The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NYSC

  • 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.

  • Ondo NYSC: CDS group mobilises support for camp clinic project

    Barely few hours after the foundation laying ceremony of the National Youths Service Corps, , Permanent Orientation Camp Clinic in Ondo State, the Camp Clinic Community Development Service group has embarked on massive mobilisation of resources to complete the project.

    The foundation laying ceremony which held recently in Ondo, was performed by the Ondo State Head of Service, Barrister Toyin Akinkuotu.

    The group which is made up of professionals in various fields mapped out strategies to ensure that the project does not tarry beyond the expected completion period of one year.

    The Camp Clinic CDS group has started to solicit for financial donations and materials.

    The group has as its members, two corps doctors- Gbenga Ijimoroti and Jane Ukwuoma.

    Other professionals in the group are Orji Onyeka, who is a Building Technology graduate; Inu Jamiu from Estate Management field; Asia Faith, an Electrical Engineering graduate as well as Onumajuru Blessing whose area of specialisation is Civil Engineering.

    The mobilisation team disclosed that Association of Permanent Secretaries in Ondo State through Pastor Gbenga Adelayi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance had supported the project financially.

    According to them, Ondo State Hospital Management Board under the supervision of Permanent Secretary, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, had pledged to support the project.

    Also, Dr. Durojaiye, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, is said to have expressed the willingness of his ministry to partner NYSC on the project.

    The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko through the Vice Chancellor, Professor Igbekele Amos Ajibefun made a commitment while the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, through the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Lasisi Ahmed enlisted the support of the Principal Officers of the health institution to assist on the construction.

    The mobilisation train also called on the royal fathers in the Akoko Division of the state, namely Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh, the Olukare of Ikareland; Oba Samuel Kolapo Adegbite Adedoyin, the Owa-Ale of Ikareland and Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko to seek royal blessings and their support for the construction of the edifice.

    Meanwhile, the NYSC management starting with the immediate family and staff of the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio are not left out.

    The Assistant Directors as well as Chief Inspectors and other cadres have indicated their willingness not to be left behind.

    Meanwhile, the construction company handling Ikare Akoko- Akure Road has notified the NYSC of their intention to supply the laterite sand for the multi million Naira project.

  • Masari’s Wife warns corps members against Drug Abuse

    Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Aminu Bello-Masari Saturday warned members of the National Youth Service Scheme, NYSC, against indulging in all forms of drug abuse, warning that as future leaders of the country they should avoid drugs abuse and addiction.

    Hajia Hadiza who spoke at the closing ceremony of 2019 Batch ‘A’ SAED in-camp training activities for corps members deployed to Katsina State on Friday 12th April, 2019 said indulging in abusive or overuse of drugs amounted to their impeding their future and growth.

    The 2019 Batch ‘A’ SAED programme was designed to ensure that corps members remain self-reliant after service by equipping them with all the necessary entrepreneurial acumen as well as vocational skills.

    A total of 12 skills were displayed by members of various platoons show casing the talent and artistry of the participants. These include carpentry, fashion design, cosmetology, tie and die, food processing, bead making and leather works.

    The First lady also informed the corps members that the Katsina State Government is very poised to address the issue of youth unemployment through their involvement in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Program SAED.

    READ ALSO: Expert seeks drug abuse prevention inclusion in curricula

    She said; “To effectively tackle the issue of youth unemployment in the state, the Katsina State Government established the youth craft village which is located within the NYSC Orientation Camp.”

    This is a deliberate attempt to enhance high level performance and participation in the skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development by the National Youth Corps Members during their three (3) weeks Orientation Exercise, “I sincerely do hope that Corps Members made good use of facilities in the craft village during the SAED in-camp training,” she said.

    She commended the NYSC Management for introducing and sustaining the SAED programme, as well as the corps members who have received training in one skill or the other.

    She advice the corps Members to take in camp training program of SAED very serious. Earlier, the state coordinator NYSC Katsina State, Hajia Ramatu Sanda, while applauding the remarkable successes of the SAED program since its inception, said over 300,000 graduates have been trained and equipped by the NYSC since the commencement of SAED program.

    She reiterated that Katsina State has one of the best Camps in the Federation with the craft village at the disposal of the NYSC.

  • NYSC cert. saga: Court strikes out Shittu’s case against APC

    A Federal High Court, Ibadan, yesterday struck out a suit filed by Communications Minister  Adebayo Shittu  against the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his exclusion from the party’s governorship primaries on account of his inability to produce evidence of participating in the one-year mandatory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    Justice P.I. Ajoku said the plaintiff failed to file the suit within the time stipulated by law.

    The APC had excluded his name owing to his non-participation in the NYSC scheme after graduating from the university.

    The minister subsequently approached the court alleging breach of his human rights.

    Ruling on the matter yesterday, Justice Ajoku said the case was not filed within 14 days against the provisions of Section 285 of the constitution that makes it mandatory for all pre-election matters to be filed within 14 days of occurrence.

    Read also: APC to tribunal: Atiku not Nigerian by birth

    He said:” Therefore, I will not bother going into the merit of the case.

    “Having failed to satisfy the dictates of the constitution, the matter is hereby struck out.”

    In his reaction to the ruling, counsel to the respondents, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, said that the law had taken its due course.

    “The judge acted by the 1999 constitution and it is a victory for democracy,” Ojo said.

    Shittu’s counsel, Mr Abdulhakeem Mustafa, (SAN) had tendered a 38-paragraph affidavit and 13 exhibits to support his claims.

    Shittu prayed the court to determine whether the action of his party to omit his name in the list of governorship  aspirants was lawful or a contravention of the constitution.

    Joined as respondent in the matter is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

  • Sultan tasks NYSC members on national development

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to always pursue issues that would contribute to the development of the nation.

    Abubakar made the call on Tuesday at his Palace in Sokoto, during an interactive session with the 2019 NYSC Batch ‘A’ corps members posted to the state.

    He also urged the corps members to interact freely with members of their host communities, understand their values and respect them.

    The Sultan called on the NYSC authorities to continue with physical exercise for corps members in order to prepare them for greater tasks in life.

    He challenged Nigerians to utilise the advantages of the NYSC scheme in promoting cultural and religious understanding, to ensure harmonious relationship in the country.

    Read Also: ‘Anambra NYSC camp going on despite devastating rainstorm’

    Abubakar described the scheme as a catalyst for promoting national unity, mutual respect, religious tolerance as well as bringing harmony for the advancement of Nigeria.

    The Sultan said that if Nigerians should embrace one another and set aside all differences as practised by corps members during their national service, the country should be in a better position.

    He advised people to emulate NYSC for its roles in promoting peace and unity leading to the stability of the nation.

    The monarch explained that in spite of various crises bedeviling different parts of the nation, the NYSC scheme still remained a veritable tool for unifying Nigeria.

    ”If Nigerians should embrace the spirit of oneness and live with one another harmoniously like that of corps members, issues of diversity will not even arise.

    ”We should live as our brothers’ keepers and tolerate one another, irrespective of our background, so that our nation will move forward, as there will be no progress without unity,” the Sultan said.

    The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Philip Enaberue, said 1,896 corps members were undergoing orientation at the camp in the state, and they came from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

    Enaberue commended the Sultan for his support for the scheme in the state.

    NAN

  • Fire razes hostel housing corps members in Sokoto

    Mr Philip Enaberue, the Sokoto State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says no corps member was injured in an early morning fire incident at the NYSC orientation camp on Wednesday.

    Enaberue told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Wamakko that the fire only affected a room housing 20 corps members while they were out for morning devotion.

    He explained that the fire incident was due to electrical sparks, and was quickly put out within 10 minutes by military and other security personnel at the camp.

    Enaberue said no documents were damaged, but that five corps members lost their clothes to the fire.

    Read Also: Sokoto: APC warns Tambuwal, PDP against attacks on supporters

    The Coordinator added that already, the affected corps members had been given new kits and money to replace valuables destroyed by the fire.

    He also said that the affected persons have been relocated to other rooms and all camp activities have continued without disruption.

    He commended the effort of Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, host communities for their concerns over the incident.

  • Ambode lauds NYSC for election role

    Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has praised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its role in the success of the general elections.

    Ambode said this at the swearing-in of 2019 Batch A corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, where he was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Dr Yusuf Jimoh.

    “May I on this note specially commend the National Youth Service Corps for its invaluable role and contributions to the just concluded elections. The success of the 2019 elections has further proven that the scheme is indeed an enduring legacy of its founding fathers. Our political trajectory becomes more definite with the NYSC as an instrument for sustaining our democracy,” he said.

    The state NYSC Coordinator, Prince Mohammed Momoh, said a total of 2,658 corps members (954 male and 1,614 females) took the oath of allegiance administered by the Chief Justice of Lagos, Justice Opeyemi Oke, represented by Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court at the ceremony.

    He urged them to take the programmes of the three-week orientation camp seriously, especially the entrepreneurship aimed at preparing them for self-employment.

    “The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme has been specially designed to salvage the deepening threat of unemployment in our country. I therefore encourage you to go the extra mile to participate in the programme in order to derive the maximum benefits and position yourself as an entrepreneur ready to take the many business opportunities out there. Remember the race for excellence has no finish line,” he said.

  • NYSC DG threatens to withdraw Bayelsa corps members

    Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Maj.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure has threatened to withdraw corps members from Bayelsa State if their security is not guaranteed.

    Gen. Kazaure spoke when he visited the Orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokumo/Opokuma Local Government Area, as part of his tour of the 2019 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Camps. He also visited Governor Seriake Dickson at the Government House in Yenagoa.

    The DG, who lamented the death of two corps members – Popoola Oluwatobi Olamide and Gorge Onokpoma, with a third, Anthony Gbenga Dada, seriously injured – urged the Dickson and the security agencies to provide adequate security for youths corps members.

    He said: “I have come to see the 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members in the camp, and to assess some facilities in the camp, but our major concern here is the safety of this young people.

    “I am very concerned about the incident that happened last two weeks – where two corps members were killed. We are working with other security agencies to ensure their safety during their primary assignments.

    “Governor Seriake Dickson should do the needful about security of corps members. These young ones are national assets on national assignment, and if nothing is done by the state, we will withdraw corps members from serving in Bayelsa State.”

    Gen. Kazaure thanked Dickson for supporting NYSC in building a befitting permanent orientation camp, and the upward review of corps members’ allowances.

    Read also: Stay away from drugs, Internet fraud, NYSC DG tells corps members

    Dickson commiserated with the NYSC family over the death the corps members. He described the incident as a cult-related activity.

    He, however, urged the DG not to consider withdrawing corps members from the state as investigations has begun towards arresting and prosecuting the culprits.

    The governor also urged Gen. Kazaure to complement the state’s efforts in arresting persons who manhandled corps members during the elections.

    He said: “I want you to take a tough position whenever and anywhere your corps members who are posted on electoral assignment are manhandled and held hostage. We feel very bad about this so I need you to take a tough line on all politicians who behave like criminals. You can help to make a case because security knows no partisan divide and boundary.

    “I have instructed a team to avail all necessary support to the families of the corps members, and to underscore our seriousness, a dedicated line has been created for corps members to connect directly to the security centre in times of crisis where a quick response team will get to them in about three minutes.”

    Governor Dickson also added that the government has approved a 100 per cent upward review of corps members’ allowance, starting in March.

     

  • Wike commends NYSC management on skills acquisition for corpers

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Friday commended the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for their efforts in improving the operations of the scheme by empowering corps members with diverse skills.

    Wike, represented by Mr Kenneth Kobani, Secretary to the Rivers Government, gave the applause at the swearing-in ceremony of 2019 Batch ‘A’ 2,154 registered corps members.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1,072 male and 1,082 female corps members are at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers.

    According to Wike, the corps members who take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme serious are self-employed at the end of the service year.

    “In this regard, I commend the partnership between the NYSC scheme, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Heritage Bank of Nigeria in building the capacity of corps members.

    “This partnership has made the young graduates to become entrepreneurs with the introduction of the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP).

    Read also: Ministry of Interior board promotes 18 Controllers of Prisons

    “I charge the corps members to take advantage of this unique initiative and obtain the opportunities which the YIEDP initiative offers,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Chiwendu Chukwu, the NYSC State Coordinator in Rivers, told the corps members that the attainment of the much-needed unity and integration of Nigeria, rested on the shoulders of educated youths like them.

    Chukwu urged them to take seriously, the 10-day intensive training on SAED programme on camp.

    “This will help you to sharpen your business ideas and develop your potential for self-employment and wealth creation,” he said.

    The NYSC coordinator commended Wike for approving the construction of a 5,000-seater amphi-theatre auditorium in the camp as well other positive favourable dispositions to the scheme. (NAN)

  • ‘Anambra NYSC camp going on despite devastating rainstorm’

    Anambra State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kehinde Aremu, on Friday, expressed joy that the 3-weeks orientation exercise could go on in the state despite the rainstorm that affected some of its facilities.

    He said the temporary orientation camp in Umunya, Oyi local government area of the state was devastated by the storm last week Friday, appreciating the state government for its intervention.

    Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of 2019 Batch A corps members, Aremu was
    particularly grateful to the governor, Willie Obiano for his benevolent disposition to the affairs of the corps members, assuring him of God’s blessings.

    “This camp was devastated by rainstorm last week Friday, but it took the grace of God and the benevolence of the governor to get this camping programme going.

    “I wish to assure you that your personal and state investment in these young Nigerians is not unnoticed and would be soon rewarded.”

    He congratulated the 2048 corps members deployed to the state, urging them to take advantage of the programme to equip themselves towards impacting positively on the communities they would be posted to.

    “The NYSC is a training ground for leaders and a unique opportunity for young people in Nigeria to actively participate in national development.

    “You’re expected to fit into the scheme’s agenda as school teachers, agriculture extension workers, rural health care givers as well as foot soldiers in the emerging economies,” he added.

    Declaring the exercise open, the state governor, Willie Obiano, reminded the corps members that the success of each service year was dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise.

    “This foundation is crucial in providing the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological preparation for the challenge ahead,” he said.

    Obiano, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, assured them of enabling environment for the maximization of their potentials of self realization and fulfilment.