Oyo Governor charges corps members on national service

The 2023 Batch B Stream one corps members have been challenged to take  National Service as a task that requires a mindset of sacrifice, responsibility, hard work, discipline and commitment in order to achieve national development and that of Oyo State in particular. This charge was given by His Excellency,the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde at the Swearing- in Ceremony of the 2023 Batch 'B' Stream 1 Corps members, held at the  Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, the Governor charged the Corps members to brace up and rise to the challenge of offering the expected priceless contributions as Youth Corps members to their host communities.He also urged them to continue the tradition of fostering unity which NYSC is known for in the past fifty (50) years of its existence.He equally enjoined them to contribute to education, agriculture, healthcare sectors and introduce time-tested innovations in infrastructural development.

Governor Makinde, who was represented by His Excellency,the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, implored all the newly sworn in Corps members to join forces with the good people of Oyo State in their resolve to stimulate and accelerate economic and social development. He equally tasked them to take good advantage of their participation in the Orientation Course which comprises methodically planned initiatives designed to prepare them for life after the service year.

The Governor also used the occasion to harp on the importance of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme which was purposefully included in the Orientation Course to stem the tide of the high rate of unemployment staring the teeming youth of the Country in the face. He pointed out that the SAED programme which comes at no cost to the Corps members, courtesy the Federal Government is a veritable way of escaping the needless, endless,and often fruitless search for unavailable white collar jobs after their Service Year. 

The Corps members were equally assured of their welfare and safety in the State. The Governor described Oyo State as one of the highest paying States and one of the most stable, safe and prosperous in Nigeria. He encouraged them to look forward to a warm and welcoming attitude from the people and enjoy the very rich cultural heritage of Oyo State indigenes.  

Earlier in the ceremony, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo enjoined the course participants to conduct themselves in a disciplined manner and abide by the camp rules and regulations.

The State Coordinator, Mr. Odoba Abel Oche while welcoming the Corps members and dignitaries that graced the occasion told all and sundry to be rest assured that the Management of NYSC in the State under his leadership would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the course participants have a memorable experience.He said the whole essence of youth development is to transform the young generation by using a vision based approach in which focus is placed on building their strengths and skills.According to him this has already been built into the induction course curriculum. 

The highpoint of the occasion was the administration of oath of allegiance on the 2023 Batch B stream one Corps members that were mobilised to serve in the Pacesetter State by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Iyabo Yerima.