By Ukpono Ukpong
As preparation towards next year’s general election gradually hits the crescendo, Corps members serving in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was yesterday advised to embark on sensitization spree to intimate the electorates within the territory on the criminality of vote buying and selling of votes.
The Minister of FCT, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, gave the advice yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘C’ stream 1 corps members in Abuja.
He called on them to strive to be apolitical and none partisan in all ramifications as their participation in the election should be in line with the objective of the umpire by virtue of NYSC collaboration with INEC and all security agencies towards achieving a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.
“As you are all aware, the political landscape is agog. In the months ahead, a lot of political aggrandizement will evolve with various political parties seeking ascendancy into elective offices in the FCT and the nation.
“You are expected to be apolitical and none partisan in all ramifications. Your participation must always reflect that of the umpire by virtue of NYSC collaboration with INEC and all security agencies for peaceful conduct of all political campaigns and by implication, a free, fair and credible election in 2019.
“I charge you to embark on a sensitization spree to intimate the electorates within the FCT on the criminality of vote buying and selling of votes. Educate them also on the need to always defend their votes, and to vote their conscience at all times.”
Speaking further, the minister who was represented by the Director, Finance and Administration, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Hajia Salia Umar, also advised the corps members always to reflect on the various exposures of the SAED programme, identify a particular trade, focus on it and remain committed as well as reorder their energies towards perfection, sustainability and consider it their nest of self-reliant.
While describing NYSC as an institution of the government that must enjoy an intrinsic cooperation within its statutory enclave, Alhaji Bello, reiterated the extant directive of the federal government to its agencies against rejecting corps members posted to them for whatever reason.
He also appealed to the corps employers to do same as a mark of support to the NYSC and by extension the FCT and the nation as a whole.
Earlier, the FCT Coordinator, Mr Bello Ballama, while congratulating the corps members for their well-behaved conduct during the orientation period, he urged them to brace up for the task (primary assignment) ahead as it is quite enormous.
“While continuous assessment of your responses, special contributions and resourcefulness strives, the need to remain focus on critical thinking, creativity and innovations cannot be overemphasized.
“I urge you to wear the ambiance of an indisputable vanguard in the fight against criminality and or corruption and ensure you contribute meaningfully to the ‘Change Project of the federal government. You must replicate the very level of patriotism and indiscipline at your various places of assignments.
“ More so, bear I mind that the NYSC and the FCTA has an intrinsic reward system for hard work and excellence, and reorder your choices to leverage the integrity and status advancement drive.”
