Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has called on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the various states of the federation to contribute their quota to nation’s development.
Ihedioha gave the advice on Thursday at the official opening of the orientation course for 2019 Batch ‘B’ Corps Members deployed to Imo at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Eziama Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government area.
Represented by Mrs Uche Ezeonyeasi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Talent and Youth Development as well as the Chairman of Imo State NYSC Governing Board, Ihedioha congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of their programmes in their various institutions.
The governor said that the NYSC scheme had enhanced national unity and integration and impacted on the economic growth of the nation through its skills acquisition programmes.
He advisednthe corps members to make concerted efforts in helping the scheme to fulfill its obligations and goals.
Ihedioha urged the corps members to feel at home and enjoy the hospitality for which the state had been known and pledged the determination of his administration to help the NYSC in the state to fulfill its obligations.
READ ALSO: Divorce impacting negatively on Nigerian youths–Judge
“Imo is the hospitality hub of Nigeria. Feel free and enjoy the state. Behave well and obey the rules guiding the camp,” he said.
Mrs Adanma Ogoamaka, the state Director of Administration and Finance, who represented Mrs Ezeonyeasi, advised the corps members to learn and adjust to the cultures and traditions of the people of the state.
She enjoined them to be disciplined, work diligently and be their brothers’ keepers to achieve the aims and objectives of the scheme.
Earlier, the new NYSC State Coordinator, Mr John Eloeboh, had commended the corps members for their academic success which qualified them to be in camp.
He said that life at the camp was regimented, but the training they would receive would equip them with leadership qualities as well as prepare them mentally and physically to face the challenges of the service year.
Eloeboh said that the corps members were being sensitised and empowered to add value in the places of their primary assignment and host communities.
READ ALSO: Lagos lawmaker urges NASS to commence electoral reforms, reduce number of political parties
He charged them to settle down and fulfill their orientation and service obligations creditably, while assuring them that their welfare and entitlements would be accorded utmost consideration.
Eloeboh said that the scheme had registered 2,137 corps members in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the Imo Government for its continued support and assistance to the NYSC scheme in the state.
Eloeboh pledged the readiness of the management, staff of NYSC and corps members to support and drive home the Rebuild Imo Policy Agenda of the current government.
The state coordinator, however, appealed for the construction of a staff hostel in the orientation camp to accommodate all the camp officials during the orientation programmes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the oath of allegiance administered on the corps members by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Pascal Nnadi, represented by Justice M.B Ukoha of the state Ministry of Justice. (NAN)