NYSC DG Tasks Corp Members on Patriotism, Community Development as Orientation Camp Closes

Daily Rendezvous 

- As Corp Members Relish Opportunity to Contribute to National Unity, Development 

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Christy Ufeanyi Uba, has challenged members of the 2022 Batch C, Stream II corps, to be patriotic and contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. Christy Uba told corp members at the closing ceremony of their orientation camp that they must commit themselves to self development through skill acquisition and development of their immediate place of posting in order to make Nigeria a better place.

Christy Uba, who was represented by the Adamawa State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dennis Jingi, said, Nigeria is in need of the creativity, energy and commitment of younger generation of Nigerians in order to achieve its dream of being a great and united county.

Christy Uba made this known in her address delivered at the closing ceremony of the Batch C Stream II orientation camp, Tuesday, in Yola, Adamawa state.

Uba said, the youth service scheme is a deliberately designed strategy for national unity and cohesion aimed at deepening Nigeria's social cohesion and development, hence, corp members must contribute to the growth of the communities where they are deployed.

The DG explained that corp members have a significant role to play in changing the narrative of how Nigeria is seen and respected within and outside the country by positively impacting their respective serving communities though engagements in personal and group community projects.

Uba urged corp members to explore creative strategies to improve on the skills and business training they acquired during at the camp in order to be Job creators and self-reliant.

Christy Uba said, "I urge you to sustain the spirit of patriotism, hard work and resilience which you imbibed during the Orientation Course. 

"It is my ardent hope that you will strive to meet the expectations of Nigerians by contributing towards the progress and development of our dear country. 

"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 in keeping with the objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their cultures."

Christy further said, "I have received impressive reports on your participation in the entrepreneurial trainings conducted in Camp under the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. 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 actualize your business dreams.

"I urge you to be security conscious at all times, as security is every one’s business. You should avoid acts that can endanger your lives such as staying out late, attending night parties, visitation of dangerous places, and acceptance of car ride and gifts from strangers. Management remains committed to making adequate provisions for your welfare and security. 

"We are in constant liaison with security agencies and other critical stakeholders with a view to ensuring your safety as well as addressing other essential needs for a fulfilling service year.

"At all times, you should be good ambassadors of the NYSC as well as your families and institutions of graduation. Therefore, you must be wary of acts that can portray the Scheme in bad light, especially drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and Advanced-Fee-Fraud and spreading of fake news, amongst others. Also remember that your membership of the Service Corps does not confer on you immunity from the legal consequences of any wrongdoing. You are, therefore, enjoined to continue to be law-abiding while also serving as role models for the younger ones."

Uba urged the corp members to stay away from local politics and to initiate community projects that touches the lives of the local communities where they are posted to.

She urged them to avoid irresponsible use of the social media and instead to use the social media to promote nation growth, unity and development of the country.

Speaking to Daily Sun, some of the corp members express their delight at serving in Adamawa saying the experience has broaden their views of the vast cultural and social diversity Nigeria is blessed with.

Iyeyemi Ogeneteaga, 

from Delta state said, "My impression and perception about Adamawa State was negative and completely erroneous as my experience has shown.

"I was afraid, I did not know anyone here, I can't speak the language and it is too far from where I came from, so it was natural for me to feel apprehensive.

"But after my time in camp, I just discovered one of the most amazing and wonderful people, and very friendly, kind and welcoming.

"After university, the NYSC is the biggest opportunity given to young Nigerians to see the world away from their narrow perspective."

Another Corp Member, Omorele Chineme said, "It was a pleasant experience being here.

"We are one Nigeria despite our differences, my perspective has changed and I feel more opened and in tune with various cultures and ethnicity."

Ohere Deborah, "I have learnt to challenge myself and I feel I can achieve anything I set my mind on in this life.

"I have seen Nigeria as it should be seen, and I think this is the kind of Nigerian view we all need to have. I have related with people from backgrounds, cultures, traditions and religions different from mine and we related and lived well.

"This is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life."