BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Tuesday inducted the 2022 Batch 'A' Stream 'I' Corps members in Ebonyi State.
NATIONAL PANEL reports that a total of 1,215 corps members comprising 536 males and 679 females were inducted by NYSC at the scheme's Permanent Site, Old MacGregor College, Afikpo North Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at the event, the NYSC Director-General, Prof Shuaib Ibrahim urged the Corps members to be actively participating in the camp activities.
The NYSC DG ably represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs Bamai Mercy Dawuda, commended the new corps members for their patriotic zeal to serve the nation, which they demonstrated by accepting their deployment and prompt report to the orientation camp.
He expressed NYSC's readiness to train the Corps members in line with the scheme's cardinal programmes and other impactful packages.
According to him, the orientation course was designed to equip the corps members for the tasks of the service year through the lessons in the cardinal programmes, leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical training as well as sensitization on topical national issues, amongst others.
He said the platform was to kick-start various activities that would enable the corps members to release their potentials and attain individual feats both within and beyond the period of service to the nation.
The NYSC DG enjoined the Corps members to make good use of the opportunity, by not underplaying the objectives of the scheme.
"I, therefore, enjoin you to avail yourself of this once-in-a-life-time opportunity by participating actively in all the camp activities.
"As you are already aware, one of the major objectives of NYSC is the promotion of national unity and integration. This informed your deployment from your state of origin and your assemblage here from diverse ethnic groups, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The policy will not only offer you a broader opportunity for the understanding of the country but also entrench the culture of working together in an atmosphere filled with friendship, peace, harmony, shared vision of a great and prosperous Nigeria," Ibrahim advised.
He reminded the corps members of their oath of allegiance, which in his words, remained significant, and said, that the NYSC expected them to maintain good conduct throughout their service year and beyond.
He urged them to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the NYSC Acts and bye-laws; and to demonstrate a high level of discipline, by shunning social vices, spreading fake news through social media and anything capable of jeopardizing their lives.
Ibrahim observed that white-collar jobs are hard to come by these days, and however, advised the corps members to always avail themselves to all the opportunities, which will equip them with impactful skills to become self-employed.
He advised those who have not taken the vaccine to do so without further delay, stressing that, the rule could be applied to corps members in their places of primary assignment, while expressing gratitude to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, for their support and guidance facilitating the safe and efficient conduct of the orientation course within the context of the 'new normal.'
While calling for more support in promoting the scheme's Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme, the DG appreciated the NCDC for its continuous provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and sensitization materials for usage in all orientation camps.
He commended other stakeholders including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the House of Representatives for the progress made so far in the legislative process on the bill for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund and as well extolled the contributions of Federal, state, and local governments, alongside the security agencies and other aiding organisations.
