Olukayode Babalola
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has urged 2023 Batch B Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state to play their role in nation building by serving the nation diligently during their service year.
Sule stated this in his farewell address to the corps members at the closing ceremony of the set’s orientation course held at the Magaji Dan-Yamusa NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi local government area of the state on Tuesday.
Sule represented by Mr Ja’afar Ango, Commissioner, Nasarawa state Ministry for Youth and Sports Development urged the corps members to play their roles in nation building effectively by ensuring that they put the skills and training gotten from the orientation exercise into good use in their various Places of Primary Assignments (PPA).
“Also play your role in nation building without bitterness or rancor as these are emotions capable of limiting you from achieving optimally in life,” he said.
He also assured the corps members of the total support, friendly and peace loving nature of the people of the state in making their stay in the state memorable and rewarding.
“In addition, as you move into various communities in Nasarawa state, you will find the right environment to live and work. Get yourself occupied to avoid unnecessary journeys.
“Many corps members have lost their lives through preventable and avoidable road accidents.
Your parents and the nation have invested much in you and are waiting to reap the dividends,” he said.
Sule expressed joy that the orientation exercise had retained the same rich content that has produced service ready corps members who have selflessly supported his administration’s developmental efforts in Nasarawa state.
“I hope that the corps members standing before me are ready to diligently apply the lessons garnered during the orientation course in the service year and beyond,” he said.
He then urged them to accept their postings to every part of the state with open minds and assured them of his administration’s statutory responsibility for their welfare, security and general well-being.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdullahi Jikamshi, Coordinator of the Scheme in the state also congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of the orientation exercise.
He expressed joy that out of a total of 1744 corps members who participated in the orientation course, no casualty was recorded in any camp activities undertaken by the corps members.
He said during the three weeks exercise, the corps members were well equipped mentally and physically to enable them face the challenges of the service year.
“I am particularly happy to announce that since their arrival on camp, these corps members have exhibited a great sense of maturity, discipline and adaptability to camp life.
“Their patriotic comportment, obedience to camp rules and their cooperation with camp officials have gone a long way in the realization of another successful orientation exercise,” he added.
He urged the corps members to accept their postings in good faith and not lobby to be reposted but rather settle down and start imparting their host communities where they are posted to as they have been trained to do.
“The people of your host communities have been awaiting your coming having seen what your predecessors have achieved, they look forward to having you around them knowing well what that you have the where withal to impart them positively,” he said.
He then appreciated the magnanimous gesture of Governor Abdullahi Sule for his support for the scheme and welfare for corps members and also appreciated corps employers, parents and other stakeholders of the scheme for standing loco parentis to the corps members deployed to the state.