By Adewale Banjo
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed the three weeks induction course for corps members is meant to adequately prepare them ahead of challenges they may face as they serve their fatherland.
The executive governor made the disclosure in his address during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ (Stream 1) orientation course.
Aiyedatiwa said the orientation course is designed to equip members of the service corps to have better understanding of the operations of the scheme as well as prepare them physically and mentally to face the challenges they would encounter in their new found culture and environment.
According to the governor of the Sunshine State, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in its struggle to ensure national development and cohesion, has instilled the value of patriotism, integrity, hard work, unity among the corps members.
“NYSC, over the years, has been entrenching in the orientation course content values that will always come handy during and after your service year,” he said.
He told the corps members that the period of the orientation course is wired towards ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the overall development of the country as they settle down in their respective places of primary assignment.
“I charge you to contribute to the socio-economic and political development of Ondo State. Endeavour to contribute productively in whatever sector of the economy you would be posted,” he said.
Speaking further, he said their predecessors made sacrifices that have endeared the scheme in the hearts of all and sundry, and hoped they will not disappoint the citizens and residents of the country who have implicit trust in their capabilities to serve the nation relentlessly.
The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Foluke Tunde-Daramola, said there is need for them to integrate and appreciate the culture and traditions of the people and cultivate a healthy relationship with their host communities.
Aiyedatiwa enjoined them to flee from all negative acts that could tarnish the good image their predecessors toiled to build over the years.
“Let your conduct and moral rectitude be a source of joy to the entire nation. I want to assure you all that our administration will see to your excellent hospitality by the government and the good people of Ondo State.
“I wish to state categorically that the state will continually ensure the security and welfare of corps members deployed to the state receives priority attention. Ondo State is relatively peaceful and secured. I urge you to be security conscious at all times,” the governor said.
The governor did not end his address without acknowledging the immense and invaluable contributions of the NYSC management and all the stakeholders.
“I heartily congratulate you for successfully completing the three weeks induction programme and at the same time commend your efforts towards ensuring these corps members were properly groomed and monitored during the orientation course,” he said.
The state Coordinator, Victoria Ani, presented to the governor, the camp Regimental Sergeant Major, Titus Tyowua and Samuel Awe, the NYSC local government inspector for Odigbo Local Government Area as best non-NYSC and NYSC camp officials respectively.
The orientation course commenced three weeks ago and 1,443 corps members were registered and documented under 2024 Batch ‘A’ (Stream 1) service year in Ondo State.