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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has implored newly posted Corps members to Yobe state to sustain the high level of discipline and enthusiasm they have demonstrated so far, especially by remaining compliant with the Camp rules and regulations.
He also charged them to continue to distance themselves from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices just as he urged them to avoid using the social media for spreading fake news, fueling of hatred and other negative purposes, and instead deploy same for the promotion of national unity and development.
The DG who addressed the prospective Corps members strongly advised them to be security conscious at all times, and to report any suspicious characters or activities around them to the appropriate authorities.
He also reminded them that the oath of allegiance they have taken was significant, “as it is expected to guide your conduct in the Service Year as well as have everlasting influence on your life after service. You are also enjoined to familiarize yourselves with the provisions of the NYSC Act and the NYSC Bye-Laws” .
Shuaibu Ibrahim further implored them to sustain the high level of discipline and enthusiasm they have demonstrated so far, especially by remaining compliant with the Camp rules and regulations.
“At this juncture, I would like to remind you that white-collar jobs are not readily available. Therefore, I encourage you to avail yourselves of opportunities for self-employment offered through our Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme”, he admonished the Corps members.
He stressed that, “You are expected to choose from any of the skill areas, and make yourselves available for the training, which starts from the Orientation Camp. On our part, Management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme” .
Speaking further, the DG said that, “As you are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. You must, therefore, adhere strictly to the outlined preventive measures such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks and the use of hand washing facilities provided at strategic locations throughout the Orientation period”.
“Let me also remind you that the Federal Government’s directive on presentation of evidence of COVID-19 vaccination as a pre-requisite for gaining entry to public offices is still in force. Therefore, I encourage those of you, who are yet to take the vaccine, to do so without further delay as the rule will apply to you both in your places of Primary Assignment and other public offices”, he added.
He however assured that, “We are sustaining our liaison with the relevant authorities with a view to ensuring that the vaccines are made available to you in the course of this programme” .
“I consider it appropriate to use this opportunity to thank the House of Representatives for the progress made so far in the legislative processes on the Bill for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund”, he said.
Represented by the Yobe state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Hafsat Yerima, the DG said that, “I also wish to thank Nigerians for the continuous show of support for the proposed Trust Fund, especially as overwhelmingly demonstrated during the public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Youth on the matter” .
According to him, “I wish to once again appeal to the appropriate authorities to provide the necessary enablement for the actualization of the Fund. This will surely enhance the smooth operation of the Scheme, especially by addressing the challenge of infrastructure. It will also boost our skills and entrepreneurship development programme aimed at empowering Corps members for self-employment and wealth creation”.
Shuaibu Ibrahim also appealed for the support of all stakeholders for the success of our Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), which is aimed at providing easier access to free and qualitative health care, especially for the rural poor.
He particularly implored well-to-do individuals and corporate bodies to take a cue from Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, by donating well equipped ambulances for the operation of the NYSC Mobile Clinics as well as other essential equipment and drugs that will facilitate the conduct of our medical outreaches.
“In conclusion, I would like to express appreciation of the support of the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as Security Agencies, traditional rulers, Corps Employers and other stakeholders, especially in areas of security and general welfare of Corps Members”, he concluded.
A total of 944 youths took oath of service and allegiance for the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Orientation course.
