The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has inducted 2,049 new corps members for the 2019 Batch A Service year in Anambra.
Mr Kehinde Aremu, Coordinator of the scheme in the state, presented the new inductees to Gov. Willie Obiano at the Umunya Temporary Orientation site in Oyi Local Government Area on Friday.
Aremu said 1,038 females and 1,011 male were taking part in the exercise.
He urged the inductees to take the best advantage of the various programmes in the orientation course and strive to surpass the achievements of their predecessors.
Aremu applauded the roles of corps members in adding credibility to the election processes in Nigeria and thanked God that there was no loss of lives during the just-concluded elections in Anambra.
“While I join others to congratulate these Nigerians for successfully completing their tertiary education, it is pertinent to remind us that NYSC has continued to remain a unifying institution in Nigeria landscape.
“Corps members play roles in giving credibility to our electoral process, all national ideals that require objectivity have had to depend on the pool of manpower provided by the NYSC.
“You are therefore, expected to fit into the development agenda of Gov. Obiano’administration as school teachers, Agriculture Extension Workers, rural health care givers and foot soldiers in the emerging robust economy being birthed by this administration,” he said.
Aremu thanked Obiano for the level of work done at the scheme’s permanent orientation site in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu and noted the need to complete it to enable them commence camping there.
He expressed optimism that the NYSC would hold next camping at the permanent site, adding that the temporary site had become grossly inadequate following the rainstorm that wreaked havoc on March 22.
“This camp was devastated on March 22 but it has taken the grace of God and benevolence of his Excellency to get this camping going.
“The permanent site is almost ready, the structures are there, so we are hopeful that we will hold the next camping there.
“It is close to the road, so we need the fence, sewage and fittings; I thank the governor for his commitment to see that the camp is completed,” he said.
Declaring the orientation course open, Obiano welcomed the new corps members to Anambra and urged them to imbibe the principles and values they would be taught in camp.
Obiano, represented by Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the State Government, promised to provide the enabling environment for youths to maximise their potential of self-realisation and entrepreneurship.
He assured the scheme that the permanent orientation site would be delivered before the next orientation course and that it would be held there.
“As you formally commence your one year national service today, I implore you to exhibit the highest degree of loyalty, education, discipline and commitment to national ideals,” he said. (NAN)