Akpan Umoh, Uyo
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has urged the 2195 Corps Members posted to the state to contribute to the development of the state.
Emmanuel gave the charge during the official opening/swearing-in ceremony of Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members deployed to the state at National Youth Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai local government area on Friday.
Emmanuel, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth & Sport, Mr Monday Uko, said that the orientation course was an integral part of the service year, which provides corps members with an opportunity to internalize the ideals of nation-building.
“Your deployment to the state is to complement the effort of the government towards realizing its vision of fast-tracking development in all sectors of the economy in line with the administration’s endeavours.
“As participants, therefore, do not be carried away by the fun of the exercise, but apply yourselves to those aspects beneficial for your physical and mental health,” Emmanuel said.
Emmanuel pledged to continue to improve the facilities in the camp, assuring that the welfare package of all corps members will always receive proper attention from the state government.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Uko charged all corps members to exhibit harmonious living and create positive relationships with people outside their tribes in line with the mandate of the scheme.
Uko, who was represented by the Director of Youth, Mr Emmanuel Akpabio urged the corps members to take advantage of the numerous opportunities inherent in the Orientation Course for maximum benefit.
He promised the provision of transport fare for the corps members to their places of primary assignment after the orientation exercise.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, urged the corps members to take the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme seriously as is packaged to provide them with a veritable platform to overcome challenges of unemployment.
Ekwe appealed to the state government not to relent in intervening in the upgrading of camp facilities to enhance the welfare of corps members.
She commended the state government for its unflinching support of the development of facilities in the orientation camp for the welfare of corps members.
The state coordinator admonished the corps members to be of exemplary conduct and internalise the ideals of national service as enshrined in the oath of allegiance.