The governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, has advised the graduate youths mobilised for national service in Ondo State to discard the stereotyping of people from the Southwest geopolitical zone and other ethnics.
Akeredolu offered the advice while declaring open the 2023 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) orientation course at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
“I want you to discard whatever myth or misconception you may have been fed with about the people of the Southwest or Ondo State in particular. I am privileged by my status to inform you that Yoruba people are peace loving, industrious, accommodating and above all, God-fearing. You will enjoy every bit of your stay with them.”
The governor said that the people of the Southwest geopolitical zone respect and honour individuals who are honest and straightforward.
“It is important to let you know that our people cherish respect a lot and they can go to any length to integrate you into the mainstream of their industrial and business activities and they equally love people who are honest and straightforward. The moment you deviate from this virtue, it would be difficult to enjoy their support any longer.”
The governor, who was represented by the Chairman, Ondo State NYSC Governing Board, Otunba Bamidele Ologun, said that their security and welfare would be adequately taken care of during the service year.
“Our government will continue to improve on developmental projects and infrastructures that will encourage those who observe their mandatory service year to stay and live in the state at the end of the service year.”
He said that their mobilisation at this period of celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the establishment of the NYSC scheme and the recently inauguration of the new political dispensation is divinely arranged and charged them to deliver on the set objectives designed by the founding fathers of the scheme.
Akeredolu appreciated the managers of the scheme as well as other notable stakeholders for sustaining the scheme in her mission to objectively and effectively deliver on its mandate.
In her introductory address, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, thanked God for His protection over all the prospective corps members and for granting them travelling mercies from all the parts of the country as well as several others who travelled down from around the world to serve their fatherland.
Ani informed the corps participants that the orientation course had been packaged to amongst other things, introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the NYSC scheme as well as prepare them for the challenges of the service year.
She further disclosed that while in camp, they would be introduced to series of extra-curricular camp activities that are exciting, rewarding and memorable.
These, according to her include but not limited to various lectures on topical issues, entrepreneurial training, parade drills, social and cultural activities and sports.
“Let me admonish you to participate actively in all these activities and comport yourselves as mature youths. Endeavour to cooperate with camp officials and obey all rules and regulations governing your stay in camp, and do not hesitate to approach any of my officers in case you need any assistance or clarification especially with regards to the verification/registration,” she said.
The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, administered the Oath of Allegiance on the 1600 prospective corps members who registered in the state for the service.
The Chief Judge who was represented by Justice Femi Silvester Akinbinu of the Akoko Judicial Division urged the prospective corps members to genuinely identify themselves with the problems and aspirations of the people of areas they are going to work.
The Special Guests of Honour and other distinguished invitees were treated to a tug of war contest by the representatives of the corps members that were selected by the Head of Citizenship and Leadership Training, otherwise known as Man ‘O’ War.
