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The newly mobilised Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) corps members in Ondo State have been advised to make good use of their service year in the state, with an assurance that the state was safe and peaceful.
The Director, Legal Services of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Barrister Ibrahim Ahmed Tijani, gave the advise while speaking to the corps members undergoing their mandatory orientation course at the Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State.
He assured the corps members that the NYSC will intensify collaboration with all security agencies and organisations to ensure that adequate security was provided for members of the service corps.
“Let me tell you that part of the mandate of management is to ensure that the corps members are adequately protected and secured. By the grace of God who has thrusted this responsibility on our shoulders and with your prayers, we will not deviate from this onerous responsibility”, he said.
Tijani, who is also the Onoguvo 1 of Igaraland enjoined the corps members to see the Sunshine State as their new home maintaining that “Ondo people are generally known as friendly and peace loving”
He charged the corps members to see the mandatory one year service as a veritable tool to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria and an opportunity to go home with new and pleasant experiences. He advised them to keep one another company by going out in groups. This, he said, will help them feel less lonely, more secure and share experiences.
Speaking further, he said: “Ondo State is very safe and secure but make sure you move in groups or at least with a friend or colleague. If you go to any community, obey their culture and traditions. Try as much as possible to be good ambassadors and always remember the motto of NYSC which is Service and Humility’.
He advised the corps members to accept their posting in good faith and serve diligently at their places of primary assignments
Earlier in her opening remarks, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio thanked the management through Barrister Tijani for providing the needed logistics for the smooth execution of the orientation course and appreciated the legal icon for his unwavering love for the youths.
She expressed satisfaction that the corps members have been well behaved since the commencement of the orientation course. She also hailed the resilience, teamwork and hard work of all the camp officials.
She disclosed that a total number of 2136 corps members made up of 1106 males and 1030 females were registered. She said some members were exempted from the camp. According to her, they included 27 pregnant women, 54 nursing mothers and 125 sick members.