Ondo: Be source of blessing to Nigeria, NYSC Director charges corps members

The Director, superintending over the NYSC operations in the Southwest geopolitical zone, Mrs. Olubukola Oluwaremilekun Abiodun has disclosed that the orientation course content was designed to make corps members blessings to the society and the nation at large.

The Director, NYSC Southwest Area Office, made this known while addressing 2024 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) corps members deployed to Ondo State. 

Speaking at the Multipurpose Hall of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ikare-Akoko, Abiodun, who once served as acting Director, NYSC North-Central Area Office, Minna, Niger State said that corps members must obey the rules and regulations of the Scheme so that when they get to the larger society, training they were exposed to during the orientation course and indeed during the service year will put them in better stead to contribute meaningfully to the overall development of the country. 

The erstwhile NYSC State Coordinator in Edo State warned the members of the service corps against reckless travelling, insisting they need to stay put in the state of deployment and remain focused so that at the end,  they would have left legacies that the society will be proud of. 

She said that the Scheme wanted them alive for the task of nation-building and desist from gallivanting about but rather joining hands with their colleagues to develop the host communities.

The first corps member in the Southwest geopolitical zone declared that the Scheme will continue to prioritise their welfare and security but insisted that corps members are the chief security of themselves. 

The member of the top management team, who in 2019, was then Deputy Director (Operations) of the NYSC Southwest Area Office admonished members of the service corps to respect people of their host communities, as, according to her, they would receive measure of respect they accord other people.

 The NYSC helmsman in the Southwest geopolitical zone who had served in various capacities across several Branches before getting to the peak of her career enjoined them to preach unity and togetherness, while at the same time, urging them to embrace relationships that will strengthen love and respect for one another.

She disclosed that NYSC purposely brought them together from different geopolitical zones and backgrounds so that they could speak with one voice when they are given position of leadership and authority in the foreseeable future, urging them to abhor anything that will cause division among them.

'Mama SAED' as she is fondly referred to, being the pioneer Head of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme in Oyo State when the intervention was established over 12 years ago, appealed to the corps members to embrace the programme which will make them employers of labour and financially protected, starting with the service year.

She warned corps members, especially those that would be posted to educational institutions, not to beat any student or pupil, insisting that their mandate is to teach and not to inflict bodily pain on recalcitrant, but advised that the erring ones should be reported to the school authority for appropriate punishment. 

Abiodun reiterated that the management will not condone any reckless usage of social media to discredit the Scheme but admonished them to channel their grievances or observations to the Principal Camp Officials or through their Local Government Inspectors as the case may be.

Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator, Mr. Sam Amaramiro Pepple enumerated the measures put in place to combat cholera outbreak, disclosing that washing hand basins and liquid soap were placed in all hostels and strategic places within the camp, aside the information banners made to educate and sensitise the entire camp community about the consequences of not adhering strictly to the safety measures given by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Federal Ministry of Health.

The State Coordinator who told the visiting Director that the Mikano generator supplying power to the camp broke down unexpectedly, which made some officials release their personal generators to service corps members' hostels at nights and early mornings for six days, hinted that his administration spent close to two million naira to refurbish the 18 years old generator. 

Pepple, who appreciated the corps members and officials for the understanding while the problem lasted, further disclosed that he purchased and installed a dual-role pumping machine, using solar and electricity to supply water to the camp community, a feat that attracted an applause from corps members who agreed that they have enough water in the camp.

The visiting Director commended the State Coordinator and his team for maintaining a high degree of discipline, which was evident in the compartment of the corps members throughout the period of the visit.

The Director, NYSC Southwest Area Office who is kind hearted and known as an incurable advocate of improved welfare for corps members, after being entertained with the rich culture of the Yorubas, doled out cash gifts to members of Quarter Guard, Cultural Troupe, NYSC Parade and Musical Band as well as overall Parade Commander amongst others.