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Tag: Kehinde Aremu

  • Anambra NYSC gains: members propose marriage, some quit cultism

    It is not all bad news. In Anambra State, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) find love in camp, some rethink fleeing the country and some quit the cults. EMMA ELEKWA reports

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sometimes fallen into bad weather but those clamouring for its scrapping should consider its gains in Anambra State.

    At the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Umunya, Oyi local council area of the state, over 2,048 corps members demonstrated the whole essence of the scheme, including the spirit of selfless service, unity, integration and patriotism.

    In the just concluded three weeks orientation exercise of 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members, a marriage contract was initiated among two of the corps members.

    The corps members, Ojodomo Aneh and Victoria Ayodele, both from Kogi State and graduates of Accountancy from Kogi State University, made proposals of love with rings in the presence of their colleagues during the orientation exercise.

    Besides, eight corps members publicly denounced their membership of cult groups.

    Again, no fewer than 15 of them also publicly gave up irregular migration, while others publicly embraced the Nigerian culture for the first time.

    Speaking to The Nation, NYSC State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, attributed the landmark achievements to trust and team spirit existing among camp officials.

    He said, “I want to thank God for all the peculiar achievements we’ve been able to record in this camp. God helped us in such a way that we were able to mentor and in the process get two corps members to renounce publicly and we have every confidence that they have finally renounced cultism.

    “We also have about six corps members who gave up publicly and we have every good reason to believe they have finally given up to hard drugs, particularly marijuana.

    “Again, we have about 15 corps members who publicly gave up to irregular migration. That desire to leave the shores of Nigeria has diminished after being exposed to the enormous opportunities and potentials in the country and Anambra State in particular. They have jettisoned the idea of migrating out of the country.

    “More importantly, two of our corps members, even though they have met before they came to camp, posterity brought them together in Anambra State. There was a public declaration of love and proposal with rings witnessed by their colleagues.

    “Yes I know that lots of relationships got established in camp. I’m also aware that some of them are flippant relationships.

    “But I have every good reason to believe that that particular one between Ojodoma will stand the test of time and we’ll all be witnesses to the wedding that the relationship will culminate to.”

    According to him, the corps members also exhibitted certain level of patriotism, commitment and creativity as they contributed their talents and expertise in making the camp more conducive and habitable.

    He continued, “We also saw corps members rising. When we arrived for this camp, we were discouraged as a result of windstorm that wreaked havoc on some of the camp facilities.

    “But we saw corps members coming to join us to rectify some of those facilities that were destroyed. That singular gesture gave us hope.

    “For me as the Coordinator and as a youth worker, it gladdens my heart when I see corps members willingly responding to our call. It gives me joy.”

    Asked how he was able to record such huge strides in less than three weeks, Aremu attributed it to trust and team spirit.

    He said, “One of the things I learnt early in life is to mobilize people and to build trust in them. Building trust is very fundamental in leadership.

    “One of the things we’ve done is to set agenda. We insisted everyone knows the role each person needs to play in a project.

    “Assign responsibilities looking at individual capabilities and training capacities. Trust and support them to bring out the best in them. I have a team and we try to build team spirit. For me, my main achievement since I resumed duty in Anambra is not the facilities I put up, but building a team.

    “I tell you, the team we have in Anambra can’t be beaten by any secretariat in the country. We can accomplish virtually anything we set our eyes and heart to do. For us, noting is impossible. We work as a team, no rancor, bickering and acrimony.

    “Besides, one other thing that has worked for me which I recommend to anyone in leadership position is to live kind of life you preach. Don’t say something and do something contrary.

    “The reason why young Nigerians don’t want to participate in politics or deviant to leadership is because of lack of trust. Leaders will say something and do another thing.

    “Until we get leaders that say what they mean and mean what they say, we’ll discover that it’s not difficult to rally young people. They hate people that lie to them.

    “For example, the moment they arrived camp, I took time to explain to them the inadequacies of the camp. There’s no adequate water, electricity, rain destroyed some of our roofs.

    “I didn’t tell them this is Hilton. I didn’t promise them heaven on earth. That was why they didn’t complain. Besides, those that have expertise, how to fix roof, wire electricity, offered their services. That helped us to achieve all we were able to achieve.

    Read Also: NYSC Co-ordinator eyes new camp

    “When we caught the cultists among them, I took time to explain to them about the ills of cultism, drug abuse and they were excited. Their parents are calling to thank me.

    “One of them came with his entire family all the way from Delta to express gratitude. The father confessed they had battled over their child for years without success. But God helped us.”

    On how they were able to identify the suspected cultists among other corps members, the Coordinator said the feat was achieved in collaboration with the security agencies.

    “In this place, we have the police, the DSS and other security personnel. We also have a surveillance movement. There’s a place for everyone to be at every point in time.

    “If you’re not there, like we say in NYSC, you’re wrong. So if any of is not where he/she is supposed to be at that time, that means something is fishy.

    “Our survilance team, DSS are always working underground. They go with the corps members to parade, eat together, discuss in the hostel together, etc. With that, they can easily provide information on where and how to get them,” he posited.

    Asked how measured being taken ensure the repentant corps members did not return to their old lives, Aremu revealed that they would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) for proper follow-up.

    He said, ”It’s not all about me. We work with NDLEA. We’ve uploaded them to the NDLEA for follow up. The Agency used to have facility in Onitsha. Now they have one in Awka.

    “We already have a programme for them. They are now the vanguards to be preaching to younger people. In other words, we’ve upscaled them from being drug users to drug educators and influencers.

    “They will be working with NDLEA to visiting schools, including higher institutions in the state to educate young people. You know, when young people hear from their colleagues tell them their experiences, they appreciate it more.”

  • NYSC chief to Corps members: Embrace host communities’ culture

    Corps members deployed to Anambra State for their national service have been urged to embrace the culture of their host communities.

    State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),  Kehinde Aremu gave the advice during the cultural carnival ceremony for the Batch ‘A’ corps members at the orientation camp, Umunya, Oyi local government area of the state.

    He expressed worry over the neglect of culture by members of communities, saying certain strange diseases prevalent in the society might not be unconnected to such neglects.

    He said, “Every corps member should be abreast with the culture of his or her host communities. All hand must be on deck to ensure we don’t lose our culture.

    “Our culture is what defines and unites us. Our geographical location also defines these cultural settings.

    “Our food is also part of our culture. That’s why we have strange diseases all over because of culture neglect. You can’t take it away from the disconnect from our culture.

    “Those who ignore their culture are invariably ignoring their existence and the provisions made by God for man to enjoy a flourishing life.”

    According to Aremu, the corps members first port of call soon after the orientation exercise were the palaces of traditional rulers and Presidents General of their host communities for proper integration.

    “The corps members are immediately integrated by the Igwes and PGs who are earnestly waiting for them.

    “Such integration goes a long way to assuring corps members of sense of belonging and security from pockets of criminality prevalent in the community especially during festivals,” he added.

    The event, which featured various cultural displays by corps members, attracted special dignitaries including the commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonaventure Enemali and traditional rulers.

  • Eight corps members renounce cultism, drug abuse in Anambra

    A total of eight corps members deployed to Anambra state for their national service on Tuesday denounced publicly their membership of cultism and drug addiction.

    No fewer than 15 of them also publicly gave up irregular migration, while others publicly embraced the Nigerian culture for the first time.

    Speaking during the closing ceremony of 2019 Batch ‘A’ orientation course at the Umunya camp, the NYSC State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu said the achievements were recorded as result of trust and team spirit among camp officials.

    He said, “We have confidence that they have finally given up drugs especially marijuana. We also have every reason to believe that those who renounced cultism won’t go back to it again.

    “A marriage proposal of love with rings was publicly made this last Sunday between two corps members on camp.

    “Your excellency, you will be the special guest of honor when they fix their wedding date because it is Anambra wedding.

    “These are the manifestation of the spirit of Anambra, the light of the nation.”

    Aremu revealed that the repentant corps members would be handed over to the National Drug Law enforcement agencies for proper follow-up.

    He further challenged them to see themselves as revolutionary torch bearers, good ambassadors of the leading youth organization in Africa and shining examples to other youths.

    READ ALSO: Bring perpetrators, sponsors of cultism in Rivers to book, AAC’s Awara tells FG

    Governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, disclosed his administration’s plan to improve the remuneration and allowances of corps members to be posted to the rural and hard-to-reach parts of the state.

    Obiano, represented by commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonaventure Enemali, was optimistic of the corps members’ readiness to positively elevate the fortunes of the state with their talents, education and high sense of responsibility.

    “Ample opportunity shall be given to you to contribute and excel in the implementation of government programmes, especially in areas of providing manpower for quality education, health care, agriculture, among others.

    “We shall not spare any effort in ensuring that your proven expertise and creative energy are fully harnessed towards making Anambra’s light more luminous and to improve the lives of the citizenry,” he assured.

  • Don’t be in a haste to leave Anambra – NYSC members urged

    Outgoing corps members in Anambra state have been urged not to be in a hurry to leave the state but to exploit all job opportunities available in the state.

    The state Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Kehinde Aremu, gave the advice at Ojoto while issuing discharge Certificate of National Service (CNS) to the 92 Batch A outgoing members.

    Aremu who was represented by Mr Felix Okoli challenged the corps members to strive to settle down to establish their careers in the state.

    He said, “Don’t be in a haste to rush home. Anambra people are not harsh. Exploit job opportunities here. Develop some of the skills you acquired during your NYSC scheme as a starting point.

    “Avoid short cut to success. Be part of the positive people, who will make Nigeria proud. Some of you in serious relationships with Anambra people can marry and settle down here.”

    Also speaking, Head of Department, Education and Social Development, Idemili South, Dr Kingsley Ozodi asked the corps members to take advantage of the hospitable and business-friendliness of the residents to excel.

    “Look around and start up something; no matter how menial to help yourselves and your family.

    “You have seen that Anambra people are hospitable unlike notions you had before coming here. Those seeking job opportunities or if you have opportunity to marry from here, you are welcomed to do so,’’ Ozodi said.

    Read Also: NYSC to review, reform mobilisation process

    On her part, the NYSC Local Government Inspector, Idemili South, Mrs Augustina Obinero thanked the outgoing members for conducting themselves lawfully during their service year, wishing them the best in their future endevours.

    She said that none of the members had a case of service extension as punishment, stressing that two members won the NYSC State Award Recommendation letter for their secondary assignment.

    The two are Lynda Ugochinyere Kamalu AN/18A/2784 from Imo State and Chikezie Prince Enearo AN/18A/2778 from Enugu State.

    Miss Kamalu received the state award for assisting a blind NYSC member throughout her service year and holding sensitisation/health education programmes on Diabetes Mellitus in Churches, schools at Oba, Idemili South.

    Enearo got his state award for holding sensitisation seminars on stroke at various Churches, Health Centres and Council Headquarters.

     

  • Anambra: INEC to replace NYSC members in conflict areas

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra on Wednesday said it would post stand-by ad-hoc staff to the conflict areas of the state for Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, dropped the hint at the CBN Awka office during the distribution of sensitive materials ahead of the poll.

    Nkwachukwu was reacting to the statement by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state that corps members would not be posted for election duty in Idemili and Ogbaru areas of the state.

    The state NYSC coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, had said that the decision to withdraw corps members from those areas was based on the directives from the headquarters barring them from volatile areas.

    But the REC said the decision would not pose any challenge to the exercise, noting that the electoral umpire have more than enough trained staff to replace the corps members with.

    Read Also: PDP takes protest to INEC

    He revealed that the commission had invited a total of 9,000 persons for the training, but said over 18,000 reported and were eventually trained for the exercise.

    He said, “I received a letter from the NYSC saying it won’t deploy corps members to conflict prone areas. But it’s not a source of worry to us.

    “We have lots of people in our data base standing by for engagement. Some even come to the polling unit uninvited, waiting for opportunities to work.”

    Orji also debunked allegation that some of the ad-hoc staff involved in the last election did not undergo training, resulting to their inability to effectively manipulate the smart card readers.

    He said it would be an act of irresponsibility on the part of the commission to engage untrained hands for such sensitive assignments.

    “I don’t believe we can hire people, train them and dump them to use those we didn’t train. We’re not that irresponsible,” he added.

  • Obiano mulls allowance increament for NYSC members

    Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano had disclosed his government plans to increase the allowances of serving corps members posted to rural and hard-to-reach areas of the state.

    Obiano made the disclosure while addressing 2018 Batch ‘C’ corps members in Umunya Temporary Orientation Camp, Oyi local government area of the state.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwelobelu, the governor said the incentive was to raise the corps members’ morale for more commitment in the discharge of their duties.

    He said, “We note with pride that Anambra state gives the highest remuneration to Corps members posted to the state.

    “We are working out modalities to offer differential payment of allowances in their favour in order to further encourage those in the rural/hard to reach areas of the state.”

    He further charged the NYSC members to abide by the electoral laws and refused being used by desperate politicians for their ulterior motives ahead 2019 elections.

    “You must emulate your predecessors who were unbiased umpires in previous elections. You must not fail the nation which reposes lots of confidence in you” he said.

    Obiano restated his continued provision of adequate security and welfare to the corps members during the elections and the remaining part of their service year.

    He also reassured the readiness of the permanent orientation camp site before the end of the year to enable the next batch have their orientation course in the new site.

    Earlier, NYSC Coordinator in the state, Kehinde Aremu, said prospective corps members who were supposed to serve in the state were moved to Ebonyi and Imo states due to insufficient camping facilities.

    He regretted that the present site owned by the Anglican church had become grossly inadequate considering the number of prospective corps members posted to the state.

    Read Also: Obiano’s wife admonishes parents on girl-child education

    He said, “Sadly, corps members deployed to Anambra will be holding their orientation course in Imo. Earlier this year, Anambra corps members were dislodged to Ebonyi and Imo states.

    “This is because Anambra is the only state in South-East of Nigeria without a permanent orientation camp.

    “I wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to the vibrant private sector in Anambra to complement the efforts of the state government towards delivering the orientation camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu for 2019 Batch A.”

    Aremu explained that posting of the corps members was guided by the scheme’s policy and requests from deserving employers which fitted into the human capital development strategy of the state government.

    He said the corps members had been trained with fitness drill and entrepreneurial skills as well as the culture of the people to enable them to contribute maximally to the communities they were posted for primary assignment.

    The coordinator also thanked the state government, the Anglican Church and other partnering agencies for their support and success of the orientation course.

  • NYSC: No lost items recorded in Anambra camp – Coordinator

    The Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State, Kehinde Aremu has commended the Batch B stream II corps members posted to the state for their integrity and honest disposition.

    Aremu gave the commendation on Saturday during an official visit of the Director General of the scheme to the orientation camp in Umunya, said such virtues had further boosted the curriculum of the orientation course.

    He said all the items so far misplaced at the camp, including phones and money had been recovered and returned, a development he said, was a sign that the corps members could be trusted.

    “There is something unique about these crop of corps members which have given me more confidence about the curriculum of the orientation course.

    “Every lost or misplaced phone and money on this camp has been recovered. We don’t have any lost items on this camp.

    “This may sound little, but one thing it has shown is that these corps members can be trusted. It also shows that they are imbibing the teachings being impacted on them.

    “Being the future leaders of this country, I can proudly say that if we continue to raise corps members that are honest as these ones, Nigeria is destined for greatness,” he explained.

    The Coordinator also expressed joy at the level of patriotism and integration visible among the combined corps members from Anambra and Enugu states carrying out the three-week exercise in the state.

    He said, “most often, we don’t even remember we have corps members outside Anambra with us. They’ve so much integrated that there will be weeping on the day we’re departing from this camp.

    The NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Sule Kazaure stressed the need for corps members to be security conscious and be good ambassadors of the scheme by conducting themselves properly.

    He appreciated the governor of the state, Willie Obiano for the donation of an office complex to the scheme in the state , saying the gesture would further boost the morale of the officers of the scheme.

  • Proffer solutions to your host community’s needs—NYSC DG

    Brig. Gen. Sule Kazaure, Director-General, National Youths Service Corps ( NYSC ) has called on Corps members in the country to identify the peculiar needs of their host communities and proffer solutions to them.

    Kazaure made the call when he visited 2018 Batch B Stream Two Corps members deployed to Anambra and Enugu states at the Umunya Temporary Orientation Camp, Oyi Council Area of Anambra on Saturday.

    He also tasked them to be active participants in the various programmes of the scheme designed to make them economically self-reliant and solution providers.

    The director-general further urged them to be safety conscious and respect the way of life of the people they were posted to work with.

    “Be patriotic during your service year and make sure you participate actively in the four cardinal programmes of the scheme.

    “Use the national service period to train yourselves for job generation and contribute to national economy; identify the needs of your communities and provide solutions to them.

    “Respect the culture of your host community, avoid lone movement, distant journeys, dress responsibly and like graduates,” he said.

    Kazaure thanked Anambra government for donating a new administrative block for the scheme in the state.

    Read Also: Respite for NYSC as Obiano relocates Anambra office

    In his remark, Mr Kehinde Aremu, Coordinator of NYSC in Anambra, said there were 2,059 accredited Corps members comprising 1,293 for Anambra and 766 deployed to Enugu
    in the camp.

    Aremu said the corps members had integrated so closely within the short period that it was difficult to identify those destined for Enugu from those staying behind in the state.

    “We have so integrated them that we find it hard to remember that they are not all deploys to Anambra.

    “We know there will be tears of joy on the day of posting because of the relationship that has been built here,

    “I am proud to report to you that we have no problem teaching and orientating them,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that reports that Kazaure inspected the camp clinic, toilets, kitchen and hostels and commended the quality of maintenance of the facilities during the visit.

  • Cultural interaction can foster national unity – NYSC Coordinator

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra says knowledge and respect for the culture of the various ethnic groups in the country can foster greater unity among Nigerians.

    Mr Kehinde Aremu, NYSC Coordinator in Anambra, said this at the cultural festival of the 2018 Batch B Stream One Corps members in Anambra at the Umunya Temporary Orientation Site on Sunday.

    Aremu said the NYSC had fostered national unity through the posting of young graduates to various parts of the country by making them appreciate the beauty of their respective cultures.

    According to him, the essence of the cultural festival “is to get our young people to appreciate the Nigerian culture.

    “We found out that most of our educated young people have lost touch with the Nigerian culture which binds us together.

    “The NYSC thought it wise to introduce culture in its programme as part of efforts to get Nigerians together, because that is our mandate.

    “We assigned a particular culture to each platoon, made up of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

    “We made then to research into cultures assigned to them and make presentations on it.

    “So, you see these corps members studying many cultures at the same time in this camp.

    “There are so much prejudices which they take with them to their places of primary assignment.

    “You hear some people telling their children that when they go to some parts of this country that they will eat them, other say they will be killed because they are strangers.

    “But cultural interaction such as this in camp will make them to understand that these prejudices that they have been fed with by their parents and older generations are non-existent.

    “That is how these fears are destroyed and national unity fostered all over,” he said.

    The coordinator said the corps members have been given adequate orientation to enable them to go to the communities of Anambra and contribute to development without any fear of integration problems.

    “The job has been done, the local government chairmen, traditional rulers have come to welcome them, direct employers have made their request and are awaiting them, so these Corp members are ready to go into Anambra with so much confidence,” he said.

    Igwe Roland Odegbo, the Traditional Ruler of Nteje in Oyi council area, gave his royal blessing to the corps members and assured them of happy stay where ever they found themselves for primary assignment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was cultural parade, cultural displays and other competitions where the adjudged winners were given prizes.