while fielding questions from members of the Orientation Broadcasting Service, OBS, recalled with nostalgic feelings his humble beginning as a pioneer member of staff over 34 years ago in the state.
He advised corps members to imbibe the attributes of hard work, discipline and commitment, as that would take them far in life.
“Without being immodest, I am privileged to be a member of the team that commenced the groundbreaking of the NYSC structure in Osun State. We had nothing then, but commitment to make an impact and through our selfless combined efforts, you are now partakers of the programme that has united graduate youths across divides.
“No sacrifice can be greater or more meaningful than seeing the impact we have made on the successive corps members over the years, which has transformed you into a force to reckon with and numero uno when it comes to breaking barriers,” he said.
The pioneer farm manager when the scheme was established in Osun State and who later served as Personal Assistant to three State Coordinators – Chief (Mrs.) Foluso Asake Lasaki, late Pastor Isaac Olubayo Alamu and Mr. Fidelis Obijiofor Osakwe – admonished the corps members to serve the nation conscientiously and with all sense of responsibility.
He said the discipline and reward system were in place and would be applied appropriately.
He charged them to study the environment and come up with a blueprint that would make them contribute meaningfully to the development of the state, rather than gallivanting up and down seeking non-existent fortune.
“Right from the orientation camp and throughout the service year, NYSC has designed programmes that will build your capacity and expand your horizons. This is the reason for the assemblage of great minds to come together and address the challenges bedevilling us as a nation. You all have the capacity, deploy it to make Nigeria great again. Those who came before you laid a solid foundation, and the onus lies on you to build on it. Ensure that you do not destroy the foundation.”
The cerebral administrator, who is extremely passionate about health and well-being of corps members visited the Camp Clinic, where he interacted with Corps Members and had an interface with the consultants and medical team from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTH.
The one time Director, NYSC South South and also North East Area Offices, later proceeded to the kitchen where he appreciated everyone, including corps members on duty, for preparing the meals under the most hygienic condition.
Ayo-Omotade, who holds the record as the first NYSC top management staff to combine State Coordinatorship with the Director of SSAO 1, lauded the NYSC Osun State Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, for the giant strides he had achieved in less than a month of assumption of duty in the state.
In a related development, Ayo-Omotade, in company of the state coordinator visited the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, who doubles as Chairman, NYSC Osun State Governing Board, Hon. Moshood Olagunju, where he appealed to the government through his office to improve on the facilities and infrastructures at the camp.
He acknowledged the fact that Osun State government had enormous responsibility but pleaded that NYSC should remain in the front burner of government’s people oriented policies and programmes at all times.
In what has become his trademark of honour and unparalleled distinction, Ayo-Omotade who decked the NYSC uniform, reminiscent of his service year in Ogun State 36 years ago, rewarded some corps members, notably the Quarter Guard and OBS crew as well as security personnel manning the main gate of the camp.
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