Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged corps members who just completed their one-year mandatory service to apply their creativity to secure a means of livelihood due to the high level of unemployment in the country.
Makinde gave the charge on Thursday during his address at the passing out ceremony of the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Makinde, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Seun Fakorede, stated that in view of the high level of unemployment in the country it is imperative that youths apply their creativity to become self-employed.
He indicated that the youth scheme has equipped corps members with the required skills to be self-sufficient, encouraging them to develop themselves and become entrepreneurs. Makinde also charged the outgoing corps members to be good ambassadors of the scheme and always uphold the ideals which the NYSC represents.
He said, “I wish to state that the NYSC scheme has proved to be a veritable and enduring vehicle for effective youth mobilisation in addressing critical issues of national integration and nation-building. Most importantly, corps members are recognised as the pillars on which our future greatness lies and this has informed our commitment to providing you with the enabling environment to optimally realize your potential.
“It is imperative to stress that gone are the days of expecting an automatic lifetime job immediately after service. The attitude that the majority of our young graduates put up is that creative thinking and individual initiative end with graduation. This is absolutely wrong. You need to apply creativity more now in the face of unemployment bedevilling the nation. I would rather advise you to focus more on self-employment.
“I am quite aware that the NYSC provided you with a platform through which you could develop yourselves in skill acquisition. The objectives are geared towards encouraging self-employment, equipping potential entrepreneurs with techniques for successful management of small-scale businesses and uplifting the dignity of self-reliance among our youths. If you are yet to take a step in that direction, you have done yourself a disservice. There are sundry opportunities out there that you can key into and maximise your potential for self-actualization.
I am proud to say that the Oyo State Government has been playing its expected roles in the scheme without wavering. The allowances of corps members are paid as at when due. We have not relented in providing intervention in several ways because we know that NYSC is impacting positively on the well-being of the rural populace and every sector of the economy. I, therefore, admonish you to continue to uphold the ideals of the scheme so that you can render more service to the development of this nation.”
Earlier in her address, Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe, state coordinator of NYSC Oyo State, expressed satisfaction with the diligence and service of the outgoing corps members.
Ogbuogebe advised the outgoing corps members to continue being committed to nation-building, adding that “Leadership is not about sitting on the fence but rather facing the challenges of life with boldness and courage.”
She said, “It is yet another end of a phase. It gladdens my heart that you have successfully completed the journey you started twelve months ago. The one-year mandatory service to the fatherland is worth the while following the impact you made in the lives of individuals in your host communities.
“Your level of commitment and resilience has contributed immensely to the development of the society and the State in particular. Even though you must have experienced some challenges while on the field, I have the conviction that such will assist you in shaping your lives.
“As you disengage from National Service, I equally wish to encourage you to continue improving on the skills acquired under the SAD project. Such empowerment creates the opportunity for you to be financially stable and independent. When you are financially independent lives are touched because some people will benefit from your enterprise.
“Hard work combined with creativity results in great productivity.
I want to advise you to make out time for your personal development, which will go a long way in adding value to the service you will render to the nation in the future. I would like to say how confident I am that majority of you will make this nation proud in the very near future.”
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