Embrace Skill Acquisition, Entrepreneurship –Benue State Governor Charges Corps Members
Ayo Ola
The Governor of Benue State, Dr. Rev Father Hyacinth Iormen Alia has urged the 2023 Batch C, Stream ll corps members deployed to the state to take the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Programme very seriously, adding that the programme is a great door to their future and to properly prepare them for the economic realities of the 21st century Nigeria.
The governor gave the charge while presiding over the official opening and swearing in ceremony held at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) permanent Orientation Camp, at Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area.of the state, according to a statement by the Chief Public Relations Officer, NYSC, Benue State, Yahuza Isa Adamu on Tuesday.
The Governor was represented by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports/ Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange.
He noted that the NYSC scheme since its inception to date has avail graduates the opportunity not only to tell a richer tale of who Nigerians are as a nation, but to enrich that story by their positive deeds.
Governor Alia said: “With your first hand experiences, you are now better positioned to understand or appreciate other Nigerians and their cultures. This is also expected to help you in completely discarding all vestiges of ethnicity, and all forms of nepotism in our national life.”
He urged them to interact freely among themselves irrespective of class, religion and cultural backgrounds and cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime.
He restated the commitment of the Benue State Government to the NYSC programme.
The governor also appreciated the courage, charisma and leadership of the State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Abe Dankaro Ashumate, the staff and all the collaborating agencies on camp for their huge dedication and bravery.
“Thank you all for making sure that the beautiful story on national integration and unity continues to be told to these young Nigerians and leaders of tomorrow”, he added.
Governor Alia further informed the corps members that the NYSC scheme has proven to be a strategic institution for nation building, understanding and national integration.
He also urging them to follow the laudable footsteps of the founding fathers of the scheme and predecessors by contributing their quota to national development.
He said: “It is likely that finding yourselves in a strange land would create all sorts of doubt and fear in your minds,however, I want to assure you that, being in Benue State is just home away from home.”
In his welcome remarks, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Abe Dankaro Ashumate expressed gratitude to the, Governor for his effort towards the construction of roads and drainages within the camp, after the inspection carried out by the Commissioner of Works and his team.
He commended the patriotic zeal demonstrated by the corps members for accepting their deployment to the State and promptly reporting to camp, stressing that the Orientation course is one cardinal programme meant to introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the Scheme.
He urged them to note that the Oath of Allegiance they took was of high significance, as it is expected to guide their conduct throughout the service and beyond.
He enjoined the corps members to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-laws.
“I implore you to be of high discipline as you undertake the course, especially by remaining compliant with the Camp rules and regulations,“ he said.
The State Coordinator, reminded them that the white-collar jobs are not readily available and encourage them to avail themselves of the opportunities for self-employment through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) programme.
He appealed for the support of all stakeholders towards the success of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in order to provide easy access to free and qualitative health care for the rural poor.