“NYSC Scheme is for National Integration & Unity” – Ebonyi State Coordinator
Moses Nwite, Abakaliki.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria, says the scheme is purely for national integration and unity.
The newly appointed coordinator of the NYSC in the state, Mrs Foluke Oladeinde, made the assertion during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch’C’ stream ‘1’ corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Old Macgregor College, Afikpo North local government area of the state.
Giving a brief history, the state coordinator said the NYSC scheme was established by decree (now Act) No. 24 of 22nd May, 1973, in furtherance of the federal government’s post-war policy, realizing the much needed national unity and integration among all the tribes of Nigeria.
To achieve this, the service has been carefully planned and segmented into four cardinal programmes namely, orientation, primary assignment, Community Development Service (CDS), and the winding-up and passing-out parade.
“The orientation course, which is the first segment, is what we are doing now and the three-week long orientation exercise, which is regimented, is packaged to instill in the corps members the disciplined mind and sense of self-reliance needed to face the challenges ahead during and after the service year.
“It is with my heart full of joy that I welcome you all to the official swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘C’ stream 1 corps members deployed to Ebonyi State.
“On behalf of the management and the entire NYSC family in Ebonyi State, I happily welcome our special guest of honour, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, and other distinguished guests, who are here today to witness this very important occasion.
“You are highly welcome. Permit me also to welcome the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Ngene, who has come to administer the NYSC oath of allegiance to the corps members. Let me appreciate, in particular, the presence of the NYSC State Governing Board Chairman, Mr Richard Idike.
“It is on this note, my dear young Nigerians, that I urge you to take every aspect of the orientation course very seriously by participating actively, especially the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurshp Development (SAED) Programme. Key into it for you to acquire skills for job and wealth creation.
“Great Nigerian youths, let me reiterate for emphasis that the camp is highly regimented and our watchword is discipline; this means that we have zero tolerance to any form of indiscipline.
“I, therefore, advise you to read in between the lines of every NYSC publications issued to you. They will assist you in the better understanding of what we are doing here on camp and other aspects of the service year so as to be well informed.
“Let me at this juncture disclose that the NYSC has put in place structures that identify and honour corps members, who distinguished themselves during the service year, and such corps members could bag various awards such as the State Coordinator’s Commendation Letter, Local Government Area award, State Government award, and the prestigious President’s honours award.
“The selection process starts here. Strive to be among those who will wear the crown at the end of the service year,” she advised.
Mrs Oladeinde disclosed that a total of 1,360 corps members had been deployed to Ebonyi State, out of which 688 young male adults and 672 young female adults reported and had been registered.
The NYSC State coordinator commended the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, for his government of inclusion, numerous supports and attention the NYSC scheme has always enjoyed in the state.
She equally appreciated the local government chairmen in the state, the host communities, the security, and collaborating agencies for the synergy the scheme always enjoys.
The State Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Mr Richard Idike, who equally represented Governor Francis Nwifuru, encouraged all the corps members to be of good behavior throughout their stay in the camp.
Idike equally urged them to always be security conscious.
