Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has commended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its unwavering commitment to fostering unity and promoting national integration in the country.
The Governor made these remarks during the swearing-in of the 2023 Batch C Stream 1 corps members deployed to the state, as well as those dislodged from the FCT for their orientation course in Paiko Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Bago, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Yahaya Gulbin-Boka, stated that through the NYSC, the country has witnessed the breakdown of ethnic and religious barriers as young people from different backgrounds come together to serve the nation.
He promised to provide an enabling environment for the corps members to facilitate their personal growth and successful execution of community development projects.
The Governor encouraged the corps members to immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and practices of their host community by actively engaging with their stories and needs.
In her welcome address, NYSC Coordinator in Niger State, Mrs. Abdulwahab Olayinka, emphasized that the NYSC is designed to prepare corps members for the tasks of the service year. She advised the corps members to participate in camp activities and choose from any of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program areas, as white-collar jobs may not be readily available.
“Let me remind you that the oath of allegiance is important and is expected to guide your conduct in the service year, significantly influencing your lives,” she said.
Olayinka also advised them to distance themselves from drugs, cultism, and the misuse of social media for spreading fake news, fueling hatred, and other negative purposes. Instead, she encouraged the corps members to promote national unity, be security-conscious, and report any suspicious individuals to the appropriate authorities.
Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG) and Chairman of the NYSC Board, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Youth and Sport, Dr. Nuhu Ngaski, urged corps members to uphold the principles of discipline, integrity, and national unity that NYSC stands for.
The oath of allegiance was administered to 2,203 corps members by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima Ibrahim, who Zainab Aliyu represented.
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