Yahaya, made this disclosure during the swearing-in of 731 batch B steam I Corps members, comprising 391 males and 340 females, at the temporary orientation camp Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Our correspondent reports that the oath of allegiance was administered by the Chief Judge of Gombe Halima Mohammed, who was represented by Zainab Rasheed.
The governor, who was represented by acting Head of Civil Service Kassim Abdullahi, said, “Let me assure you that Government is committed to ensuring the security, welfare and well-being of every corps member deployed to the State. We shall continue to collaborate with security agencies in the State to ensure security within and outside the camp for your safety.”
He reminded the 731 corps members on the need to contribute assiduously to Gombe State and Nation, by venturing into useful enterprise, adding “Gentlemen Corps members, I enjoin you to see the one year service as an avenue to contribute meaningfully to nation building through selfless service. “Think not what your country can do for you, but what you can for your country” Unless we begin to think in that direction, the much envisaged change will never be realised.”
According to Yahaya, the Scheme projects hard work, resilience and dedication, congratulating the 731 graduates to leverage on the core values towards building a better life.
“Let me begin by congratulating the NYSC on attaining 50 years of resilience, hard work, and dedication to its set objectives and being at the forefront of fostering national unity, integration and cohesion, despite challenges.
“I will like to welcome, most warmly, our energetic and educated youths who have answered the clarion call “to serve our nation under the sun or in the rain, with dedication and selflessness”. I wish to congratulate you on the successful completion of your various academic programmes that enabled you to participate in this worthy and rewarding programme,” Yahaya added.
On his part, State Coordinator Dawut Jidda, who lauded the state’s contributions to the NYSC, urged the governor to give the temporary orientation camp a facelift, pending the completion of the permanent site at Boltongo, Yalmatu Deba.
Jidda said, “But like Oliver Twist, I wish make a passionate appeal to his Excellency to give the Temporary Orientation Camp a facelift and also improve the facilities therein, while we wait for the beautiful edifice the State Government is putting up for the Scheme at Boltongo. This is necessary because the camp is the first point of call and it creates a lasting impression about the state.”
While urging corps members to cultivate the habit of reading, Jidda added, “If you want to hide something from a black man, put it in a book. To cultivate the habit of reading among Corps members, publications like the NYSC Act, Bye-laws, Director-General’s message, Orientation and service guide and ABC of Community Development Service, among others have been distributed to Corps members through their platoon This is in a bid to equip them with the necessary information they need to survive the exercise and the service year.”
