Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has encouraged governments and the organised private sector to invest more in corps members to achieve capacity building for the country.
Akeredolu made the charge in Akure when she hosted the state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs Grace Akpabio.
The First Lady who expressed belief in the scheme as an indispensable tool to turn the fortunes of Nigeria around asserted that Nigeria was blessed with young and talented goal-getters.
Mrs. Akeredolu who runs Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu Foundation, BAAF, disclosed that her journey to Phillipines on Federal Government’s scholarship for her graduate studies had a great influence on her.
She said that her stay with aborigines totally changed her perception about life and that made her believe that investment in youths was what Nigeria needed to achieve paradigm shift and greatness.
Akeredolu said that she felt fulfilled to be part of the success story of corps members in the state.
“I am extremely happy to associate with the remarkable initiative of corps members to leave a lasting impression within their host communities whenever I get a clarion call to do so. In my own little and modest way, I ensure that the corps members are fulfilled.”
She asserted that youths had a role to play in building this country if given the enabling environment.
She spoke on her special interest and support for the NYSC: “NYSC has been part of me because I am a beneficiary of the good intentions of the founding fathers to unite the country after the civil war.
“I met my darling husband, Mr. Governor during his service year in Enugu State. Although, the marital journey was consummated after the service year but this lasting relationship was given birth to during NYSC one year mandatory programme and it is only natural to fall in love with whatever gives one peace of mind and joy.”
She said that working with youths had always given her satisfaction because “they have the strength, zeal and inner conviction to achieve the desired results.”
Akeredolu who is the founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, said she engaged corps members to create awareness and sensitise women who are battling with breast cancer not to die in silence.
