Ahead of the 2023 general elections, corps members have been warned against involvement in the local politics of their host communities.
The Acting Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Mrs Christy Uba gave the warning in an address presented at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for members of the Batch C Stream II orientation exercise.
Mrs Uba told the corps members that much was expected from them by Nigerians, particularly as some of them would be engaged in various duties in the electoral exercise; hence they must be seen always as neutral and forthright.
In the address delivered through the Osun State Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Abduwahab Olayinka, the Director General also charged the participants to be of good conduct in their places of primary assignment and make an enduring impact not just through their daily assignment, but through individual and a group project.
“In keeping with the objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their cultures. I enjoin you to undertake personal and group Community Development Service projects that will help to uplift the living standard of the people of your host communities.”
She also advised them to take the skill acquired during the ‘Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development Programme’, SAED at the camp seriously to serve as a roadmap to building a sustainable future.
“I encourage you to build on the skills acquired by availing yourselves of opportunities for post-camp training as this will go a long way in empowering you for self-reliance. On our part, we are liaising with financial institutions and other stakeholders with a view to providing start-up loans to enable you to actualize your business dreams.”
Mrs Uba called on the corps members to be security conscious in the course of their service, warning them against long journeys, avoid isolation and other acts inimical to their well-being.
“Travelling at night will not only increase the risk of accidents but also make rescue difficult. You are, therefore, advised to always cut short your trips from six o’clock in the evening and pass the night at NYSC Lodges, military barracks and other locations officially designated as safe. Furthermore, you should board vehicles only at approved motor parks so as to avoid falling into the hands of criminals”.
The Acting DG lauded the commitment of the Federal, State and Local governments to the NYSC as well as traditional rulers, residents of host communities and corps employers.
In Osun State, a total of thousand and seventy graduates of different institutions participated in the Batch C Stream II orientation exercise.
Similarly, the Acting Director-General, National Youths Service Corps, Mrs Christy Uba, has described NYSC as a non-political Scheme, hence corps members are expected to be apolitical, sustain the spirit of patriotism, self-reliance, hard work and other enviable virtues during their service year.
The Acting DG stated this in a message to the closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Orientation Course held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ise-Orun/Emure Ekiti State.
The Acting DG, who was represented by the NYSC Ekiti State Coordinator, Mrs Mary Nnenna Chikezie stressed that the integration of Corps members into their host communities is one of the objectives of the Scheme.
Therefore, Corps members are o respect the Culture and traditions of their host communities so as to enjoy their service year.
She reiterated the need for corps members to progress in post-camp Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED training as the scheme is in partnership with financial institutions to provide start-up loans to corps members.
According to her, ” I would like to remind you of the Oath of allegiance you took in which you pledged to accept posting in good faith. I enjoin you to perform your duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws as well as workplace rules and regulations.” Acting DG said.
“In keeping with the objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their cultures. You must desist from meddling in their local politics. Furthermore, I enjoin you to undertake personal and group Community Development Service projects that will help uplift the living standard of the people of your host communities,” she added.
Mrs Christy Uba equally reminded the corps members to be good ambassadors of both the scheme and their families.
The NYSC Acting DG further appealed to organisations and government authorities to give preference to the corps members in order to enable them to develop their potential and attain greater heights.
Adenitan Akinola/Amos Ogunrinde
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