Boko-Haram: Five years after, NYSC pass out corps members in Gombe

FIVE years after the incessant Boko Haram insurgency authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Gombe State has passed out a total of 1,138 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream one corps members during an open parade at the Pantami Stadium after a long period without such ceremony.

Gombe State has been in the heart of the North-East region where Boko Haram insurgents have slowed down social activities and in some cases stopped Government and other business activities.

State Coordinator of the NYSC, David Pwanidi Markson who expressed happiness over the turn of events stated that holding the ceremony in the State was a clear testimony to the dedication and commitment of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and other security agencies who work day and night to secure the state.

He, however, regretted the death of two of the Corps members, Abbas Bala and Charity Garba, who lost their lives during the service year.

The NYSC Coordinator, however, warned the outgoing Corps members of the challenges ahead of them and said it would be great according to him, “You will henceforth no longer receive the alert signalling the payment of your corps allowances”.

He then called on them to think and creatively make judicious use of scarce resources available adding, “for most of you that took the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme seriously, the sky will be your limit”.

“You have been exposed to the twelve set skills and their sub-sets during the on-camp and post-camp training, you are therefore expected to put to use the skills learned to be employers of labour and entrepreneurs. You will agree with me that the era of white collar jobs is no more”, he stated.

The Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Charles Iliya, commended the 44-year-old NYSC scheme and stressed that it is still delivering on its mandate, hence its continued relevance despite the challenges the scheme is facing today.

He specifically commended corps members who made out time to initiate and execute projects of felt needs and benefit to their host communities saying “my administration shall continue to reward excellent performance in order to appreciate your kind initiative and also serve as an encouragement to other serving corps members who are expected to tow your path”.