Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State has implored the outgoing corps members to remain steadfast in their commitment to the cause of nation-building as they pursue ways up to the ladder of life in the larger society.
Umahi made the call on Thursday during the Passing Out Ceremony of the 2021 Batch 'B' Stream 'I' Corps Members at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.
According to him, "Ebonyi State congratulates you on your successful completion of the service year, which you enthusiastically responded to with patriotism, discipline and commitment over the past twelve months.
"I have no doubt, therefore, that your knowledge and diligence have impacted positively on the pupils, students, your host communities and establishments where you served.
He said the education and experience acquired by the exit corps members during their national service would equip them sufficiently to face and succeed in the next phase of life while pursuing their goals.
The governor also commended
the exit corps members for their "worthy campaigns against COVID-19 Pandemic, Lassa fever and other diseases, masses literacy," assuring them that the lives touched and their host communities would never forget them.
He, however, urged the outgoing corps members to explore and take advantage of the value reorientation and wealth creation programmes especially entrepreneurship skills to better themselves.
He said that the NYSC SAED, the SAED Centres, the NYSC Foundation, Agricultural Loan through Nirsal Micro Finance Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry (BOI) and other funding options were all efforts made by the NYSC and Federal Government to challenge the corps members' potentials for self-actualization, and advised them to use the opportunities optimally.
Governor Umahi who was the former Presidential Aspirant of Nigeria under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), equally encouraged the exit corps members to participate actively in the processes for the actualization of the 2023 election, with action towards sustainable peace and unity of the nation, ensuring fair play, as well as discipline, remained their watchwords.
On his part, the Chairman of NYSC Governing Board in Ebonyi State, Hon Charles Akpuenika disclosed that from the available reports to him, the outgoing corps members had indeed served to the best of their knowledge and ability following their contributions to the development of the state in particular and the nation at large.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Bamai Mercy, congratulated the 2021 Batch 'B' Stream 'I' Corps Members for the successful completion of their service year on a good note.
Mrs Bamai said that a total of 928 outgoing corps members deployed to the state, had contributed their quota to the fatherland for the past year.
According to her, "while in the state, the corps members were like foot soldiers of national unity, integration and development.
"It is, therefore, my privilege to state without any fear of contradictions that they have performed creditably well, and thus deserve the honour being given to them today."
She commended the remarkable achievements of the corps members in their places of primary assignment as well as in the area of Community Development Services in the state.
She disclosed that 32 corps members comprising 15 males and 5 females would repeat the whole service year, while 12 others including 6 males and 6 females would serve an extension of service ranging from one to four months on half-pay.
The State Coordinator said that the offences of the corps members were ranging from abscondment from service to unauthorized journeys and other miscellaneous violations of the NYSC rules, and expressed confidence that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to others.
She thus charged the exit corps members to keep the NYSC flag flying, by continuing to be good citizens of the country.
Some of the outgoing corps members who spoke with journalists during the event including Emem Emmanuel, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Oduche, and Hamza Momodu, among others have commended the government of all levels with the NYSC officials and other aiding agencies for their contributions which led to the successful completion of their service in the state.
