The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps,( NYSC ), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has advised Corps Members to co-exist harmoniously with members of their host communities.
The Director-General who gave the advice during his welcome address to the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Corps Members, also urged the Corps Members to make a positive impact in the community by leaving it better than they met it.
“I charge you to love and co-exist harmoniously with members of your host community. As much as possible, try and make a positive impact in the community by leaving it better than you met it. Get integrated into the community -learning the language and culture of the people, knowing their norms and avoiding their taboos”. Please, never get involved in their local politics or show partisanship in national politics. Involvement in partisan politics is only permissible after your demobilisation from service.”
Adding that; “The Nation that has called you up for service expects so much from you and you must never disappoint the people of Nigeria. The motto of NYSC is Service and Humility. Let this be your guiding principle all through the duration of the programme.“
The Director-General congratulated the corps Members on the success that they have achieved in their various final examinations which qualified them to be called up by the Nation for service.
“Doubtlessly, the success was borne out of hard work, perseverance, discipline and focus. It is my earnest expectation that you will bring these sterling qualities to bear in the course of the mandatory service to the fatherland,“ he said.
The DG noted that the Scheme parades a pool of enlightened and sophisticated class of Nigerian youths, drawn from diverse backgrounds, with a united purpose of building a strong, indivisible and egalitarian entity.
According to him, the Orientation Course is designed to equip Corps Members towards national development.
“As the name connotes, Orientation Course is designed to equip Corps Members adequately for the task of nation building. Primarily, the course contents involve skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme, training in physical fitness; series of lectures, social activities, games and sports-all geared towards imbuing you with the spirit of discipline and patriotism, and getting you prepared for the leadership roles that you will assume in the polity in the nearest future.“
The Director-General also lectured them on the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme namely; Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service also known as Secondary Assignment and Winding-Up/Passing-Out Ceremony which every Corps Member must successfully pass through to qualify for demobilisation at the end of the twelve-months.
He also encouraged them to actively participate in camp activities.
“In the three weeks that you will be encamped, there will be observance of regimentation in all your activities. Therefore, you will not have absolute freedom as that will be curtailed. You are expected to conform to the rules and regulations guiding the Orientation Camp.
“On this premise, my dear children, I charge you to ensure active participation in all the camp activities. I am equally encouraging you to join the different camp committees such as Social, Sports, Cultural, Security and Sanitation Committees, among others, so as to be fully involved and abreast with camp administration.
“Membership of these Committees is a sure way of learning the rudiments of leadership and administration, a rare opportunity I am deeply convinced you will grab with both hands.”
Speaking on honours awards, the DG stated that only deserving Corps Members would be awarded.
“At the end of the Service Year, deserving Corps Members will be bestowed with some awards in the form of Chairman’s Award, State Honours Award and the highest -President’s NYSC Honours Award. Details of these recognitions shall be unveiled to you by the State Coordinator.
“However, it is pertinent to state that grading of recipients starts from the camp which makes it incumbent on you to distinguish yourself in whatever role that shall be assigned you in the course of the Orientation programme, and indeed the other cardinal programmes of the Scheme which I had earlier enumerated.“
He noted that due to the prevailing security which is a global issue, and economic realities the scheme has developed measures to address the challenges.
“This shift witnessed the introduction of Martial Arts training into the course content so as to equip Corps Members with basic self-defence skills. It will be wise to take this training seriously in order to enhance your personal security. That notwithstanding, the Scheme is always in constant touch with the various security agencies in order to ensure that your security is not compromised. In an attempt to stem this tide, the Scheme introduced Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme into the Orientation Course content. Prior to this intervention, the Scheme had been in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, now SDGs.
“My dear virile youths, your sojourn in the ship of nation-building is a lifetime opportunity, and I implore you to utilise it maximally. Some of your predecessors who heeded this counsel are today business owners, doing very well in their various businesses and contributing positively to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”
He, therefore, advised Corps Members to be security conscious and avoid actions that can endanger their safety.
The Director-General appealed to Corps Members to break any journey extending beyond 6 pm, and take shelter in NYSC, Military or Police formations.
The DG assured those seeking relocation on the basis of marriage or serious health challenges, that each case would be treated based on its merit.
PIAK
