An erstwhile Director of Procurement at the headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Chief Gabriel Ojo Alonge has said that the hallmark of great leaders is found in few spoken words.
According to him, to give effect to this outstanding and distinguishing characteristic, those aspiring to attain leadership positions in all spheres of life must learn to bridle their tongues.
Alonge made assertion on Tuesday during the motivational lecture he delivered to 2021 Batch ‘B’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
The 1997 NYSC Staff Merit Award winner in the inspectorate cadre said that the corps members who people are looking up to as a mirror should not be seen making inflammatory, uncouth or unguarded statement about happenings in the society.
“The mission statement of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is to promote unity and integration among the various constituents that make up the country and it would be totally embarrassing, if you as corps members, rather than speak words that will promote our oneness, are making unfounded statement that can further divide us.
“NYSC was established after the civil war to correct some of the ills of the society such as misconceptions, mistrust, ethnic loyalty, distraught, religious animosity and the rest and you can only justify confidence reposed in you by working towards deepening the much sought after integration.”
Alonge who served as state coordinator between 2003 and 2006 in Abia and Plateau states respectively wanted the corps members to have positive disposition towards all human endeavours and leave a remarkable legacy at their host communities.
“My dear children in the national service, your life should be tailored towards positivity in all human ramifications, and by so doing, you will achieve all your heart desires effortlessly while people will rely on you to solve their challenges and trust your judgement,” he said.
He called on the members of the service corps to be determined and embrace discipline as their watchword.
Alonge appealed to the graduate youths to eschew dubious ways of getting to the top but should persevere and be honest so that their journey to the top would be remarkable.
The state coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, while welcoming the senior citizen to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, admonishing the corps members to avail themselves of the knowledge that the motivational guest would give.
She thanked him for always willing to share his personal life experience with younger generations.
