By Emeka Samuel
The 2018 Batch C Stream 11 Corps members posted to Akwa Ibom yesterday wore smiles as Governor Udom Emmanuel doled out N20 million to ease their transportation difficulties.
Emmanuel who made the donation during the official closing ceremony for the corps members held at the permanent orientation camp at in Nsit Atai Local Government Area also asked them to remain loyal and patriotic during their service year.
The Governor said that the country required young men and women who are loyal, patriotic with proven integrity to move the nation forward, especially as the country was now approaching an election period.
He assured the corps members of adequate security of their life and property throughout their service year challenging them to inculcate entrepreneurial spirit so that they could be employers of labour.
“It is noteworthy to mention that your participation in the national service at this time is coming on the heels of the 2019 electioneering activities.
” I advise you to avoid partisanship when you are engaged in the election process and steer clear of acts capable of putting you in harm’s way.
” Your predecessors in national service have done the country proud in their engagements in such national duties in the past, you cannot afford to fail the nation in your own time,” Emmanuel said.
He commended the corps members for discipline exhibited during the orientation course, adding that Nigerian youths were very disciplined.
The governor offered N20, 000 each to the 2, 005 corps members, 817 of whom were posted to Rivers.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Julius Amusan, urged the corps members to remain focused and shun acts capable of bringing the name of their institutions, family, NYSC and the nation into disrepute.
Amusan charged the corps members to proceed straight to the local government area where they have been posted and report to their employers urging corps members to forge ahead with determination to succeed notwithstanding the challenges that may confront them.
” Incidentally, you are coming on board of national service at a time when the nation is beckoning on you to assist her in the efforts of deepening sound electoral process.
” You should, therefore, strive in your own little way to be on the good side of history when the time comes,” Amusan said.
He acknowledged the contributions of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital management for sending their personnel to superintend over the running of the camp clinic throughout the period of the orientation exercise and commended the collaborating agencies for the support and cooperation extended to the corps members and the scheme in the state.
