From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
A total of 2,026 2024 batch ‘A’ (stream I) members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) comprising 1,191 for Kaduna State and 835 dislodged from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently camping at the scheme’s temporary orientation camp, Kurmi Marshi, Kaduna for the 21-day orientation course.
The orientation course is the first of four cardinal objectives of the one-year mandatory national service for young Nigerian graduates. Others are places of primary assignment, community development service, and passing out parades.
The Kaduna State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Hassan Mahmud Taura, during the official swearing-in ceremony of the batch on Tuesday explained that the camping of some of the corps members deployed to the FCT in Kaduna became necessary due to limited accommodation facilities at the Abuja camp.
He said, “normally we do have some corps members being dislodged to Kaduna State due to the population of the deployment to the FCT.
“Similarly, the dislodged corps members in Lagos State are also camping in nearby states like Oyo, Ogun, and Osun. So this time around, those deployed to FCT are dislodged to Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
“That does not mean the camps in FCT and Lagos are not running. But due to limited facilities at the Abuja camp, they dislodged some to Kaduna and some to Nasarawa States as I said. After the camp exercise, those from FCT will go back to Abuja for their primary assignment”, he clarified.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, whose address was delivered by the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, assured corps members of their welfare and security during their stay in the State.
According to her, ‘The Governor almost doubled the amount of money for the welfare of corps members in the 2024 budget and by the grace of God, we are going to access those monies for these corps members.
“Their welfare and safety of all the people residing in Kaduna State including these corps members are being prioritised and given proper attention by Governor Uba Sani,” she said.
The Governor then told corps members to consider their posting to the State for the one-year national service as a rare privilege to experience a different socio-cultural environment.
“Because of the cosmopolitan nature of the State, Kaduna is home to all. Therefore, I encourage you to contribute your quota to the development of the State and by extension, our dear nation, Nigeria,” he urged.