The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Corps

  • DG enjoins corps members to maintain neutrality

    DG enjoins corps members to maintain neutrality

    The Director-General (DG) of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olawunmi Johnson, enjoined yesterday NYSC workers and members to be neutral before and during the coming general elections.

    He stressed the need for the workers to guide the corps members in the discharge of their electoral duties.

    Olawunmi, who was represented by the Director of Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mr. Michael Ahile, at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Inspectors Development Training Programme for Southwest states, held at the Ogun State orientation camp, Sagamu, said the scheme would train workers to ensure the safety of corps members.

  • Elechi assures corps members of safety

    Ebonyi State Governor  Martin Elechi has assured the over 1,889 Batch ‘B’ members of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) deployed to the state of adequate security, despite the challenges facing the country.

    The governor spoke during the terminal parade of 2014 Batch ‘B’ corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, old Macgregor College, Afikpo.

    Elechi, who was represented by the  Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Sam Mgbada, called on the corps members to explore the peace in the state to impact positively on the well-being of the people.

    “I want to assure you that Ebonyi people are hospitable, warm, peaceful, friendly and accommodating. I therefore urge you to promote the objective of national unity and integration which the NYSC scheme has championed in its over 41 years of existence.

    “I re-echo my earlier directive that rejection of corps members by employers on flimsy reasons will not be tolerated by government. Corps employers are hereby advised to accept these youths and make judicious use of their knowledge in the interest of the state and the country.”

    The state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Ngozi Dorothy Nwatarali urged the Corps members to utilise all the orientation programmes and empowerment schemes which they had gone through to better their lives and the society.

    Nwatarali, who appreciated the corps for their comportment, discipline and commitment during their stay at the camp, expressed her optimism that they (corps members) would perform creditably in their places of primary assignment.

     

  • Amosun admonishes corps members on community development

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has charged corps members across the country to come up with ground breaking community development projects that will impact positively on the lives of residents of their places of primary assignments.

    He also urged them to discourage any act of violence that could put them in disrepute as leaders of tomorrow, but rather strive to be partners in progress in their various communities.

    Amosun, who gave this advice at the closing ceremony and terminal parade of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2014 Batch B Orientation Course held at NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu, said corps members should endeavour to keep the scheme’s flag flying in their quest for new grounds without attempting to drop the ball.

    He charged them to contribute their quota through selfless service in order to leave remarkable imprint on the sands of time.

    He also admonished them to move and relate freely with their host communities as well as share the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state.

    “I want to congratulate you on the successful completion of the rigourous and captivating three weeks orientation course. This one year of compulsory national service is a time your God-given talents and energy would be fully stretched from time-to-time.

    “Make sure you contribute your quota through selfless service to your host communities. I charge you to keep the flag flying and possibly, strive to break new grounds. Come up with ground breaking community development projects that will impact positively on their lives.

    “As good ambassadors of the country to your various locations where you will spend the next one year, apply caution in your activities. Shun violence and discourage any act that can truncate the peace being enjoyed in the state,” Amosun urged.

    While commending the dogged determination and visionary skills of the brains behind the scheme established for over four decades, Amosun

    pointed out  that the NYSC scheme remained one of the unifying factors that has survived this long in spite of the twin scourge of terrorism and economic downturn facing the nation.

    He charged employers to discourage the idea of rejecting corps members posted to their organisations, assuring that “the state government would not relent in providing the necessary ambience for a hitch-free service year.”

    The governor reiterated that the state’s board of the NYSC which was inaugurated recently, would further see to the welfare of the corps members and strengthen the existing structure.

    Amosun promised openness to partnering with any willing individuals or organisations in the tireless efforts to maintain security of lives and property in the state.

     

  • ‘Corps members’ safety is our priority’

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board have visited the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp in Ise-Orun Emure as part of their effort to ensure seamless operation of the scheme.

    Addressing corps members during the visit, the chairman of the board, Dr Gordon Bozimo, lauded the discipline displayed by the corps members, noting that the board was impressed with their attitude.

    Bozimo reiterated the board’s commitment to the security of corps members during their service year, saying: “I want to inform you that the board is not unmindful of the happenings in the country and has made concerted efforts to address some of these challenges. The board has made a special case to the Federal Government about your security and efforts have been made to redouble the certification of all NYSC Orientation Camps with armed personnel for 24-hour surveillance.”

    Bozimo urged the corps members to shun partisan politics in the coming 2015 general elections, stressing that the youth must remain positive and use their God-given energy to inspire sustainable development.

    The state co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, thanked members of the board for the visit, noting that the camp was peaceful and devoid of violence.

    Ibeh, who hailed the corps members and camp officials for their patriotism, said he would embark on landmark projects to make the orientation course memorable.

    He listed some of the projects to include installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV), replacement and repairs of damaged water pipes at the secretariat, construction of an extra six-room VIP toilets and renovation of hostels’ roof.

    Ibeh praised the Ekiti State government for supporting the programme, stating that the partnership would contribute to improve corps members’ welfare in the state.

  • How female Youth Corps member lifted Ondo community

    How female Youth Corps member lifted Ondo community

    What was expected of her as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was to go quietly to her place of primary assignment and do whatever was assigned to her to qualify her for the discharge certificate to indicate she had served her fatherland.

    But Esther Olaoluwa Ogunsuyi, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State has done more than this.

    With State code OD/13C/0968, Miss Ogunsuyi serving at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has taken it upon herself to leave a positive long lasting impression on her immediate community.

    The Youth Corps member singlehandedly raised money to drill a borehole at FUTA around Obakekere staff quarters to boost water supply particularly in the university community and Akure, the Ondo state capital in general.

    Besides, she gives regular sensitisation talks to youths in Akure on the importance of voluntary blood donation.

    On July 17, 2014 she organised a voluntary non-renumerated blood donation exercise at FUTA where she encouraged youths and students to donate blood. She did this in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    After the blood had been screened and certified save for transfusion, she donated 20 pints to Mother and Child Hospital, Akure in Ondo State as part of her personal contribution to the well being of Mothers and Children in the hospital.

    The gesture was to complement the transformation agenda of the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko to improve public healthcare delivery in the State.

    Ogunsuyi also organised a seminar on Life Building Skills that would enable the youth to live a successful and productive life.  Such skills include Communication Skills, Goal Setting Skills, Assertiveness Skills, Time Management Skills and Value System among others.

    In a chat with The Nation the Youth Corps member said she wanted the people living within the area of her primary assignment to continue remembering her contribution to the community through various projects she personally influenced into the area long after she must have finished her service year.

    One of the community leaders in Akure, Chief Oluwole Adeoye commended the young woman for developing Akure Community in particular and Ondo State in general.

    According to him, Esther deserves commendation because her kind gesture is worthy of emulation by her colleagues.

    The Youth Corps member pledged to continue impacting positively on her immediate environment, Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that this is the essence of national service.

  • Fayemi tasks corps members on nation building

    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has charged corps members posted to the state to promote the objectives of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    Fayemi, represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Abelabu, at the swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ise-Orun Emure, urged the youths to shun ethnic sentiments and join hands with the government to achieve national integration.

    “Your call-up is a rare opportunity for you to brace up for the onerous challenges ahead of you. I urge you to eschew primordial sentiments and live by the noble objectives for which the NYSC is known,” he said.

    The state NYSC co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, hailed the corps members for demonstrating “high level maturity” during the orientation course. He said: “The NYSC has been specifically designed to make the youth agents of development and unity.”

    Representative of the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, administered the oath on the corps members.

    Highlights of the ceremony included presentations by the cultural dance and entertainment by NYSC band. The event was also attended by traditional rulers and heads of government parastatals in the state.

  • Fashola urged Corps members on integrity, loyalty

    Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State has urged the 1977 corps members deployed in the state to serve their fatherland with integrity, devotion, loyalty and accountability.

    Fashola gave the advice last Thursday while addressing the  corps members during their swearing-in at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

    The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, noted that they should regard the one-year service as an opportunity to contribute to the country’s development and in the process discover their innate potentials.

    He said: “The call to serve although might be challenging, will afford you the honour to contribute to national development as well as help to bring out your hidden potentials.

    “Thus, this Orientation Course is designed to equip you with all you need to face the onerous task of service to the nation and achieve self realisation. I therefore charge you to take every segment of the Orientation Course very seriously and ensure that you serve your fatherland with integrity, devotion, loyalty and accountability.”

    While in camp for the three-week orientation, Ahmed urged them to shun bad behaviour and be vigilant and report any unusual movements around the camp.

    In her address, the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, thanked the governor for his continuous support but urged him to “consider a more spacious permanent orientation camp for the NYSC” because of the large number of corps members deployed to the state yearly.

    Praising the corps members for their responsible conduct in the short time they had spent at the camp, she urged them to maximise the training opportunities available during the programme.

    “Since the commencement of this exercise, these youths have proved to be responsible, resourceful and dedicated. The zeal exhibited shows great love for this nation.

    “Dear corps members, avail yourselves of these training opportunities to get better. Work on developing any quality that you think you need until you have perfected it, then move on and practice another. You cannot rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits, therefore make every day spent on camp a masterpiece as you add value to self through the orientation course,” she counselled.

    Speaking with The Nation, one of the corps members and graduate of College of Agriculture, Jalingo Taraba State, Abubakar Bakare, promised to serve his fatherland with all his strength.

    He said: “I feel very excited because everybody that happens to be here is by the will of God. For me, this is a moment of joy and merriment. My experience here is wide. I have met new friends and people that I did not know before. For me, I wish to serve my country within this one year of my mandatory national service with all my strength.”

     

  • Governors urge corps members to shun vices

    Governors urge corps members to shun vices

    Governors yesterday National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to avoid actions that can tarnish their image and that of the country during their service year.

    The governors spoke at their state capitals during the swearing-in of the Batch ‘B’ corps members.

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio announced yesterday an increase in the corps members’ allowance from N6,000 to N10,000.

    Akpabio spoke at the permanent orientation camp in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor urged the corps members to shun anti-social behaviours.

    He advised the corps members to leverage on the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme the NYSC management had given them to rebuild themselves.

    According to him, the state government will continue to create an enabling environment for corps members to enjoy their stay duration their service year.

    Akpabio approved the request of the State NYSC Coordinator, Lady Ngozi Chukwuka, for 250 double bunk beds for the corps members.

    He said: “I implore all of you to take seriously the orientation course as this is the only sure way of justifying government’s huge investment in the NYSC programme.

    “The Government of Akwa Ibom State is not unaware of the invaluable contributions of corps members to the socio-economic, educational and general well-being of her citizens. The government on her part would not relent in providing the enabling environment for you to succeed but will also sustain her tradition of rewarding excellence, through awards and recognitions.

    “You are to shun cultism, political violence and religious intolerance or any form of anti-social behaviour. You should be guided by the motto of the National Youth Service Corps – Service and Humility -bearing in mind the oath of service that you have sworn today.

    “You must not allow unpatriotic individuals to influence you. Resolve to bring to your host communities a new lease of life in particular and the nation at large. You must also avoid unnecessary journeys during the service year.”

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi advised the corps members to resist being used by disgruntled elements to destroy the nation’s peace and unity.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the swearing-in of 2014 Batch ‘B’ service year corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Nonwa-gbam, in Tai Local Government Area.

    He reminded the youths that the scheme was founded for national re-orientation and development, with the aim to strengthen the unity and integration of the country and ensure equal distribution of professional manpower.

    The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services (Office of the Secretary to the State Government), Sovens Okari, urged the youths to uphold the motto of the scheme – Service and Humility – and shun anti-social behaviours, such as cultism, religious intolerance, political violence among others.

    Amaechi said: “…I implore you to shun all forms of anti-social behaviour, such as cultism, political violence, among others. Always be guided by the motto of the scheme, which is Service and Humility, bearing in mind the oath of national service you have just sworn to uphold.

    “Do not allow disgruntled and unpatriotic individuals to use you for their selfish and destructive purposes.”

    The State NYSC Coordinator Ejiaka Gladys Mbachi told the governor that 3,000 corps members had been registered as at 12 midnight Wednesday.

    She thanked Amaechi for his support to the success of the scheme.

  • Entrepreneurship seminar for corps members

    Entrepreneurship seminar for corps members

    Corps members serving in Lagos  State, last week, learnt some basic skills in business development and entrepreneurship in a seminar organised by the Joan Agha Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    The event was held to equip the serving youths to cope with challenges of life after school. The seminar with the theme: Promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths: Building a successful career also featured discussion on how they could create employment and turn their challenges to fortunes.

    It was done in conjunction with Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa and Growing Business Foundation.

    President of the foundation, Mrs Joan Agha, said that by the end of the seminar, participants would have explored opportunities available, set up and develop businesses to facilitate their entrepreneurial skills.

    “It is a known fact that people die using only 10 per cent of their talent. So, you should deliberately condition your mind to know what you want and make the best of the present times by being grateful for the little things that come your way,” Mrs Agha said.

    The foundation, she said, also have mission to touch lives, build a nation, offer scholarships, empower women and the youth to engender a peaceful society. Mrs Ahga added that the foundation would give medical aids to the needy across the country.

    The participants were charged to look up to successful people in business and told to avoid boredom, feeling unworthy, frustration, anger, and worry. They were told to focus on qualities that could make them attain their goals.

     

  • Corps member builds bus stand

    Corps member builds bus stand

    A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Akande Soliu Oladipo, has built a bus stop stand at the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat in Kwara State.

    The project has been inaugurated by the Council Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen  Sulu-Oloje, who was represented by the council’s Secretary, Alhaja Sekinat Abubakar.

    The council boss praised the corps member for the initiative. Sulu-Oloje urged other corps members in the state to emulate Akande, saying the local government would recommend him for outstanding corps member award’.

    “I want to urge corps members to start thinking of what they can do for the country and not what their country can do for them,” he said.

    The Zonal Inspector, Mr Folayan Kayode, commended the corps member for the project, adding that, “the project is not just a bus stop stand, but an ultra-modern one.’’

    Folayan urged the local government to always assist corps members in carrying out projects that would have impacts on the members of the community.

    “I constructed the stand to alleviate the hardship people go through at bus stops. On my first day in Kwara State, I was stranded for about five hours at the general hospital bus-stop and drenched by the rain since there was no form of cover. So, this motivated me to put up this project,” he added.