The governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has charged graduate youths mobilised for national service to be selfless in their service to the nation.
Akeredolu made the call in his address during the swearing in ceremony for the 2023 Batch ‘C’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
“Many of your colleagues who toiled day and night alongside you were not as lucky as you are and this testifies to the special grace bestowed upon you by our Creator and you should try as much as possible to give your very best to the entity called Nigeria through your anticipated selfless service in Ondo State,” he said.
Akeredolu who spoke at at the NYSC camp, Ikare-Akoko congratulated them for the successful completion of their various course of study which qualified them to be enlisted into the scheme.
He urged them to justify their deployment while expecting them to do their utmost best at enhancing the development of the state through their solicited sacrifice individually and collectively in the next 12 calendar months.
“It is pertinent to let you know that our people in this clime love visitors who are honest and straightforward. The moment you deviate from this virtue, it would be difficult to enjoy their support any longer. Yorubas cherish respect a lot and they can go to any length to integrate you into the mainstream of their industrial and business activities if you are willing and ready to honour them in all ramifications,” he said.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Otunba Bamidele Ologun, asserted that corps members’ welfare and security would be adequately taken care of during the service year.
He promised that his administration would continue to improve on developmental projects and infrastructures that would encourage those who observe their mandatory service to stay and live in the state at the end of the service year.
In her introductory speech, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani disclosed that the 1754 prospective corps members made up of 918 males and 836 females had shown remarkable interest in all camp activities and related well with camp officials and the entire camp community.
Ani announced that the orientation course had been packaged to, among other things, introduce them to the objectives and programmes of NYSC scheme as well as prepare them for the challenges of service and post-service year.
The NYSC boss admonished them to participate actively in all programmes and activities as mature youths.
She appealed to philanthropists and good spirited, well-meaning Nigerians to assist with more structures in the camp as the present ones had become grossly inadequate for the ever-growing corps population.
“I am appealing to critical stakeholders who are too numerous to mention to make their presence felt in the camp by having a project which we promise to name after such entity. For the purpose of records, the camp needs more hostel accommodation for both corps members and camp officials as well as befitting lecture hall for our indoor activities.”
The Oath of Allegiance was administered on the prospective corps members by the representative of the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Femi Silvester Akinbinu who charged them to detest and shun bribery and all forms of corruption and nepotism.
