Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON of Ondo State, has urged Corps members to contribute significantly to the nation’s development.
Arakunrin Akeredolu declared the 2023 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) orientation course open at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
The Governor advised Nigerian graduates to mobilise and deploy to view the national assignment as a capacity development platform that will define their history and make the country a model for other nations.
“Being part of history today, you are thus urged to regard yourselves as fortunate citizens to provide your best on this national duty which posterity has forced upon you through this prestigious and honourable Plan.
“I want to admonish you to justify the faith reposed in you by the Federal Government through the National Youth Service Corps to provide your best to the country with your expected selfless and devoted service in Ondo, the Sunshine State.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a rule-of-law advocate, stated that the Corps members are joining at a time when all hands must be on deck to better and develop all aspects of human life.
“As youthful, active and focused youngsters with fresh ideas to confront the difficulties bedevilling the nation, I want you to come up with propositions that would bring us back the road of glory that Nigeria was renowned for in the sixties and seventies,” he added.
The Governor, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Otunba Bamidele Ologun, praised the founders and managers of the Scheme at all levels for mentoring and tutoring youths to become great nationalists like Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
“My national service comrades, this is a time to show the world you can genuinely be agents of good change. He advised students to take the orientation course seriously.
The Governor stated that his administration would not compromise Corps members’ security and welfare during the service year as a responsible government with a history of excellence, safety, and public interest.
“Our Government will continue to build on developmental projects and infrastructures that will attract many who observed their obligatory duty to stay and live in the state beyond the service year,” he added.
The State Coordinator, Mrs Victoria Nnenna Ani, declared in her introduction speech that the orientation course will acquaint new participants with the Scheme’s aims and critical programmes.
She said the orientation training prepares corps members for service year and post-service life and introduces them to their new socio-cultural context.
“Camp will introduce you to fascinating, gratifying, and unforgettable extracurricular activities. “These include lectures on Yoruba Tradition and Culture, Leadership Lectures, Entrepreneurship Training, Parade Drills, Man’ O’ War Training, Social and Cultural events, Sports, Inter-Platoon Skills Acquisition competition, and others,” she said.
