Give your best in the service to Nigeria, Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has urged newly sworn in members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in the state.
Akeredolu made the call during the swearing in ceremony for the 2019 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
The governor said ordinarily the members of the service corps would have preferred some other states for reasons best known to them but providence had brought them to the state.
He said while in the state, therefore, they should put in their best towards its development.
“It behoves on you to justify your deployment and do your utmost best to enhance the development of the state through your solicited sacrifice individually and collectively in the next 12 calendar months,” he said.
He advised them to discard whatever myths or misconception they might have been fed with about the people of South-West or Ondo State in particular.
“I am privileged by my status to inform you that my people, the Yorubas are peace-loving, industrious, accommodating and above all God-fearing. You will enjoy every bit of your stay with them.
“It is equally 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. It is imperative for me to add that our people in this clime love individuals who are honest and straightforward and the moment you deviate from this virtues, it would be difficult to enjoy their support again,” he said.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, said that Ondo State government would do everything within the ambit of the law to protect the corps members, majority of who are visiting the state for the first time.
“As a responsible Government, I want to say without mincing words that your welfare and security would be adequately taken care of during your service year. Our government will continue to improve on developmental projects and infrastructure that will encourage those who observe their mandatory service to want to stay and live in the state at the end of their service year.”
He asserted that the coming of the corps members was divinely arranged as the country had just began another phase in her democratisation and “you have what it takes to get it to the topmost place in the comity of nations.”
In her introductory remarks, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, enjoined the 2024 new members of the NYSC family to participate actively in all the programmes and activities of the orientation course and comport themselves as mature youths.
Mrs. Akpabio who has changed the face of the Permanent Orientation Camp with her developmental projects which is visible in all areas charged the corps members to cooperate with camp officials and obey all rules and regulations governing their stay in camp.
The State Coordinator declared that the orientation course was packaged among other things to introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the NYSC scheme; prepare them for the challenges of service year and post service life as well as acquaint them with their socio-cultural environment as corps members.
The NYSC boss appreciated the governor for his unwavering support to the scheme always.
She used the occasion “to encourage the local governments, corporate citizens and well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists as well as other stakeholders to make their presence felt in the camp by having a project that will be named after them.”
The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju Akeredolu, administered the Oath of Allegiance on the 2024 prospective corps members made up of 1036 males and 988 females.
The Chief Judge who was represented by the Justice Idowu Kolawole charged the newly sworn-in corps members to be prepared to serve honestly, faithfully and tackle difficulties and challenges in a disciplined and self-reliant manner.
The Chief Judge admonished them to constitutionally pursue grievances, properly channelling such for redress and see themselves as leaders who must give effective leadership through transparency, honesty and selfless service.
