Aregbesola urges NYSC members not to dissipate energy on frivolities

GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, on Thursday counselled the 2017 Batch ‘B’ of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state not to dissipate their youthful energies on frivolities, but deploy it as tools to boost their individual capacity, with a view to earn good living and also contribute to nation’s building.

Speaking during the orientation ceremony at the NYSC camp in Ede, Osun State, the governor also chided some higher institutions in the country for placing too much emphasis on academic certificates at the detriment of skills acquisitions.

He stated, “You all will agree with me, that there is a need to focus on capacity building activities in our nation. The focus of our institutions has been on certification instead of skill enhancement and development of knowledge and competence. This has compromised the quality of education. But, the National Youth Service Corps through the skill acquisition programmes has over the years provided a platform for the Nigerian graduates to develop skills and competencies capable of making you self-reliant.”

Aregbesola, who was represented by his Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega said “Individual success, however desirable and coveted, is not enough in itself. You have to be socially useful, innovative and have a multidisciplinary approach to do yourselves and the country proud.”

While lauding the NYSC, he posited that “I have been impressed by the remarkable strides that the scheme had made in the state in recent years, and especially in the facelift of the orientation camp, giving it a new look in preparation of this orientation exercise. I applaud Emmanuel Attah, the state coordinator for his dedication to the betterment of Osun through this scheme.”

In his address of the Osun State coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Emmanuel Attah said the total corps members for the batch ‘B’ is 2347 of which 1185 participants are male, 1162 female while 45 have been granted instant relocation out of the state on marital and health grounds.