Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state has extolled the contributions of the National Youth Service Corps( NYSC) scheme in mobilizing the youth towards national integration, re-orientation and development.
Ikpeazu who made the commendation during the swearing in ceremony of the 2018 Batch “B” Corps members deployed to Abia State held at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Umunna in Bende local government commanded the ideas of the founding fathers in setting up the scheme 45years ago.
He noted that the scheme has over the years grown to become an effective tool for national integration, unity and development and advocated its repositioning with a view to enhancing greater efficiency and service delivery. Dr Ikpeazu noted with happiness the number of developmental programmes members of the scheme have initiated which he said have helped in galvanized the innovative, creative and productive potentials of the corps members during their service year.
The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Chief Ike Anyatonwu said that the founding father’s underlying idea was to encouraged unity, national integration and focus youths on self-employment as a major option after their service year.
According to him, the scheme over the years has impacted positively on the psyche of the Nigerian youth and has contributed immensely to the development of our nation through the various community development projects executed by the corp members.
He acknowledged the contributions and noble roles corps members have played towards the development of the state and stated that in recognition of their contributions, many of them have at different time been rewarded for their outstanding performances. The governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure that whatever sacrifice they make to better the living standard of Abians would not go unnoticed as well as assured the state NYSC of necessary support and encouragement to ensure the success of the scheme in the state.
The Chief executive said that the success of any venture are dependent of the foundation laid at the beginning and urged them to take seriously the skills acquisition training programme during the orientation period in order to equip themselves adequately for future challenges.
While reminding them of the need to imbibe self discipline and obey camp rules and regulations during the service year, Dr. Ikpeazu commended the NYSC management for restructuring and repackaging the scheme to meet with present national challenges .
Speaking earlier, the state Chairman, NYSC governing board and Commissioner for Youth Development, Chief Ike Anyatonwu represented by the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth Development. Ugoeze Ifeyinwa Uwasomba said that the scheme was designed to inculcate discipline and instill on the youth the tradition of industry, patriotism and loyal service to Nigeria nation in any sphere of service they might find themselves.
He said that the scheme has been repackaged to adequately equip the corp members to face the challenges of the service year and beyond as well learn the culture, history and geography of their host community.
In her address, the state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Francesca Ifon stated that the scheme recently celebrated its 45 years of existence and that the task of nation building required the efforts of all well meaning Nigerians especially youths.
She said that a total of 1900 comprising 1040 males and 852 females corps members were deployed to Abia state and charged the newly posted corps members to take seriously all the teachings during the orientation course as well as active participation in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) and other trainings they would be exposed to in the course of their training.
Mrs Ifon warned them against all forms of cultism and unethical behaviors as any breach to the peace of the camp and the community would be sanctioned severely. She commended the state governor, Dr Ikpeazu for his tremendously support and assistance to the scheme especially in the renovation of the camp as well appreciated its Director-General, Brig General S. Z Kazaure for approving contract award for the renovation of female hostel C and commended all the collaborating agencies for their assistance to the scheme.
