Mr. Anthony m. Nzoka, the Taraba State NYSC coordinator, representing the director-general, NYSC, Brigadier S. Ibrahim Assoc. DSS FHSN in addressing the corps members on the occasion of their formal induction into the National Youth Service Corps.
Speaking on Tuesday, 30th November 2021 At SIBRE Camp, Jalingo, Taraba State.
Mr. Anthony following the order of protocol, addressed the corps members by welcoming them to the Taraba State NYSC orientation Camp and urged them to observe all the rules and regulations guiding the NYSC at the cost of their staying.
PROTOCOL
Speaking further into the program of the day, he said, "I am highly delighted to address you on this occasion of your formal induction into the National Youth Service Corps. I rejoice with you on the successful completion of your academic programmes, and your subsequent mobilization for the National Service. I also commend you for your prompt response to the clarion call to serve our fatherland. No doubt, history will be kind to you for your patriotic zeal for willingly accepting your mobilization for the national service.
Secondly, "As the launch-pad for the Service Year, this Orientation Course will prepare you physically and mentally for your expected contributions to the progress and development of our fatherland. In addition, it will equip you for the realization of your potentials and attainment of individual feats both within the period of service and beyond. Highlights of the camp activities will include lessons on the four Cardinal Programmes of the Scheme, leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical trainings as well as sensitization on topical national issues, amongst others. You are expected to avail yourselves of this unique opportunity by participating actively in all the aforementioned programmes.
However, I charged you to be law-bidding to ease this one year service. He said, "In line with the objectives of the NYSC scheme, we deliberately posted you away from your States of origin, assembling you from diverse ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds to enhance the attainment of the lofty goal of national unity and integration.
Mr. Anthony encouraging them on the need for cordial relationship, effective contribution of tangible ideas that will bring development to them, their society and the country at large. "Furthermore, it is imperative to state that this strategy is aimed at broadening your understanding of the country, thereby standing you in good stead for effective contribution to the promotion of national unity and integration. I, therefore, encourage you to ensure healthy interactions, exchange of ideas and to build lasting friendships with a view to advancing the progress of a united Nigeria.
"My dear compatriots, today, you have taken the solemn oath to dedicate yourselves to the service of our fatherland. I enjoin you to always ponder over the significance of the oath and be guided by its spirit and letters. In the same vein, I advise you to familiarize yourselves with the content of both the NYSC Act and the NYSC Bye-Laws.
Advising the Corps Members to commit themselves to the duty here in the one year mandatory service and disciplined themselves for the nearest future.
"While commending you for having conducted yourselves in a disciplined manner so far, I encourage you to continue to demonstrate such high level of discipline and enthusiasm throughout the exercise. Let me also remind you that the regimented nature of the Camp is intended to further instill discipline, build your resilience and prepare you for the onerous task ahead. You are therefore expected to be obedient to your course officials and strictly comply with laid down rules and regulations of the camp.
"Let me use this opportunity to caution you against indulgence in cultism, drug abuse and other social vices that are inimical to the cherished ideals of the NYSC. I urge you to use the social media only for the promotion of unity and positive purposes rather than rumour peddling and the promotion of hatred.
In view of the realities of the times, you must be security conscious, and avoid putting yourselves in harm’s way.
It is no longer news that white-collar jobs are hard to come by, for this reason, the empowerment of Corps members for self-employment and wealth creation has been a major area of focus for the Scheme since 2012. You will from this moment be availed of that opportunity through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. I am happy to inform you that many of your predecessors, who embraced vocational and entrepreneurial training on the SAED platform, are now successful business owners. I, therefore, encourage you to take steps that will put you out of the long queue of job seekers after the service year by choosing from the various skill sets, and participating fully in the training sessions. On our part, we shall continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including financial institutions, to enable you actualize your business dreams.
Rounding up his speech, he advised the Corps Members to be COVID-19 conceious and to take the preventive majors.
"At this juncture, I wish to remind you of the need to continue to comply with the COVID-19 prevention protocols throughout the Orientation period. In particular, you must ensure physical distancing and wearing of face masks as well as make good use of hand washing facilities provided at strategic locations, amongst other safety measures. As you may be aware, the Federal Government has announced plan to make presentation of evidence of COVID19 vaccination by civil servants a pre-requisite for gaining entry to public offices from 1st December, 2021. I, therefore, encourage those of you, who are yet to take the vaccine, to do so without further delay as the rule could apply to Corps members in their places of Primary Assignment. Of greater significance is the fact that the vaccine will keep you safe. We are already in touch with the relevant authorities with a view to ensuring that the vaccines are made available to you in the course of this orientation programme.
"Once again, I would like to express our profound gratitude to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) whose support and guidance is facilitating the safe and efficient conduct of Orientation Courses within the context of the ‘new normal.’ I particularly appreciate the NCDC for the continuous provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and sensitization materials for usage in all Orientation Camps. Our appreciation also goes to other stakeholders, including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the TY Danjuma Foundation, who both donated tens of thousands of Rapid Test Kits to the Scheme. In the same vein, I thank State Ministries of Health as well as Federal and State tertiary health institutions for their support in the areas of COVID-19 prevention and general health services.
"Before I end this address, I would like to register our profound appreciation to the Federal, State and Local Governments for their immense support to the Scheme. I equally thank Security Agencies, traditional rulers, Corps Employers and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring the security, safety and general well being of corps members.
"I also wish to enjoin my dear course officials not to rest on their oars as you undertake the onerous task of training and mentoring these young patriots. To my dear corps members, while congratulating you once again over your successful induction into the NYSC scheme, I wish you all a successful camping and a rewarding service year.
"It is now my pleasure to declare the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Orientation Course open.
Thank you and God bless you all.
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