The Director of the Procurement Department of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Directorate Headquarters, Abuja, Chief Chinwendu Ogbonannaya Chukwu has charged members of the service corps to sustain the unity and integration of the country as bequeathed by the founding fathers of the Scheme.
Chief Chukwu made the charge while addressing the 2023 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) corps members undergoing the orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Chukwu who boasts of reputable feats during his tenure as Coordinator in Rivers State between August 2018 and September 2021 said that the corps members should not allow vested interest of selfish individuals to sow the seed of disunity and rancour among them.
"Gentlemen corps members, the birth of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme came as a result of the civil war of 1967 to 1970. I am happy to say that the ingenuity of the founding fathers has united the nation through the process of the 3Rs: Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) administration".
"Let us come together to further deepen the impact of this symbol of national unity, development and integration. Your deployment to Ondo State is not by accident rather it is a deliberate ploy to make you understand the diversity and I equally wish to let you know that our strength as a country lies in bonding together as an indivisible distinct entity".
The Mene Yereba Nepyamiughon (the Chief who helps his children) of Ogoni Kingdom, Rivers State did not forget to inform the corps members that the NYSC encourages and promote inter-tribal marriages among them which should not be mis-interpreted for immorality among the Nigerian youths.
The Ebonyi State born administrator who obtained his first degree in Botany from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt and postgraduate degree in Information Technology implored the corps participants to work towards bringing development to their host communities.
"It is the desire of every right thinking person to impact the society and I want to encourage you to think of what you can do for your host communities so that whenever your name is mentioned, people will remember you as someone that brought smiles to the faces of the indigenes and residents" he said.
The one time Director, NYSC South East Area Office who is a recipient of commendation letters from two past Directors-General appealed to the future leaders-in training to start thinking about the future and be ready to make sacrifice for the development of humanity.
"The future is for those who are ready to be selfless and leave their comfort zones to develop people and infrastructures that will make people happy and live better life. You are the person to do so as NYSC is designed to deploy graduate youths for national service in states other than their own for the purpose of national development and integration".
He admonished them not to give in to peer pressure which may compel them into activities capable of jeopardising their future.
"My dear children, the pressure in the land is enough for you to wise up. Don't be cajoled into doing drugs and cultism. Your parents and the nation have invested in you and want to see you succeed. Do not join the bandwagon" he counselled.
The Director, Procurement, admonished them to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme for a secure and guaranteed future saying that whatever they learnt in camp and during the service year will place them in good stead to face challenges of life after the service year.
Chief Chukwu who left Ondo State NYSC Secretariat ten years ago as an Assistant Director, Corps Inspection and Monitoring eulogised the State Coordinator for the turn around she has brought to the state as developmental projects dotted the landscape of the camp.
"I envisaged what I was going to meet here having worked here for about four years but what I met on ground swept my feet away and I kept wondering where the resources came from, in view of the meagre allocation attributed to a challenged economy. Good job madam, please keep it up" he said.
"The neatness of your camp despite the rainy season is what I appreciate. I was here before and I know the challenges we face to keep this place clean because of the topography of the area but I am impressed that the State Coordinator has pulled wonders which will linger in my memory for a long while" he said proudly.
The State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani while welcoming the Director, Procurement disclosed that 1456 corps members made up of 725 males and 731 females have been wonderful, disciplined and well behaved.
The State Coordinator thanked the Director for his 'home coming visit' which she, the entire staff and corps members will not in any way take for granted.
Mrs. Ani encouraged the corps members to drink from the water of the wisdom of the cerebral administrator who is known to be astute and versatile.
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