The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday enjoined the newly sworn-in Youth Corps members to be patriotic and conduct themselves well during the three-week orientation exercise in the state.
He also said, as grown up citizens, they have important roles to play in building the nation, asking them to be physically, psychologically and socially ready for that civic duty.
“I want you to justify the confidence reposed in you as leaders of this great nation, by making patriotism, discipline, good conduct, honesty, and hard work your watchwords, throughout the course and thereafter,” the Governor said this at the NYSC orientation camp at Yikpata, Edu LG, during the swearing-in ceremony for Batch ‘C’ Stream I Youth corps members.
“As you formally commence your one-year national service today, you will be fulfilled, in a special way, in the hopes and aspirations of our great country, which put a premium on the moral and physical development of the youths for a better and greater tomorrow,”
Represented by the supervising Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, AbdulRazaq urged them to exemplify the motto of the NYSC – ‘Service and Humility’, that he identified as sterling qualities.
“I enjoin you to always present yourselves as worthy ambassadors of your various families and indeed the NYSC scheme, by exhibiting the sterling qualities of “Service and Humility” as enshrined as the motto of the NYSC,” he added.
He restated the administration’s commitment to their welfare and to continually making the state peaceful and habitable for all and sundry.
The Oath of Allegiance was administered to the corps members by Justice Sulaiman Mobolaji Akanbi, on behalf of the Kwara State Chief Judge.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Abdulrasak Babatunde Alabere, in his submission, commended the Governor’s passion and commitment to improving the well-being of youth corpers in the state.
He said the government will hesitate to reward hard work and outstanding contributions from among them, and encouraged them to be good ambassadors at their respective duty posts.
He also assured them of fairness in the posting exercise, which he said will be carried out by the NYSC Governing Council, saying their deployment will be guided by necessity.
Earlier, the state Coordinator for NYSC, Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, in his address, praised the Governor for the procurement of 500 new mattresses for the orientation camp, which he said will go a long way in promoting comfort during their stay.
He also appreciated the corp members for their eagerness to go through the mandatory youth corp service, stating that the various activities lined up would be entertaining and educating, and requested them to strictly comply with all laid down rules.
“You are further enjoined to comport yourselves in a disciplined and orderly manner, as all forms of unruly behavior would not be tolerated on camp either from you or camp officials,” he said.
Also in attendance were the representative of the Comptroller of Immigration, Chief Superintendent Olumuyiwa Kabiru Aliyu, representative of Director of State Services, Mr. Haruna Sunmonu; representative of National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) State Commander, Assistant Commander of Narcotics Ango Mohammed Tukur; and some directors and staff of the NYSC.
A total of 2200 Corps members comprising 1150 females and 1050 males were sworn in.