Gov Ododo promises adequate security, welfare for corps members

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has promised 1,383 corps members posted to Kogi State adequate security and welfare during the mandatory national service.

Ododo made the promise on Wednesday during the official closing ceremony of the NYSC 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation course held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Asaya, Kabba local government area of Kogi State.

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Elder Oyibo Joel Salifu, assured that the state government, just like before, would continue to prioritize the security of life and property of the corps members, as well as their welfare, to make them comfortable while they serve their fatherland.

He admonished the 1,383 corps members deployed to the state to make judicious use of the training they received during the orientation course to serve the nation and Kogi state proficiently.

The governor also charged the youth corps members to start using the skills they acquired in the course of their training to generate income for themselves, urging those in the medical field to make an indelible mark in the health sector, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Earlier in her remarks, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs. Mofoluwaso Adebimpe Williams, revealed that 1,383 Corps members were deployed to Kogi State for their one-year mandatory national service, with 712 males and 671 females.

According to her, within the three weeks allotted for this program, the corps members were taken through well-structured programs such as para-military drills, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship development, citizenship and leadership training to enhance their productivity and performance during and after the service year.

While assuring that the training has equipped them for the onerous task ahead at their places of primary assignment, the State Coordinator, however, warned them against playing truancy and engaging in acts that are capable of denting the image of the scheme and their families.

“You must obey the rules and regulations of the NYSC because erring corps members will be punished as spelled out in the NYSC Bye-laws. You are advised not to travel without discretion, especially during this period of general insecurity in the nation.

“If you have a genuine reason to travel, you must obtain permission through the proper channel. My beloved compatriots, it is imperative at this juncture to warn you to avoid the wrong use of social media and the broadcast of false news and hate speech. Doing these is at cross purposes with the Federal Government’s efforts at stemming social media-related crises in our nation,” she warned.