Fubara Reaffirms Support To NYSC Scheme In Rivers
Edith CHUKU
The Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has reassured the National Youth Service Corps in the state that his administration will be unwavering in its support to the NYSC scheme.
Fubara gave this reassurance on Tuesday, at the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of 1,906 corps members of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 11, held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, in Tai Local Government Area of the state.
The governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Service Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the state government, Sir Samson Friday Dede, congratulated the corpers deployed to the state.
He also commended the NYSC management for their efforts in nation building and improving the operations of the scheme to make corps members to become self-employed at the end of the service year through the introduction of the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme.
In his address, Fubara charged the corpers to be “exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do both here on Camp and throughout the service year in order to repay Nigerians the faith and trust placed on you.
“Take full advantage of the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves. Discipline should be your watch word. Abhor social vices such as corruption, cultism, ethnic bigotry, religious intolerance, violence and indiscipline.
“You are to imbibe and promote moral values and acceptable social behaviours as captured in the motto of the NYSC Scheme, ‘Service and Humility’.”
Declaring the event opened, the governor affirmed that “in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda of the present administration ably led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conscious and consistent effort will be made to tackle youth unemployment by extension life many out of poverty.
“Similarly, on the part of my administration’s continuity and collaboration agenda, we will be unwavering in our support and goodwill to the NYSC Scheme in moulding and positively shaping the attitude of body and mind of our leaders of tomorrow at all times.”
Fubara further expressed his conviction that, “with sustained efforts in improving the knowledge gained by corps members in the NYSC SAED Programme which seeks self-reliance and empowerment for corps members, Nigeria will soon witness a resurgence in her economic fortunes”
On his part, the NYSC state Coordinator, Mr. George Mfongang, charged the corps members to make honest and patriotic sacrifices that will lead to socio-economic development, peace and prosperity of the nation.
Mfongang explained that honest and patriotic sacrifices of elite youths like the corpers will enable Nigeria attain the much desired and cherished unity and integration.
He informed the corps members that, “if Nigeria is to deepen her social values and moral tone amongst citizens, educated youths like you must champion it and be in the forefront of driving home into the consciousness of all Nigerians.”
Describing the patriotic and disciplined attitude of the corps members displayed since their arrival to camp as heart-warming and highly commendable, the NYSC cord charged them to take seriously the 9-day skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training on camp, insisting that it will help them develop business capacity and the potential for job and wealth creation.
According to him, “the orientation course is the launching pad for the one-year national service. It is designed to give corps members a better understanding of the objectives of the NYSC Scheme and enable them to internalize its ideals; acquaint them with their environment in their political, cultural, social and economic setting.
“It is also to prepare them for their particular roles in the scheme; equip them with the practical, social and leadership skills that will enable them meet the challenges of the service year ahead.
“Also, to lay foundation of the much-envisaged unity through interaction of corps members from different political, cultural and social backgrounds in the camp. Inculcate discipline and raise the moral tone of corps members by subjecting them to military drills and educating them on topical nationalistic issues among others.”
Mfongang further appreciated the governor for his support and fatherly disposition to the NYSC scheme and assured him of the support of the scheme towards the success of his administration’s policies and programmes.
Some of the dignitaries present at the event were the Chief Judge of the state, Chibuzor Amadi represented by Justice Lemea Ngbor-Abina, DPO Tai LGA -Ezekwe Chinonye, representatives from the NDLEA- Ukwe Kikpoye, DSS- Nora Peter, FRSC -AB Shaibu, NSCDC- Kenneth Odiagbe, Okoro Ikechukwu, Wealth Ine Edward, among others.
The oat of allegiance was administered by Justice Lemea Ngbor-Abina.
