GOV Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has charged newly sworn 2018 Batch B National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to be neutral, diligent and serve the country with integrity during the upcoming 2019 general elections in which they will play a key role in.
The Governor who gave the charge on Thursday at the Dan Yamusa Orientation camp in Keffi local government area of the state during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2018 Batch B corps members deployed to Nasarawa state.
Almakura, who was represented by Mr Abari Aboki, the state Head of Service said as an advocate of democracy, it was pertinent to promote neutrality during the polls so as to foster unity, justice and fairness hence the need to urge corp members to be highly neutral during the polls.
The governor added that as a parent, he was equally worried that the corps members may be easily tempted by politicians to truncate the polls and be turned into political thugs hence the call to them to shun all temptations offered them and serve the country diligently and with integrity during the polls in which they will be actively involved in.
“As a parent, I call on you to exercise diligence and integrity during the election period. Do not allow yourself to be used as thugs by politicians. You should exhibit high sense of patriotism as you may be assigned to different roles in the conduct of the election.
“You must be neutral in your duties. Remember that you can make or mar the credibility of the electoral process,” He said.
The governor then assured the corps members that his administration recognizes the importance of youths as agents of socio-economic development hence the commitment of the Nasarawa state government in ensuring that youths are engaged in meaningful ventured aimed at addressing unemployment.
“In this regard, this government will continue to support the activities of the NYSC scheme and indeed corp members who come up with meaningful projects that will be of benefit to the state,” He said.
He also urged the newly sworn in corp members to display the spirit of patriotism, loyalty and discipline throughout the service year and beyond, assuring them of the friendly and hospitable nature of the people of the state.
“I am aware that most of you here have not visited Nasarawa state before now and many have one negative impression or the other about the state. As the executive governor, I want to assure you that Nasarawa is a very peaceful place,” he said.
In her address, Mrs Zainab Isah, Coordinator of NYSC in Nasarawa state revealed that a total number of 2130 corps members were screened and registered for the 2018 Batch orientation exercise.
“This figure is made of 1053 females and 1077 males. It reflects the six geographical spread of Nigeria. They are to be sworn in today,” she said, maintaining that the orientation exercise would prepare the corps members for the task of nation-building through training and activities such as paramilitary drills, citizenship and leadership training, physical training, lectures, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development training among others.
“I am glad to report to your Excellency that since the commencement of the orientation course, we have not recorded any challenge health wise or any act of well behaved. I see in them a set of patriotic young Nigerians itching to serve our fatherland,” She said.
Isah who thanked the Nasarawa state governor for his assistance to the NYSC scheme in the state however appealed for more support in renovating the camp and constructing two additional hostel blocks to accommodate the corps members.
“We are also craving your indulgence in appealing that you kindly provide the secretariat with a utility vehicle (Hilux van) to facilitate corps inspection and enhance the smooth operation of the scheme’s activities in the state.
“Besides these requests, there is also the issue of unpaid state allowances to our corps teachers. We humbly appeal to his Excellency to look into this with a view to paying even those who finished service recently without getting paid.
“We are highly optimistic that his Excellency will come to the rescue of his children in his magnanimity,” He said.