Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of security, provision of inputs, and technical support to better the lives of corps members serving in the state.
Governor Souldo made the statement at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC unity permanent orientation camp Umuawulu/ Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch B stream 1 orientation course for Corps Members deployed to Anambra State.
“I hereby direct the Hon Commissioner for Youth and Creative Economy to evaluate the post-camp training centres of NYSC with a view to ascertaining their training needs for the possible provision of inputs and technical support.”
Addressing the 1,500 corps members, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Onyekachi Ibezim, admitted that he was particularly thrilled that the scheme is emphasizing the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) through its in-camp and post-camp training of corps members, enjoined all corps employers, humanitarian organisation, philanthropists among others, to rally round his administration to support the SAED centres.
“The SAED programme of the NYSC is similar to the One Youth, Two Skills programme launched by my administration on October 27th, 2022 with an appropriation of about two (2) billion naira to equip 10,000 youth of the state on September 6th, 2023, my Solution Government joyfully extended the One Youth, Two Skills programme to Corps Members in the state because “no matter our diverse backgrounds, we are all Nigerians bound together by a common destiny.” About 100 Corps Members will benefit from this, “Soludo said.
“The focal point of my administration is human capital development. I assure you that you have so many opportunities to become a successful entrepreneur, with the help of my administration if you identify positively with government policies.”
The Governor further assured the corps members that their security and well being is paramount to his administration. He emphasized that the security architecture of the state is top-notch as all the security agencies are collaborating to make the state crime-free.
Soludo appreciated the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Ekene Iruma, for her administrative dexterity and motherly role in the camp.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth Development and the Chairman, of the NYSC State Governing Board, Patrick Agha-Mba, charged Corps Members particularly those posted to schools to act as role models to the young ones in their Places of Primary Assignment.
“I wish to assure the new Corps Members that accommodation is readily made available to all the Corps Members posted to government establishments. Moreover, Corps Employers and Chief Executives of private organizations have made provisions for Corps lodges. Indeed the issue of accommodation would not pose any problem to you.”
He assured them that the members of the host communities were not only receptive but also accommodating.
The State Coordinator, NYSC, Anambra State, Mrs. Blessing Ekene Iruma, said that the Corps Members had been posted to their Places of Primary Assignment based on their discipline and the needs of the state.
“Corps employers should be aware that I will continue to present awards to Corps employers who are evaluated and judged to have excelled in the provision of welfare needs and security to Corps Members under their care.”
She further emphasised that the NYSC appreciates communities that encourage Corps Members to embark on community development projects.
“As you are aware, projects executed by Corps Members help in the development of communities as they address pressing felt needs of such communities. For records, Corps Members are always willing to leave legacies where they are serving, so I appeal for such support financially and materially as no Corps Member is authorized to use personal funds to execute community projects. I do believe that you would like Corps Members who have impacted positively in your communities to be appreciated with awards, prizes and even chieftaincy titles.
“At this point, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Anambra State for his interest and support to the scheme in the state.”
Mrs Iruma also assured the Governor that the management of the scheme and Corps Members will continue to make the state proud and ensure the state remains the light of the nation. She also appreciated the camp officials for their selfless services.
Dominica Nwabufo
