The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN has urged corps members to demonstrate patriotic zeal towards national development and nation-building.
The Executive Governor made the statement at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko in his address read at the official opening/Swearing in Ceremony, for the 2023 Batch 'B' (Stream II) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
Represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Otunba Bamidele Ologun, the Governor said that selfless service is the hallmark of leadership.
He congratulated them on behalf of the Government and good people of Ondo State for successfully completing their various academic programmes, a feat which qualified them to be mobilised into the prestigious noble Scheme.
"Many of your colleagues who toiled day and night alongside with you were not as lucky as you are. This testifies to a special grace bestowed on you by our Creator and you should try as much as possible to give your very best to the entity called Nigeria through your anticipated selfless service in Ondo State".
"Now that you have been mobilised and deployed to Ondo State, I want you to discard whatever myths or misconceptions you may have been fed with about the people of Southwest. I am privileged by my status to inform you that Yorubas are peace loving, industrious, accommodating and above all, God,-fearing. You will enjoy every bit of your stay with them".
Akeredolu, who is the Chief Security Officer of the Sunshine State assured the corps members that their security and welfare would be adequately catered for during the service year.
Akeredolu who further disclosed that his administration will continue to improve on developmental projects and infrastructures that will encourage those who observe their mandatory service to stay and live in the state at the end of the service year.
The renowned lawyer turned politician appreciated all the stakeholders of the NYSC for their numerous support and assistance which has over the years been sustaining the Scheme to objectively and effectively deliver on its core mandate.
Welcoming the new entrants into the noble Scheme, the Chairman, Ondo State NYSC Governing Board who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola told the members of the service corps that the Sunshine State is blessed with tourist attractions that will make their stay memorable and historic.
In her introductory speech, the Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani informed the corps participants that the three weeks orientation course has been packaged to, among other things, introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the NYSC Scheme as well as prepare them for the challenges of service year and post-service life.
According to the State Coordinator, the orientation course is equally meant to acquaint them with their new socio-cultural environment and urged them to integrate properly into their host communities.
Mrs. Ani announced that they would be introduced to series of camp activities that are exciting, rewarding and memorable
The activities she mentioned included lectures on Tradition and Culture of the Yorubas, Leadership and Motivational lecture, Entrepreneurial Training, Parade Drills and Physical exercise, Man 'O' War Training, Social and Cultural activities, Sports and Inter-Platoon Skills Acquisition competition among others.
"Let me admonish you to participate actively in all these activities and comport yourselves as mature youths, endeavour to cooperate with camp officials and obey all rules and regulations governing your stay in camp" she advised.
The administrator who has mentored and still mentoring thousands of youths admonished them to be of good behaviour throughout the service year and implore them to distinguish themselves right from the orientation course and work relentlessly towards becoming an outstanding award winner at the end of the service year by providing the host communities and the society enduring legacies through qualitative projects that would impact their lives.
She acknowledged the contributions of the State Government for the unwavering support it extends to the Scheme at all times, and used the occasion to appeal for assistance from corporate organisations and well-meaning philanthropists in the society.
"Kindly make your presence felt in the Camp by having a project which we promise to name after such entity. For the purpose of records, the camp needs more hostel accommodation for both corps members and camp officials as well as befitting Multipurpose Hall for all our indoor activities" she concluded.
The Oath of Allegiance was administered on about 1700 prospective corps members by Chief Magistrate Sikiru Babalola Esq who represented the Chief Judge of Ondo State.
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