Ondo State Government will continue to create conducive atmosphere and enabling environment for the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, scheme in order to achieve success in the state.
The Head of Service in the state, Barrister Toyin Akinkuotu, gave the assurance while laying the foundation stone of the ultra modern clinic at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Akinkuotu said that the state government was committed to providing basic amenities and infrastructure to the people and residents of the state.
According to him, that was because “the initiative by the NYSC to have a modern clinic has already received the blessings of the State Executive Council.”
“The enabling Act establishing the NYSC has given legal backing to the Scheme to mobilise and organise orientation course for corps members under acceptable living conditions and with the outstanding milestone we are witnessing today, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the project is completed within record time.
“Distinguished guests, it is an incontrovertible fact that our Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, will not start what will later become an abandoned project. Statistics has shown that this government is responsible and responsive to the yearnings of the people and will do whatever is within the legal framework to give a helping hand and support a worthy cause such as this.”
Akinkuotu promised to mobilise support for the project by ensuring that topmost career officers and some members of the political class would be encouraged to give “their widow’s mite to make the orientation camp a home away from home for the members of the service corps.”
Akinkuotu thanked the state coordinator for bringing him back “home” to Ikare after about thirty nine years when he left the ancient town to pursue higher education.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Pastor Gbenga Adelayi, commended the initiative of the corps members for making the NYSC a beneficiary this time around.
Pastor Adelayi who was formerly the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports said, “now the chicken has come home to roost. All the projects executed by corps members have been directly and indirectly to the benefit of all the communities across the state but now the focus has shifted to them because charity they say, begins at home.”
In her welcome address, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, said that the idea to have a befitting and world class clinic was conceived by a serving corps doctor, Oluwagbemga Ijirotimi, and the dream received instant support of the Medical and Health Community Development Service group of Akoko North East Local Government.
Mrs. Akpabio said that it was indeed a special honour to be part of the construction of the ultra modern Camp Clinic and implored political office holders, philanthropists, business moguls, community leaders, various professionals and religious bodies to support the project with cash donations and materials to ensure that it is completed for use within the next one year.
“It is pertinent to point out at this juncture that the project, when fully completed will bring glory to Ondo State as Nigerian youths posted to the Sunshine State will go back to their various states with the good story of having been in a camp with the best Clinic in Nigeria.
“On this note, like Nehemiah, I am making a passionate appeal to all and sundry, let us arise and build this edifice that will transform the landscape of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.”
The elated state coordinator said that when the idea was brought to her attention, she started mobilising support for the project “since it is a very good and viable one that will make corps members speak well of Ondo State when they complete their service.”
Commending the efforts of the corps members for their ingenuity towards ensuring that resources are harnessed for the project, the amiable Coordinator prayed that the good Lord will reward their huge and unquantifiable contributions, and assured them of a reward in line with the NYSC policy at the end of their service year.
The NYSC boss eulogised the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for donating a brand new pick up to serve as operation vehicle to the secretariat recently.
Akpabio thanked every individual and corporate entity who gave financial assistance and material support to the project.
She specifically appreciated the Association of Permanent Secretaries in Ondo State; the Olukare of Ikareland, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh; the Owa-Ale of Ikareland, Oba Samuel Kolapo Adedoyin; the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun; the Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University; the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre and others.
She further disclosed that Globacom had been a dependable partner in progress in sponsoring social activities on camp since her assumption of duty.
The project initiator, corps doctor, Oluwagbemga Ijirotimi, explained that the inspiration for the project came when he was in the orientation camp as “white fowl” and at the same time working in the present camp clinic which he described as lacking in space and infrastructure to give adequate services to corps members and the camp community.
Ijirotimi noted that they were faced with financial challenges when the idea was mooted but “we met with our mummy, the State Coordinator who shared our vision and encouraged us to set the project in motion.”
“We have also met with some of our fathers and mothers in the society who are friends to the scheme and the response received so far is encouraging with some making cash donation while others gave blocks and bags of cement to make sure our dreams are achieved,” he added.
The event was witnessed by distinguished personalities who promised to give needed support to complete the project within one year.
