Corps members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, should contribute meaningfully to the development of their host communities in order to justify the huge investment in them.
One of the directors of NYSC at the directorate headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Leke Abiodun, made the remark on Thursday when he addressed the 2019 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 11) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
He stressed that the corps members needed to be prepared to contribute selflessly to their host communities and the nation in general.
His words: “My dear corps members, the era of just going to places of primary assignment without adding value is gone for good. You need to deliver on the mandate placed on your shoulders.
“In achieving this, you need to jettison unprofitable movement or unwarranted and frivolous journeys which will rather drain your pockets and put you at receiving end in case of untoward occurrences.”
The director who is overseeing Ventures Management Department said NYSC was always very sad when they heard that corps members were involved in road traffic accident.
“Many of you are fond of junketing from one place to another just to go and visit friends, family or loved ones because you have resources to do so whereas the journey has no economic value to you.”
While he said they should be ready to contribute to their personal development, he admonished them to key into the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to launch themselves into the future entrepreneurs and captains of industries.
He advised the corps members to take their personal security as paramount.
“The situation in the country is challenging and I want to advise you to be conscious of your movement and the people you associate with during your service year. Do not compromise your personal security and avail yourself of the Security Tips booklet made available to you by the management.
“My prayer is that all of you will complete successfully your one year mandatory service and return to your parents and loved ones hale and hearty.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Ondo State, Mrs. Grace Akpabio informed the Abiodun that the corps members were very disciplined and obeyed the rules governing the conduct of orientation course.
Mrs. Akpabio hinted that the foundation laying ceremony of the extension of Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) Studio was performed by the representative of the Executive Governor during the swearing in ceremony for the 1,596 prospective corps members registered at the camp.
The state coordinator said that the orientation programme was on course as routine security were usually conducted on people and vehicles coming in and going out of the camp.
On camp activities, the coordinator said that corps members participated enthusiastically and actively in lectures, SAED programme, sports, drills, dance and drama, physical training, Man ‘O’ War activities, martial art, socials as well as environmental sanitation.
She happily informed the visitor that the camp was blessed with a galaxy of dedicated camp officials who religiously displayed the true spirit of being their brother’s keepers and ‘all hands are usually on deck to accomplish tasks whenever occasion demands’.
The director, during the inspection of camp facilities expressed satisfaction about the general cleanliness and the tone of discipline in the camp.
