Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, says the NYSC was crucial for sustainable national unity, integration and economic development.
Osinbajo said this in a message to the swearing ceremony of the 2017 Batch ” A”, Stream 1, corps members in Sokoto on Thursday.
The message was delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, on behalf of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.
” The role of corps members, like yourselves, is in significant tasks that impact aspects of our national life including the conduct of elections, census, national health and immunisation campaigns.
” This role is one that this country acknowledges and appreciates.
”It is a testament and credit to the young people of our country.
”It demonstrates what they can do when they are given the opportunity and challenge.”
Osinbajo advised the corps members to uphold the ideals of the scheme and remain conscientious in the discharge of their assignments.
He lauded the corps members for ensuring the success of the ”Change Begins with Me” campaign.
”You must all strive to fight the painful erosion of our social values as a result of greed and dishonesty.
” If change begins with each of you, there can be nothing that will impede the progress of this great nation.
” You must all consider yourselves as agents of this change as well as actively live and promote it,” he said.
Osinbajo said the Federal Government was aware of the challenges facing the scheme.
”They include insecurity, deployment management and processes, among others.
” We shall continue to encourage continued cooperation between the federal, state and local governments.
“‘This is to ensure the smooth and effective execution of the operations relating to the scheme,’ he said.
The state NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Musa Abubakar, said that 2,500 corps members were deployed to the state under the batch out of which 2,221 had registered by midnight on Wednesday.
Abubakar commended the state government, the Sultanate council of Sokoto and the people of the state for their sustained support to the scheme.
He appealed to the state government to provide a utility vehicle and furniture to the NYSC secretariat.
”All these are geared towards effective delivery of the scheme’s mandate to the good people of the state,” Abubakar said.
Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, the state Chairman of NYSC Governing Board, said that adequate arrangements had been made for the welfare and security of corps members. (NAN)