Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, has charged corps-members to take their training during their orientation seriously in order to build self-confidence that would enhance their ability to actualize their future.
Olawande gave the charge on Wednesday when he paid a working visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Delta State.
He said that they must believe in themselves and “strive for excellence” by being ready to put in their best always in whatever capacity they might find themselves, irrespective of current challenges in Nigeria.
Addressing the 2024 Batch “A” Stream “1” corps-members at the orientation camp in Issele-Uku, Olawande them to acquire skills for self-sufficiency, bearing in mind that their best efforts would ultimately contribute to the nation’s growth and progress.
He stressed the importance of adopting a new mindset and actively working towards positive change that was so desirable in the country.
Olawande expressed optimism about Nigeria’s growth trajectory, noting that with determination and hard work the nation would reclaim its pride of place among the comity of nations.
He was welcomed by the State Coordinator, Mr. Alao Olusegun Olaosebikan, who disclosed that 1,807 corps members, comprising 902 female and 905 male were deployed to Delta State.
The minister was accompanied to the orientation camp by Delta State Commissioners for Youth Development, Transport and Environment, Mr. Isaac Weyimi Agbateyimiro, Mr. Onoriode Agofure, and Mr. Jamani Tommy Ejiro, respectively.
Others were the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Etagherure Ejiro Terry, Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Diana Ereyitomi Eyo-Enoette and the Permanent Secretary Delta State Ministry of Youth Development, Ms. Ngozi Nwagbolo.
Principal camp officials present were NYSC Director South-South Area Office, Mr. Ladan Baba, State Coordinator, Mr. Olaosebikan, Camp Director, Mrs. Chidimma Ichide, and Camp Commandant, Captain O. C. Abolarin.
While on a courtesy visit to the governor of Delta State on Tuesday, Olaosebikan appealed for more assistance in providing certain facilities, including perimeter fence and an ambulance, in the state’s permanent orientation camp, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the NYSC has over 15,000 corps members serving in Delta State and “contributing their own quota in the area of education, health, agriculture and so many areas of the state’s economy.”
Governor Oborevwori commended the skills acquisition programme of the NYSC, stressing that it was the way to go especially at a time white collar jobs were scarce and unemployment level high amid economic challenges affecting the country.
The governor said: “The good thing about the NYSC in Delta State is that they are always involved in entrepreneurship programmes and we will continue to see how we can partner together.
“I want to assure you that in Delta State, one of our M.O.R.E agenda is to ensure peace and security; and, I can assure you that we will continue to sustain that peace which we have enjoyed in the last nine months of this administration.
“I say this because when they finish as graduates and there are no jobs, it is the skill they are able to acquire that will keep them going pending when they get a suitable job.
“It is not easy now to get white collar jobs, so entrepreneurship is key to the survival of our youths.”
