The Ondo State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Grace Akpabio has appealed to the prospective corps members to observe all protocols of COVID -19 as postulated by the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Mrs. Akpabio made the appeal in her introductory remarks at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare Akoko during the Official opening/Swearing in ceremony for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1A) corps members deployed to the State and their colleagues dislodged from Lagos State.
She said, “For emphasis sake, you are expected at all times to wear your face mask during all programmes and activities, and ensure that you maintain both physical and social distancing .”
Mrs. Akpabio said that the orientation course is packaged among other things, to introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the NYSC Scheme, prepare them for the challenges of service and post service life, as well as acquaint them with the new socio-cultural environment they would find themselves.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in his speech, said that the task of nation-building is a collective responsibility of both the leaders and their followers
Akeredolu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Modupe Esofonie admonished the corps members to take all the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC seriously as this will justify the huge investment Government put at their disposal
He noted that the orientation course contents have been packaged to prepare the corps members physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically to learn the rudiments of sacrifice and commitment which the national service stands for.
“You will meet progressive minds from different ethnic groups and religions. Your ability to accommodate their divergent views and live peacefully with them is an assurance that under the right atmosphere, the youths will take us to a safe haven.
“Your coming together should not be viewed or seen as a ploy to foster an ethnic, religious or cultural agenda of a particular zone or region, rather, it should be appreciated as a deliberate attempt by those in authority to make us speak one voice and see ourselves as one indivisible entity”, Akeredolu added
He promised that his administration being a responsible one will continue to support and create enabling environment for the scheme to succeed in the state.
The Chief Judge of Ondo State who was competently represented by the Hon Justice (Dr.) Oluwafeyisayo Kuteyi of Owo/Ifon Judicial Division administered Oath of Allegiance on 632 prospective corps members out of which 435 belonged to Ondo State and 197 dislodged from Lagos State.
