ETIM EFFIONG
The National Youth Service Corps has asked 1,685 corps members, who have been deployed to Akwa Ibom State for their one-year mandatory service, to be security conscious and to obey the camp rules and regulations.
The Director General of the corps, Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Fadah, gave the advice during the swearing-in ceremony of 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members at NYSC Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai LGA on Tuesday.
Fadah, who was represented by the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, cautioned corps members against promoting hatred on social media, rather should promote the unity of the nation.
According to him, corps members must demonstrate a high level of discipline. He added that the regimented nature of the camp was intended to instil discipline and build resilience.
Fada reminded the corps members that white-collar jobs were no longer available and urged them to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) to be self-reliant.
“You are strongly advised to be security conscious at all times and to report any suspicious character or activities around you to the appropriate authorities.
“I implore you to sustain the high level of discipline and enthusiasm you have demonstrated so far, especially by remaining compliant with the camp rules and regulations.
“You must continue to distance yourselves from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices.
“I also urge you to avoid using social media for spreading fake news, fueling hatred and other negative purposes and instead deploy the same for the promotion of national unity and development.
“Therefore, I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self-employment offered through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
“You are expected to choose from any of the skills areas, and make yourselves available for the training, which starts from the orientation camp.
“On our part, Management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme,” he stated.
He appealed to corps members to avail themselves of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by participating actively in all camp activities.
Fada, however, appealed for the support of all stakeholders in the call for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund which has reached an advanced stage of legislation.
He expressed appreciation for the support of the Federal, State, and Local Governments as well as security agencies, traditional rulers, Corps Employers and other stakeholders for supporting the scheme.
Our correspondent observed that the highpoint of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance to the corps members by the Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, who was represented by Justice Gabriel Ette.