In what was like a fare-well speech, President Goodluck Jonathan, Thursday, affirmed that his administration at the onset recognized the strength and vision of the youth, that was why it worked with urgency to help them define their path, through the sustenance of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Jonathan who spoke at the Swearing-in Ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members, deployed to Lagos State, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, in Iyana-Ipaja, boasted that with the necessary appropriation, his government was committed to supporting the NYSC scheme, thus positioning it as a leading light of youth organizations in world.
Represented by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, President Jonathan said in the past 42 years, the NYSC has remained a beacon of hope in the country’s mission for a united nation, stating that it has exposed millions of youths to the cultures and traditions of Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
Affirming that his administration has put in place many beneficial interventions, which have increased the skills, self-confidence and self-sufficiency available to the youth, Jonathan, however urged the incoming administration of Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to continue to support and encourage corps members by fulfilling it’s statutory obligations to the scheme.
This is even as he commended the corps members who were sworn-in for the successful completion of their academic endeavours, calling on them to dedicate themselves with renewed vigour, conviction and commitment to the progress and development of the nation.
He said: “I am greatly pleased to address you today, our promising young men and women, on your induction into the 2015 Batch ‘A’ National Youth Service Corps set, deployed to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
“I congratulate all members of this batch for the successful completion of your academic endeavours, and your patriotic response to National Youth Service to your fatherland.
“Your call-up to serve your country is a worthy acknowledgment of your consistent dint of hard work, and obedience to constituted authority. I welcome you all to the larger Nigerian society where you will gradually begin to make your individual and collective contributions toward national growth and development.
Jonathan, who affirmed that the concluding story of the last general elections cannot be complete without the mention of corps members, commended them for discharging their electoral duties with diligence, transparency and patriotism.
He thus, advised the inducted corps members to position themselves as positive and dependable agents of transformation, symbols of national integration and rapid socio-economic development.
“You should build bridges across your origins, religions and background, by living peacefully with your fellow compatriots,” he advised.
How we sustained NYSC
On what his administration has done to sustain the scheme, he said: “We have introduced training programs, provided grants and loans, in the process, encouraging entrepreneurship and improving lives.
“I’m particularly delighted with the unprecedented youth response to Agriculture. Now, across the country, in cultivation, aquaculture, processing, packaging: all along the value chain, our youth are rediscovering their potentials, making adequate incomes and producing more food, with modern, exciting techniques, and equipment.
“It is my ardent hope that these programmes will retain their priority, in continuity, by the incoming government, for the benefit of our teeming youth, and the good of the nation.”
The President added that “I believe the next government will continue to support and encourage corps members by fulfilling its statutory obligations to the scheme and providing a peaceful atmosphere for optimal performance of corps members wherever they are.
“Through the patriotic and courageous effort of our armed forces, combined with right equipment and strategy, we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgency, and we will not relent, until all parts of the country are safe for our people, and for national service.”
Jonathan who also commended the Governing Board, and Management of the NYSC to date for their dedication and high level of commitment, however expressed confidence that with the recently enhanced Orientation Course and various innovations introduced to the Scheme, it will achieve the objective of a much enrished National Service.
Earlier, the NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Cyril Akhanemhe said that a total of 2, 300 corps members comprising of 575 males and 1, 725 females were deployed to the state for the First Stream and sworn-in by the State Chief Judge.
Meanwhile, Director of Finance and Administration in the Governors’s office, Mrs. Titilayo Dosunmu, who represented Fashola, urged the inducted corps members to be committed to work, humble, disciplined and adhere strictly to all the training and instructions they will receive while on camp.
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