Akpan Umoh, Uyo
No fewer than 2, 085 Corps Members of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream 11 comprising of 961 male and 1124 female deployed to Akwa Ibom by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were sworn in on Friday.
The Akwa Ibom Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, speaking after the swearing in of the corp members at the NYSC orientation camp, Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai LGA disclosed that the corp members are already adjusting to the regimented life in the camp.
Ekwe noted that the peaceful environment and welfare packages from the state government to the corp members have made many prospective corps members desire to serve in the state.
She encouraged them to study all publications issued to them at the point of documentation and obey all camp rules and regulations as well as to participate actively in all camp activities.
She also sought the intervention of the state government in addressing the challenges they still face in the camp such as infrastructural decay, lack of power supply from the national grid among others.
“Excellency Sir, a total of 2085 corps members comprising 961 males and 1124 females have been registered. Sir, I am glad to inform you that these young Nigerians have quickly adjusted to the regimented life in camp.
“May I at this juncture humbly remind our amiable Governor of the myriads of challenges in the camp which require immediate attention.
“The daunting challenges confronting us are the decay in infrastructure facilities, inadequate and dilapidated hostels, lack of power supply from the national grid for the past 2 years which resulted to sole dependency on diesel and fuel for the running of generating set to supply light as well as pump water for the camp needs.
“The cost implication of these challenges are enormous on our lean resources.
“The construction of a befitting multi-purpose hall is also paramount as our indoor activities are usually disrupted in this pavilion whenever it rains.
“The camp is in total darkness after the light out which poses serious security risk. The solar energy light installed by the State Coordinator are grossly inadequate to illuminate the entire camp,”Ekwe said.
Ekwe urged the corps members to take the in-camp Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the NYSC seriously for their benefit.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi assured the corps members of their safety and urged them to shun every form of crime and criminality
”I want to assure you that you are safe here, in as much as I’m prepared to keep you safe you must play your part by ensuring that you shun every form of crime and criminality. Do not join any cult group or indulge in cult activity.
“Also drugs kill and destroy, therefore do away with drugs if you were into oit and don’t engage in it if you were not. Do not travel unless it is very neccessary because this is one of the problems we face here.
“Anything you learn here don’t joke with it because you can make survival with it, make friends and learn the language it could be an opening door for you.
“It is time to make friends accross the ethnic groups and obey the rule of the camp. Embark on a project that would be indelible for you,” he advised.