By Anastacia Eluwa
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has assured 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream 11 corps members who identify community felt needs and mobilize their host communities and complete community development service projects would be recognized by the state government.
Governor Okowa gave the assurance yesterday during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream 11 orientation course for members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state at the NYSC Permanent Orientation camp Issele-Uku, Aniocha Local Government area of the state.
The governor, represented at the ceremony by the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Engr. Jude Sinebe noted that communities, corps employers including government establishments have been sensitized and mobilized to, not only accept corps members but also provide conducive atmosphere and security to enable them serve without apprehension.
Okowa who equally officially declared the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream 11orientation course closed urged corps members to respect the cultural norms and tradition of the communities they were posted to.
According to him, “There may be negligible differences between the people’s peculiar ways of life and the ones you are used to. You have to assiduously learn to show understanding and adaptability as a way of justifying some of the reasons for the national service”.
He further urged them to carry the same spirit of diligence and patriotism they have demonstrated thus far and report straight to wherever they were being posted.
On the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneur Development(SAED) programme of the scheme, Okowa advised them to leverage on the exposure got and improve on it, by attaching themselves to post camp SAED.
This, Okowa emphasized would really give corps members the opportunity of financial independence, job creation and the joy of escaping the burden of unemployment.
Earlier, the Delta State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr. Omotade Benjamin charged corps members to keep the fire aglow and always remember that they were mobilized and trained for leadership roles at their host communities.
Omotade told corps members that as a leader, they must be courteous and polite to all and sundry, and tackle difficulties and challenges in a disciplined and self-reliant manner.
NYSC State Coordinator enjoined community leaders and corps employers to continue to provide peaceful and supportive atmosphere for them to deliver meaningful service at the communities.
“We will be happy when corps employers provide them with modest accommodation and other welfare incentives that would spur them positively to render service without stress.