The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Corps

  • Lawmaker hosts Corps members

    Lawmaker hosts Corps members

    The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo has held a befitting send-off as well as welcome party for the Batch C members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the area.

    The send-off party was for Corps members leaving the Ikwuano/Umuahia area after their service year, while the welcome ceremony was for those just posted there, especially the Ambassador’s Model College, Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

    The ceremony which attracted a number of personalities including the state coordinator of the NYSC, Adewoya Omotayo and the chairman of Abia state Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Udo Ogbonna who served as the chairman of the occasion was the third time the ceremony was being held this year alone.

    Speaking during the ceremony, the federal lawmaker, Onuigbo said that the ceremony has been going on for the past five years and that it was initiated as a platform to appreciate out going and in coming corps members for their services to the community.

    Onuigbo said that the ceremony is also to encourage the incoming corps members so that they would motivate the students who they have come to teach during their primary assignment and make them aspire to the highest level in the society.

    He commended the initiators of the NYSC scheme which he said has been acknowledged as one of the greatest policy giant leaps for the consolidation of the post-independence era and urged all to continue to support the scheme, “which has united the country and contributed in no small way to the development of democracy and good policies in the country”.

    The lawmaker commended the corps members for their selfless service to his community in particular and the state at large, adding that their good conduct during their stay in the school made them to live peacefully with their hosts.

    In his speech the NYSC state coordinator, Omotayo congratulated the lawmaker for the scheme and for attracting NYSC to his community and for his support to the corps members posted to his village, “This goes a long way to show that people are appreciating the efforts of the NYSC scheme.”

    Omotayo commended the corps members who served in the community and those who have been posted to serve there as replacement for the outgoing corps members and urged them to do well and not disappoint the NYSC.

    The Abia NYSC boss said, “You deserve commendation for agreeing to come to serve here with its attendant terrain, am sure many people would not agree to be here, but I can see that you all are happy being here which is the basis for establishing the scheme”.

    He praised Onuigbo for initiating the building of the school for his people and sustaining it till date, adding that his love for NYSC and the corps members has gone a long way in sustaining the school for his people and promised to send more corps members to the school since

    they are treated very well by the community.

    Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Ogbonna said that Onuigbo has been having this program for corps embers posted to his community, saying that the gesture of the law maker has gone a long way to encourage the youths of his community to aspire to greater heights through embracing education.

    Ogbonna said that the way Onuigbo has been treating the corps members posted to his village has led to increase in the deployment of NYSC members into the secondary school in his community, “The impact of these corps members has been noticeable on both the students and

    people of the community”.

    In his speech the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) Oyekami Abimbola encouraged the students of the model school Obuohia Obi-Ibere to be focused on their education which is the key to success, through reading their books, being disciplined and law abiding, “So that you can utilise effectively all we have taught you”.

    Abimbola thanked Onuigbo for his support to them while they were in the community and his contributions towards their welfare and urged him to extend same to the incoming corps members, saying that his gesture trickled down to the people of the community who took them as their own during the service year.

    He noted that the people of the community were taking turns to bring food stuffs to them and that the gesture of the community people led to their saving money and encouraged them to work harder to leave their marks in the community, “We will never forget this Obuohia Obi-Ibere all through our lives as we had the best of times here”.

    The highlight of the occasion was the donation of several bags of garri, bunches of plantain, red oil by the women of the community, while the different parting gift items were given to them as memorabilia, including cash gifts as transport fare by the lawmaker.

  • DVC tasks corps members

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) UNILORIN, Prof. N.Y.S. Ijaiya, has charged prospective corps members to learn from their predecessors who have contributed immensely to the development of the country.

    Prof. Ijaiya made the call last Monday at the inauguration of a computer set donated by a 2014 Batch ‘C’ of corps member, Mrs. Folajimi Elizabeth, to the Department of Adult and Primary Education.

    The DVC noted that the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was designed not only to enhance national cohesion, but also to accelerate the growth of the nation’s economy.

    She said the gesture showed Folajimi understood the essence of the NYSC scheme.

    In his remarks, the Head of the Department of Adult and Primary Education, Dr. Henry Owolabi, praised Folajimi, describing her as a good ambassador of the University.

    Replying, Mrs. Folajimi, who is an alumnus of the university, said she was motivated to embark on the project because she is the first corps member to serve in the new Department.

  • Unilag VC challenges corps members on service

    Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Rahamon Bello, has advised corps members across the nation to add value to their places of primary assignment (PPA) by embarking on community service projects.

    He said this while receiving two of four graduates of the university, who received Presidential Awards in their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Kehinde Dawodu and Rebecca Thontteh, both 2011 Batch C corps on a courtesy visit to their alma mater, were received at the VC’s conference room in the Senate.

    The pair, it will be recalled, received presidential NYSC awards in March this year, for their selfless service and heroic achievements while serving in their PPA.

    He said: “We want to encourage our students to take note that while going through the university, the university must also pass through them; and not just attending lectures and passing exams. You also have to realise the variations in life. Everybody is not created equal and we are not the same. Wherever you find yourself, you must be able to relate with all the groups and find out how to appreciate them and assist those in need. This is what these ones have done.

    “This would also serve as an encouragement to those who are aspiring to serve, because they would now see that they can be at this level also. Make sure that you relate well with those you meet in life. This is community service and it is different from your profession. This creates value in you and managerial capability for future endeavours. I encourage the awardees to keep this up.”

    Bello also expressed pride at having products of the institution achieve such feat. He pledged the institution’s support for them in future endeavours.

    He said: “I am very proud today because four out of about 60 people that were given presidential awards during NYSC this year were from UNILAG. The feat they achieved has nothing to do with their discipline; It has to do with themselves and the culture they cultivated both from home and in school. While in the university, we provide them with various opportunities to interact with various kinds of groups, NGOs and facilitators to create that awareness in them as to what they can do to people in life. They have been able to build on that and practise them to achieve this.”

    The Dean, Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Babatunde Babawale, appealed to undergraduates to emulate their exemplary character for a better Nigeria.

    “Those aspiring to graduate should emulate these ones who have done UNILAG proud by their exemplary character, conduct and the selflessness they exhibited during their national service. With that kind of character, we will build a stronger nation, a better university and a better Nigerian society,” he said.

    Their awards included presidential recognition, presidential medal, automatic employment into the federal civil service as well as scholarship for post graduate studies up to Phd levels in any institution across the globe.

    Full of gratitude, Rebecca, who was being garlanded by Bello alongside Kehinde, admitted having scaled through major challenges before her projects’ eventual completion.

    She said: “Anywhere you are serving, serve diligently and ignore all forms of discouragements. People would tell you, ‘no don’t use your money and time to do anything, don’t embark on any project,’ but this is what the projects have achieved for me and I am very happy.”

    Rebecca’s projects included renovation of Corpers’ Lodge, donation of diapers to the Federal Medical Centre, Suleja, dual desks and notebooks to secondary schools, prayer kettles to mosques and baskets to the church.

    Meanwhile, Kehinde Dawodu, advised Nigerian youths to set their priorities even as undergraduates and determine their life goals early in life.

    His projects included renovation of Corpers’ Lodge, awareness campaign on the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), donation of notebooks, writing materials and school bags to his PPA.

  • Five corps members die in service in Edo, Kano

    Five corps members die in service in Edo, Kano

    THE  2014 Batch ‘C’  National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) year came to a close yesterday with Passing Out Parades (POPs) in the 36 states.

    But it was learnt that five Corps members died during the service year in Kano and Edo states.

    Kano State NYSC Coordinator Abdullahi Yusuf Baba said the state lost three corps members during the service year.

    Twenty-two others were to be disciplined for offences that would make them to repeat the  service year.

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said two Corps members deployed in the state also died.

    They were Emokpaire Joy Oshuwa and Ayansina David.

    Ondo State NYSC Coordinator Mr. James Olugbodo said 22 Corps members posted to the state absconded after the completion of their one month orientation camp.

    Olugbodo, who spoke to reporters at the passing-out ceremony at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square, Akure, the state capital, said the corps members did not report at the NYSC secretariat for clearances or resumed to areas they were posted for their primary assignments.

    Three Corps members in Niger State yesterday got the state merit honour awards with the state government declaring that it would support them in their chosen careers, especially in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship growth.

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, who stated this at the passing-out parade of the  batch at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, called on the corps members to contribute to nation-building.

    Over 1,700  Corps members, who served in Plateau State, were yesterday sent into the labour market at the end of their service period.

    Of the number, 20 of them were said to have distinguished themselves during the service year and won awards.

    Five others were said have served below expectations and have been asked to repeat the service.

    Enugu State Government honoured 10 of the 2014 Batch ‘C’ Corps members, who served in the state for their exceptional performances.

    Five of them received the state government awards worth thousands of naira. Five others received the NYSC State Governing Board Chairman’s awards.

  • Missing corps member found in Lagos

    Missing corps member found in Lagos

    A National Youth Corps Member, (NYSC)  Akeem Afolabi Adekunle who served in Akwa-Ibom State and was  declared missing some months ago have been found hale and hearty with his family members in Lagos.

    A team set up by  NYSC Director General , Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi to visit the family of the missing corps member and unravel the circumstances leading to his disappearance disclosed this in Abuja.

    Speaking to the newsmen after the visit to the next of kin of the corps member over the weekend, Mr. Micheal Ahile, leader of the team and Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate confirmed that Adekunle abandoned his place of primary assignment some three months ago in Akwa-Ibom State and has since been with his family members without reporting for service.

    He said it was discovered that the family members have been shielding the corps member while giving NYSC the impression that he was missing.

    He therefore warned that NYSC will not tolerate a situation where family members will cover up for corps members who abandoned National Service.

    He said Corps would begin to prosecute corps members who abandon their National Service .

  • Corps member renovates school, donates furniture

    Corps member renovates school, donates furniture

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Lateef Babatunde, has renovated a block of classrooms in Mararaba Primary School in Lafia, the state capital.

    After the renovation, Lateef painted the classrooms and donated furniture to the facility.

    The classrooms had been abandoned for years, without roof, doors and louvers.  All the chairs and desks in the classrooms had also broken before the Corps member’s intervention. The school is the only primary school serving three communities of Mararaba, Gandu and Akunza.

    •The furniture donated by the Corps member
    •The furniture donated by the Corps member

    The project, according to Lateef, gulped N352,000 and it was unveiled last Thursday in a ceremony well-attended by residents of the three communities.

    The Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Silas Agara, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs Phoede Onje Gywado, said the Corps member’s gesture would not be forgotten, describing the school renovation as “selfless service”.

    She said: “We appreciate the Corps member’s kind gesture towards lifting the communities. This is a landmark achievement and a testimony that he is doing well in serving his fatherland.”

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, which is the Corps member’s place of primary assignment, Prof Ekanel Braide, represented by Dr Chris Echeta, said other Corps members should emulate Lateef’s gesture.

    He said: “If there are 1,000 Corps members that can replicate this kind of gesture in their places of primary assignment, the country would have been better than this. Lateef is not from this part of the country but he expends his strength, energy and initiative to develop another man’s community. He should be rewarded for the action.”

    The NYSC Zonal Inspector in the council, Felix Tomori, said the Corps member was undaunted despite challenges he faced to source for funds for the project. He urged community leaders to always partner Corps members in carrying out developmental projects.

    Lateef, a graduate of Political Science from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, said: “I am happy that God used me to solve a six-year problem facing the three communities. While I faced challenge of funding, I am able to complete the project because of my passion for education.”

    He advised Corps members to embark on life-changing project, saying they should not be discouraged by challenges.

     

  • Corps members sensitise youths on hard drugs

    Members of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Community Development Service

    (CDS) group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos have held a sensitisation rally to educate the public on the dangers of hard drugs.

    The event , which was held in Ojota, had the objective to create awareness on the consequence of intake of hard drugs and how it affects body system.

    The procession took off at New Garage Bus Stop. The Corps members moved round the streets and main road, talking to the youth and commercial drivers. The use of hard drugs, the admonished, endangers lives and wellbeing. The Corps members ended the rally at Ojota Bus Stop.

    Maureen Achugbu, a member of the CDS group, said some youths promised to change during the rally. She said: “We met some youths, who confessed to be using hard drugs and they promised to change after we educated them on the danger such conduct portends for their lives.”

    President of the CDS group, Olaitan Ogunwande, said: “Our aim is to sensitise Lagosians on the harmful effects of drug abuse. We have achieved some level of success but we hope to organise more sensitisation rallies in other cities, so that youths will drop the habit.”

    He said group had held rallies in areas, such as Surulere and Ojuelegba, adding that the Corps members intend to hold similar event in Mosun Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ipaja.

    The Lagos commander of NDLEA, Mr Aliyu Sule, who was represented by a principal staff officer in Drug Demand Reduction Unit, Mrs Titilayo Ogunluyi, hailed the Corps members for the event, saying it would complement the agency’s effort to reach out to the public in eradicating use of harmful drugs.

     

     

  • Corps members’ pay rise in Sokoto

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal at the weekend promised to increase the monthly allowances paid to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    Also, the governor pledged to provide more double-bunker beds and mattresses at their permanent orientation camp in Wamakko, headquarters of Wamakko Local Government Area.

    The governor made the promises when he addressed corps members shortly their special environmental sanitation.

    Tambuwal, who relaunched the sanitation last week, said the upward review would be from the current N4,000 monthly stipend for corps members.

    Although the governor said the state government had not arrived at an amount, he added: “The gesture is aimed at further motivating the corps members to do more to diligently serve their nation.

  • NYSC secures N200m bank facility for disbursement to corps members as loans —DG

    NYSC secures N200m bank facility for disbursement to corps members as loans —DG

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said yesterday that it has secured an over N200 million bank facility for disbursement to corps members as loans to assist them in starting their businesses.

    The NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, told the Commander, Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, who visited the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja that corps members could obtain as much as N400,000 each on the submission of a good business plan.

    “Corps members based on the business plan they submit could get as much as N250, 000 and N400, 000. We have also signed an MoU with the Bank of Industry, though it is yet to take off, but we are working on it.

    “A couple of months ago, I also approached Heritage Bank and it is setting aside the sum of N200 million under a package where corps members will get a soft loan and the only collateral they will have to drop will be their discharge certificate.

    “We are also talking with the Central Bank governor to see that a micro credit loan could be arranged specially to address corps members in this category.’’

    He said the NYSC has so far trained over 400,000 corps members since the commencement of its skills acquisition programme in over 12 different skills.

    He added that the NYSC, under the sponsorship of the World Bank, is currently partnering with an international organisation to train corps members interested in going into the building and property development sector.

    Earlier, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf assured the NYSC that the brigade had made adequate security arrangements to ensure the safety of corps members serving in the FCT.

    Yusuf said that part of the security arrangements put in place include regular patrolling of the FCT, adding the safety of corps members was one of the priorities of the Guards Brigade.

  • Abia Corps member wins Bible contest

    A CORPS member in Abia State Ayoola Oladejo has emerged the winner of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Essay Competition held for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    Ayoola beat five other participants in the contest held at the National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Kinsley Egesi emerged first runner up, while Cyril Nnnadin came third.

    The fourth, fifth and sixth positions were won by Ebenezer Mustapha, David Umar and Gbenga Adeoya.

    Ayoola, who won an Ipad and books, dedicated the prize to his father, saying he was his inspiration. He said: “I feel great and happy. I was encouraged by my dad to participate. Midway, I was discouraged. It was frustrating at point but my dad told me not to give up.”

    The BSN General Secretary, Reverend Dare Ajiboye, said the contest is held yearly to support nation-building initiative of the NYSC, adding that the Society’s patron, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, established the NYSC during his time as Head of State.

    On the theme of the essay, National insecurity: Bane of economic growth and development in Nigeria,  Rev Ajiboye said it was carefully chosen, because of the security challenge in the country. He said there was need to engage the youth in solving the problem, noting that a medical doctor abandoned his practice in the North and relocated to Abuja to start from the scratch, because of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Ajiboye also listed people’s state of mind as another challenge, saying it has led to corruption and other vices. He urged the government to provide basic amenities to the people, adding that the facilities could act as catalysts for growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    The Assistant Director for General Duties of NYSC in Ogun State, Mrs Caroline Osoroh, praised BSN for sponsoring the event. She also thanked the stakeholders, saying the contest had brought out the best in the Corps members.

    The event chairman, Dr Nathaniel Danju, called for a review of education curriculum as a panacea to peace, saying schools should accommodate civic education that teaches good morality. He also advised parents to play their in role their children upbringing.

    Danju, who is the co-ordinator of Peace and Conflict Studies Programme of the University of Ibadan (UI), described Nigeria’s problems as multifaceted, saying they deserved urgent attention.

    He said the government was ill-prepared for some of the problems arising from the Boko Haram insurgency as there were no long-term arrangements.

    While he observed that many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North lacked basic amenities and medical personnel to cater for the needs of the victims, he advised the government to release funds to provide basic needs of the victims of insurgency.