Edith CHUKU
The governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the2024 Batch A Stream 11 corps members deployed to the state to leave lasting legacies that will stand the test of time.
Fubara also urged them to be role models to all and sundry, stay focused and determined to excel in the service year.
The governor gave this charge while addressing the corps members on the occasion of the closing ceremony of 2024 Batch A Stream 11 Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam Tai on Tuesday.
Fubara who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Hamilton Amadi, expressed joy and heartily congratulated the Corpers on the successful completion of the three weeks orientation exercise.
He said, “I am most grateful to God for His grace upon you which made it possible for you to finish the camping exercise strong.
“I congratulate all the camp officials for their conscious and consistent effort in moulding, shaping and nurturing the corps members into becoming highly disciplined and patriotic youths ready to make positive impacts in their places of primary assignment across host communities in the 23 LGAs of the state.
“I am pleased with the positive reports I received about you which indicted that you were steadfast, dogged, committed and dedicated in imbibing the values of the NYSC Scheme.
“Fellow compatriots, I have no doubt that with the successful completion of the orientation exercise, you are now braced up for the other 3 remaining cardinal programmes of the scheme namely; Primary Assignment, Secondary Assignment and the winding-up/Passing-Out.”
The governor urged that, “as you move into the nooks and crannies of your host communities shortly, I charge you to be focused and determined to excel in the service year. In the light of the above, you are expected to participate actively in playing a pivotal role to uplift the lives of good people of the State.
“As you settle down in your host community, integrate well with the people. Also, respect their culture and traditions and learn their language too. In doing so, you will be fulfilling a key objective of the scheme which centers on “unity and integration.”
He advised them to, “Identify the felt needs of members of your host community and initiate community development service CDS, projects that will help them to live a better, healthier and productive life. In doing this, you will be making the scheme more visible, relevant and endearing in the hearts of the citizens.
“I charge you to take the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development SAED, Programme very seriously in order to equip yourself for economic emancipation, empowerment, self-reliance and wealth creation.”
Fubara further assured NYSC in the state of his administration’s support at all times, especially in ensuring that their maximum security and welfare across the length and breadth of state is guaranteed.
He also charged the Corps Members to “be a beacon of light to the good people of the State and put into consideration always, the fact that you owe the nation the responsibility to serve well and leave lasting legacies that will stand the test of time. Equally, you are expected to be role models to all and sundry as an elite graduate youth.
“Avoid acts that will tarnish the image of the NYSC scheme, Rivers State and Nigeria at large by being exemplary in character and conduct from today and going forward.”
In conclusion, the governor thanked the good people of Nonwa and Gbam communities for their unflinching support to the scheme towards the successful implementation of her policies, programmes and activities especially, the successful conduct of orientation exercises, even as he declared the orientation course closed.
On his part, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. George Mfongang, described the three weeks orientation exercise as peaceful and hitch-free, which he said was attributable to the Corps Members exceptional patriotism, discipline, passion to learn and commitment to improve individually and collectively.
Mfongang noted that the Corpers participated actively in all camp programmes and activities such as drill, citizenship and leadership training, lectures, socials, skills acquisition, games and sports amongst others.
He expressed the believe that the corps members would do extremely well in their places of primary assignment across the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to him, “having imbibed and internalized the core values of the NYSC Scheme as captured in meditation topics delivered to them which dwelt on patriotism, integrity, loyalty, honesty, efficiency, commitment, teamwork amongst others, the corps members are ready to be agents and catalysts of positive change and nation-building.
“I am confident that they will entrench peace, equity, social justice, respect, tolerance, mutual love and understanding amongst Nigerians.”
The NYSC state cord encouraged them to “sustain the tempo of the high level of discipline they imbibed in the camp as well as show it, live it and make it very visible in the eyes of members of their host community by initiating and executing viable community development service CDS projects that will positively impact on the lives of the citizens of Rivers State.
“As you go into the nooks and crannies of the state today, do not engage in acts that are capable of outing you in harm’s way especially night travels and unapproved journeys.
“Others includes involvement in cultism, drug abuse, internet fraud and all other social vices that can lead you to be arrested and prosecuted by the law enforcement agencies.
“I enjoin you to live above board, be role models and good ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme in your places of primary assignment in your host community. Please take your post Camp Skill Acquisition training very seriously in order to become employers of labour rather than disillusioned job seekers at the end of service year.
He further thanked the governor for “his love for corps members in particular and the NYSC Scheme at large, and the host communities; Nonwa and Gbam for their steadfast and resolute support to the NYSC Scheme at all times, especially in smooth conduct of Orientation Courses.
Some corps members like Priscillia Buka from Kaduna State, Abrahim Elegbede from Lagos State and Usman Adewale from Oyo State took turns to appreciate the state government, the host communities and NYSC for the orientation camp which they described as life shaping.
