By Ovat Abeng
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State, has said that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), established in 1973 to promote unity and development remains the only national scheme still keeping Nigeria together.
The governor disclosed this while commending the Scheme for it continues effort in promoting peace, unity and development across tribes, ethics and religions that constitute Nigeria, during the official closing ceremony of the three weeks Orientation Course for the 2023 Batch C Stream 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mgbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday.
He noted that the scheme despite the insecurity, economic and Socio-Political challenges facing the country at the moment, still maintain it mission and vision of strengthen national unity.
Soludo who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, urged the trained Corps Members registered for the service year in Anambra State to sustain the spirit of resilience, patriotism and hard work exhibited during the course of the orientation.
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He said “There is no doubt in my mind that with the exposure in the past three weeks in camp, you have been sufficiently prepared to move into the 179 communities of the state with vigour and great determination.
“Distinguished Corps Members, the management of the NYSC need to be commended because the scheme has not only been performing in line with its mandate but more interestingly penetrating the rural communities and gingering the youths to acquire a skill or two for their self reliance and to become employers of labour.
“I am particularly thrilled that the scheme is emphasizing the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) through its in-camp and post-camp training of corps members.
“To demonstrate the passion and keen interest of my administration to SAED, I hereby direct the Hon Commissioner for Youth and Creative Economy to evaluate the post camp training centres of NYSC with a view to ascertaining their training needs for possible provision of inputs and technical support. Equally, I enjoin all corps employers humanitarian organization, philanthropists etc. to rally round my administration to support the SAED centres.
“The SAED programme of the NYSC is similar to the One Youth, Two Skills programme launched by my administration on October 27th, 2022 with an appropriation of about two (2) billion naira to equip 10,000 youth of the state.
“On September 6th, 2023, my Solution Government joyfully extended the One Youth, Two Skills programme to Corps Members in the state because “no matter our diverse backgrounds, we are all Nigerians bound together by common destiny.” About 100 Corps Members will benefit from this. The experimentation with Corps members will be monitored and as the programme gains deep acceptance among Corps members there is every likelihood of it having multiplier effects.
The governor urged the Corps Members to give their best to their host communities by discharging their duties effectively, carrying out both group and personal CDS projects, respecting the cultures and traditions of their host communities.
On her welcome address, the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, assure the State Governor that the management of the scheme and Corps Members will continue to make the state proud and ensure the state remains the light of the nation.
“To the Corps Employers, the Coordinator said, endeavour to treat Corps Members posted to you as you treat your permanent staff. Provide their welfare needs as well as security. Remember that when the workplace is conducive, the productivity of the Corps Members would be superlative.
“Corps employers should be aware that I will continue to present awards to Corps employers who are evaluated and judged to have excelled in the provision of welfare needs and security to Corps Members under their care.”
She charged the corp members to be dedicated, loyal, patriotic, hardworking and law abiding in their place of primary assignment.