NATIONAL Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members have been advised to always respect the tradition and culture of their host communities.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig-General Suleiman Kazaure, gave the advice on Wednesday during inspection tour of the orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The Director General, represented by Mrs Josephine Okuonghae, Director of Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, NYSC Headquarters, Abuja noted that respecting the host communities’ values was pertinent to promoting the objectives of the scheme.
Kazaure, who is on 2017 Batch ‘A’ stream 11 camp tours, to some states including Bayelse also charged corps members to be more patriotic to move the nation forward.
It reports that the Batch ‘A’ corps members’ are presently undergoing camp training and would be closing on Aug 15.
“Though, you are still in the camp but I must advice you in the course of your service year, to obey and respect the tradition of your host communities.
“When you go to your places of primary assignments, do not go and begin to show them that you are more superior to them; you must not go and begin to make mockery of the values.
“Always respect their ways of life. Their traditions and their culture must be respected. By doing so, you integrate with other Nigerians, appreciate their ways of life and that justifies the establishment of the scheme.
“I will also advice you, even as you continue to live and abide by the rules on the camp, try to avail yourselves of opportunity for self-employment through the NYSC skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development programme,” the Director General advised.
Karaure, who also inspected camp facilities in Kaiama, Bayelsa, said he was impressed with the structures and applauded the state government supports to the scheme.
On Welfare of corps members, Kazaure disclosed that plans are underway by the scheme to demand for improved allowances for servicing corps members across the country.
Earlier, the NYSC’s Bayelsa Coordinator, Mrs Loto Bolade said steps had been taken to make corps members comfortable despite the temporary nature of the orientation camp in the state.
Bolade stated that the orientation course had been hitch-free with the camp officials working diligently towards ensuring success.
“Activities on camp are gradually coming to a climax, in anticipation of closing ceremony on Aug 15. I must tell you, the DG that the corps members are highly disciplined, motivated and patriotic.
“While thanking you for the supply of 200 double bunk beds for adequate accommodation on camp, I, therefore humbly appeal to you to approve the purchase and release of 3,000 life jackets to the scheme in Bayelsa as over 80 per cent of the state is riverine.
“In the course of the orientation, we have received supports from various bodies and state government; a podium from the Nigerian Air force, Bayelsa Mobility Command, 50 chairs from Eco bank, drugs from African University and Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa among others,” she said.
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