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Tag: John Okpo

  • NYSC appeals corps members for improved welfare

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) has appealed to employers of corps members to provide standard employment opportunities to those serving in their establishments.

    The Ogun State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr John Okpo, made the appeal on Thursday during deliberations at the 2018 Corps Employers workshop held in Abeokuta, Ogun.

    He also advised the employers to allow their corps members access to medical facilities in their places of primary assignments.

    Okpo said that the provision of basic benefits would improve the self worth of the corps members and enable them integrate fully into such establishments.

    “Employers should see corps members, first as human beings, rather than mere ad-hoc staff and as such must ensure they are well-catered for.

    “The best way to motivate and get the best from your staff is by making them feel wanted and comfortable in the course of their duties.

    “Corps members should be provided with medical facilities as available for permanent staff.

    “Employers of corps members should, likewise, strive to give permanent employment to corps members who performed reasonably well during the service year.”

    Read Also:  NYSC blacklists Osun school for attacking corps members

    Okpo said that the laws establishing the NYSC scheme required the employers of corps members to see themselves as partners and stakeholders in the development and training of youths.

    “Your actions or inactions can either destroy or uplift the dreams of the founding fathers of the scheme,” he said.

    He said that the workshop explored issues relating to corps members and their employers.

    The workshop had as its theme: “Tackling Emerging Challenges in Youth Corps Administration through Greater NYSC/Stakeholder Participation.”

    The chairman of the State NYSC Governing Board, Mr Afolabi Afuape, assured the NYSC that the government would continue to discharge its obligations to the scheme.

    Afuape also the Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports said,  “Corps members are change agents, youths with abundant energies  and awesome talents.

    “ When their welfare is prioritized, their level of productivity knows no bounds.

    “It is my fervent belief that all stakeholders will look into the recommendations made with the ultimate aim of moving the scheme forward.”

    He said that the NYSC management would, routinely, monitor employers of corps members to ensure that they provided accommodation for NYSC members serving with them.

    NAN

  • NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC )  on Monday  promised to ensure that justice was done in the killing of a corps member, Modupe Tawose.

    Mr John Okpo, the Ogun NYSC Coordinator,  gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan.

    Tawose was raped and killed on December 9 in Ogun.

    Tawose, 23, a 2017 Batch ‘A’ corps member serving with the Ogun State Ministry of Housing in Abeokuta was allegedly lured to her death by her driving instructor, Festus Udoh, 29.

    Her decomposing body was discovered in a bush on Wednesday at Abule Ayo in Odeda Local Government Area where she was tied by her hands to a tree.

    The suspect, who had since confessed to the crime, is being remanded in prison while awaiting trial.

    Okpo, who said the NYSC was deeply saddened by the occurrence, prayed God to console the family and grant the deceased rest.

    “The NYSC family nationwide is sad over the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, Late Miss Modupe Tawose.

    “We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

    “We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society,” he said.

    The NYSC boss used the opportunity to advise corps members to  be security conscious always and promptly report any security threat to the appropriate authorities.

    Read also: Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

    “Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

    “They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters,” Okpo said.

    Responding on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Mr Hakeem Okunola, thanked the NYSC for the condolence visit  and prompt action to ensure arrest of the suspect.

    “We thank the Ogun State Police Command for their swiftness in apprehending the accused and the NYSC  for their support.

    “We already have some sort of justice for finding our daughter’s body and the suspect.

    “Modupe did not die in vain going by the show of love poured her way by family and friends alike. She will be remembered for everything good.

    “As she has been laid to rest, we leave every other thing in God’s hands to bring the accused to book through appropriate judgment,” Okunola said.

    The victim had since been buried in line with the NYSC’s policy on death of corps members.

    Tawose was an HND graduate of Quantity Surveying from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and is survived by her father, Adeshina  Tawose,  and mother, Titilayo, as well as  siblings.

    NAN

  • Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Monday called on the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to ensure positive impact in  their host communities.

    The governor made the call on Monday in Sagamu at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members.

    Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also urged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    “It is your responsibility as an individual or as a group to collectively contribute your quota to the development of Ogun State through selfless service to your host communities.

    “Let me remind you that you are treading a path which thousands of youths before you have passed through, yet there is always that room to make a difference.

    “I urge you to move out today to your various places of primary assignment with a determination to make an impact.

    “My advice to you is to leave an enduring imprints through meaningful community development projects in the host communities in the next one year,” Amosun said.

    Read also: Amosun: Homeowners’ Charter has achieved its objectives

    The governor said his administration had provided the necessary security and ambience for the corps members to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

    He said government would continue to evolve strategic methods in mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well being of the state.

    In a similar vein, Mr John Okpo, the NYSC Coordinator in Ogun, appealed to employers and community leaders to warmly accept the corps members  to enable them discharge their duties.

    Okpo explained that postings to places of primary assignments for the corps members were done in line with the peculiar needs of the various local government areas and their communities.

    A total of 2,442 corps members registered for the orientation exercise which started on Nov. 21.

    NAN

  • NYSC DG tasks corps members to adopt entrepreneurship mentality

    NYSC DG tasks corps members to adopt entrepreneurship mentality

    Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) has urged corps members to adopt entrepreneurship mentality to be self reliant after service and to attain financial independence.

    Kazaure made the call while addressing the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members deployed to Ogun at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu on Thursday.

    The director-general, who was represented by Mrs Adetokunbo Idowu, a director in the NYSC, said the scheme had adopted some innovations to ensure that corps members were better engaged after their service.

    Kazaure also advised corps members to develop their potential for entrepreneurship excellence rather than seeking for scarce white-collar jobs.

    Kazaure also called on them to utilise the opportunity provided by the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) programme to acquire additional skills for self-employment.

    Read also: Corps members urged to embrace entrepreneurial skills

    “The NYSC has provided all the tools and support you need to develop your capacity to the fullest, it depends on you, there is no short cut to success but hard work.

    “Of all the programmes outlined for you during the orientation, there is none more important that you must fully participate in than the SAED programme.

    “I want you to create your own jobs by being creative and innovative, you must strive to be labour employers rather than labour seekers.

    “Please don’t look for white-collar jobs, your skills and potential can serve you better in the way of realising your dreams,” he said.

    Kazaure said that SAED programme was packaged through a partnership with public and private sector organisations toward building an entrepreneurial capacity.

    He also urged corps members to remain in their states of deployment and contribute toward the promotion of national unity rather than seeking redeployment back home.

    Also speaking, Mr John Okpo, the Ogun NYSC Coordinator, thanked Kazaure for the visit.

    “We will continue to deploy corps members to all identified areas of needs, especially the rural communities where we shall implement advocacy programmes of interest,” Okpo said.

    About 2,442 corps members, comprising 1,270 males and 1,172 females, are participating in the orientation programme in the state.

    NAN